Inside Track Issue 03

THE OFFICIAL CHESTER RACE COMPANY MAGAZINE

THE INTERVIEW: DR MARWAN KOUKASH A catch up with one of racing’s larger-than-life characters

THE ONES TO WATCH

A head start on some of the horses, jockeys and trainers to watch out for in 2013

A TABLE WITH A VIEW

A celebration of seasonality and summer dishes from Restaurant 1539

MAX VOLUME

Max George from The Wanted on Chester Rocks 2013 www.chester-races.com

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CONTENTS 7. NEWS 11. THE WHITE HORSE

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Chester Racecourse’s new family-friendly gastropub

12. 2012 SEASON REVIEW AND 2013 SEASON PREVIEW 16. THE ONES TO WATCH A head start on some of the horses, jockeys and trainers to watch out for in 2013

20. THE INTERVIEW: DR MARWAN KOUKASH 23. THE CHESTER RACECOURSE GUIDE TO CLIENT ENTERTAINING

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26. RACEDAY FASHION 28. HAT ETIQUETTE 30. RESTAURANT 1539: A TABLE WITH A VIEW Plus a summer recipe from Head Chef Darren Gallagher

32. THE WEIGHING ROOM The city-centre bar and restaurant with a big personality

34. HORSERADISH Chester Racecourse’s new catering wing prepares plates with real pedigree

36. WEDDING WISDOM 38. MAKE A WEEKEND OF IT At the newly refurbished Holiday Inn Express

40. CHESTER ROCKS A preview of the 2013 music spectacular

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42. ODDS-ON WINNER Betting tips and jargon-buster from chesterBET and bangorBET Produced by

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(UK I0 Publishing Ltd)

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WELCOME TO ISSUE 3 OF INSIDE TRACK 2012 was a busy year for Chester Race Company, and 2013 promises to be even more exciting – over the following pages we will be looking at some of the events, places and people that make the Chester and Bangor-on-Dee experience so special on racedays and non-racedays like.

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The 2013 raceday experience is better than ever – especially as we have made a few changes to our hospitality offerings at both Chester and Bangor-on-Dee. The Chester Polo team had a successful year winning The Gerald Balding Cup and the Coutts International – and the Club gained a Royal seal of approval, hosting HRH The Duke of Cambridge at a charity polo match for the second year running last May. The Club also hosted one of only three International Test Series hosted

by Audi in the UK, which saw England take on South America – England were the victors… just! If you are new to the sport, check out our Introduction to Polo on p46.

Away from the turf, Restaurant 1539 (p30) gained its first AA Rosette last year, and we also launched The Weighing Room (p32), our first off-site bar and restaurant. In March 2013, our family-friendly gastropub, The White Horse (p11), opened its doors – and our catering division, Horseradish (p34), has also been busy, now providing retained catering services to Chester Town Hall, the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power and the International Eisteddfod, among others.

20 44. RURAL RACING AT BANGOR-ON-DEE 46. AN INTRODUCTION TO... POLO

This issue you can also find out more about racing at Bangor-on-Dee (p44), catch up with raceday fashion trends (p26) and get to know some of the characters you’ll see at the racecourse over the coming months, including racehorse owner Dr Marwan Koukash (p20), Racing Manager Andrew Morris (p50) and singer Max George (p40) from boy band The Wanted, who will be appearing at Chester Rocks in June.

49. THE ART OF RACING

So read on and enjoy the magazine, and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Spot the difference between two historical paintings of Chester Racecourse

Best Wishes,

50. STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH In conversation with Andrew Morris, Racing Manager

51. 2013 RACEDAY FIXTURES

RICHARD THOMAS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF CHESTER RACE COMPANY

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STARTING gate

The latest news from Chester Race Company...

BARBOUR POLO SPONSORSHIP In 2013, top fashion brand Barbour will be proudly sponsoring the umpires at the Coutts International Polo Tournament. “We have a long history of being associated with equestrian events and are proud sponsors of the Household Cavalry polo team,” says Jane Darbyshire, who manages the new Barbour store in Chester. “With the recent opening of our outlet in the city, this was the ideal opportunity to become involved with such a prestigious polo tournament and to showcase our new Barbour Polo collection which includes jackets, polo shirts and accessories.”

RACING WELFARE Racing Welfare provides help for those in need who work, or have worked, in the British racing and thoroughbred breeding industry.

It gives professional guidance and support to the unseen army of dedicated staff whose work is vital for the well-being of the sport and Racing Welfare is Chester Racecourse’s chosen charity for the next three years! Find out more from charity patron and Chester regular Dr Marwan Koukash on p20 www.racingwelfare.co.uk | 01638 560 763

CHESTER RACECOURSE APP Your phone is a valuable accessory on race day – taking pictures, arranging meet-ups and tweeting your experience is all part of the fun – and now you can also have the ultimate race day guide in the palm of your hand! The Chester and Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse app features up-to-date race cards and results, racing tips, special offers and a handy map and guide to all the food and drink areas around the course. www.chester-races.com

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HORSERADISH: THE TALK OF THE TOWN HALL! Horseradish is Chester Race Company’s outside catering division, and it has recently been awarded a five-year venue and events management service contract by Cheshire West and Chester Council. This includes related catering and hospitality for Chester Town Hall – which itself has recently undergone a beautiful £3.2 million refurbishment!

Read more about Horseradish on p34.

RAISE YOUR GLASS…

BUILDING ON CHESHIRE’S EQUINE HERITAGE A special project centring on Cheshire’s horse racing industry will look in-depth at training and job opportunities in the sector after the British Horse Racing Grant Scheme awarded £52,750 to a local partnership. Cheshire West and Chester Council, Chester Race Company, the University of Chester, the University of Liverpool, Reaseheath College and local stables will be working together to raise the profile of racing as a career option in the county, while integrating with national initiatives such as the British Horseracing Authority’s Careers in Racing programme.

COMING SOON...

The new Chester Racecourse clothing range collection is arriving at www.chester-shop.com.

Polo shirts, hoodies, jackets, caps and some great giftware will all be available online – and delivery is FREE on orders over £75.

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…to AB inBEV! Chester Race Company has recently secured a significant three-year deal with AB inBEV, who have the pouring rights to all of the company’s venues over the next three years in a deal worth circa £1 million to the racecourse, the largest deal AB inBEV has ever completed in racing. One of AB inBEV’s key brands is Stella Artois. “Our brand has a very rich heritage and tradition and we choose to work with partners that share our values and aspirations,” says key account manager Paul Collings. “We are delighted to be associated with Chester Race Company and we look forward to bringing memorable experiences to all those who visit Chester Races and Chester Polo.”

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY… Public events at Chester Racecourse 27th April Cheshire Vintage Fashion Fair 27th April Spring Boutique Shopping Spectacular (hosted at Chester Town Hall) 23rd June Race For Life 17-20th October Chester Antiques Show 27th October Cheshire Vintage Fashion Fair

THE BOODLES MAY FESTIVAL

Visit www.chester-races.co.uk/events for more information and latest event listings.

For the first time in its history, the Chester May Festival will carry a title sponsor. Boodles has been a sponsor at Chester Racecourse for over 10 years and each year has extended and increased its support – and in 2013 the company will title sponsor the entire festival!

BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS Everyone knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and at The Weighing Room in Chester, raceday buzz begins before you reach the course, with exclusive breakfast packages for day meetings and pre-race platters for evening meetings. Packages can include County Concourse admission, race card, racing tips from a chesterBET tipster and drinks reception, with prices starting from £50 +VAT per person. www.theweighingroom.co.uk | 01244 313 258 | p32

CRABBIES ALCOHOLIC GINGER BEER Halewood International and Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer are proud to be involved with Chester races again in 2013. The May Festival and the Crabbies Alcoholic Ginger Beer Handicap Stakes marks the start of a summer of involvement with Chester Racecourse and Halewood International with racedays and Chester Rocks. "Chester provides a great backdrop to promoting our company and our brands and we are looking forward to having a lot of fun at Chester this year" said Andy Smallman, Halewood International’s Managing Director.

SAY HELLO… Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for exclusive news and offers. www.chester-races.com

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Four trains per hour Two great cities One Merseyrail

Get there by train with Merseyrail www.merseyrail.org Follow us on Twitter @Merseyrail

5th July – 25th August Grosvenor Park, Chester

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THE WHITE HORSE Chester Racecourse’s new on-site gastropub is a first-class family-friendly dining and drinking experience!

Set in the Paddock Enclosure adjacent to the Parade Ring, the White Horse opened on Easter weekend and now promises to be a treat on race days and non-racedays alike – and it’s especially welcoming to families. The rich wooden interior gives glazed panoramic views across the racecourse, and there are open fires in winter and al fresco tables in summer. Outside, there is a fantastic new pirate ship play area for kids, a climbing wall up the sides and slides to escape down – then when they have worked up an appetite, the children’s menu will keep them occupied with create-your-own pizzas, fresh pasta and other tasty dishes and desserts.

FAMILY FUN THE WHOLE YEAR AROUND The kitchen at The White Horse has been kitted out with a wood-burning charcoal grill (which reaches a staggering 300°C) and stone pizza oven. The rustic menu has been created by an expert team and there is a similar attention to sourcing local produce of the highest quality to form delicious seasonal dishes.

This summer, the grill will be serving up a variety of juicy steaks (including a 12oz Cheshire pork T-bone) and a selection of charred skewers, such as chilli & mint marinated Welsh lamb and halloumi cheese and garlic mushroom, accompanied by slowgrilled Mediterranean vegetables and cracked wheat and rocket salad. You could also tuck into a delicious thin-crust Parma ham pizza from the stone oven, or a large plate of traditional haddock and chips, accompanied by sumptuous sides... Just don’t forget

to leave room for pudding - the lemon panna cotta with fresh berries and candied zest and the Bailey’s sundae are simply superb!

When the sun is out the racecourse is a great place to walk the dogs, stretch your legs and enjoy the River Dee, whetting your appetite before heading up to the pub for a bite to eat, – but whenever you visit, you can be perfectly sure of a wonderful welcome at The White Horse!

The White Horse Chester Racecourse, Chester CH1 2LY www.thewhitehorsechester.co.uk | 01244 304 650 @TheWhiteHorseCR The White Horse www.chester-races.com

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2012 REVIEW McCain Magic 9th May 2012 Double trouble was the name of the game in the 2012 StanJames.com Chester Cup, with local trainer Donald McCain (far right) coming home first and second with Ile De Re and Overturn.

The Olympic Torch at Chester Racecourse 29th May 2012 Tens of thousands of people gathered in Chester where the 11th day of the Olympic torch relay came to and finished with a gala celebration at the Racecourse. In the final stretch, the flame was carried by Grand National winning jockey Jason Maguire riding 2011 Chester Cup winner and 2012 runner up Overturn.

Summer Rain 5th August 2012 Racing was abandoned at Chester for the first time in over a decade after a very heavy thunderstorm hit the area. 28.2mm of rain fell in just 20 minutes, causing extensive flooding across the entire site and a very wet course!

The Betfair Huxley Stakes

Won by Chester’s leading owner Dr Marwan Koukash with Marcret, trained by Marco Botti and ridden by Ryan Moore.

The MBNA Chester Vase

Won by subsequent Epsom Derby 5th Mickdaam, owned by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by Tony Hamilton.

The Stobart Barristers Dee Stakes

Won by Astrology (owned by Derrick Smith) for Irish Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien, ridden by his son, Joseph O’Brien.

The Boodles Diamond Ormonde Stakes

Another O’Brien father and son win with Memphis Tennessee, owned by Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith.

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A Day of Doubles 1st September 2012 At Ladies Day in September, two was the lucky number for some as jockey Franny Norton (below) kept up his excellent record by adding two more wins to his seasonal tally with Becky Lou and Ballista, and trainers Dave Evans and Reg Hollinshead also celebrated doubles.

Polo Success 8th September 2012 The England Polo team played their first ever International at Chester Racecourse Polo Club last September, as part of the all-new Audi International Series. After a close game, they beat South America 8½ to 8 to lift the trophy.

Ballabriggs and Cinders & Ashes at Bangor-on-Dee 14th November 2012 Racegoers at Bangor-on-Dee had a real treat in November, when there was the chance to see Ballabriggs (the 2011 Grand National winner) and Cinders & Ashes (left, the 2012 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Cheltenham Festival Winner) both galloping after racing.

2013 PREVIEW Prize Money Increase

Chester Race Company has announced a significant increase to prize money for the 2013 season, with prize money at Chester reaching a record high of £1,936,500 (an increase of £262,498 from 2012). What’s more, the racecourse is committed to ensuring that no race will be run for a total prize fund of less than £10,000 throughout 2013.

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SUPERDRY TED BAKER FOSSIL HOBBS GANT L.K.BENNETT JAEGER ALL SAINTS KURT GEIGER

CheshireOaksDesignerOutlet cheshireoaksdesigneroutlet.com

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190th Chester Cup! 8th May 2013 2013 sees the 190th Chester Cup take place on the Roodee, after it was inaugurated in 1824 as the Tradesmen’s Cup. As the longest race run at Chester with the biggest field each year, the Chester Cup is an annual highlight, and the 2013 event promises to live well up to expectations.

Roman Day 25th May 2013 History comes to life on Roman Day at Chester Racecourse, with a family-friendly celebration of the city’s Roman past. There will be chariot racing, stunt riders and a host of free children’s activities and entertainment on the Open Course, alongside some top-class racing.

Chester Rocks 15–16th June 2013 Chester Rocks is heading back to the racecourse for the third year running! This June, Jessie J and The Wanted take to the stage on the Roodee, along with Union J, The Vamps, Lawson and Amelia Lily.

Bank Holiday Monday at Bangor-on-Dee 26th August 2013 A great day out for all the family, with brilliant free activities for all ages, with plenty of things to see and do across the open course, with face-painting to bouncy castles - while racing takes place throughout the day!

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THE ONES to watch A head start on some of the horses, jockeys and trainers to watch out for in 2013 16

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Last year 1,018 horses ran the course at Chester and 771 ran at Bangor-on-Dee – that’s a lot of names. Keeping track of horses, jockeys, owners, stables and trainers can be a daunting prospect, but look carefully and you will start to see patterns that reappear, especially if a particular trainer attends certain racetracks regularly.

For 2013, we are giving you a helping hand by highlighting a few of the horses, jockeys and trainers to look out for at both Chester and Bangor-on-Dee – ones that are likely to turn a few heads in bids for glory at two of the most beautiful tracks in the country. So follow these potential stars, get to know their performances, share in the highs and see where the season takes them...

HENRY BROOKE Career highlight(s) to date: Riding Across The Bay for the boss to win in the Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock in February 2013, riding my first treble at Sedgefield, and being Champion Conditional last season.

Plans for the rest of the season: No great plans, I’m just going to keep my head down, keep working hard and see how things go.

Main ambition: To make a career out of race riding.

If you could have the ride on one horse, who would it be: Red Rum around the National fences.

HENR BROOKY E

Rides Donald for McCain

Tell us three things we don’t know about Henry Brooke?

I love Yorkshire puddings, hate rugby and football, and love eBay and going to car boot sales!

LIBERTY COURT TY LIBERRT COU

Stable: Pant Wilkin Stables Height: 16’3” Sire: Court Cave Dam: Miss Vikki Owner: Derek Passant and Glenn Butt Trainer: Tim Vaughan Lad/lass: Katie Ash

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na Know

Career highlight to date: P2P winner, placed at three hurdles starts.

General plan and hopes for 2013: Plan to progress through handicaps – he’s an exciting novice chaser for 2013-14.

Liberty Court (right) with Heronry Steve Parsons/PA Wire

Tell us something we wouldn’t know about this horse: He likes cuddles, dislikes other horses and his party piece is neighing at his lass! www.chester-races.com

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STIRRING BALLAD Stable: Park House Height: 16’1” Sire: Compton Place Dam: Balnaha Owner: George Strawbridge Trainer: Andrew Balding Lad/lass: Valentine Los Career highlight(s) to date: Winning four races in succession.

General plan and hopes for 2013: We are hoping she will develop into a group performer.

Tell us something we wouldn’t know about this horse: She fractured her pastern as a two-year-old and has a plate and three screws inserted in her near fore – it doesn’t seem to slow her down though...

STIRRIN BALLADG

Cheste

r winn er in 201 2

TOM DASCOMBE Career highlight(s) to date: The Royal Ascot winners and Rhythm Of Light winning a Group 2 at Santa Anita, USA. Plans for the rest of the season: Our prize money target for 2012 was £650,000 and our winners’ target was 60. We achieved both of these by the end of September and finished the season with prize money of £867,832 and 81 winners. Our long term ambition is to record 100 winners and £1 million in prize money in 2014, so our 2013 targets will represent a half-way stepping stone to this, with a prize money target of £825,000 and 80 winners. We also want to improve again on our finishing position in the table of UK prize money, where we finished 24th last year. 2012 was a another fantastic season for many reasons and we hope to go onto bigger and better things in 2013. Watch this space!

Horses in training to watch out for: Half the yard is 2 y.o. so it is very difficult to say at this time of year (March) with any conviction at this stage. As a 3 y.o. I think Ice Pie has a lot more to offer this year.

TO DASCOM MBE Train er at M anor House Stable s

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Three things you don’t know about Tom: I used to be on the BBC children’s TV programme “Why Don’t You?”, I have a 100% strike rate Ludlow racecourse and in my spare time I watch a lot of Peppa Pig. If you could train one horse who would it be: I would love to train the winner of the 2013 Derby!

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THE INTERVIEW: Dr Marwan Koukash The world of racing is full of larger-than-life characters with colourful back-stories – and one such character who can regularly be found at Chester Racecourse is the marvellously passionate, wonderfully moustachioed racehorse owner, Dr Marwan Koukash.

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Left: Dr Marwan Koukash with Gabrial The Duke.

What got him hooked on racing? “Winning the Chester Cup (with the Ian Williams-trained Bulwark in 2008) – that was huge for me. That’s when everything changed, when it got serious and when my love affair with Chester started as well.”

Above (left-right): Dr Koukash’s Merseyside stud; With his family after winning the Chester Cup in 2008; Enjoying racing Dr Koukash came to the North West via Palestine, at Chester; After winning Jordan and Kuwait, moved on by war and driven the Betfair Huxley Stakes by a will to succeed. Settling in Liverpool, he at the Chester May completed an engineering degree, became a Festival 2012 with Marcret, professor and set up a corporate training and ridden by Ryan Moore. property business – so where did the horses come in? He blames his bank manager. “He invited me along to a race meeting about five years ago,” he says. “It was a great social day out, but I thought it would be better if we had a runner.”

That was in 2007 – by 2011 he had made it to 7th place on the list of leading owners (by prize money). No mean feat. So what got him hooked?

“Winning the Chester Cup (with the Ian Williamstrained Bulwark in 2008) – that was huge for me. That’s when everything changed, when it got serious and when my love affair with Chester started as well.”

Chester is a second home for Dr Koukash, who still lives in the Liverpool area with his family. “I find it very hard to believe that there is anyone who doesn’t love Chester!” he admits. “The atmosphere, the racegoers there, it’s very friendly and just a great day out. My only regret is that sometimes I take a runner in every race and I don’t get to enjoy the atmosphere.” That will certainly be the case at the 2013 Chester May meeting, where 30 Koukash horses will be racing over the three days.

“Watch out for Montaser in the Cup” he tips, “and Face The Problem for the Conditions Race – and of course Mount Athos!” Mount Athos ran for him in the 2012 Melbourne Cup and, according to many, was the unluckiest loser on the day – he will be making an appearance in the Boodles Diamond Ormonde Stakes on 10th May. His aim for 2012 was 100 runners and he ended up with 101. “Next year will be more about quality than

quantity though,” he insists. “I want to aim for the big races – the Melbourne Cup, and winning my classics at Chester.” He grins. “People talk about the classics being the Derby and the Oaks. My classics are the Chester Cup, the Huxley Stakes, the Dee Stakes, the Chester Vase…”

Despite his great love of the sport, he is well aware that there are many involved in racing at all levels who aren’t as fortunate as him; recently Dr Koukash became a patron of Racing Welfare, the UK charity which supports people in need involved in the racing industry, and Chester Racecourse’s chosen charity for the next three years. “A few years ago I met someone after I won a race,” he remembers.

“He came over to me in a wheelchair saying ‘I used to look after your horse.’ He had an accident and had been helped and retrained by Racing Welfare in order to still be involved in racing.”

“When we go to a meeting,” he continues, “we all sit there drinking Champagne, enjoying ourselves, and we sometimes don’t appreciate the heartache stories involved in getting the horses ready to bring them to the track. For every happy moment there are a number of sad moments. So it is nice for everyone involved in racing to give something back.”

Dr Koukash clearly loves his horses and, living just five minutes away from his Merseyside stud, can be seen at the stables most days with Pat Morris (who oversees the training centre). He works closely with all of his trainers too, and has the final say over which horse runs where. In fact, his long term goal is to get his own licence. “To breed and train my own horses to run at Chester – that’s the dream. Let’s see where we are in six years.”

For further information on Racing Welfare, visit www.racingwelfare.co.uk.

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BESPOKE LUXURY HOLIDAYS In today’s world of infinite choices, at ITC Classics we believe service and sincerity is something you can’t put a price on. We are one of the UK’s most respected luxury tour operators, a position we work hard to maintain, drawing on almost 40 years of experience and countless miles accumulated on our travel clock.

Add to this our ATOL, ABTA and IATA credentials which mean you’re protected, providing peace of mind and full financial protection, along with our 24 hour emergency helpline to clients in resort and you’ve got an award-winning recipe for travel success. Entrust us with your precious time off and we guarantee we’ll go the extra mile to provide you with an exceptional experience you’ll never forget.

THE QATAR PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE 4 - 7 OCTOBER 2013 Enjoy The Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe horse race at Longchamp, Paris with the ability to view this legendary race from our unique facility, a private grandstand at Longchamp where race commentaries are in English. Horse Racing Abroad has worked closely with France Galop for many years and is proud to be the only officially appointed tour company to bring race-goers to this event. Prices start from as little as £339 per person including return Eurostar, 3 nights accommodation, transfers and admission to Longchamp for two days.

NEW TOURS FOR 2013-14 6 - 9 Sep 2013 - The International Festival at Veliefendi, Istanbul 18 - 21 Jan 2014 - The Grand Steeplechase De Pau, France 29 Jan - 9 Feb 2014 - The Mumbai Derby & The Queen’s Cup, India 31 Jan - 3 Feb 2014 - White Turf racing, St Moritz

To discover more call 01244 355 588 or visit www.horseracingabroad.com

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To discover more call 01244 355 552 or visit www.itcclassics.co.uk

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THE CHESTER RACECOURSE GUIDE TO CLIENT ENTERTAINING Corporate hospitality has evolved to fit into a climate where every penny counts, where budgets are lower and expectations are higher. The need to measure your return on investment has never been stronger; we believe that corporate hospitality is a longterm investment in your business and that the event itself is not the goal - it is a means of achieving your goal.

What does corporate hospitality do for you?

Corporate hospitality helps your company maintain, strengthen and build relationships with your key people such as existing customers, which will reinforce your business relationships, in turn leading to a stronger return on your investment. When used efďŹ ciently corporate hospitality can help build new relationships, but it is also a vital tool for retaining and strengthening current relationships. It is proven that maintaining your current customers is signiďŹ cantly less expensive than acquiring new ones - making corporate hospitality an essential tool in engaging repeat business and customer loyalty. It can increase business, create goodwill and boost morale, but there are few things to remember along the way...

1. PLAN AHEAD To get the most from your corporate hospitality events, we recommend planning in advance and avoiding lastminute bookings. Advanced planning enables you to strategically plan your event to ensure you get the right event and the right guest list which will lead to a much greater return on your investment.

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hospitality Corporate arranged can also be Rocks and at Chester at Chester polo events r-on-Dee and Bango .

Racecourse 3. CHOOSE THE RIGHT HOSPITALITY Aim to make the experience personal by tailoring it your customers’ tastes. By understanding your guests in advance, you can avoid inviting guests to an event that is of no interest. As business relations progress, other employees and family members need to be taken into account. At Chester and Bangor-on-Dee, hospitality is available at weekend meetings if partners are invited, and evening meetings for employees. The Roman Day and Family Fun Day at Chester are great for families, and corporate hospitality can also be organised at Chester Rocks and polo events.

2. MAKE IT MEMORABLE Hosting an innovative and creative event will be memorable for all involved and will be truly special to your key people, providing them with an extra reason to take a break from their busy schedule to attend your event. A day at the races can be made unforgettable through attention to detail. You can organise tailor-made packages and tipsters, while at Chester, betting tablets are available in the boxes to enhance the entire experience. This detail should also extend to the wider question of location, with a choice of restaurants, private boxes and different rooms. Do your guests want to be near the action? Would they prefer not to walk too far?

Sometimes it is also possible for businesses to sponsor internal spaces with branding or themes, or for bespoke catering packages to be arranged, including barbecues on Family Fun Days.

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y Roman Da un F and Family at Day are gre . for families

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4. CHOOSE THE RIGHT PEOPLE Help your client network. It never hurts to do a client a favour above and beyond the call of business, and it is something the client remembers.

Inviting the right people to a hospitality occasion is important - but you can also use the opportunity to bring different clients together for networking opportunities. On race-days, Chester and Bangor-on-Dee have dedicated corporate tables where like-minded business people can be seated together.

Don’t f orget t o ta the op p ortunit ke netwo y to rk if th e occa allows sion – Cheste on race-days rh , corpor as dedicated ate ho spitalit tables y w h e r minde d busin e likeess peo can be ple seated togeth er.

5. FOLLOW UP Clients who have enjoyed hospitality tend to have an expectation to receive future invitations. When planning your initial hospitality consider your long term strategy; how will you continue to wow your client? Find out what they enjoyed from the day and use this information when organising future events. hospitality.chester-races.com Tel: 01244 304 606

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A FASHION FIX for a Day at the Races

This season’s raceday style is a game of two halves; either you’re in a floral flurry or stood with the monochrome maidens.

Whichever your fashion bet is on, Golden Square Shopping Centre in Warrington has some summer inspiration to make sure that you are the winning ticket in the style stakes.

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INSIDETRACK TRACK INSIDE

TAKING A PICTURE? FINDING A FRIEND? CHECKING A BET?

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www.storrarcowdry.co.uk 01244 400 567

21 Castle Street Chester CH1 2DS

Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. SRA No.203964

www.chester-races.com

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A TABLE with a view 153

9 The ye ar that racing at Che began ster, He nry VII arrang I was ing his 4th ma Michela rriage, ngelo w the Sis tine Ch as working o n apel an monks d Frenc were p h e r fec first sp arkling ting the wines!

With its floor to ceiling windows overlooking Chester Racecourse, Restaurant 1539 is celebrated for its raceday dining experience – but its commitment to local produce and seasonality make it a great all-yearround brasserie style restaurant.

Sitting just outside Chester’s old city walls, the Roodee has hosted horseracing since 1539 – and when the Racecourse opened its new restaurant in 2008, it seemed only natural to pay homage to all those years of history! Now Restaurant 1539 uses locally-sourced seasonal produce in the creation of contemporary brasserie dishes, which are complemented by an eclectic array of fine wines, panoramic views and first-class service. Last year they were rewarded with their first AA Rosette, as well as a Gold Award for Best Large Restaurant and a Silver Award for Best Use of Local Produce at the 2012 Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle Festival.

Head Chef Darren Gallagher joined the team two years ago and now works hard to create links with local suppliers, including Peter Jones of Wirral Watercress, Williams of Flint and Anglesey Sea Bass. “People want to know where

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WIRRAL WATERCRESS their food comes from, it’s a big thing for a lot of our customers,” he says. “The things that link all of our suppliers are locality, seasonality and quality. Williams source meat from the Vale of Clwyd and Conwy Valley then hang it to perfection – and the fish from Anglesey Sea Bass is farmed in an entirely sustainable and environmentally-friendly manner.”

Darren, his team and consultant chef Max Gnoyke create dishes around what suppliers recommend that season, presenting new menus every three months that include fine dining elements but which are still highly accessible.

“It’s convenient, there is free car parking and the food is really, really good,” says Restaurant Manager Dave Taylor.

“We get a lot of very different people throughout the week, too – young people, families, a huge cross section.”

Darren’s dishes have a very distinctive mark of creativity, and can include

DARREN GALLAGHER Head Chef at Restaurant 1539 compressed confit duck with foie gras brûlée, ginger crumb and apple fritter, or butter-poached turbot with a Parmesan and basil cream and ratatouille tortellini.

There are some magnificent sharing boards (Moroccan platter of Conwy Valley lamb, anyone?) - and desserts are just as inventive!

“2013 will be incredibly exciting,” says Darren. “We’ll be strengthening the team and aiming for a second Rosette. The race meets are a challenge, especially the May meeting, but it’s exciting!”

Restaurant tables are available at each of the meetings as part of hospitality packages - while on non-racedays, you can enjoy access to the exclusive Roof Lounge and Terrace which sits above the restaurant, commanding incredible views across the whole racecourse.

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RECIPE: SEARED SCALLOPS, BREADED SCAMPI, HERB AND ANISE AIOLI, SWEET FRIED FENNEL INGREDIENTS (serves 1): 2 scallops 3 langoustines 1 bulb of fennel 2 shallots 1 clove garlic 1 star anise 50ml chicken stock 1 egg 50ml milk 50g flour 50g panko breadcrumbs 10g spinach 10g mayonnaise Pinch of fennel pollen Olive oil Butter Salt and pepper

1. Peel the langoustines, making sure to remove the black vein.

2. Mix the egg and milk together. Coat the langoustines in flour, dip them into

the egg and milk mixture and then coat them with the panko breadcrumbs and set aside.

3. Finely dice the shallots and a ¼ of the fennel. Blanch half of the diced shallot and all the diced fennel for 1 minute in boiling salted water.

4. Chop the remaining fennel and, together with the rest of the diced shallot, sweat down in a thick-bottomed pan with a dash of oil, knob of butter, a crushed clove of garlic and a star anise.

5. Add the chicken stock and cook on a moderate heat until the onion and fennel are soft.

6. Add the spinach to the pan then, when it has wilted down, remove the star anise and place it in a food processor. Blitz until smooth, season to taste and cool.

FRESH SCALLOPS with seasoning for 30 seconds each side, adding a knob of butter in the final stages.

8. Fry the langoustines in a hot fryer – this will take between 40 - 60 seconds depending on the size.

9. Stir the blanched diced vegetables and mayonnaise into the purée.

Assemble on a plate and finish with a sprinkling of fennel pollen.

Restaurant 1539 Chester Racecourse, The Racecourse, Chester CH1 2LY Tel: 01244 304 611 www.restaurant1539.co.uk @Restaurant1539 1539 Restaurant & Bar

7. Cook the scallops in a hot frying pan www.chester-races.com

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THE WEIGHING ROOM It’s the city-centre bar with a big personality, the restaurant serving up inspired small plates to share.

Situated on Commonhall Street, just off Bridge Street and the historic rows, this wonderfully atmospheric bar sits within an old converted mill.

It retains many of the original features, including gorgeous exposed brickwork and wooden beams, but it also has a thoroughly modern outlook and attitude. The coffee is Italian, the beers are global and the cocktails are out of the ordinary – this is certainly not just your average bar!

The relaxed ambience and good-time vibe is palpable as soon as you cross the threshold – and being in the heart of Chester, it’s a wonderful place to stop for a mid-shop refuel, whiling away the hours with coffee and a pastry with friends and family. Or if you are feeling a bit more peckish, the small plates menu is full of punchy dishes to savour and share with friends while you enjoy a bottle of wine together at any time of day. The Weighing Room really is a day-night venue of the very best kind. It’s the type of place that instantly puts you at

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ease when you walk through the door to discover a daytime haven. Come the weekend, the tempo picks up in the evening as resident and guest DJs provide an eclectic soundtrack until the early hours.

The bar itself boasts an impressive variety of unusual draught and bottled drinks, a list of great modern wines and Champagne, and unique cocktails, including the Metropolitan (right), which have been tried, tested and tweaked to perfection by the in-house mixologists.

Similar care has been taken over the menus; to create his signature small plates, Head Chef Anthony Snape sources the best seasonal ingredients to use in dishes such as grilled scallops with morcilla and apple and sherry vinegar, or mushroom, garlic and thyme risotto with wilted rocket, creating a series of mini taste explosions! On weekdays between noon and

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METROPOLITAN COCKTAIL RECIPE The Metropolitan is a variation of the iconic Cosmopolitan martini cocktail, using Absolut Kurant vodka to give it a deep, fruity edge.

5pm you can get three small plates for £10.

The main bar area is beautiful, but The Weighing Room is also home to two hidden secrets...

Upstairs, discover a bar and dining area which can be used exclusively, or as a place to break away to during the bar’s busier periods. It is here that the building’s past life as a mill can really be seen, with exposed beams and the original crane wheel adding to the atmosphere.

50ml Absolut Kurant vodka 15ml Cointreau 50ml cranberry juice Dash of sugar syrup Juice of 1 lime Place all of the ingredients into a Boston shaker with 1 piece of ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with orange zest.

Outside is a beautiful, landscaped, sheltered terrace area which offers a secluded, stylish spot to kick back in the sunshine – or where you can relax before real flame gas lamps and under jumbrellas that protect against the elements in colder months. There is an outside bar, and there will be summer barbecues making the most of the best terrace in town!

Raceday at The Weighing Room The raceday buzz begins well before the first race at The Weighing Room with exclusive racing packages for both day and evening meetings. These packages include: County Concourse admission Race card Racing tips from a chesterBET tipster Drinks reception Full English breakfast (day meetings)/ barbecue platter (evening meetings) Racing platters available for post raceday celebrations/ commiserations.

(From £50 + VAT per person)

The Weighing Room 10 Commonhall Street, Chester CH1 2BJ www.theweighingroom.co.uk | 01244 313 258 @TheWeighingRoom The Weighing Room www.chester-races.com

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WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD...

Chester Racecourse has taken its vast knowledge, dedication to service delivery and love of food to the next level by establishing its very own outside catering division, Horseradish.

Horseradish’s culinary journey has been influenced by an appreciation and understanding of how to perfectly meld sensory experiences through the food it delivers and the styling of the events it manages, delivering a service that is worth its weight in gold.

Food has always been an integral part of Chester Race Company’s makeup, whether it is being served at Restaurant 1539 or at one of the raceday food outlets, and Horseradish has been a natural evolution of the catering on offer. The Michelin-trained catering team can deliver everything from intimate five-course dinner parties to full-themed, managed events for many thousands of people, both on and off-site, with their fully-mobilised catering facilities, to provide a fantastic feast for your occasion!

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imaginative furniture

“Ther sincere e is no rl the lov ove than e of fo od.”

George Be rnard S

haw

for individuals

CHESTER RACECOURSE’S NEW CATERING DIVISION, HORSERADISH, PREPARES PLATES WITH REAL PEDIGREE The Horseradish team knows that the food should reflect you, and tasting sessions with the head chef can be arranged so that together you can tailor a menu to suit your occasion and impress your guests, leaving them with lasting memories. There are guidelines and sample menus available for different event types, budgets and sizes, all underpinned by a straightforward approach to food - one that uses the best seasonal ingredients to create fresh, vibrant, modern delicious dishes.

Horseradish has gone from strength to strength and now as well as offering a top-notch service for private events, provides catering services to Chester Town Hall, Cholmondeley Pageant of Power and the International Eisteddfod. Operational excellence is brought to every function, by delivering food that consistently receives acclaim.

The care and attention to detail that goes in to each and every event, whatever the size, is what makes Horseradish extraordinary, along with the will and drive to exceed client expectations. But above all, the team has a real passion for food, and know that food can help to drive the all-important atmosphere to create seriously superb celebrations! www.chester-races.com | Tel: 01244 304 607 @HorseradishCR HorseradishChester www.chester-races.com

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We spoke to two brides to find out just why they chose Chester...

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Cooper M ic h a e l Z o e a n d e m b e r 201 2 31st Dec Why did you choose Chester Racecourse?

Because it has sentimental value to us both.

Michael had his Graduation Ball there and we have had many happy days out at the races. As our wedding was on New Year’s Eve, we wanted somewhere easily accessible with plenty of parking and great accommodation nearby.

How did the venue work for the time of year?

It was perfect because the racecourse kindly allowed us the upstairs space (above the Leverhulme Suite) for our drinks reception.

Seeing as it was cold, dark and raining, this was very fortunate!

What was the best thing about the venue?

The staff: they went above and beyond their duty with exemplary service, manners and friendliness.

The food was fabulous too – our friends always mention it and several have said it was the best wedding food that they have ever had.

How did the racecourse ensure that your day was as individual as you are?

They listened to all our requests and ensured that they were made possible. For example, we were allowed to decorate the room the day before which gave us the time to make the room look absolutely perfect.

Would you recommend Chester Racecourse to other brides?

Absolutely. The racecourse successfully combines personal and bespoke service with corporate efficiency and value for money.

It’s also great for guests – many of ours had travelled from great distances and stayed for a few nights. Being so close to the city centre meant they could easily find places to eat and explore Chester at the same time!

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WEDDING WISDOM Weddings in the city and weddings in the country – it’s a tough choice, but both can be the backdrop to some beautiful stories!

Who can fail to adore the idea of celebrating the nuptials of people we love? Marriage ceremonies – and the festivities that follow – are as unique as the bride and groom themselves, and while the happy couple is rightly, unquestionably, the focus of the occasion, the location can certainly add to the ambience and atmosphere.

One decision to factor in is whether to have a wedding in the centre of a city, or a more rural affair. Often this will be decided by where the couple lives, or where the ceremony itself is taking place – but for others, the choice isn’t quite so simple.

CITY V COUNTRY City weddings are the top choice for many a happy couple – and why not?

They are incredibly convenient for transport and accommodation and give guests the opportunity to make a weekend of it and explore the area, especially if they have travelled. It also means that there is a chance for night owls to continue the celebrations after the venue curfew has been and gone…

But country occasions are beautiful too, and they cater perfectly for the recent rustic chic style. They usually have plenty of open space (brilliant for kids), are extremely customisable and, best of all, come complete with a superb backdrop for wedding photographs!

THE BEST OF BOTH Happily, Chester Racecourse has the best of both these worlds. Located on the edge of the historic walled city, it is licensed for civil ceremonies, is easily

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V ic to ri a a n d N ic k H ughes 2 8 th J u ly 2 0 12 Why did you choose Chester Racecourse?

We chose it due to my husband’s involvement in horse racing. As a couple we have enjoyed some of our most memorable days at the racecourse and it just seemed perfect for us.

It’s in the heart of Chester, our home town and the Pavilion, where we had the wedding, is a modern and spacious building. accessible by both public transport and car (with plenty of free parking), has its own hotel on site (plus plenty more in the immediate vicinity) – and includes green space galore!

What makes the Racecourse such a special venue, however, is its incredible flexibility – a flexibility that many city centre venues can’t accommodate simply due to the lack of space. In the past there have been funfairs, giant games, rodeos, barbecues - and even bouncy castles!

ALL-INCLUSIVE OR ALTOGETHER DIFFERENT While all-inclusive packages are available, your day can also be personalised as much or as little as you like with their basic package. The rooms are amazingly flexible too, with different spaces available for different numbers; the Paddock Rooms and the Leverhulme Stand can both accommodate 60-100 guests during the day and up to 120 in the evening, while the County Stand’s Long Room can cater for larger weddings still, with 120 guests functioned for in the daytime and up to 300 guests in the evening.

Similar packages are also available at Chester’s sister racecourse, Bangor-on-Dee, where the Paddock and Wynnstay Rooms offer the same high quality experience.

For more information or to hear about our Wedding Open Days, please contact our wedding planner on 01244 304 607

How did the venue work for the time of year?

We were hoping for glorious weather – and we got it! This meant that we were able to have photographs in the paddock and on the track which was a dream come true.

What was the best thing about the venue?

The staff, pristine setting and location.

How did the racecourse ensure that your day was as individual as you are?

We had a DVD of photographs and a short video during the speeches - they made sure it was displayed on all the screens within the room, which was a fantastic touch.

Would you recommend Chester Racecourse to other brides-to-be?

Yes. The racecourse offers not only a fantastic setting, but because of its size and scenery it provides numerous places for guests to socialise and several opportunities for photographs. A lot of our guests had been to the racecourse but not in the Pavilion, and many commented on what a great venue it is for a wedding. The food was exceptional and the staff couldn’t have done more to fulfil all our requests. As a bride, there was no stress at all knowing that everything was being taken care of. www.chester-races.com

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MAKE A WEEKEND OF IT… The Holiday Inn Express Chester Racecourse is yards from the action, making it ideal for racedays. But being so close to some of the best attractions in the North West and North Wales means that you can also make a long weekend or extended stay of it and explore what the area has to offer!

It was the Romans who first settled the area that is now Chester, naming their legionary fortress Deva, after the Latin word for goddess. The settlement prospered and evolved, with medieval rows growing within the original Roman walls, and the Roodee area between the walls and the river becoming the location for games and horseracing. It attracted people from far and wide – and it still does today.

Happily, visitors now have a far greater choice of places to stay, including Holiday Inn Express Chester Racecourse, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year – and which has recently undergone a beautiful refurbishment.

The hotel includes 97 well-appointed en-suite rooms with top-class modern conveniences - brand new flat screen TVs have been installed in all rooms and new bedroom furniture has been brought in.

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Downstairs, the bar lounge and breakfast areas have also been given the star treatment, with new décor and casual seating, where you can enjoy Express Start breakfasts with selected hot offerings. It’s the perfect place to relax with a coffee or catch up with work and complimentary newspapers – or you can take advantage of the full bar, open daily from 12 noon until late. There is also free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

The hotel is open all year around, and after 10 years of providing local accommodation, it is a firm favourite in the city, especially as hotel guests can also take advantage of discounts at the racecourse’s own restaurants and bars; enjoy 10% off the bill at fine dining Restaurant 1539 and The White Horse gastropub – and a magnificent 20% off at The Weighing Room restaurant and bar in Chester city centre! There are also preferential hotel rates available to those hosting special events at the racecourse, including weddings, parties and conferences!

There is free on-site parking at the hotel for the duration of your stay – so you can leave the car behind as you amble up to the delights of the historic city centre and all that it affords. Chester itself is brilliant for shopping, and also includes plenty of historical attractions in the form of the Roman Walls, Chester Cathedral and the fascinating Roman experience. If you’re more of an outdoors kind of person, the wilds of North Wales and the magic of Delamere Forest are both a short hop away, as is Cheshire’s own Sandstone Trail. For kids, there is the chance to meet animals of all shapes and sizes at Chester Zoo and the Blue Planet Aquarium, where you can come face-to-face with some of the world’s most playful, majestic and inspiring creatures. What’s more, Holiday Inn Express offers some very special packages that include entry to both the zoo and aquarium! hotelreservations@chester-races.com | 01244 327 900 @HIEXChester

www.chester-races.com

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Main image: Max, The Wanted

The

Chester Rocks returns for the third year running – we catch up with The Wanted’s Max George as the band prepares to take the city by storm...

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Jes www.chester-races.com

sie

J

Wa n

ted

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It was a huge success in 2012, and Chester Rocks 2013 is already looking like a classic. The music event is hosted in the grounds of Chester Racecourse and this year the stellar line up includes Brit award-winner and The Voice judge Jessie J and hugely successful English-Irish boy band The Wanted. “Everyone here is really excited to be hosting Chester Rocks again,” says Racecourse Chief Executive Richard Thomas.

“This is a fantastic event for Chester and the North West - and to have The Wanted and Jessie J on two consecutive days is amazing.”

When we played in 2011 the atmosphere was brilliant and it had a really *festivally* feel to it.

So as you’ve been to the races - have you got any tips for picking a winner?

[Laughs] Not at all, you don’t ask me for tips on horses, no way! I’m terrible!

Am

Chester Rocks takes place on 15-16th June 2013 and sees Union J and The Vamps appearing with The Wanted on Saturday, and Lawson and Amelia Lily supporting Jessie J on Sunday. We had a chat with Max George of The Wanted at the Chester Rocks official launch party ahead of the event. Northern lad Max loves Manchester City FC and almost became a professional player before concentrating on music. Just don’t ask him for any betting tips…

Lily

Inside Track’s Quick-Fire Questions...

L aw

2012 was a good year for The Wanted, and now you’re set to release two albums this year, is that right?

Yes, we feel like we left too much of a gap last year for the fans without bringing out an album.

We might stick with one but there’s talk of doing two. We’ll see!

son

Which do you prefer… Facebook or Twitter?

Twitter – I don’t have Facebook. I had MySpace and Bebo once.

Friday night or Saturday night?

Both, because one runs into the other.

Sun or snow?

Sun. The UK really doesn’t cope with snow.

It took me seven hours to get from London to Manchester during the snow last winter – although I do like a good skiing holiday.

How will these be different to previous albums?

We have definitely taken more time on them and they are more personal. We spent about six weeks in writing camps and between us we’ve written about 70 songs, so we’ve got a good U n io n J array to choose from.

High End or High Street?

Is this to do with shopping? I’d say... [looks down at himself] High Street.

Ketchup or brown sauce?

Brown sauce. Always!

What’s it like to be on tour as a group?

It’s great fun! It’s my favourite part of being in a band – you get to travel the world, meet different people, see different places, do different things and you’re doing it all with your mates. It’s like taking a gap year in some ways.

What is your greatest fear?

My brother’s driving…!

If life has taught you one lesson what would it be?

Never allow yourself to get bored! If you’ve got ambition and it’s not happening don’t just sit at home, keep going and keep trying.

What is your favourite song to perform live?

Probably “War Zone” because I wrote it, so it means quite a lot to me.

Are you looking forward to coming back to Chester Rocks this year?

Yeah, I played two years ago, it was a really good atmosphere and the weather was great. I love playing up north! Chester was actually one of the first racecourses I ever went to as a kid, as it’s quite close to Manchester where I’m from.

elia

If you had one superpower what would it be?

I’d like to be able to breathe under water or see from the back of my head...

The

Va m

ps

For more information on Chester Rocks, visit www.chester-rocks.com.

www.chester-races.com

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JARGON-BUSTER FURLONG: A unit of distance equivalent to 1/8th of a mile or 220 yards.

HANDICAP: Where better horses are given a heavier weight to carry than slower horses to try to make the contest as even as possible.

DRAW

Odds-on WINNER Placing a wager on the outcome of a horse race can be hugely exciting and very rewarding! The different types of bets available can get confusing – but once you understand the basics, your chances of winning (or at least understanding why you didn’t) can improve...

The position the horse is allocated in the starting stalls.

STAKE: The amount of money you put down on a bet.

ODDS: Betting odds are a ratio of the probability that an event will or won’t happen, and indicate how much you could win per unit stake.

They can be written as a fraction or a decimal – for example, a horse with odds of 2/1 indicates that a bookmaker believes it has a 1 in 2 chance of winning.

BETTING TYPES

5 TOP TIPS:

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ester is a here before, Ch at have won th ntly ta es ns rs co ho d ck an Ba , 1mile long se ur co t lis ia spec on the turn * ve / low draw ha ith an inside w es rs ho s, ce ra t e rin ag sp nt r Fo le adva a considerab * s winning streak Back horses on * y, both , Richard Fahe ton + trainer or N r ny te an es Fr , at Ch Jockey tic strike rate have a fantas * card tips in the race e chesterBET Check out th

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FIXTURE DATES April

October

Sat 20th

Thurs 3rd Mon 28th

May Fri 3rd (Eve) Sat 18th

July

RURAL RACING Bangor-on-Dee is the small local course with a big heart that is the North Wales home of National Hunt racing!

November Wed 13th Sat 30th

Tues, 23rd (Eve)

December

August

Fri 13th Sun 22nd

Fri 2nd Mon 26th (Bank Holiday)

September Fri 13th

Friendly, fun and laid-back, the beautiful Bangor-on-Dee racecourse regularly hosts National Hunt hurdle and steeplechase meetings on its left-handed main track, which is unique in the UK for not having a grandstand – instead relying on its natural grass banks to provide vantage points!

01244 304 610 bangorondeeraces.co.uk COURSE TICKETS from £7 PADDOCK TICKETS from £17 HOSPITALITY from £52 (+VAT)

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A day at this wonderfully welcoming course is fantastic for regular race-goers and National Hunt newcomers alike – so if this is one of your first forays into jump racing, read on for more about the different types of racing you can see at Bangor, and the obstacles the horses have to jump.

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HURDLES Typical length: 2-3 miles Hurdle races are traditional jump races, where horses have to negotiate obstacles along the track. The hurdles must be a minimum height of 3’6” – this is the equivalent of a tennis court net or an Olympic hurdle! Traditional hurdles are made from ash (but oak is also permitted), set in parallel horizontal bars, then built up with either artificial brushes or birch bundles to soften any impact for the horse. The course at Bangor-on-Dee has six hurdles in the circuit, with each panel having an orange frame to make them more visible to both horse and rider.

A minimum height of e 3’6” - this is th an f o t en equival le!

Olympic hurd

open ditch plain jump

Bangor-On-Dee Steeplechase Course winning post

www.chester-races.com

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P R O P E R T Y

S P E C I A L I S T S

Residential & Commercial Property Specialists Streets Ahead of The Field • • • • • • • •

Residential Lettings Residential Management Free Rent Guarantee Reducing Void Periods Online Payment Process Landlords’ Peace of Mind Protecting Your Asset Commercial Agency

Are you interested in a Free Property Health Check or Market Appraisal?

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Residential

Commercial

Alex Rooney

Mark Fearnall

Lettings Manager

Director

T: 01244 340 402 M: 07894 563 654 E: alex@fearnalls.co.uk

T: 01244 340 402 M: 07767 342 507 E: mark@fearnalls.co.uk

www.chester-races.com

An introduction to...

POLO It may once have been the sport of kings, but polo is becoming very popular as an exciting day out with a difference!

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Polo is an extremely competitive, very skilled game with plenty of high profile players and illustrious fans - but it is still a sport that many people don’t know all that much about. So from chukkas to riding off, let us introduce you to some of the rules and key terms.

THE BASICS There are four players in a polo team – a forward, two midfielders and a defender, who aim to hit the ball between two goal posts using a mallet. The goals are eight yards wide (the same as football goals, but open at the top) and each goal is worth one point. The team with the most points wins.

A game is overseen by two mounted umpires, two goal judges and a referee in the stand and is split into a set number of seven-minute periods called chukkas.

The end of each chukka is signalled by a bell – then an extra 30 seconds is played until the ball goes out of play, hits the boards or a whistle is blown.

There is a three-minute interval between each chukka and a five-minute break at half-time – during which spectators can go on to the field and “tread the divots”, treading down the turf where it has been kicked up by the ponies.

IMPORTANT RULES Once a ball is hit, it has a line of travel and any player who is in direct line with it has a “right of way”. This can only be challenged by riding off (bumping a pony off course at an angle of less than 45 degrees whilst travelling in the same direction) or hooking the opponent’s stick when on the same side as the ball or directly behind the opponent.

If the hooking or riding off isn’t performed correctly, a foul is called and a goal, hit or free hit is given to the opposition depending on the severity of the offence.

Polo ponies measure aro und 15 hands (5 feet / 1.52 metre) from the floor to withers (th e same height as Ro nnie Corbett or Judi Dench!)

EQUIPMENT AND HANDICAPPING Every polo player is given a handicap – an overall rating of their horsemanship, team play and knowledge of the game, strategy and ponies – which can range from -2 to 10 (the best). In handicapped games, the combined handicap score for each team is used to calculate a points advantage for one of the sides.

Every player must have a helmet, knee guards and a mallet and, traditionally, players use a different pony for each chukka.

The polo season runs from May until September.

2013 events at Chester Raceourse: 31st May – 1st June: Coutts International 6-7th September: Audi International & The Roodee Challenge Cup www.chester-races.com/polo 01244 304 610 General admission £6 | Children under 16 go free Hospitality from £42 (+VAT) www.chester-races.com

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Watergate Street Gallery opened in Chester in 1992 with the philosophy of ‘art for all’. 1,000 framed paintings from local, national and international artists are always on display at prices to suit all pockets.

A visit to Chester would not be complete without a visit to us!

Watergate Street Gallery 60 Watergate Street, Chester CH1 2LA t: 01244 345 698 www.watergatestreetgallery.co.uk e: alex@watergatestreetgallery.co.uk

INSIDE TRACK

FROM THE ARCHIVES Spot the difference between two historical paintings of Chester Racecourse The Racecourse at Chester is now famed for its five superb stands from which you can enjoy top-quality racing action. It hasn’t always been so luxurious though – and two works of art held within the city’s Grosvenor Museum show the stark difference between the first years of racing and the road to today’s first-class facilities.

Chester and the Roodee by Peter Tillemans Date: c.1710-1735 The Grosvenor Museum, Cheshire West and Chester Council Although racing has been taking place at Chester since 1539, this oil painting by Belgian artist Pieter Tillemans from the early 18th century is one of the earliest known illustrations of the event. The course was still primitive at the time and the way was marked out for the jockeys by the big wooden posts you can see. There were no stands and so the spectators had to gather on the city’s western wall to get a good view of the action.

The Chester Cup has seen a lot of controversy over the years our favourite story comes from the year after Millipede’s victory; In 1844, the race was won by Red Deer - but this has been much disputed! There were 42 horses running the two laps, and it was rumoured that Red Deer went round just the once, thus appearing to win by 10 lengths in front of everyone else who went round twice! One of the beneficiaries was Lord George Bentinck, manager to the winning owner, who was the Chester starter that day and who won £100,000 (equivalent to about £4 million today).

Millipede on the Roodee by William Tasker Date: 1843 The Grosvenor Museum, Cheshire West and Chester Council

In 1893, regeneration of the stands began when the facilities started struggling to cope with the demand for racing at Chester.

The new stand provided shelter for 5,000 people – but was sadly destroyed by a fire in 1985. After this, a start was made on what are now the main Leverhulme, County, Tattersalls and Dee Stands, to which Restaurant 1539 was added in 2008!

In 1817, £2,500 was raised by the public to pay for a new grandstand at Chester. Designed by local architect, Thomas Harrison, it was finished in 1819 and then widened in 1829.

William Tasker was the most accomplished Cestrian artist of his day – and this painting illustrates Millipede, the 1843 winner of the Chester Tradesman’s Cup (now the Chester Cup), with the extended grandstand behind.

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WITH: ANDREW MORRIS AGER RACING MAN Andrew Morris has been the Racing Manager at Chester and Bangor-on-Dee since January 2012. We have a chat to him about what the job involves, his top tips on visiting the course and the strangest thing he’s ever found at a racecourse…

Hi Andrew. Can you tell us how you got into this role?

I grew up in Cheltenham, studied history at university then had no idea what I wanted to do! I managed to get a place on a summer graduate programme with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and seven years later, I still haven’t left the industry.

What does a racing manager do?

Firstly there’s the preparation of the track itself. Then there’s the management

of all the other raceday areas and personnel, like the stables and weighing room, and the officials and farriers. Thirdly there’s the race programming and scheduling, then lastly, I’m the person in charge of ensuring that we comply with all the regulations set down by the BHA – there are a lot of rules to follow, from the number of doctors on site to how many tumble driers have to be in the jockeys’ changing rooms!

How many people work on the course to bring it up to

Andrew and colleagues inspecting the course prior to a race meeting 50

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What’s your favourite part of the job?

There are 15 days of racing at Chester a year and we strive for absolute perfection for each fixture. There’s a moment, usually three or four days before a meeting, or sometimes even on the morning of the first race, when you can see everything falling into place and coming together. That buzz is magical.

Every issue, we’ll be having a chat with the people who make the racecourse tick

A n d re w M o rr is (r ig h t) w it h jo ck ey Fran n y N o rt on

RACECOURSE FACTS: • The grass at Chester Racecourse is usually cut to 3.5 inches (9cm) in length, depending on the type of race being run (professional football pitches are kept at 1 inch (2.5cm)).

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve found left on site after a meeting?

It wasn’t at Chester, but at a previous course I worked at, we found what we thought was a dead body. The police arrived, but it still took about an hour to identify the fact that it was actually a guy asleep after having a bit too much to drink…!

• The race rails are moved after every single meeting, so horses never run on the same turf on consecutive meetings.

What are your top tips for anyone visiting Chester Racecourse?

Chester is blessed with a very unique atmosphere - everyone who visits should take the time to have a wander around the racecourse and soak up the mood, it really is something special.

• In 2012, 1,018 horses ran at Chester – that’s 4,072 hooves pounding the turf.

• The only day of racing at Chester that was cancelled in 2012 was when 28mm of rain fell in 20 minutes (in a month whose usual average was 35mm…)

Average height of grass at Chester Racecourse (3.5”)

Horse’s Mouth

scratch between meetings?

We have a maintenance team of 12 people who help to prepare the track and the outside areas, and are responsible for the high standards of presentation.

We also have 30 staff we bring in after meetings to move the running rail, who also re-seed and re-soil the area that’s been run on to make it level again and let it recover. If you imagine there are between 80-90 horses at each meeting, that’s a lot of damage being done to the track.

Football pitch (1”)

STRAIGHT FROM THE

BEHIND THE SCENES

2013 FIXTURES MAY • May Festival: Stan James Cup Day • May Festival: Boodles Ladies Day • May Festival: Boodles City Day • Matthew Clark Roman Day • Coutts International Polo

Wednesday 8th Thursday 9th Friday 10th Saturday 25th Friday 31st

JUNE • Coutts International Polo • Halewood International Day • Chester Rocks

Saturday 1st Saturday 8th Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th

• Liverpool ONE Ladies Evening • Stella Artois Midsummer Meeting

Friday 28th (eve) Saturday 29th

JULY • Ladies & Gents Evening • Corbettsports City Plate Day

Friday 12th (eve) Saturday 13th

AUGUST • Family Fun Day • Summer Festival • chesterBET Day • Golden Square Ladies Day

Sunday 4th Saturday 17th Friday 30th Saturday 31st

SEPTEMBER • Audi International & Roodee Challenge Cup Polo

Friday 6th & Saturday 7th

• Stella Artois Autumn Festival • Season Finale

Saturday 14th Saturday 28th

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