Guest Blog
Marshall's Blog, October 19
There has been plenty of flamboyant chasers over the years, the flying two miler Tingle Creek taking off from outside the wings of the railway fences at Sandown, the famous Kempton photo of Pendil captured in full flight by Ed Byrne, the superb Desert Orchid and more recently Kauto Star has been known to put in more than the one prodigious leap at his favourite venue on Boxing day. But for accuracy and an efficient way of chasing not one comes close to the wonderful Best Mate who around a decade ago made his chase debut at Exeter and he hardly broke stride as he tackled fences for the first time. He sauntered round to victory, trailing in his wake the the National winner Bindaree, he was a joy to watch and I have never witnessed a more fluent jumper of fences. He also took his last steps at Exeter, and this afternoon he is remembered with the beginners chase, featuring the top class hurdler Celestial Halo, he will probably get a lead from the headstrong four year old Rougham, a brave man’s ride so good luck Richard Johnson. I hope he shows the fences more respect than the hurdles which he took plenty of chances with, the big West Country yards are well represented in the novice events, though there are a couple of tricky handicaps later on in the afternoon, I noticed throughout the summer Bob Buckler seemed to keep the powder dry of his good conditional Nathan Sweeney, presumably for his handicap chasers this season, the partnership team up with Charming Oscar this afternoon, so I will be keeping a close eye on the gelding on his seasonal debut. Hughie Morrison has a good record in the Exeter bumpers and he introduces a well bred youngster from the late Bridget Swire line out of her racemare Cugina,Cousin Khee, a Sakhee gelding related to her good hurdlers Accipiter and Brave Tornado.
The final meeting of the season at Yarmouth, on soft ground, with three maidens to start the card featuring some well bred types, things get trickier later on with four sixteen runner handicaps to complete the eight race card.
