Juliette's Weekly Frolic
Strung about with umbrella, bag, gloves, three newspapers, two racecards and a pen, it's a miracle it my binoculars ever get directed at the antics a one set of colours, let alone a whole field, so sad as it is that I shall not be going to Cheltenham, Saturday's armchair view of the Mackeson Gold Cup with it's easy-tofollow commentary plus generous helpings of flashbacks and slow motion drama should prove far more educational, though a far cry from the comradely jollity of last weekend in Esher. Nothing can replace the foot-stamping, hat-raising cheers (win or lose) of a royal victory and the contented glow as each turns to his neighbour to remark on the 'good' Crowd one always gets at Sandown, conscious of his own selfless contribution to this happy state of sportmanship. But on to the mackeson, the first of the pre-Christmas string of richly sponsored Saturday chases, one for each Gold Cup pretender, and just a question of fitting the right horse into each slot. The Dikler was hailed as a reformed character after his Ascot second to Crisp, undoubtedly well-weighted. his odds don't reflect the quality of the opposition. Lightly-raced Chesapeake Bay started successfully this year and did well when second under topweight in a fast-run hurdle race at Newcastle, but he lacks the class of second favourite. Royal Relief. Last year's top twomile chaser (that is until he encountered Crisp at Cheltenham) his four wins included one at this distance (2 miles 4 furlongs) and he will be fitter for his race behind prince Tino at Kempton, when trying 3 miles for the first time.
Assets: £6.54. Outlay: £5 to win Royal Relief.
Previous page
