Advent Calendar #6 – 1984 Champion Chase
Badsworth Boy stands alone in Champion Chase history. Trained by Michael Dickinson and later his mother Monica, the fiery chestnut possessed blistering speed, accuracy at his fences, and a competitive…
Advent Calendar #6 – 1997 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup
Suny Bay was a grey of immense stamina and heart, trained by Charlie Brooks and best remembered for his mighty weight-carrying performances in top staying handicaps. His breakthrough moment came…
Advent Calendar #5 – 2004 Scottish Grand National
Grey Abbey was one of the most popular northern chasers of his era, a relentless front-runner trained by Howard Johnson and adored for his bold, attacking style. Tough, uncomplicated and…
Advent Calendar #4 – 1996 Champion Hurdle
Collier Bay was one of the great transformation stories of 1990s National Hunt racing. Originally a modest Flat performer, he was revitalised under the care of Jim Old, developing into…
Advent Calendar #3 – 1997 Nunthorpe Stakes
My choice today is slightly biased, as Alex was an old schoolfriend and neighbour of mine in the dim and distant past. The 1997 Nunthorpe Stakes at York produced one…
Advent Calendar #2 1989 Champion Hurdle
Beech Road was one of the most unlikely Champion Hurdle winners of the modern era, a tough, late-maturing hurdler who rose rapidly through the ranks for trainer Toby Balding. Initially…
Advent Calendar #1 – 1995 John Hughes Memorial Trophy
Up to 24 December I’ll be concentrating on my favourite races of all-time in the form of an advent calendar. I hope you enjoy it. Dublin Flyer was one of…