Feelin' Hot Hot Hot

It’s hot down at the racecourse this week and we’re looking forward to a couple of those perfect Cartmel race-days. The sun will be shining, there’ll be picnic blankets, ice-creams, glasses of nice cool drinks, giddy crowds on the fairground and … did I mention… the weather is going to be hot?

Horses don’t generally eat ice-cream (something to do with not liking chocolate or vanilla I think), so we are making alternative arrangements to keep them cool. As part of the legacy from the London Olympics, we have been allowed to use the large fans that were used to blow a fine mist of water droplets over the equine competitors during the 2012 Games. Located in a marquee adjacent to the wash down area, the fans will be able to cool the horses as soon as they come off the track. We’ll also have thousands of litres of water available at strategic points around the racecourse, ensuring that any horses that are pulled up can be cooled quickly too. 

There is £125,000 of prize money on offer for Saturday and Monday and the entries for all the races look really strong. The most valuable race of our season is the £27,000 Totepool Cumbria Crystal Cup, run for the first time last year. The winner on that occasion was What A Steel who will carry an additional 5lb compared to last year if he gets into the race; preference may be for Scotswell who always runs well at Cartmel. 

The £15,000 McGuinness Feeds Handicap Hurdle is the most valuable hurdle race in Britain restricted to lady riders. Donald McCain has stepped in to book Lucy Alexander for Life And Soul and that looks a good combination in a “hot” race. It would be great to see a local winner and I’d give a serious chance to Jimmy Moffatt’s Seize in the Louis Roederer Handicap Steeplechase; he’s 12lb lower in the weights since his last run and looks as though he’ll appreciate the faster going. 

Off the track, the competition is going to be even hotter. Racegoers will be invited to take part in a contest to cook the best BBQ meal, using a selection of mystery ingredients – in a similar format to the TV show Ready Steady Cook. The winners of each 30 minute round will be invited to take part in the sizzling final at the end of each race-day. We’ll also be awarding a prize to the racegoers that set-up the most stylish picnic or BBQ in either public enclosure. 

We’re looking forward to a great weekend. Did I mention that it is going to be hot?