We've been fortunate enough to be involved in the journey of a National hopeful and enjoyed a fantastic day out at Haydock recently when Across The Bay won the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock. This promising dual purpose horse appears to have improved again and goes to Aintree with more than a squeak. 'The Bay' also enjoyed a canter at Aintree this week (luckily before the snows came) with stablemate, Weird Al, which was featured on local TV news. With the excitement building to the big race, we spoke to Graham Worsley of the Scotch Piper syndicate about his journey with Across The Bay. (The Scotch Piper is a small pub in Lydiate and is famous for being the oldest pub in 'historic' Lancashire, dating back to 1320)
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| The Scotch Piper Inn |
Early Doors
One night, over a small libation in the Scotch Piper, the suggestion of owning our own racehorse was mooted by Kevin Coyne to Graham and Mike Worsley. Discussions soon expanded to include Kevin's brother Anthony and Irish friends Frank Towey and Barry Brennan. The group decided to pursue the idea further and in early 2008 following a long, lazy Sunday lunch at the Cruzzo Restaraunt in Malahide, a concordat was reached ... we buy a horse. We all visited Noel Meade's yard and viewed 6 horses and with the expert eye of Keiron Towey, chose an unnamed bay gelding for €25,000. During a subsequent meal with Noel Meade in a fabulous restaraunt in Galway looking out "across the bay", the name became an obvious choice.
On his debut in April '08, Across The Bay came 3rd by 1 1/2L to Quiscover Fontaine (who interestingly we could meet at Aintree) in the fastest recorded Goffs Bumper at Punchestown on good ground. Following this, his first full season ended well with 2 wins, a 2nd, two 4ths (one of those back at the Punchestown festival again) and a 5th, all on the typical soft and heavy ground we're so used to seeing in the Emerald Isle. (Looking back we ran pretty well against some fairly stiff competition in the first few seasons, up against the likes of The Midnight Club, Voler La Vedette, Mourad and Bluesea Cracker and notably we beat Colbert Station by a distance on our first hurdle victory). Our 3rd season with Noel started well with 'The Bay' winning his debut in chase company after a few warm-ups over the smaller obstacles. On his very next run, he was just touched off by subsequent Grade 1 winner Jadanli and this prompted us to take the ambitious route of a crack at the Irish National on only his 3rd chase start and after goong off as short as 14/1, Paul Carberry unseated at just the 2nd fence. A quick reappearance just a week later saw him finish a staying-on 2nd in a G2 novice chase and he was put away for the season. It was probably at this point we began to notice his tremendous staying abilities.
The following season was very mixed despite winning a Pertemps Qualifier and the syndicate felt disenchanted with Across The Bay's progress. It was in that season at Fairyhouse in April '11 when the connections discussed whether we should move the horse over to England. At the Punchestown meeting in May the syndicate approached Ginger McCain before our race and asked would he take a closer look at Across The Bay. Ginger's candid post race comment was just "send him over to Donald, he'll sort him out for you".
| Ginger said "Send him over to Donald !" |
After his last race at Punchestown it was agreed to put the horse through the Doncaster Bloodstock Sales and (via Donald McCain) the current owners purchased the horse for £10,000. Our campaign over the '11/'12 season, at the Owners' request, was to concentrate on hurdling and have some fun. We asked Donald could we race at Aintree, Haydock and Cheltenham to which he burst out laughing and then agreed. The horse, although without a win in the season, subsequently grew in stature and confidence. First time up at Aintree he was beaten by Rival D'Estruval but beat the ill-fated Synchronised. The season culminated with a delightful 3rd place finish against Big Buck's in the Liverpool Hurdle at last year's Grand National meeting. We were back on track !
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| Across The Bay leading them on the first circuit at Aintree |
Anyway, we digress, so just over a week after the operation, he was back in full work and the National Trial at Haydock was his next target. As a precaution, he was also entered in The Rendlesham Hurdle, a nice prize in its own right, and also the Pertemps Qualifier. The ground came up very heavy that week following snow melt and rain, indeed the going stick read at 4.1 on the morning of the race, and rather than give him a hard race over the fences we decided the hurdle route was best. He was still a decent hurdler remember, liked the track and went on the ground, so without being too bullish we were very hopeful of a good show. What happened next though was magical. Jason and Donald had gone to Ascot for a promising novice called Up And Go, so the lovely Beryl McCain chapperroned us for the day and Henry would sit up top. Henry had ridden him 3 times before including his win at Kelso in October so knew him very well. In the parade ring, we discussed tactics and I told Henry to keep him up with the pace but Henry had a certain glint in his eye that said "don't worry Graham... I know exactly what to do here". He went straight off in front and was never headed. Coming into the straight a challenge was mounted by several of the other runners but 'The Bay' showed incredible guts and fight and kept finding more when asked. We won the hardest way possible, it was a front running performance and a half over 3 miles on heavy ground. Moreover, we knew the breathing operation had worked. I was so incredibly proud that day. I had booked a table in the owners and trainers restaurant for my 2 daughters and their boyfriends along with some friends (@aintreeinfo was lucky enough to be one of those friends) and felt like a child showing off his best toy at school. All the hours talking, planning, worrying and at times some abject frustration had paid off with his biggest prize to date. All systems go for Aintree !!!!
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| Brooke and Bay on the way to their Rendlesham victory |
New Landlord ?
Out of the blue, I received a call from Donald. Could I meet him to discuss a bid for 'The Bay' ... Donald would be at Bangor the next day and asked if I could get there. All I knew was it was a six figure bid with a share of any National winnings. I cleared my diary and started on the 'hotline' to Kevin and Anthony. We discussed the options, our thoughts and the consensus was to politely decline. I would go and meet Donald regardless to hear the full story. The next day I met Donald at Bangor and we talked. The details of the deal were presented and I informed Donald that the three of us had discussed it at length (about 60 seconds in reality) but we were not interested. He was delighted saying that he wouldn't sell either !
We do not go to Aintree lightly and there is always the worry in the back of the mind that he will not come home in the horsebox. His easy front-running style should suit Aintree though and hopefully keep him out of trouble and Henry rides him as well as anyone, indeed the 2 seem to have struck up a relationship to rival the best double acts. Torvill and Dean ... Morecambe and Wise. In the same vein, Brooke and Bay has a certain ring to it methinks.
The Scotch Piper Syndicate with Henry Brooke
Last orders ?
We will continue to run 'The Bay' as long as he enjoys it. When he's had enough he will let us know. He's always been a bit lazy (or clever maybe), in that he has surprised us on many occasions and at the age of 9 still seems to be improving.
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