The Three Stop Tour
The annual Racing & Rugby Tour is over, and we are back in the UK. What a week it was – superb racing, great fun, and a wonderful rugby match – all under beautiful blue skies!
We start eight days ago – Sunday 27th April – I had finished writing the weekly News, when a couple of videos came through – always good to hear from Jason Maguire – but I don’t often get updates on a Sunday. There was a reason – my Sunday was obviously going better than his!!
Floyd was supposed to be enjoying a day off in the paddock but decided that it would be far more fun to have a look around a bit farther afield!
You can hear Jason saying ‘Run – Run – Run’ – that was not to Floyd – that was to the man standing next to him – getting him to chase after Floyd!
Two things to take out of the incident – Floyd can certainly jump! Just look how high he gets his back end over those rails! He didn’t touch a twig! More importantly, he was fine after his escape – despite going on to jump a stone wall, through a very shallow gap under some low trees! I have always said that Maguire was very good at teaching horses to jump – but Floyd has taken things a little far this time!
On Monday morning we set off for Ireland – well Wales first, as we would be overnighting in Conwy as we had last year. Regular readers will be aware of a ‘small incident’ that occurred in Dublin Port during last year’s trip – when I managed to get crushed between two cars – that was at the end of the week – this year I managed to injure myself at the start. Stopping off at the local filling station for diesel, it was the perfect opportunity to top up the window washers. After getting the fuel I parked to the rear of the building out of the way. With the washers refilled I was heading back to the car when I tripped up a raised bit of concrete, falling head-first – almost into my own car! Two grazed hands – a very sore knuckle or two, and two knees that looked like I was a five year old again. At least my passenger saw the funny side of things as my legs appeared above the window of the car! I saw the funny side when a very small Asian man, who must have weighed all of 9 stone offered to help me up – having a rudimentary knowledge of physics – I should have probably have declined his offer, and I know there was that split second when he regretted making it – when, as he was trying to pull me (unsuccessfully) back to my feet, he just uttered the words –‘Too Big!!’ Cue more laughing! It seems to be an annual event now – this damaging myself on the Ireland trip – good to get it out of the way early!
After a quick return home – to clean the scrapes and tape up the worst of them we were back on the road to north Wales. We had a lovely little overnight in Conwy last year as our ferry was an early sailing, and despite it being later this time we decided to stay there again, once again booking into The Hidden Chapel B&B – which is excellent. After a wander around the walls of the town, and checking out some of the shops within, we headed to The Castle Hotel for a pint and a few nibbles – a great pint of Guiness here! While supping what would be the first of many pints of ‘Plain’ during the week – I got great news from Louise at The Elms Stud who had heard from France that Savingforvegas had scanned in foal to Nirvana du Berlais once again. What a good girl she is! She almost always conceives first time every year – I know I am very lucky to have such a wonderful mare – who not only is a very easy breeder- produces very nice stock that have plenty of ability – I just hope that the finances of the whole breeding thing allow me to continue to breed from her – it has always been costly – but it is now getting close to being too costly!!
Vegas and Nancy
Dinner was in Alfredos – an Italian that we found last year – it had been spruced up since our last visit and was very nice indeed – we all had a great meal – excellent food and great service!
We would be leaving the B&B just as breakfast service started on Tuesday morning, so would miss that – but it was really kind of Colin to offer to make us a bacon or sausage bap to take with us – we would grab a brekky on the boat, but it was a very kind offer. Check out The Hidden Chapel if you are ever staying in the area.
The Hidden Chapel, Conwy
Conwy Castle
A good crossing on the Swift – and an easy run to The Kilashee, our base for the next three nights. We arrived a little before check in – so enjoyed a couple of pints upstairs in the Larkspur Lounge while we waited.
The Kilashee
I headed down to the bar when I had unpacked and, with superb timing ran into a friend and former client who had just arrived back from the races and was ordering his first pint at the bar – a lot more of those followed, and it was a very good afternoon and evening, which ended upstairs in the lounge enjoying a night cap and seeing a regular visitor, well known to everyone that goes to the big meetings, and especially those that stay at the Kilashee (where she has been staying for the past 15 years) take a nasty tumble, which could have resulted in her crashing down the sweeping staircase to reception. I can safely say that this incident didn’t damage her health or her confidence as she was back on full form the next evening – thought the guitarist had been moved to the rear of the lounge away from the stairs to avoid any future incidents – which was fine – it just meant you had to run a bit if a gauntlet to get to your room! It was very funny to see Champion Jockey, Sean Bowen meet her for the first time on Thursday evening – I ignored his initial desperate plea for help but did in the end head over and rescue him and his fiancée Harriett – he was very grateful!
Wednesday – after a very good ‘Full Irish’ I felt the need for a little walk, so took full advantage of a beautiful morning and took myself off for a little stroll around the grounds. Stunning gardens, and some wonderful little spots to sit and enjoy the peace and quiet – well it would have been peaceful, but for the noisy rookery in the woods! While out and about I got a few video updates from home – Alan King sending a clip of And She Was working nicely. ASW has done very well for her break with Jamie Magee and will be ready to return to the track very soon.
Stunning grounds of The Kilashee
Jason Maguire also sent a few clips through of a couple of the unraced three year olds striding out on Tom George’s woodchip gallop. Gatsby and Finbar are really coming together now. Gatsby is a stunning horse, who really gets his head down as he gallops and goes very nicely – he had the benefit of having been to this gallop last year – and his work was very nice. Finbar went really well too on what was only his second away day – and Jason reported that he had learned a great deal from his first visit and had sharpened up really well for the experience. He is very happy with the pair of them. Floyd did not make the trip, we have decided to just back off of him for the time being. He has not thrived this spring for whatever reason – not carrying the condition we would like him to and not blooming in his coat – he will have a short course of Gastroguard to help him if he is suffering with ulcers and then be turned out. A spell out at grass will help him no end – and we will start again with him in the autumn. From what we have seen of him (escape aside), like his half brothers, he has a lovely way of going and looks a very smart horse in the making. As he has not done as well as his ‘class mates’ this term, we will be patient and give him the time he obviously needs.
And so on to the races – catching a lift to the races from the hotel with one of the official racecourse cars. As luck would have it the first two people we saw as we got through the gates were Andy and Nick, who were at the festival for the first time – taking my advice and getting over to enjoy the first couple of days at Punchestown. They were blown away by it and could not believe the difference between this meeting and the Cheltenham equivalent. The two meetings really are like chalk and cheese, and if you have never been over to Punchestown for their 6 days of spring fun – you really must – you will not be able to fault it – and will want to return year after year! I know Andy and Nick will be back for sure! After promising to meet up with Andy and Nick before the last race we headed to the champagne bar for the first round of the day – where we ran into a big bunch of friends and were soon joined by a Hen Do – many of whom we know from riding out at various yards around Gloucestershire. One retired jockey and a dozen ‘wild’ girls – judging by the way they started it was going to be a fun day and night for them all! A great way to start the day – although some of the photos I saw in the couple of hours we were together will never be forgotten, and I will not be able to look at some jockeys in quite the same way ever again!!
Dapper Chaps!
Fun in the sun!
Leaving the girls to soak up the warm sun - Matt and I met up with the usual gang we meet up with every year – a group from Matts village, Godmanchester – it has become an annual tradition to meet for a few pints in Punchestown. They were having a great week – especially Andy who really had the midas touch and could not stop backing winners! It was good to see them all in such good form. We spent most of the rest of the afternoon in a private box, where we witnessed a fantastic performance by Galopin des Champs in the Gold Cup – what a run – and wonderful to see him back to his best! Before the last we headed down to the bar beside the paddock for a quick pint with Nick and Andy before they headed home – they had had a wonderful two days – and will definitely be back!
Once again, a great day at the races – the best weather we have ever encountered in all the years we have been going – really fun to run into so many friends from both sides of the Irish Sea – it is what makes this meeting so special.
After racing we headed to our favourite restaurant in Naas, Vie de Chateau for a wonderful dinner. The ubiquitous warm welcome from all the staff and our ‘usual table’ reserved for us. If ever you are in Naas you have to try this wonderful French style Bistro – superb food, beautifully cooked and presented – and great staff! You have to try the Dublin Bay prawns for a starter, and this year I had a delicious rack of Irish Lamb for a main and panna cotta with a mint and strawberry salad for desert – go there at least once if you are at Punchestown – I promise you will not regret it!
Thursday morning, Maguire sent through a video of Finbar having a school up the hurdles at Ivy Lodge Farm – he loves his jumping! Jason and I had a chat later in the morning, and agreed a plan for all of the three year olds – Gatsby would remain in light work – Floyd, as mentioned will head to the field, and Finbar will also have a short break now – he has done enough for the time being, and will have a couple of weeks off just to take in what he has learned over the course of the last two months. As he will back in work in no time at all, he will stay at Ivy Lodge Farm.
Back to the races on Thursday – in slightly cooler and more overcast conditions. Another great days racing. Once again starting off in the champagne bar – catching up on all the gossip with the girls from the Hen Do – and the retired jockey who stayed with them all day and on into the night – they eventually pulled up at around 3.30am! Top class action on the track as well – Majborough very impressive in the Champion Novices’ Chase – despite jumping left handed – and great to see Teahupoo win the stayers hurdle. The afternoon rounded off with Alan King winning the concluding bumper with Baron Noir. Who knows – we may be back there next year with our own contender in a bumper – Nevada Samba is a possible candidate for a trip over!
Friday – after a very disturbed night, I woke feeling far from ‘chipper’ – a bit of tummy trouble – so no breakfast for me! We would be checking out and heading into Dublin for the third leg of our trip. I was not feeling at all well by mid- morning, with what can only be described as flu like symptoms. Luckily it was only 45 minutes into the centre of town and our next hotel – The Clarence, on the banks of The Liffey, and right at the centre of all the night life. By the time we arrived I was feeling slightly better, and when our room was ready, we headed up to unpack. A nice little upgrade meant that we were on the top floor with a rooftop terrace, which turns out to be the very place that U2 filmed their 2000 hit Elevation for a Top Of The Pops appearance! In fact, Bono and The Edge owned the hotel at the time – and it is a really nice one!
Our rooftop terrace.
With U2 on it!
I did manage a stroll around the city in the early afternoon and even manged a sandwich for lunch – but as the girls headed off for a bit of retail therapy I went back to The Clarence, feeling non to hot, and headed straight to bed (fully clothed initially) eventually waking feeling a lot brighter at 8.15am the next morning! I awoke to an Alan King update from the previous afternoon - Rockola back cantering up Sharpridge and in good order.
On Saturday morning we headed back out around the city for a short stroll where I managed a very small breakfast with a bottle of water – everything was a trial – we had a big day planned and I did not want an upset stomach to be spoiling it! With the first test of the day successfully passed, it was time to dose myself up and we headed off on a bus tour of Dublin, which Sarah had worked out stopped right outside the restaurant that Matt had booked for lunch. Although bright and sunny – it was chilly on the open top deck, but it was a fantastic way to see the city, and the most extravagant and circuitous bus journey I have ever taken to lunch – but it was perfect!
Molly Malone
Taxi's outside The Guiness Brewery
We arrived at Fire bang on 1.30pm – our lunch booking! Fire is one of the very best steak restaurants in Dublin, situated on the South Side, in Dawson Street, it is in a beautiful part of the city ideally situated for our next stop later that day. What a lunch! A beautiful restaurant, in gorgeous surroundings – once again amazing food – sadly I couldn’t eat all of mine – but what I had was delicious! We will definitely be back to Fire!!
Fire - Just go!!!
From there it was a short Uber to The Storyteller pub where we were meeting friends ahead of the semi final of the European Champions Cup between Leinster and Northampton at the Aviva Stadium. A repeat of last years semi final that Northampton had lost by 3 points in Croke Park – a game we were lucky enough to be at – when the same fixture fell on the same weekend this year – we kind of had to go again – and with the girls this time! Everyone in great form when we got there – a quick pint – although I must have still been feeling poorly as I couldn’t finish mine – like lunch – that has never happened before!
We headed off to the ground full of hope that Northampton may be able to get a result, but far from expecting it – after all Leinster wee 33/1 on favourites to win – and were a team made up entirely of Irish internationals plus 2 great players and one other very very good one!
The game was probably the best I have ever witnessed, Saints starting strong, and really putting it up to Leinster and not letting them settle into any sort of rhythm. They took a surprise early lead, that certainly quietened the huge home support. A first half hat trick from Tommy Freeman and a wonder try from the outstanding Henry Pollock saw the Saints go in at the half with a 27-15 advantage. As expected, Leinster came out strong in the second half, and Northampton had to dig deep, but a superb defensive performance, when down to 14 men saw them hold out for a nail biting win! Wild celebrations at the final whistle – a superb game of rugby – and a real – ‘I was there’ moment!
We decided to walk back to the city centre and back to The Clarence, and after a quick freshen up we met in the hotel bar for a little drink to celebrate – just a couple of glasses of red for me – I wasn’t ready for Guiness again quite yet!
A light day on Saturday meant I was in even better form on Sunday morning – improving all the time! Out for a ramble around town again – breakfast in Eddie Rockets – a little trip down memory lane as this was the same diner a group of us had used when we were over in Dublin for a mates stag party around 25 years ago! We checked out of The Clarence at 12.00pm and headed for the port – managing to not get crushed this time. A good trip home, and back just after 8.00pm.
The annual Punchestown trip gets better every year – just the best craic – and with the added bonus of a win for Northampton at The Aviva Stadium – this one will live long in the memory!
While we have been away the wheels kept turning at home. Intrepide Sud is well and has entries in Huntingdon and Market Rasen this week. He will run at one or the other and will hopefully put in a better show than on his previous two starts. He has lost his form, and we need to see an improvement from him. Sadly Chevelle, who was due to run on the flat in Nottingham at the end of the week will not be able to do so – a small set back means that she will not take her chance there. I will chat with Fergal tomorrow about the options with her and update her owners.
Greyval is out on her holidays, as is Nevada Samba. Ridin Solo is out at Tim Lesley’s lovely place in Shropshire. I had anticipated Old Blue Eyes to be out by now, but Donald went away for a week, and he has kept him in until his return. He will soon be out enjoying the sunshine. Dino Bellagio is in great order and will have entries at the end of the month – there are few options for him until he gets his flat handicap mark. Cloud Dancer continues his rehabilitation at Ivy Lodge Farm.
In a piece of perfect timing it was great to see Lulamba win the 4 yr old Championship Hurdle in Punchestown on Saturday. The first Grade 1 win in Ireland for his sire Nirvana du Berlais – and one that will certainly bolster the already lofty reputation of the sire. I am thrilled that we have a gorgeous daughter of his this year – and even happier that Savingforvegas has scanned in foal to him again!
Back to work this week – but I am already looking forward to a return to Punchestown next year!!
