It’s Always Great, Yarmouth

Good morning all,

Back from my busman's holiday at Yarmouth last night, and you can read about the week on the Punt this morning. I'll sort the Eyecatchers out for next Friday once I've sorted all my notes out! But there's a few, that's for sure.

Plus a selection from Ayr.

It’s a long way to Tipperary, goes the song, but I’d wager Yarmouth is further. Or maybe it seems that way. I drive down on Monday afternoon, taking in a quick visit to Southwell to see how the re-laying of the track is going (well, as it turns out). I pass adverts for both Newmarket and Fakenham on the way, and look forward to visits to both in the future. I also pass one saying “Say No To Wisbech Incinerator” and can only agree with this, as the dog track there was grand. Sadly now closed, like so many, but I wouldn’t want to see Wisbech incinerated simply because of that. One sign I don’t pass is that of the African Violet Centre near Kings Lynn, as that’s permanently closed too. That used to tell me I was over halfway, but like almost everything these days, it's now a relic of the past.

I arrive at Yarmouth around five. My digs for the next few days are the digs I always use, near the seafront. Clean, tidy, lovely hosts, comfy bed, quiet and with a good breakfast. At £32 a night I feel I’m stealing it. 

As ever, first thing I do is go for a walk down the seafront. It’s windy, yet quite warm, but the forecast says it won’t last. The rain is coming tomorrow, it’s just when it’s coming that’s open to debate. 

I eat on the seafront (the Charcoal Grill, decent steaks with home-made peppercorn sauce that’s superb) and decide to spend the evening looking at tomorrow’s cards, try to get ahead of the game a bit. I don’t watch much TV, but do enjoy a bit of Silent Witness, and that’s about the highlight of the night. 

It’s overcast on Tuesday morning and a walk down the front reveals the rain isn’t that far away. I can see it coming in from the South but remarkably it mainly holds off until mid-afternoon. Breakfast done, I have a chat to Mr Delargy and crack on with the day. 

I’m picking Eddie (Fremantle) up from the station and photographer Steve Cargill is hawking for a lift as well, coming off the same train as Eddie. We arrive at the track around half twelve and it doesn’t look that busy…

Yarmouth is where the Midlands bookmakers meet the Southern ones. This means I know most of them, and they’re all pessimistic about the prospects for the day. Strangely, this doesn’t stop around 35 of them setting up for the afternoon. They’re always frightened of missing out on something. Most, anyway. 

I’ll do a full Eyecatchers for the week in next week’s Punt, but suffice to say My Little Tip looks different class in the first. That’s a colt going places, and quickly. My own punting goes badly, with my paddock picks falling out the back in the main, and I have to wait until Snow Berry pulls me out the smelly stuff in the last. It could have been worse. 

The rain arrives at three, light at first but then heavier, and after racing Eddie takes me to a local hostelry (real ale, naturally) for a jar. On coming out, the rain is worse than ever, and I’m thinking it must be soft tomorrow. 

I go for the worst carvery I’ve ever had (I won’t name and shame) and go back to watch the second part of Silent Witness. 

Wednesday. I’m at the track early to walk the track. Amazingly, despite the downpours, it walks no worse than good to soft. Maybe even good down the near rail. Clerk Richard Aldous walks part of it with me, and is most helpful. 

There are a few more books than yesterday, as the fair-weather ones come out of their Tuesday hiding holes, and Martyn Of Leicester’s voice can be heard above the rest. “Money without work!” goes the cry, a familiar one to Midlands racegoers. I ask him how yesterday went. “Got the expenses for the week, thanks to the last couple of results.” He’s a bit quieter after the first two results though, as the well-backed favourites both go in. 

Overall, business is quiet. On the grass, Daren Wentworth decides to try something different, and bets each-way first four on the John Musker. It works too, he’s got a queue. Sadly, the result isn’t a good one for him, but top marks for giving it a go. 

Someone at the gate has told every punter coming in that King Of Stars will win the sprint, because you can’t get them off it. 4s into 5-2 at the off, he bounces out and makes all for the Mick Appleby yard. He’s making up into the new Caspian Prince. Martyn has stopped talking to his work partner. Things are that bad for him. They’re a bit better when Ropey Guest wins the next, which puts half a smile back on his face, but he’s behind on the day. 

I’m in danger of needing some suncream as the sun makes another appearance. I really like Aletoille in the paddock for the next but she can manage no better than third behind well-backed favourite Visala. I daren’t look at Martyn’s face. 

“You off to the dogs tonight?” is a familiar refrain around the track. It’s East Anglian Derby night, and plenty of the crowd/bookmakers go for a night out. Sadly for the track, BT are having problems in the area and the Tote isn’t working for them. It also means the link to Sky is down, so racing is delayed about half an hour whilst they try and rectify things. That aside, it’s a great night, and there are many tales to be told of dog tracks now sadly long gone, mainly from Midlands layer Pat Cash. He's got so many stories, I could listen to him all night.

Thursday sees bright sunshine, very welcome after the two days we’ve had. Just in time for Ladies Day too, and they come in their finery. A chat with Yarmouth’s general manager Glenn reveals that the Premier Enclosure is sold out, but they could have had a few more in if they had wanted to. However, he’s decided that rather cram them in, he’s going to give those that have paid a better experience and a bit more room, so top marks to him for that. 

The books can’t buy a result, with the well-backed Global Wisdom going in in the first, then the jolly Wajd compounds their misery. Martyn’s quiet again. The books on the grass at the back are doing good business, but they too are in need of something going their way. 

Quote of the day comes from quick-witted photographer Al Crowhurst. Myself, Al and William Hill Radio paddock-watcher Ken Pitterson are all walking to the paddock when we get stopped by one of Ken’s fans. He’s in a shirt and trousers that have seen better days. “You do a great job on Hills Radio,” he says to Ken. “I follow all your tips”, he chirps, as he walks off. “That’s why he’s dressed like that, Ken”, deadpans Al. Comic timing! 

The books have given it up as a bad job, and when the 7-4 jolly Natural Path wins the last, sending punters home happy and the books miserable, it’s all over for another year. I can’t wait to do it all again. 

Today’s selection is in the Bronze Cup at Ayr, and it’s the consistent Ghathanfar that I like. He simply doesn’t know how to run a bad race and has his conditions again. Secretinthepark, drawn next to him, looks sure to give him a great tow into the race and I think he can take over at the furlong pole and hopefully go on to victory. Lots to like about his chance. 

Today's selection – Ghathanfar (e/w, most books paying extra places) 3.20 Ayr

Good luck with all your bets today,

David.