Hirsute Nigel Payne, back in charge of Press Affairs at Aintree for next Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National, looked to be growing his hair for an anticipated return of Flower Power the last time The Captain ran into him.
It seems certainly seems the Arsenal-addict, who memorably was one of the syndicate which owned 1998 National winner Earth Summit, has his musical taste firmly stuck in the past.
Steam almost exploded out of his ears when one phone call for Aintree accreditation appeared to request: ‘Ticket’s for the Aintree Saturday Gig’.
An indignant Payne foamed that anyone calling his beloved Grand National a ‘Gig’ was doomed to a negative response until it was pointed out to him the enquiry was for tickets for the Thursday of the meeting when girl group The Saturdays are playing.
Apparently, Payne does not possess a tune by The Saturdays in his gramophone record collection but The Captain is assured he’ll be up to speed with all their hits by the big day and feeling groovy, no doubt.
Top of the pops: It was clear that Nigel Payne didn't have much of a clue who The Saturdays were
Channel 4’s Grand National coverage will be under particular scrutiny in the race’s first year away from the BBC. Viewing figures appear destined to inevitably fall while the TV audience grow accustomed to the switch of channel for the sport’s most-watched race.
But no-one could accuse C4 of not trying their best to cross promote the event.
Comedian Alan Carr will present a Grand National ‘Specstacular’ (Sic), with guests including Miranda Hart, Jonathan Ross, Kimberley Walsh (note to Nigel Payne: she is a popular singer who was in Girls Aloud), and actor and racehorse owner Jimmy Nesbitt.
Leading the way: Comedian Alan Carr (left, at Cheltenham) will host a 'Grand National Specstacular'There will also be a ‘Come Dine With Me’ Grand National Special featuring presenters Emma Spencer, Nick Luck and former footballer turned trainer Micky Quinn.
As a famously ‘solid’ centre-forward, Quinn was bombarded from the terraces with chants of ‘Who ate all the Pies?’
So The Captain will be disappointed if Sumo’s menu does not include an homage to that reputation.
Spencer will surely produce a series of delicate and tasty appetisers but what of Luck?
The Captain sees him as a fierce traditionalist – dress for dinner, Grace before we start – so I’m betting on Prawn Cocktail, meat and two veg plus Blackforest Gateau for pudding.
But I might wrong. Usually am.
Clare Balding has been filming a documentary about the Emily Davison, the suffragette who threw herself in front of royal runner Anmer in the 1913 Derby. The programme will be shown to coincide with the anniversary of the incident in which Davison died at this year’s race in June.
Balding has visited Davison’s Morpeth home and her north east roots will be reflected in the plaque unveiled to mark the anniversary at Tattenham Corner on April 18.
It is being made from oak taken from trees grown in Northumberland.
History girl: Clare Balding has been filming a documentary about Emily DavisonVisitors to the Charles Stanley Old Berks Point-To-Point at Lockinge, near Wantage, on Easter Monday will see old favourite Lough Derg in action, possibly for the last time.
The ex-David Pipe-trained gelding, who won 12 of his 61 races including the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle as Ascot, has not been seen on a racecourse since 2011.
However, he has found a new lease of life being trained by mother and son combination Melanie and Thady Duff, at Highworth, Swindon, and he will be tried in the new arena.
Thady, 19, who’ll be making his race-riding debut on Lough Derg, said: ‘He is relishing his work at home. Depending on how he goes we may retire him after Monday, but he still appears to have the fire in his belly and is in cracking form.
‘I have received lots of advice from the lads at Nicky Henderson's yard where I ride out as well as from jockey Sam Jones who has been helping with schooling.’
The Old Berks Point-to-Point is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee this year and is where former Champion Jump Jockey Richard Dunwoody rode his first winner in 1983 on board Game Trust.
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