Recent weather in the South East didn’t bode well for an evening meeting on the windy coastline of Brighton. However what greeted us during the final station approach was a cracking landscape of blue skies and rolling fields scattered proportionately with fine town houses.
Roaming through the town on route to the track is not too dissimilar to exploring a European holiday resort, or perhaps that feeling was elevated due to a want of sun, sea and sand and an escape from the big smoke of London city.
Google maps suggested a leisurely 30 minute stroll to the track but what soon became clear is it would turn into an epic uphill hike. The taxi driver we came across was a friendly Israeli chap with a keen eye for the local talent, judging by the diversion of his eyes from road to footpath from time to time.
It is a charming and surprisingly busy place, typical of an Old School seaside town attempting to poke its head into the 21st Century.
We pick up our complimentary tickets and set about finding the racecourse manager who provided them, Stuart Dorn. His team have clearly done a good job here because the track is alive and buzzing, the familiar voice of Derek Thompson geeing up the paddock dwellers with his usual knack for making the racegoer crack a smile – his tried and tested methods of integration work equally well with the old and the young. It was refreshing.
It promised to ride very testing here but the wind picked up and the afternoon remained dry. Ground on the dead side of Good to Soft was the GG verdict upon seeing the course and having a walk on the turf.
GG.Comment quite fancied Diamond Marks for the first and he is undoubtedly the nicest looking horse in the race. His poor stable girl was having the mickey taken out of her by this boisterous three year old- but he did look the part. The favourite looked a bit low in himself, Mayo Lad, and was circled as one to lay at likely short odds. Conowen was the clear pick of the paddock for us- his coat was gleaming, he was relaxed and walking around like an old hand. He finished third and Diamond Marks back in fourth. The latter is one you’d feel has a bit of improvement in him and is one for your GG Alerts to collect in similar company.
Mark Rimmell’s daughter of Lucky Story, Love Tale, took the race well though with Mayo Lad putting in some nice late work.
In the 5.10, Golac was a warm order and well supported in the betting ring. He looked well forward going to post but was readily outpointed by the outsider of the field All On Red who dotted in at 12/1 to score for trainer Tobias Coles. A strange result but not to connections, who didn’t sound remotely surprised to see their filly had won- apparently she’d been burning up the Al Baharthri polytrack beforehand! How were we to know! The trainer reckons she should improve again for this effort as well.
Lord Of The Storm took the third race at 16/1, and was circled as a nice sort in the paddock- looked very fit and a good young jockey on board. We opted for an each way bet on Notabadlad, who never turned up to race today! One to take out could be Byrd In Hand who ran on well towards the end.
In the fourth, Cahala Dancer got the nod on form and looked set to go close after some early support. Drifted a tad on course but looked really well in the parade ring. He finished a good second to Ermyn Flyer who won cosily under Jemma Marshall claiming 5lbs.
After the fourth it was decided evasive action was needed in terms of getting involved with the betting. Too much A/W form to try and transfer into a clear picture for early season handicaps is not easy, especially with the ground cutting up a bit.
Instead, we came across the seafood bar, where they were selling all manner of palatable coastal slime. The salty cockles went down an absolute treat with a dash of lemon and a taste of the sea put a smile back on our face following some wayward punts.
All in all, Brighton provided a cracking evening of good entertainment. Kids were well catered for with a small fare ground area and plenty of greenage for the inevitable play fights. The racing lacked much quality but this was made up for with a vibrant Thursday evening atmosphere which showcased all the good things that smaller British tracks should be doing to attract a smiley, faithful crowd.
Free Racing Thursday at Brighton Racecourse is clearly a success and long may it continue to be.
GG.Comment Verdict: 7.5/10