DUCK DAY AFTERNOON

It is a long way to go for a race, but GOLD CLAREMONT took her chance in the Eider Chase at Newcastle. One of the original appeals of the race was that the ground would be ideal, but the weather gods taunted us by ensuring that Gold Claremont conditions were everywhere. Unfortunately, Newcastle was the exception, as the officially heavy going rode a bit quicker than that. Had it been genuinely heavy, who knows how close she might have been? On the same day, new boy CRESTA CAT was a runner at Southwell, a location that has spent most of the last couple of months being an ideal place for ducks. For the biggest yards this sort of agenda seems normal, but for us the schedule just seemed quackers, involving a stay overnight at Southwell, up to Newcastle from there, a stop back at Southwell at 6.30, and home by 10.30 at night. 

After a more sedate Sunday, it was off to Plumpton, where FLEMEN’S TIPPLE resumed normal service by finishing second in the staying hurdle. The heavier going was probably less of an issue than an opponent transformed by adding cheekpieces and stepping up in trip. SHAW’S CROSS and CLINDAW ROBIN both ran in the two miles chase (it was a very traditional flavour to the day) and although both brought home some prize money, neither were at their best.

Apologies for no Gold Claremont pics – webmaster did not join the great expedition.   

The following pics are the Plumpton trio. Flemen’s Tipple seemed to enjoy himself despite the result. Then we have Shaw’s Cross and Clondaw Robin