Alverton
David Marshall’s Blog, March 15
Looking ahead to Plumpton, Stratford and Taunton
Scanning the runners and riders today I noticed a certain A P McCoy was not riding, anyone would think there was something important happening for the remainder of the week. Today like any other is that all the protangonists come back safe and sound and we have a wonderful week of sport.
The excellent Dougie Costello makes the long journey south to Plumpton to ride Lingfield bumper winner, Tiger Bay for Noel Chance, though the trek could be fruitless if the favourite’s Market Rasen fourth is repeated. The first three that day were Ranjobie, Bygones Of Brid and Ballybriggan.
Time for nostalgia, northern raider My Old Piano, should win the novice hunter chase to make it eight on the bounce for the Credit Call cup a top class horse ridden by the top amateur of his day Mr Chris Collins. In the race today there is a horse named Ryeman,the horse of the same name won the Arkle chase of ‘83 for Peter Easterby. I learnt a valuable lesson that day, I lumped on a shortie Branding Iron trained by Michael Dickinson, looked unbeatable, never jumped travelled and trailed in well beaten,they may win but there are plenty of 6-4 shots in uncompetitive races any day of the week. The north held a strong hand in those days and Ryeman’s victory was followed up with wins in all the big chase events, Badsworth Boy Champion chase, Canny Danny, Sun Alliance and culminating with Bregawn leading home the famous five for the Gold Cup.
