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Photos From The Day

A large group of owners travelled in hope to Ascot to see Oscara Dara try his luck in a higher grade.  Several previous winners and fancied runners lined up in opposition with the market leaders being Persian Snow who at the time was favourite for the Cheltenham bumper and was highly regarded by the Hobbs team and Nicky Henderson’s Mono Man.

With two of our number recovering from health issues, Pete Ashdown was having his first day out since a health scare and Phil was still walking with a stick following a hip replacement, we were hoping that the excitement would not prove too much for us!

Ascot provide complimentary food (limited numbers) for owners and trainers and the random draw saw several of the group enjoying a three course lunch before racing.  Once racing started, the owners and trainers bar provided a good meeting point for the afternoon.  Oscara contested the last race with Alan running On Borrowed Wings earlier in the day.  After Wings finished a close second, we at least knew that Alan’s horses were in good form.
Whilst Oscara’s race was the last of the day, the time flew by and before we knew it we were in the pre-parade ring and then the paddock meeting with Tom Cannon who was to ride Oscara.  Worried about the possible lack of pace and the number of speedier bred horses in the race, Tom was asked to follow the leaders but not to be afraid to go to the front if he needed to.

Our fears were justified as the race started slowly, but Tom responded quickly and went to the front where he rode a really well judged race, gradually winding up the pace as the race progressed.  Turning for home, Mono Man swept by but Oscara responded and held the gap at a length or so.  Persian Snow was next to challenge and briefly headed Oscara Dara before our boy put his head down again and rallied back into second holding Mono Man all the way to the line.  A run full of promise for the future!

Plans to go to Aintree were immediately hatched as the various members of the group made their way home after a brilliant experience.