St. Leger Day, Doncaster Racecourse, Saturday 11th September 2010

Checked out of the Campanile Hotel, Doncaster at 11am having loaded all the clobber, mainly Ned's, back into the car. The cot just about fit into the bathroom and fortunately he kipped as soundly as usual despite the efforts of a few high spirited (lashed) punters returning to their rooms in the small hours. I didn't sleep that well as was too excited about Leger day and meeting my fellow Voices to be honest. Thanks to the RCA car pass we were able to park really close to the main entrance to the racecourse where we were met by Robin from the BHA. I couldn't help but notice the huge Roll of Honour of St. Leger winners though and took pride in seeing Blair Athol immortalised as the winner in 1864. Rachel's great great Grandfather William Allison, a Yorkshireman by birth, was connected with the horse which also won the Epsom Derby that year. We were whisked off to have some photos taken in the Champagne Lawn where we grabbed a table and enjoyed a lovely glass of Pommery. Ned (11 months) seemed to be taking it all in his stride - his first day at the races and our first as a family. Rachel looked fab and the sun was shining.We had a reservation for lunch in Silks restaurant (the old weighing room) at 12noon, earlier than we might normally have eaten in the past but now we operate to Ned time. There was a nervous silence as we were shown to the table and whilst the high chair was assembled...how would we cope, how would Ned cope, how would the staff cope, what were the other diners thinking other than they must be mad coming racing with their baby....!! Service was excellent and well timed so that once we'd fed Ned we could enjoy our starters - R had Moules Mariniere and I had the Thai fishcakes - all scrumptious - followed by Bangers & Mash for me and the fishcakes for R. We had a bottle of house champagne to celebrate our wedding anniversary which was a real treat. It's amazing to think that 7 years ago to the day we were getting hitched in Oxford...special memories. Ned's patience began to wear thin so no time for pudding or coffee but he needed changing.....this was going to be the acid test....how easy would this be? Silks has very good baby changing facilities in the Disabled WC so a very big thumbs up to them.....maybe a day at the races with a baby isn't so difficult after all.......it's a long day though (7 races on the card) and eventually we would need to head back home (3 hour drive) so having enjoyed yet more bubbles courtesy of Nigel from Racing for Change it was time to enjoy some racing and have a few bets. Damn it...needed some cash.....huge queue at the ATMs in the Grandstand and then eventually got some money for which I was charged £2.50 for the withdrawal.....why can't racecourses have recognised high st bank cashpoints as part of the set up I wondered.....? In the first, I staked a fiver with the Tote on Waiter's Dream (inspired by Ned's behaviour in the restaurant, of course!) but quickly saw that go up in smoke. In the 2nd I handed betting duties to Rachel and she backed the Henry Candy runner Signor Peltro £2.50 each way again at the Tote for convenience. Long journey from his yard at Kingston Warren and he'd had a big sprint winner at Haydock last weekend. Ran a poor race and we finished outside the money. In the St Leger itself the hot favourite Rewilding was unattractive at the price so our money went on Dandino and Total Command both £2.50  each way. We were right to avoid Rewilding but our selections didn't feature. Total losses incurred on the day £20 but at least a % of that will be reinvested in racing....small consolation for us but in an age of austerity the industry needs everything it can get. We left after the St Leger and had a good ride back to Kencot in time for Ned's evening meal. So, the end of our first day racing together as a family....would we do it again? Yes, definitely, but we'd stay local so that we could squeeze in more of the racing itself and not have the worry of a screaming baby in the back of the car!!! Hats off to the staff at Doncaster racecourse especially the team at Silks - you were great and please pass our compliments to the chef. And, how can I forget the meticulous planning of the 24 hour trip by my lovely wife, I couldn't have done it on my own that's for sure.