Marcus Townend: The Captain's Log: Arrive early to avoid disappointment at Newbury's Hennessy meeting

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If you are planning to attend Newbury’s Hennessy meeting on Saturday, the advice is to arrive early… very early.

Around 18,000 are expected to be at the Berkshire track for the biggest day in its jumps calendar.

But, after the start of the residential development programme, car parking on an already congested day has the potential to be chaos.

The track’s MD Stephen Higgins, who says 380 car park spaces have been lost, is adamant contingency plans are in place and is confident the track will cope but even he advises an early arrival is the best policy.

Last time out: Matthew Batchelor celebrates victory on Carruthers in the Hennessy Gold Cup

The issue is not helped by the fact that a new parking area in the centre of the track costing £1.2million will not be ready until well into next year.

The changes are part of a £32million redevelopment scheme which will see many changes to the track, including 1,500 homes and a new hotel.

Higgins says the develop will help safeguard the tracks future for ‘100 years’. He added: ‘Businesses that don’t change ultimately fail.’

The long-term aim is laudable but there may be some short-term pain – hopefully not too serious for racegoers on Saturday.

The guests at annual Peter O’Sullevan lunch on Thursday as ever dug deep for the causes supported by the legendary BBC commentator’s charity.

Fundraiser: Peter O'Sullevan

In all £137,600 was raised at the auction where the most fascinating lot, given his current predicament was lunch with Frankie Dettori.

It was bought for £6,000 by leading jumps owner Andy Stewart, whose Big Buck’s will be making his seasonal comeback at Newbury on Saturday. 

Should Dettori be handed a lengthy ban for his September drug test failure when he faces the French racing authorities Stewards’ Committee on Tuesday, Stewart’ s bid might seem cheap.

There would be some tabloid editors who’d be willing to shell out at least as much for a few hours with the three-time champion jockey across the table.

 

Trainer Charlie Longdon is planning to send the useful Vulcanite chasing. The son of Dubawi caused a brief sojourn into jump racing last season for big spending Flat owner Sheik Fahad Al Thani when he ran at both the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree’s Grand National meeting.

The five-year-old has since been bought by JP McManus and won a small hurdle at Fakenham in October. Being raised 11lb by the handicapper there has influenced Longsdon’s decision with the gelding who competed at Group one level on the Flat.

He said: ‘He is not a typicial Flat horse in the way he jumps a hurdle. He takes a real cut at it an loves it. I always felt he’ll be a better chaser than hurdler.’ 

 

The Tattersalls sales ring in Newmarket, which normally swings to the tune of bidding as millions of pounds are spent on bloodstock with a gavel keeping up the beat, will host Racing Welfare’s annual carol concert on December 12.

Among those giving readings will be trainer Chris Wall, Kate Grimwade from Darley Pre- Training operation, Jane Duncan, who works for Ed Dunlop and Racing Welfare’s Chairman Joey Newton.

All Carols accompanied by the Newmarket Town Band.

Tickets are available to buy at Tindalls bookshop on Newmarket High Street and Racing Welfare’s head office on Park Lane or from Fairstead School on Fordham Road.

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