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DAVID CARR |
Weblog: What do you mean the Wi-Fi doesn't work? The life of a Racing Post reporter
History time at York
It's all about doing your homework. And knowing whose work to plagiarise, I mean read, digest and appreciate.
Wrote 'colour' piece on the first Saturday Ebortoday and there was no better preparation than reading Steve Carroll's newly-published 'York's Great Races' (available at Waterstones and Amazon - and no, I am not on commission).
Did you know that the Ebor was the race that saved York? The course was going to rack and ruin until it was introduced in 1843 - an imitation of the St Leger at Doncaster, whose status as the top track in the north it proceeded to pinch.
A new era for the race today when it moved to the weekend.
Whatever your views on the modern trend for 'Saturdisation' - and plenty dislike the continued wrecking of the midweek programme - each of the racegoers I spoke to were thrilled to be able to come on a non-working day.
Sorry traditionalists.
It was certainly a big crowd, though not one to rival John Smith's Cup day here, yet.
People take a while to adapt to new racedays and football is a serious rival attraction at this time of year. Joey Barton could not make it down from Newcastle's lunchtime win to see his My Propeller win.
Shame, as his quotes in the winner's enclosure would have been something to enjoy if his Twitter output is any guide - though we'd probably have had to brush up on our Nietzsche.
The final figure of 28,185 was seven larger than yesterday's turnout at Bangor - which had nothing to match this afternoon's special guest appearance by novelist Jilly Cooper.
Or indeed the chap who took up permanent residence on a bench at the back of the Melrose Standm, whose appearance and demeanour suggested he was the madder younger brother of Paddy Doherty of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and Celebrity Big Brother fame.
And we were also blessed by the presence of Racing UK's James Willoughby, from whose always-inquisitive mind nobody is safe.
He was the one who spotted that tipster Baron Ferdinand's selections were marked with a red biplane in the racecard but that the Baron Ferdinand Von Richtoven after whom he was named was a naturalist, not the famous 'Red Baron' fighter pilot who was his nephew.
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