Me and the missus went to the races yesterday. Well, it was called Knutsford races, but it was actually a point-to-point meeting in a field at the back of Tabley Hall. It was really quite good fun.There were eight races in all, and most had between 8 and 15 runners. There were plenty of bookmakers around the place, as well as refreshment outlets and a few retailers selling the obligatory checked jackets, felt hats and designer wellies.
Loads of people were in no need of these, however, as they were well decked out in designer county wear. The car parks were full of Range Rovers, Land Rovers and other 4 x 4 gas guzzlers, each with a boot stashed with booze, barbecues and Belinda or Brian.
One poor child was wearing her pony club top, monogrammed with her name, Tabitha. Her mum was either a Bewitched fan, or thought a spot of magic had conjured young offspring from place or places unknown.
Point- to-Point has been a traditional add-on activity for the hunting and farming community for centuries and is used to keep the horses and riders in some sort of trim when the hounds are not active. Horses used to race cross country between 'flags', the points, taking any route they could to win the race to the finish, but these days the racing is on more conventional tracks, as with the meeting yesterday.
It is not unusual to get a fair bit of skulduggery at these meetings, and one odds-on favourite was placed nowhere yesterday, prompting a stewards enquiry. On the whole though it seemed to be good honest endeavour by a predominantly young set of riders. We had a couple of places, although most of the races went to form, so betting on the favourite had no value. That said a 25-1 outsider won the last.
Must put new designer wellies on my Christmas list ready for the meeting next year.
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