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Towcester 3rd February 2011 Soft
INTRODUCTION

Towcester is clearly a settlement of Roman vintage. It sits on the banks of the River Towe and served by the first great straight highway of the day which became anglicised to Whatling Street and is now known simply as the A5. Whatling Street was later incorporated in a great 1800 project after the Act of Union with Ireland to connect the two great capitals of London and Dublin. As such it ran through England and Wales via the Anglesey port of Holyhead to Ath Cliath. 

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The track sits right next to the River Tove

The links to aristocracy abound throughout racing and so it is here. There are well known photographs of Pricess Anne sitting on the grass having been dumped during a race at Towcester in the 1970s. At the inception of Towcester race sits the influence of Elizabeth The Empress of Austria Queen of Hungary, affectionately known to millions as "Sisi". She is said to have been as intelligent as she was extravagant, and was decades ahead of her time. Although the imperial surroundings of Schönbrunn Palace and the glittering Vienna Hofburg were her home, the consort of the Austrian Emperor established a special relationship with all classes of her subjects. Little wonder then that following her tragic death Princess Diana was often likened in obituaries to Sisi: Both were women of extraordinary beauty and represented their countries with dignity and elegance. Both succeeded in winning a special place in people's hearts even amidst the ceremony and protocol of ancient dynasties. Both were dedicated to social causes. And both died tragically before their time.


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The picturesque Express Gate often used as a backdrop for wedding photographs

Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary visited the Towcester area and attended an Easter holiday meet in 1826 which is an element of the document of the intriguing life story of a woman who was an "empress against her will", who was at once fairy-tale princess and liberated woman, a dieting fanatic and expert equestrian, a poet and inveterate traveller. In fact the Empress was mates with the resident Spencers of the day and went around for a bit of snap and sport. Whilst staying at Easton Neston she went by train from Blisworth station to Lamport where a similar race meeting was held by the Pytchley Hunt at Hopping Hill. Earl Spencer had a special pavilion erected and provided a magnificent lunch for his guests. ‘Bay’ Middleton raced in his colours of black, pink hoops and a black cap and was invited to the lunch.


The event at Hopping Hill so delighted the Empress she decided to establish a race meeting of her own to be called the Grafton Hunt Steeplechase. A course was laid out in Easton Neston Park and a stand erected for guests. She then sent to Hancox, a London jeweller, to make a cup for the winner, and to be called The Hohenembs Cup. To enter the race the horses were to be from the Grafton, Pytchley, Bicester and Mr Selby-Lowndes hunts. The weight to be carried was 13st and the length 3 miles. Bay Middleton entered on a horse called Musketeer. A special marquee was also erected so that all the people who had helped her during her stay could be entertained and the food was ordered from a London caterer. Bay Middleton won the race by 3 lengths which was probably a great joy for the Empress. The similarities between the two women are palpable and leaves you wondering whether The Empress was in fact  Lady Diana role model even to a violent death.

This part of Northamptonshire was last (and probably the only time) in the eyes of the global press a decade or so ago when television cameras in helicopters were trained on Junction 15a of the M1. A string of black cars, some with flowers chucked on them, appeared to be the subject. One of them had a box in the boot. The box was later concealed with stealth outside of the gaze of the world nations. It was in fact almost hidden pirate style on an island within a lake. A task aimed at minimising the holy shrine to the martyr syndrome. Truth is many people suspect that the box and island trick was a bit too obvious and in fact the box was put into the family church crypt.  The box of course contained the earthly remains of Queen of Hearts. She was a leggy attractive if sparingly made mare with a tendency to weaken under pressure. She was sent to the paddocks having schooled poorly. She was first put to Greco- Hanoverian stud Flower Talker who it was suspected required the assistance of a studhand to finish the job. The first foal, Follicle Challenge, has been described as gangly and backward. Her second foal was a further colt called Ginger Nuts who has yet to see a racetrack but was coltish in a point to point out in the shires. He is thought to perform well without a teaser and despite classic bloodlines is thought to have been cut on the advice of a senior vet. Queen of Hearts was often loose in the paddocks and several donkeys were thought to have mounted but generally whilst she was out of season. She was last covered by Layabout who was an unbroken son of prolific sire Pass The Passport. She was yet to have been confirmed in foal before she hit the 13th in the Grand Prix D'Underpass where three others were also brought down. Follicle Challenge is to be mated to Clone of Hearts a bay filly by Commercial Pilot out of Trolley Dolly. She gained black type in the Useless Recreational Course Stakes at Fife. However appeared unfurnished when flashing her tail in a Catwalk Maiden on the all weather, appearing to have a liking for sand and moving freely preferring limited cover. She is a complete outcross for the Bratwurst Royale line.

COURSE

At the intersection between Whatling Street and the A43 is the northern end of the Silverstone by-pass. This was one of the first new build dual carriageways which were designed and built by the private sector in recent years. This contract was challenging to say the least but not because of the technical difficulties. A nearby plague village was part of the route, there was also a significant chance of Roman finds so the contract had its own pre-works archaeologist to review plans and see if the cut threw up any interesting finds. However the biggest issue was a total redesign of the pavement because of the Foot and Mouth epidemic closed most of the site for several months. We had a very tight programme to hit. This was because the need to ensure that the dualling from the north was opened in time for the British Formula One. The work finished on time somehow or other. In fact the Silverstone Motor racing circuit is one of my professional successes. My team developed a brand new surface for the Grand Prix designed to dry quickly, have predictable grip and last. When we finished the surface asphalt I took the opportunity to take my Vectra for a spin. Because the track had been completely redesigned I can legitimately claim that for a short period of time I held the lap record around the new Silverstone Grand Prix course. When I went  racing at Towcester around 2000 it was in a right state. Unloved, very cold and lacking in atmosphere just about covers it. Coming here for the first time I am struck by a lot of change. First of all there are the brand new buildings constructed in 2005, comprising of The Empress and Grace Stands. The Empress Stand was designed with some flair, it is a bit child’s fort-like in image, complete with medaevil flags on turrets. Free entry is a major plus and a brilliant innovation. Application recompensed by a significant crowd far above justification for a modest card on a cold but sunny February mid-week. Thus justifiable reward for this super value for money. Added to this for racegoer is a high deffinition giant TV screen and an entertaining / informative Towcester Television channel. It all makes it very hard to fault an admirably run customer focused operation. One final thing to improve things is to get the prixe money up, this course deseres a big race day. Walking around the course is easy, enabling spectators to get very close to the action. The nature of the course is a tough uphill final 5 furlongs and because of the wide expanses and easy turns it makes Towcester galloping in essence. The fences are not that stiff. The going today was not that testing as they did not go in very deep so I would put it at soft. A drying wind helped. The track certainly is the main reason for the testing nature today and not the going with quite a few edging left heading home. There is also interesting news that Towcester is set to be the Ascot for the greyhaound world by building a track here. Whisper it softly by there is only one sport where the money is haemouraging from owners quicker than horseracing.

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The Empress Stand owes a little to Kafka imagery and toy fort chic yet remains endearingly unique in racing

THE RACING

Opening race was a 2m novice hurdle. The favourite was The Chazer at strong odds on when market opened and continued to be well backed on the day following promising form including a good run at Exeter. This was not an event high on quality but the winner (Jimmy The Saint) soon got into the swing of things after a couple of early mistakes. Stayed on strongly to hold favourite on debut. Previously had run with credit when second in modest bumpers. As race lacked depth difficult to assess, but at least promising. The runner up (The Chazer) held every chance despite persistantly hanging left and moved violently so when appearing to tire on the run in. He had looked beaten at the last. The trainer was of the opinion that he would suit left handed and would win next run. However he is quite exposed and has run right handed several times sometimes with credit. My view is that he needs blinkers and even then I am not sure he is genuine enough to win particularly on a testing track. The Third home Bee Cee Pee M plodded on cearly hoping for anonimity and who can blame hime with a name like that.

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The eventual winner Jimmy The Saint tracks early pacemaker Bit of a Clown



A conditional jockeys 2m handicap chase was a very competitive affair. All appeared to be in with a bit of a chance on the handicap. Surprisingly the strong favourite was Molly Round a chase debutante having her debut effort in handicap company. She is a touch on the stumpy size and at the fences I saw her at she seemed ok. However after only four flights she fell. Despite this the race developed into a real tight finish. Veteran Kinkeel battled on gamely and only went down by just over a length. He continues to go for the record number of runs in jumping in the world. Retains plenty of zest. The winner Karasakal appeared fairly treaded and was in good heart. Again stayed on well jumping ok in the main. Intrigingly. Karasakal appeared to be wilting a bit on the run in when moving a bit out to the left. But was then joined by the loose horse Molly Round. This seemed to galvanise and he then kicked on again. Both Devils River (races prominently) and Ilongue (hold up horse not completely fluent) both ran well. A good tight finish suggests that the field is reasonably handicapped and as such nothing looks thrown in or handicaped out of races at present. 

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Devils River leads old stager Kinkeel at the first with favourite Molly Round (in green) soon to depart at the fourth

The 2m handicap hurdle was between two horses from a long way out. Yossi, an early leader soon jacked this in and may need firm ground. Nous Voila quickly gave up the ghost 3 out despite having sound form a couple years ago and remains out of sorts. However this was a gritty win for Orang Outang who battled well to get upper hand on Marlborough Sound with the pair well clear. Despite this good effort, on review of being a lightly raced veteran, that he is not that well handicapped and it is difficult to see either following up with a win. Even less likely is the rest short term potnetial of this motley crew including  old boy Andy Gin who looks out of luck with the handicapper.

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Firm ground Yossi (soon weakens) leads early on with Orang Outan second having a lead on Marlborough Sound. This latter pair was soon to draw clear and batttle finish out

The 3m handicap chase was eventually a fair buckle. However the jumping of most was woeful and many didn't seem to act on this testing track which really exposes any stamina limitations. Victory Gunner outjumped his rivals (a relative term) with the experience of a thirteen year old. He is on a historically low mark courtesy of some pretty poor runs usually more often than not  pulling up. So this was his day and second home Atherstone Hill were 45 lengthd clear of the third. On this basis you'd have thought these two are thrown in at the weights. The reality is that the white flag goes up quick for horses here and some who may have had a bit of bad luck. (like Ballyegan who ran ok till unseated rider) may offer some potential. The winning distance of some of today's races including this one flatters the leading hoses.




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With Towcester Church in the distance the field gallop down to the first

The 2m4 mares maiden hurdle was turned into a procession by Bunglasha Lady. There is no point discussing the rest of the field. Bunglasha Lady was so far clear that she was eased right down soon after the last and still held them comfortably walking in. The remainder were furlongs back. Question is was this a good field and Bunglasha Lady is in the David Nicholson Mares class or were they very very poor in which case she may pick up a small mares event preferably over 2m4. More the latter than the former I suspect.

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Colleens Pride attempts to pull Gerald Quinn's arme out their sockets

Did anyone cheer when the favourite was presented with the race following the fatal fall of the clear leader at the last in the novice chase? You have to hope not. I couldn't tell as I watched this from out in the country. It was devastating I am sure to Venetia Williams and the rest of the connection involved in The French Horse. Ran and jumped very well for a novice and pulled smoothly clear having the race in the bag when clipping the last and fatally falling right in front of the stands. Still it's an ill wind that doesn't blow someone some good. In this respect the perenial runner up Fredo at last got some compensation for a string of seconds since he went novice chasing. I saw him jump well in the main on his chase debut at Stratford in the autumn behind the brilliant yet also dead Tell Mansini.I would say Fredo was not entirely suited by the testing track. If he ran at a flat gallop course like say  Uttoxeter or better still Haydock we may see him follow up. The rest jumped poorly.

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Along the back-straight there is a modest wood of new trees which is a good point to get a feel of how open and galloping this track is

If McCoy has one ride only in a bumper as a midweek closing event out in the sticks you need certifying if you miss out. Nurse where do I sign? This was to my eye a brilliant exhibition of waiting in front. They merely had a gentleman's canter around for best part of a mile. This hindered the chances of out and out stayers like Monbeg Dude who were completely devoid of toe when the pace quickened. He was entered into the novice today so clearly schooled ok. I would have thought a 2m4 maiden hurdle would be the best option now. Of the rest the gambled on Hollow Blue Sky  (well backed favourite on racecourse debut dspite the McCoy factor so some confidence somewhere)is half brother to last year's Foxhunter winner the very useful Baby Run so keep an eye out for this one in time. The winner Destroyer Deployed did win in good style and may be quite useful but the lack of pace tempors the view. The second home was Howards Legacy who gave a gallant effort but failed to stay final furlong and may need a less testing circuit.

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Out of the early evening gloom we just make out the great AP heading into the winners enclosure with Destroyer Deployed

How did they do next three runs to a £10 stake

The Chazer (Negative)down £60
1(7/1)0
Got him very wrong as popped up next run at a laid £7/1 got a bit back after and now to novice chase and could be OK so leavig alone

Marlborough Sound(Negative) up £10
0
Saw him run at Carlisle when hopeless and I wouldn't be surprised if jacks it in now so will leave alone

Orang Utang (Negative) up £10
2
A fair second next run but not seen out since and may be out the game so will leave alone

Bunglasha Lady up £46
1(3/1)1(13/8)
She followed up with a good double and hasnt been seen out since. I think she could chase but will close off on her

Fredo down £20
4P
moderate form after and I lost faith with him when pulled up


Hollow Blue Sky down £30
4 0 0
Sent novice hurdling over 2m and seems suited to jumping but the trips have been inadequate. Well worth an interest when put over a testing trip