NRC member Gordon Armistead has kindly agreed to update the club newsletter and web site with his personal racing diary during the year.

Friday January 1^st Cheltenham

It just about managed to nudge above zero degrees at the Cheltenham M5 turnoff and after numerous inspections I was on the car park before the meeting got the go ahead. Even then there was a long delay after the first for another inspection and a multitude of non runners during the day.
Radium defied top weight in the two mile novice handicap hurdle but it was not a good race. Cunning Clarets was travelling well when slipping two out and can probably win in northern handicaps.
Most of the runners had chances in the three two handicap chase and Double Dizzy looked overpriced at 14/1. The trip was always going to be the problem and after looking the winner turning in he faded up the hill. Winner Sherwoods Folly needed all of this trip and is best at further but a ratings rise would see him in trouble for the future. The two four handicap chase was very competitive and I didn't really want any of the short priced ones. Old Mister McGoldrick was way over priced at 50/1 and as with Double Dizzy he looked the likely winner before the straight. Winner Can't Buy Time was dropped in trip but it was testing ground. He ran in the National last season but that trip has looked beyond him.
Only three in the two four conditions hurdle and for once the outsider of the three Sentry Duty looked the value at 5/1. Despite hardly jumping a hurdle properly he outpaced Katchit from the last with a poor display from Mr Thriller. If he stays he could have place chances in the World Hurdle.

Saturday January 23^rd Haydock

The two mile graded novice hurdle saw a good display from Peddlers Cross making all and never looking in danger. He will stay further and if he goes to the festival the two five novice would look favourite.
A moderate affair for the Tim Molony Chase. Jaunty Journey travelled well for a long way out in front and when the stable is back in form he could find a modest staying chase. Diamond Harry jumped well on his chase debut but it was pity Bensalem fell as it would have given a better guide to the form. Knockara Beau probably didn't run up to his best
Punjabi is never going to catch the eye and Medermit looked like he would benefit from the race before the Champion Hurdle trial. Last year's Champion is looking like it was a modest affair as the form continues to be let down. With the betting wide open Go Native looks the one for me at this stage.
Our Vic caught my eye when running a fair race in the Paddy Power under top weight and had won since. After running out and having no chance in the King George the handicapper had dropped him six pounds for the Peter Marsh Chase He has shown good form on soft ground and his best form has been at three miles. Having taken some 20/1 in the morning he was out at 28/1 on the exchanges so I had another little dabble at that.   Super effort but any rise in his rating now will surely have him in trouble at the age of twelve. Palypso De Creek was the only one to give him a race and any ratings rise for him will no doubt be welcomed as his rating of 130 would not get him a National run. According to Pete is becoming disappointing and looks in the grip of the handicapper. Mon Mome ran an excellent race under top weight while Cloudy Lane was struggling from a mile out.
Llama Farmer stood out in the parade ring for the novice brush hurdle but two appalling efforts on his only two outings meant I didn't even look at the market. Returned at33/1 I dread to think what price he was on Betfair.

Saturday January 30th Cheltenham

Odds on for the juvenile hurdle Pistolet Noir never really looked happy and was well seen off by 100/1 shot Baccalaureate. Neither would seem to have much chance in the Triumph Hurdle.
Having not stayed the three mile on his last run the two four novice handicap chase looked ready made for Hey Big Spender and he duly obliged at a very fair 5/1. He looks a solid customer at this distance and his jumping means he will win more races. There was lots of moderate jumping from his opponents including favourite Doctor Pat who looked beaten when he hit three out. Edgbriar ran a good race to finish second and he should progress.
No Gold Cup pointers from the newly named Argento Chase. Taranis travelled well and easily saw off Carruthers and Joe Lively but he was getting weight and of course the stable have a few better than him.
The graded two four novice hurdle saw Restless Harry jump moderately but outstay both General Miller and Royal Charm. He will stay three miles but it should be back to two miles for the other pair.
A wide open race for the Cleeve Hurdle. I have always fancied that Tidal Bay was a stayer but I would have preferred him not to prove it today beating Time for Rupert. Perhaps he has found his niche but it will be harder work in the World Hurdle against Big Bucks. He and a good few others have place chances. Time for Rupert stepped up in class well and he is another with place chances in the World Hurdle and one to look forward to next season over fences.

Saturday February 6^th Doncaster

Some courses seem to be showing some sense in their prices and with one enclosure for £15 Doncaster is one of them and they have also stopped charging for car parking in one area. There was also the bonus of two extra races from the abandoned meeting the previous week.
Dan Breen ran away with the two mile novice hurdle after a long break from winning his bumpers last summer. I am not sure that third home Dr Livingstone is one too trust but fourth home Strategic Gale should have a future.
A couple of good novice chases and the two three race saw an easy win for Tazbar. He had begun to look a bit iffy over hurdles but there has been no sign of that over fences. Bedlan Boy ran a good race in second but the Henderson pair of You're the Top and Dave's Dream didn't jump well enough to get competitive. In the graded two mile race the giant Mad Max was easily seen off and rumour has it that he has breathing problems. Woolcombe Folly got the race but few thought he had got up to catch front runner I'm Delilah. This was his first run for over a year and while he will come on he will find some too good if he goes for the Arkle.
The two four handicap hurdle was very competitive and any number had chances in the straight. Sir Tantallus Hawk looks like being the horse I will follow over the cliff this season and after leading at the last he faded back to fifth. Better ground will suit him more so there is still hope. River d'Or from the Nicholls yard was favourite but looked like he would come on for this and never got in the race.
Looking like he needed the race Kalahari King turned in an excellent performance to take the big two mile handicap chase easily under top weight. He has it do at Cheltenham but has chances. Lennon showed up well for a long way on his second run back after a break and maybe the two miler at Aintree could be a target.
Visibility was minimal for the last race a three mile novice hurdle but there was no mistaking the ease with which Wayward Prince won the race, He looks a real stayer and can only improve.
I had read in the press that the forest in the middle of the track had been cut back on the orders of the town's mayor. I hope he is more successful at running the other council services has nothing at all seems to have changed and the view is still hopeless.

Saturday February 13^th Warwick

If all the committee's that are supposedly trying to improve the racegoers lot and attract new customers want to find how not to do it this was a perfect example. The minimum six races, £18 entrance charge, and one food outlet charging way over the odds. No wonder there was sparse crowd. Changes have been made in the two years since my last visit with the weighing room moving into what was a decent bar/eating area under the corporate boxes. While this might make things better for the jocks it doesn't for the racegoer.
I wanted to lay Long Run in the Kingmaker Chase but my Betfair mobile was on the blink. He didn't jump well when I saw him in France and while he won easily at Kempton he again made mistakes. It was a similar story today and while Mr Waley-Cohen is competent enough Long Run is not my idea of an RSA winner with a fall much more likely.
Having just watched Denman decant Mr McCoy at Newbury we witnessed an amazing ride from Sam Thomas on Winterwood in the three mile handicap hurdle. A mistake four out and the horse was slithering on the floor and went from having a nice lead to well back in the field. Somehow Thomas got him going again and back into the lead before the last to win by a length and a half. Great ride.
Andrew Tinkler is a much improved jockey this season with a much more positive riding style and he took the lead a long way out on Peveril in the two five novice hurdle. This was an improved effort from Peveril's first hurdle win and while this was not a good race he looks the part as well and he should make a chaser next season.

Saturday February 20^th Haydock

Me Voici is well suited to soft ground and took the Victor Ludorum with the minimum of fuss. Probably not the type for the Triumph Hurdle but should have a long term future.
A wide open Rendelsham Hurdle and I gave Cloudy Lane a chance and he ran well till two out. No doubt he will go to Aintree again but third time lucky looks a long shot.  The McCain yard did take the staying novice hurdle with Wymott who looks a very promising sort for fences next season. The slow pace will not have suited Wayward Prince but he was staying on stoutly at the end for second place.
Our Vic was again available at 20/1 for the Blue Square Gold Cup so carried a small bet even though I though Coe was the one for the race. Coe faded tamely but Our Vic ran a great race and had all of them in trouble down the back straight apart from Silver by Nature. The Midland National looks the race for the winner as the ground would normally to too fast for the Scottish National. Our Vic is in at Aintree but he doesn't look the sort for that while third home Le Beau Bai lacks the scope for Aintree and is not fast enough.
Little Josh's jumping has not been great in his novice season and he demolished the open ditch in the two four novice handicap chase. However he still managed to see off his rivals but if he to progress into open handicaps the jumping has got to improve. A similar remark applies to Ernst Bloefeld although he jumped better today. Edgbriar didn't run as well as he did at Cheltenham and is better than he showed here.

Saturday February 27^th Kempton

Considering he was banned for a few months last year the authorities were very kind to Nicky Henderson in putting on a paid racecourse gallop for Punjabi. He looked fitter than at Haydock but with very poor opposition he won as easily as could be expected.  The Dovecote Novice Hurdle usually goes to a decent sort and Escort'men won with a ton in hand. Seemingly unfancied he came from off the pace and it

Sunday November 22^nd Aintree

Sitting Tennant cost plenty after winning the graded bumper at the National meeting and while he won his novice hurdle here I don't think he is top class. Runner up Benbens looks sure to win his maiden hurdle and looks a horse with scope. Making the Grand Sefton an open handicap has not improved the race. I had thought that Dev was on a winning mark but not that he would get the trip here and he was lucky to be only challenged from the last by a real dodge in Pak Jack. He jumped really well over the big fences but it will be a bigger more competitive race if he returns for the Topham. A poor field for the Becher Chase and Vic Venturi will not be on my short list come April.

Saturday November 28^th Newcastle

Pamak d'Airy looks a horse on the upgrade and the handicapper can hardly be too hard after he beat some out of form rivals in the two four handicap chase. Abbeybraney was forecast as a short priced favourite for the three mile novice chase but looked very much in need of it. His main rival Weapon's Amnesty had jumped poorly in his first two chases and while he won here he will still have to improve to take on the best.

I thought Binocular looked awful before the Fighting Fifth (sweating on a cold day and carrying a bit of condition) and with only him and Solwhit below 20/1 it turned the race into a betting proposition. Solwhit was very lean and fit but paddock pick was easily Go Native. 32/1 on the machine and the manor of his win, all be it in a falsely run race, was most impressive. Sublimity in second will improve for this while Solwhit's best form at two miles is on soft and heavy.

Quantitativeeasing was hardly an eye catcher in the paddock but easily landed the odds on in the maiden hurdle. The next four home look sorts to do well in ordinary northern maidens and handicaps- namely Mr Syntax, Eyre Square, Papa Caruso, and Cocoa Key. A decent field for the Rehearsal Chase with Coe catching the eye staying on and definitely needing a trip- maybe the Welsh National will be a race for him. According to John has been a disappointing horse and he needs some sort of head gear if he is ever going to find another race.

Friday December 11^th Cheltenham

Weird Al confirmed the good impression he had made at the November meeting by winning the two five novice chase. He jumped really well and I was amazed he was sent off only third choice in the betting. He should get three miles and looks a very good prospect. Also good value was Sizzing Australia at 4/1 without the fav in the cross country race. No interference by an outsider this time. Another good day was well topped up by my old friend Time for Rupert in the three mile handicap hurdle at 18/1. He stays all day and this was a good effort under 11.7. Maucaillou was again given plenty to do and surely they should try something else.

The staying handicap chase saw the Badger Bear form to the front with The Package turning the tables with The Tother One. Timmy Murphy seemed to have plenty of confidence in the winner taking it up a fair way out so he may still have improvement in him. Trabolgan looked in super condition after all his troubles and ran a fine race in fourth. There could still be a race in him while According to Pete was disappointing back in fifth. A decent two mile novice hurdle went to General Miller from Ghizao and I would guess both are pretty decent.

Saturday December 12^th Cheltenham

Wide open betting for the Champion Hurdle after Khyber Kim took the Boylesports and Zaynar the Relkeel. Zaynar shortened in to the favourites slot but he now looks plenty short enough for what he has achieved. Khyber Kim in running two good races back to back is a better horse this season and will be suited by how the big race is normally run. Celestial Halo looks like he will always find a horse with pace that will do him from the last. Punjabi looked fairly fit but ran like he needed the run.

In the Boylesports Gold Cup I liked Jayo and he ran a fine race in fifth and he will be placed to find a decent handicap later in the season. Inchidaly Rock took the staying novice chase and looks an out and out stayer while runner up Hey Big Spender failed to get home.

Saturday October 10^th Bangor

A good effort by Seven is my Number giving away a double penalty in the two four novice chase even if runner up Khachaturian may not be the most straight forward sort. This race has gone to some decent sorts but I doubt the winner is top class and his future lies in handicaps. The odds on City Theatre looked in need of the run in the two four novice hurdle and paddock pick was Qianshan Leader who looked worth a go at 14/1. The favourite ran no sort of race but Qianshan Leader was always prominent and ran on nicely to take the race. It was a modest contest but he will improve.

Friday October 16^th Cheltenham

Snap Tie has been beaten as favourite on a good few occasions and made hard work of beating modest stable mate Safari Journey in receipt of five pounds in the two mile novice chase. Plenty to prove. The Pertemps qualifier went to Templer but of more note was ten pound claimer Giles Hawkins who did the job well. Also of note was Elzahann who could still have improvement in him after his sixth here.

Saturday October 17^th Cheltenham

Starluck was very impressive taking the conditions four year old hurdle without coming off the bridle. His next run should tell us more about his Champion Hurdle prospects. At the end of last season Poquelin turned in two terrible efforts and I couldn't have him as favourite under top weight in the two four handicap chase. It was a much improved run to win but the field was not a good one and a penalty would make him vulnerable if he goes for the Paddy Power. None of those he beat look to be improvers. Just Amazing made all to take the three mile novice chase but the Nicholls' stable will have better than this for the season. The two four novice chase was run at a crawl for over a mile but it did not stop favourite Kangaroo Court winning well enough even if it is hard to say how good he is. The bumper at this meeting is usually pretty decent but this year's was a modest contest.

Saturday October 24^th Aintree

They couldn't find a picture of Giles Hawkins for the race card but having seen him the previous week the ten pounds he claimed off Nampour certainly made the 6/1 a fair price in the two mile handicap hurdle. Another good ride and wins at two big tracks make him a young rider to watch even when he is down to claiming only the seven pounds. He had a ride in the veterans chase but Lacdoudal ran like he needed the run as most of the old timers turned in poor rounds of jumping.

A super effort by Monet's Garden in the Old Roan Chase as he looked like he would come on for the race. Tidal Bay's attitude doesn't please many and it is hard to see where he can be placed to win a race. Knowhere jumped moderately while Tartak jumped very poorly.

Frankie Figg in the two four handicap chase was the nap of the day at 9/1 and he made all without being seriously challenged. He is best fresh so he might not follow up.

A moderate lot in the two mile novice hurdle with Sunarri standing out in paddock. At 20/1 he was worth a small bet which seemed lost early on as he was pushed along in last place. Turning out of the back straight he started to pass horses and two out he appeared going best on the bridle. Four lengths clear at the last he was very green and Mr McCoy mustered up a special finish to get up on the line on favourite Sonowyouno.

Sunday October 25^th Aintree

Odds on Stormy Weather lacked any scope for this game in the three year old hurdle. It was not a surprise to see him turned over even in a modest contest. Cappa Bleu was giving away ten pounds in the two four novice chase and looked in need of the run. He was beaten some way out and it will take massive improvement for him to play any part in the Hennessey. Winner Door Boy disappointed last season after an early win so also has things to prove. The one to take out of the race was Little Josh who will come on for the run and will be well suited by another half mile and soft ground. First time out is the time to catch Tramantano and be picked up the pieces after the leaders went off to fast in the two mile handicap chase. Palomar looked like this would do him good but he was never a factor after clouting the first fence and he hardly looks well handicapped. Cranky Corner was a short price for the two four novice hurdle but looked dreadful in the paddock and ran like he looked. Winner Meridian City is not too big but won nicely while Pure Faith can improve on his fifth place. Midnight Tuesday stood out in the paddock for the bumper and beat all the fancied contenders only to be beaten by 33/1 shot Solway Sam. Paddy Brennan rode an uncharacteristically poor race and I think he should have carried on his run instead of taking a pull when he came up to the leaders.

Saturday October 31^st Wetherby

Santia kept the good run going at 11/1 in the mares graded race. Helped by My Petra taking the wrong course the form is not worth much outside these mares' races. Not the best Charlie Hall by a long way and while the form book will say Deep Purple has won at three miles he was just walking quicker than his rivals from the last. Ollie Magern under pressure a mile out kept trying but just fell in a hole at the last. He has little hope of winning and surely retirement is the right direction for him. Fair Along easily took the West Yorkshire Hurdle with a disappointing effort from Pettifour who jumped modestly.

Thursday November 5^th Haydock

Most of the runners would improve for the outing in the three mile handicap chase. Coe under top weight looked to have filled out since last year and he jumped much better. The trip was his minimum and he can win a decent handicap over an extended distance. His stable mate Gainsay took the two four novice chase but hit a couple of fences very hard.

Saturday November 7^th Wincanton

Only my second trip here and the first was in 1991 when Cool Ground was one of the winners. From our area it is just about the most awkward to get to with Bristol a complete pain to get round. Only £11 to get in with the Racegoers club voucher for their big meeting of the year.

Pepe Simo gave weight to most and took the two mile novice hurdle easily. The opposition was modest and we will know more when he has to step up in class. Celestial Halo jumped really well to give weight away in the Elite Hurdle and was never in much danger. He doesn't need to improve much to take a Champion Hurdle and may well be capable of doing it. Whiteoak was taken off her feet from the start and needs a longer trip.

Again lots in the Badger Ales Chase would benefit for the run. The ones that were ready were The Package who looked really up for the day and Ellerslie George with the benefit of a couple of runs. Robert Henderson made fitness tell and went for home early and never looked like being caught. I have seen Ellerslie George run lots of times first with Tom Tate and then for the Wylies and he had looked to have found his level but he has now stepped up on that for new connections. The first to chase him was Ruby Walsh on The Tother One and he ran a decent race on only his third chase start. He hasn't much size about him. As mentioned The Package was revved up for this but is a strange sort and Tom Scudamore left it far too late before chasing the winner.

Sunday November 8^th Ffos Las

I was told a few month before Great Leighs opened to get there early because it wouldn't last but I never managed to make it so it was an early trip to South West Wales just in case. It's a long way and the route given on the Course's web site and the road signage takes you a slow way in. Having left a different way the suggested route in is to the end of the M4 and then the A48 to Cross Hands and then the A476 and B4137.

With plenty of room to work with they have done a good job. A big wide galloping track just over a mile and a half around with the only the height variation being the first furlong of the straight six on the flat course. There shouldn't be any excuses for getting a bad run.

Lots of open space in the enclosures with a big parade ring and while the stand isn't that big it was plenty big enough for today's crowd and the viewing was excellent.

Main race of the day was a two mile handicap chase and I thought after his run at Aintree that Dev had every chance. He settled in front and easily saw off most of the field only for one of Philip Hobbs with no recent form to do him. The one to take from the three mile handicap hurdle was northern challenger Sir Tantallus Hawk who went well for a long way before he seemed not quite to get home. Winner Factotum had looked well suited by this trip after appearing less than straightforward at Cheltenham.

Friday November 13^th Cheltenham

Razor Royale looked promising as a novice hurdler but has been disappointing, never finding much after travelling well, but he looked outstanding in the paddock as he dropped to three mile amateur chase level. With the rapidly improving Sam Twiston- Davis on board he was too big at 16/1 and after travelling well and taking it up at the top of the hill he was left clear three out and never challenged. The handicapper will not be amused. The Sawyer ran well in second as he usually needs runs to get fit.

The two mile novice hurdle was a match between two Irish runners and Loosen My Load was easily the pick on looks and got the better ride in a slowly run race to see off Some Present. The winner has lots of scope and will jump fences but the form should be taken with caution because of how the race was run. His stable mate Sizzing Australia looked good value at 11/2 without Garde Champetre in the cross country race. Watching from the centre of the course he seemed to have things in hand but could just not get passed the Enda Bolger second string. Nap of the day was Lord Ragnar in the million runner c.j's handicap hurdle. Over a year's wait for him to be in the right race was rewarded at 11/1. He is a chaser on looks and could go that way soon. A very good two four novice chase went to Weird Al with an excellent run from Knockara Beau giving eight pounds in second. Ashkazar appeared not to stay while Aigle d'Or ran a poor race and looks to be going backwards.

Saturday November 14^th Cheltenham

A good finish to the staying handicap chase with Gallant Nuit just getting up. The less said about his prep run the better but he is an improver. Don't Push It ran an excellent race under a big weight and evidently has the National as a target. Not for me. Tranquil Sea trotted up in the Paddy Power but it was maybe not the best renewal. Ballyfitz and According to Pete both need a longer trip. Fourth in the staying handicap hurdle Maucaillou's connections seem intent on holding him up far too long every time he runs.

Sunday November 15^th Cheltenham

Tataniano managed to acquire a high hurdle rating for not doing very much. He looks promising over fences and the way he runs two miles will be his trip. His stable mate Master Minded was very backward for his first run and to nobody's surprise who looked at him he was turned over. Winner Well Chief was also below his best form. One of the best rides you will see from Paddy Brennan on Khyber Kim in the Greatwood Hurdle coming with perfect timing on a well known dodge. Medermit and James de Vassy look set for god seasons after finishing third and fourth. From the two five handicap hurdle Sangfroid can find a race when upped in trip. The bumper looked decent and winner Ghizao won in nice style.

Saturday November 21^st Haydock

I am still not sure how Starluck managed to get beaten in the conditions hurdle. He was a huge price at 5/2 and it was all over at the last but his stride soon shortened and Mr Thriller got back up. The going was put up as an excuse but he could just be a bridle horse. Lots to prove. Diamond Harry was most impressive in the Brush Hurdle Handicap but apart from runner up Burton Point they were mostly a fully exposed bunch he beat. He is still an unfurnished sort and another season over hurdle will probably do him good. I thought he could come on for this but he will have too to take on Big Bucks but the staying hurdlers are not great behind that horse.

Brilliant duel for the Betfair Chase and maybe the mistake three out cost Imperial Commander the race. Kauto will probably win at Kempton as it is hard to put up anything to take him on that will be suited by the course. Imperial would be better off going to Ireland but probably won't.