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Centenarian among the faithful who still flock to the old track

Charlie Deutsch survives a final fence mistake on the way to winning what, in its heyday, was the Gainsborough Chase
Charlie Deutsch survives a final fence mistake on the way to winning what, in its heyday, was the Gainsborough ChaseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Sandown has a history of appealing to ladies of a certain age.

Once upon a time the Queen Mother loved to come racing in Esher. These days the track's most senior customer is Joan Ayres, who just days after turning 100 is here on this sunny Saturday and will be at Kempton on Friday. She would like both venues to survive and flourish.

Joan is a bit deaf, but she has been using her ears since 1917, so that seems perfectly understandable.

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