Innholdsfortegnelse for 17-Dec-2020 i Horse & Hound

AS more of England moves into tier three and NHS intensive care staff call for a change in Christmas rule leniency, we need something, anything, uplifting. We’ve gone all out – well, as all out as horse folk ever go – on the Christmas cheer in this week’s issue, finding out how the Whitakers et al will be spending the festive season (feature, p32). There are some cracking tips in there, not least Anna Ross’s suggestion of a bottle of bubbly in every line of stables for anyone working to help themselves to a top up on their way to and from the muckheap. It turns out the Eilberg dressage dynasty’s family home can be seen lit up from the dual carriageway and elf outfits are de rigueur. And I…

MORE than $425,000 (£320,000) has been raised for research into improving helmet safety for riders. The money will help fund research at the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab in the US, which is working to establish a sportspecific helmet rating system. Researchers have been recreating impacts experienced by athletes in a variety of sports since 2011 to test headgear that meets minimum safety standards. They evaluate which are most effective at managing the impacts that lead to head injuries and give helmets a star rating. Donors include United States Equestrian (USEF), US Hunter Jumper Association and the US Eventing Association, plus a grant from Jacqueline Mars. USEF has also shared fall and injury data, which will be used in research and development, with the aim of improving rider safety. “We were…

Jockey Hollie Doyle became the first woman to win at the International Jockeys’ Championship in Hong Kong, on 9 December. She has also been nominated for four Lester Awards. Former world champion and Olympic medalwinning eventer Zara Tindall is pregnant with her third child. Zara s husband Mike said the couple are “really looking forward to it”. Jockey Gina Andrews suffered a fractured cheekbone and eye socket in a fall at Cheltenham. A spokesman said she is “OK” and thanked all those who sent good wishes. German Olympian Isabel! Werth has been elected president of the International Dressage Riders Club succeeding Kyra Kyrklund. Carl Hester has also become a board member. Trainer Nicky Henderson celebrated his 70th birthday on 10 December. Nicky took out his trainer’s licence in 1978 and…

MY mother and I were thrilled to hear we could soon return to our local racecourse to watch the sport we enjoy, so as soon as tickets were released, we booked ours. On the day, we chatted at a social distance with other happy racegoers and agreed “it’s great to be back”. The racing was wonderful and being reunited with such incredible equine athletes was very special, but there was one negative – the minority of visitors who wouldn’t wear their masks. Of course, there are those who are not able to for medical reasons, but this was groups who just didn’t want to. However, the racecourse handled it brilliantly and repeated their reminders. To all those who can, please wear your masks to enable us all to continue attending…

alexandra.robinson@futurenet.com @alexrobJourno. NOW Cheshire has been put into tier two we’ve been able to return to some form of normality. We’ve been back out hunting the past couple of weeks and it’s been refreshing to do something other than the daily routine. I’m not ashamed to say that hunting is my rehab after a summer of showing. This year, it’s been easy to lull yourself into a morbid way of thinking but I’ve tried to keep positive. We’re lucky to work outside in our industry and I’ve enjoyed spending more time at home with less of the intensity of chasing qualifiers. “A show animal needs charisma” Usually, we see very little of our home as we’re often back late from a show and out again early. This year has been…

KIRSTY is based at Netherton Equestrian in Perthshire. She has won major accolades, both on the flat and over fences. In 2018, she won two mountain and moorland (M&M) working hunter classes at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), as well as the section championship. WHEN it comes to training, we can do the impossible every day, but miracles take a bit longer. In other words, you can’t try to do everything in one go. You need patience with your horses and should work on the building blocks. Some take more time and need that little bit longer, while others pick up lessons quicker. I live by the importance of good feeding. It shows in the horse’s body and performance. You might need to spend more money, but they will…

GOING VIRAL IN the current climate of Covid-19 infection, there has been increased awareness of the ability of a few infections to skip between species. Covid-19 is known to be a virus that came originally from a wild animal, probably a bat, and then jumped species, acquiring the ability to infect humans. Over generations, most pathogens develop to live in a kind of balance with their host. After all, the virus or the bacterium would not survive and persist if it killed every infected host animal. This host-pathogen balance means that the majority of infections are specific to one host, having evolved together for aeons. But occasionally an infection that has been present in one species for ages hops to another. Molluscum contagiosum (MC) is a human skin infection caused…

A HAND-KNITTED cross-country jumper given to a 12-year-old Andrew Balding wasn’t as popular as the Flat trainer’s grandmother had hoped (“It wasn’t like what any of his friends had and didn’t last quite as long as she would have liked...” says Andrew’s wife Anna Lisa). And for dressage Olympian Richard Davison, it is a knitted loo roll cover of him in his tail coat, sitting astride a top hat, given by a pupil’s mother, that tops the chart as his most “memorable” horsey Christmas present. “These days most people tend to give me bottles...” he says with an air of relief. But, for others, the thought of carefully tied parcels from Christmases past can transport them back to those cherished first ponies, that early taste of success in the spotlight…

THE ancient Charlton Hunt Club exists in its modern form thanks to the vision and determination of Dr Simon Rees, a renowned cardiac radiologist, who died on 30 November, aged 87. Having taken up riding in 1958, in 1964 he became a passionate and committed follower of the Cowdray Hunt in West Sussex. A keen historian, he soon realised that this was the country of the original and historic Charlton Hunt. Formed in the 1670s by, among others, the Duke of Monmouth, who was later executed, the Charlton Hunt was the earliest documented pack of hounds to be entered to fox alone. Famously, the Grand Chase took place in 1739 and, at 57 miles, is still the longest recorded foxhunt in history. In 1989, Dr Rees organised a meet at…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald Onley Grounds Winter Classic, Warks LATE-DECISION entries paid off for Carron Nicol as she landed the clipmyhorse.tv grand prix on Nistria VD Winning Z. “I only came to support my son Leo Lamb – he cajoled me into coming but I’m glad he did,” said Carron, who praised Nistria. “She gives her all every time.” Twenty-six started and early riders struggled with coursedesigner David Cole’s track of technical lines and tight time, and a clear wasn’t evident until halfway. Eight eventually accessed the jump-off. Carron secured victory from second draw, taking advantage of this mare’s careful scope and brain to win by 0.42sec despite second-placed Kerry Brennan’s later challenge on Wellington M. “I never jump Nistria at home. Her last show was in Vilamoura a month ago –…

Prestige Equestrian, Glos BEX MASON bounced back out of the second nationwide lockdown to take a double victory in the Blue Chip Dynamic B&C and the 1.20m open with Pure Pleasure II. “We did a couple of crazy turns and he was just on fire,” Bex said. The nine-year-old gelding is owned by Barry and Adrienne Berman, at whose yard Bex is usually based. “They are in their eighties and have been shielding for a lot of this year, so it was lovely for them to see him win two classes,” she said. “He’s their baby and while they originally bought him to sell, he’s not going anywhere now as they love him too much.” Bex usually travels to Spain in November but decided to change her plans because of…

Cockshot, Cheshire PAUL KEENAN enjoyed a winning debut with Zomaar, his sister Katie Bagot’s horse, claiming the elementary 43 outright and the elementary 53 qualifier silver section. “Katie is pregnant, so I’ve been working with the horse over the last few weeks,” said Paul, who jumped at the chance to team up with the Rousseau gelding. “She’s normally very protective and you have to be in the good books even to groom him, but he gets quite bored and she didn’t want him to just sit there losing fitness. “I’ve never been down the centre line on a horse that tries so hard,” added Paul, who describes the sharp but obliging warmblood as “quite the opposite” to his own dressage mare. “The fact that he puts every ounce of himself…

Grey gelding, foaled 11 April 1979 By Grey Mirage out of Flower Child, by Brother OWNER: Richard Burridge et al TRAINER: David Elsworth BREEDER: Jimmy Burridge REGULAR JOCKEYS: Colin Brown, Simon Sherwood, Richard Dunwoody Desert Orchid’s granddam, Grey Orchid, was bought by Jimmy Burridge for £175 and reared over with him the first time he sat on her. Grey Orchid failed to win in point-to-points – including when finishing second in a two-runner race. She produced Flower Child, who won once under Rules before she was bred to Grey Mirage in 1978. Desert Orchid resulted from that union.…

HUNT fundraising hasn’t been an easy gig this year. The fact that we can’t get together rules out the usual festive fare. My friend Frances and I were mulling it over and thought we could have a crack at an online auction. Lots of hunts have been going down that route this year. The supporters’ club usually does an auction with a dinner and everyone gets in the spirit: jar of marmalade for £30? Get in. A bottle of Walter’s homemade raspberry whisky for £100? Bargain. It was easy work. We started back in October, sidling up to people out hunting and asking them if they could help. Before we knew it, we had been promised a wild array of baked goods, home-brewed liqueur, food for the freezer, Christmas wreaths,…

Share your news story Call 01252 555021 Email eleanor.jones@futurenet.com @ jones_eleanor_ THE FEI has explained the process behind the cancelled 2021 eventing European Championships after the decision sparked debate. Following the announcement that the Europeans would take place for showjumping and dressage only next year (news, 29 October), debate has raged online as to why eventing cannot run. An FEI spokesman told H&H the federation had agreed to a revised timetable to allow the European Equestrian Federation (EEF) to propose potential bidders, of which three were submitted for eventing by the deadline of 21 July – Haras du Pin, France, Millstreet, Ireland, and a third, which has not been named. PROCESS “DUE to the third organising committee’s relative inexperience of hosting an event on the scale of the championship, this…

LORD LEATHERDALE The top dressage breeding stallion, owned by the Van Olsts, has joined British junior rider Isobel Lickley’s string. The 17-year-old (Lord Loxley x Ferragamo) was campaigned up to inter II level by Lottie Fry. JACKIE The four-year-old filly (Jack Of Diamonds x Cruising) topped the Goresbridge Go For Gold select event horse sale (7-8 December). After more than 30 bids, she was knocked down to John Ellard for €50,000 (£45,400). HOT FUSS Laura Oughton-Auker’s gelding has died aged 33. “Charlie” won the Senior Showing and Dressage in-hand championship at Olympia in 2019 after qualifying at Suffolk County, where he stood supreme. SPLASH Ebony Horse Club’s muchloved gelding was named inspirational animal of the year at the Daily Mirror Animal Hero Awards for helping inner-city children to ride, as…

TRUST SCULPTURE SELLS FOR £100,000 A SCULPTURE auctioned as part of the Animal Health Trust’s (AHT) liquidation proceedings sold for about three times its estimate. The Caroline Wallace bronze of 1997 Grand National winner Lord GyIlene sold for £100,000 at a Dreweatts sale on 10 December. Its estimate was £30,000 to £40,000. It was originally presented to the AHT by Sir Stanley Clarke. The charity closed in July after months of trying to source enough funding for a viable future and appointed liquidators in September. HOLLIE IS UP FOR 2020 BBC TITLE A PUBLIC vote will determine whether record-breaking jockey Hollie Doyle wins the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award this weekend. Hollie is one of six contenders whose achievements will be celebrated on a special live programme on…

EVENT horse Cossan Lad has gone from “five-star to nativity star” to play the donkey in a school production. “Bouncer”, who has competed at 10 CCI5*s, delivered Mary safely to Bethlehem in the grounds of St Christopher School, Herts, where his owner/ rider Kirsty Short is a teacher. He sported festive tinsel on his bridle, and Mary wore a hard hat as part of her costume in the Covid-safe nativity. The school’s Labradors played the sheep. Kirsty, who produced the now 18-year-old from pre-novice to top level, told H&H that Bouncer had a lovely time and was a “complete professional”. “He was so well behaved and kept his ears pricked the whole time – he’s gone from five-star to nativity star!” she said.…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 IT’S nearly the end of the world’s weirdest year. Who could have guessed that air kissing – something that the dressage community have been practising for decades – would become a requirement? The breaking news at the recent High Profile show at Keysoe was that Simon Bates, who has developed the centre from a livery yard to one of the country’s leading venues, has sold it. He will be missed. We have had a lot of fun competing at Keysoe over the past 20 years, and during the pandemic Simon has managed to keep providing shows in a calendar fraught with cancellations. While wishing Simon and his family the very best of luck going forward, I think most competitors would support the ceremonial burning of his sound system…

“SHE could easily be a champion jockey, why not?” said Frankie Dettori after Hollie Doyle landed five winners at one meeting at Windsor in August. Hollie has already finished as the highest-ever woman in the championship rankings – fourth, ahead of former treble champions Frankie himself, Silvestre de Sousa and Ryan Moore. That’s just one of the records Hollie has smashed this year. Fastest female to 50 wins in a season, most winners by a woman in a calendar year (117, beating her own record), first woman to land a five-timer – and now, a nomination for Sunday’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) award (20 December, #votehollie), alongside another record-breaking speed merchant, Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton. A female champion jockey is now a realistic prospect –…

SATURDAY, 19 December Channel 4 4.20pm Christmas at Chatsworth House: behind the scenes at the stately home – venue to the top-flight horse trials – as the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire prepare for 200,000 visitors over the festive season (rpt 9pm, More4,29 December) ITV4 6am Greatest Racehorses 9.30am Racing: the Opening Show: a preview of the day’s racing at Ascot 1.30pm Live Racing from Ascot, including the 2.25pm Grade One Marsh Hurdle BBC Two 7.30am Countryfile: exploring the Stour Estuary in Essex Channel 5 6.40pm Our Big Yorkshire Christmas: celebration of Yorkshire life, featuring Amanda and Clive Owen from Our Yorkshire Farm and Julian Norton and Peter Wright from The Yorkshire Vet ITV3 4.30pm Anne: the Princess Royal at 70: marking Princess Anne’s 70th birthday in August ITV4 10:10am…

WHEN Arena UK cancelled their winter classic, Onley Grounds stepped up to include the qualifying classes at their own show with just a few days’ notice. “We’ve slotted the extra classes in with the original schedule – we didn’t want to upset competitors who had already entered,” said secretary Helen Wells, who returned from furlough to reschedule efficiently. Brendon Stud’s Jacqueline Light approved: “We’re glad they kept the original classes and as show organisers ourselves could understand – you have to keep the moneyearning classes.” Tony Pearson agreed: “It’s great they managed to move the qualifiers. They are always accommodating and the hospitality always welcoming – we’ll be back in the new year.” TALKING POINT…

SCORES are rising ever higher for Cwmtyysswg Will, Bryley Llewelyn’s 15hh Welsh section D/traditional cob gelding. The pair scored a 78% prelim 13 qualifier win at Little Mill Equestrian, Carmarthenshire, before achieving 70% to head the novice 28. “Will has nice movement, especially at canter,” said Bryley, 13, who has produced the eight-year-old over the past three years. “We’ve come a long way together. He’s consistent and always tries his best.” ONE TO WATCH…

Birtle RC, Lancs “HE worked in well and was onside from the get-go,” said Josh Mellor of Cascavel II, the showjumping-bred seven-year-old he rode to a double novice win. Known as Kenny, the Cassio III son was bred by his owner, Louise Redfearn, and has been sympathetically produced since he was backed two years ago. “You couldn’t ask for a better temperament in a horse,” said Josh, who works for Louise and trains with Hannah Esberger. “His medium trot and countercanter are good and his action is quite floaty. We’re now working on keeping him engaged and developing a bigger trot. “Kenny is coming up for sale,” added Josh. “Hopefully he won’t go too soon, as we’re aiming him for the winter regionals.” “We’re working on a bigger trot”…

CHICHESTER-BASED Tammy Burge led her own coloured colt Moorfarm Bandsman (Bertie) to the in-hand part-bred tricolour. The three-year-old crowned off an impressive youngstock career which includes a win at the Royal Welsh, a supreme victory at Dorset county and a brace of bronze medals. Tammy, who has bred Welsh cobs for several years, bought Bertie – by Tiny Bit Famous out of Hilin Buddeg – as a foal from his breeder Donna McGregor. “I was sent a picture of him when he was still on the floor and I just knew I needed him in my life,” said Tammy, who has recently purchased Bertie’s full-brother. “I wanted a pony I could show myself – I struggle to keep up with the cobs these days – and a part-bred was ideal…

IT may have taken 32 attempts, but jockey Alan Johns finally found the winning formula to conquering Cheltenham’s hallowed turf when landing Friday’s mares’ handicap chase with the Tim Vaughan-trained outsider Madera Mist (pictured, right). “She just travelled and jumped the whole race,” said Johns. “It does feel different [to win at Cheltenham] and much of that is from the importance we put on it ourselves. There’s no better feeling.” Irish amateur Ben Harvey made a winning debut at the track in the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Handicap Chase on Some Neck for trainer John McConnell, who notched up a double at the meeting. “He stuck his head down and galloped right to the line,” said Ben, who also hunts regularly. “To come here | and win is the ultimate.” However he…

ALAN HILL enjoyed a fruitful weekend, landing two wins at Wadebridge and one at Chaddesley Corbett. Six-year-old gelding Getting Closer landed the intermediate, while eight-year-old Black Bar (below) headed the ladies’ open, both under Izzie Marshall. “Izzie has won on Black Bar a few times now and was worried about the course being a bit much for him,” said Alan. “But our plans are to go to Cheltenham, so it was a good chance to sharpen him up. He coped with it a lot better than she thought he would. “Getting Closer got kicked in the field over the summer and was in a bit later than the others, so we were only just there with him,” added Alan. “It was a competitive intermediate and Izzie had never ridden him…

THE dressage and showjumping phases will run in front of Badminton House at the 2021 Badminton Horse Trials. Next year’s CCI5* is planned to run behind closed doors (news, 29 October), but organisers promise it will have a “very special feel”. Event director Jane Tuckwell said she was “delighted” the main arena was to move. “I am very grateful to the Duke of Beaufort for handing over his golf driving range to the event for this very special one-off occasion,” she said. The arena for the dressage and showjumping phases was in front of Badminton House for the horse trials’ first 10 years, before moving in 1960. Eric Winter’s cross-country course will start and finish in the centre of the park, and will follow a similar route to previous years.…

▲ COLOURS A horse has become the first white equine to win a Group One race in Japan. Which is great, and she’s beautiful, but riders are bracing themselves for non-horsey other halves’ comments along the lines of, “I thought you said all white horses were called grey?” Sigh. ▲ ELVES An “elf on the shelf” was given a different experience by a mounted police branch, in the form of a ride on a Shetland pony. Parents everywhere will no doubt be muttering that this was exactly what the little (word deleted, Ed) deserved… ▲ TEACHERS A primary school teacher asked her class a riddle. “What must be broken before you use it?” she enquired, at which a six-year-old rider piped up, “A horse!” The answer was actually an egg,…

Email to hhletters@futurenet.com Name and address must be included. Letters may be edited. @ horseandhound instagram.com/horseandhound facebook.com/horseandhound WE’RE TO BLAME ALTHOUGH I read with dismay of yet another tack theft, we are all to blame for this. Thefts are only taking place because the horse fraternity provides an outlet for the stolen goods to make it profitable. Every time someone “bags a bargain”, without proving the provenance of the goods, they are contributing to making the market for stolen tack buoyant. Traceability will go a long way in ensuring tack being bought is from a genuine owner. We are all responsible for stamping out the trade in stolen tack by asking for a landline number and seller’s address and a receipt for the items. And have your own tack marked…

jennifer.donald@futurenet.com @jen_donald IT’S that time of year when the Christmas lights go up here at Foxglade Farm. But nothing would have been more important to my two boys, Will and Olli, than competing in the under-25 championship at Olympia. The class is a good one; and since being given a time slot just before the grand prix, it’s a great opportunity for them to experience the intense atmosphere. Sadly, this year it’s not to be. The way things are looking, Olympia will be on in 2021. But, as we all know, a year’s wait seems endless when you’re young. So many shows being cancelled this year has had an obvious impact. Although, in the horse sales department, we’ve had one of our best years. Maybe it’s because people had more…

“It’s spectacular; with Mary and Joseph appearing on a donkey, the three kings on horseback” For nine days before Christmas we run nativity plays in a barn, set up like Jesus’s stable, on the Wintershall estate in Surrey. It’s spectacular, starting with flares leading up the hill from the car park, and Mary and Joseph appearing on a donkey, the three kings on horseback. There’s sometimes a cow with a calf, lambs in the audience and chickens, too. People can touch and smell the stable scene; it’s real and dramatic. My mother, Ann Hutley, was inspired by a trip to a shrine in Medugorje, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 35 years ago to do something with the Christian message for this country, and she decided on a nativity play. My parents…

Anna Ross “FOR many years I was a Christmas Scrooge, in a reasonably bad mood,” reveals Devonbased dressage star Anna Ross, whose Elite Dressage operation comprises a busy training yard of 40 or so horses at Barons Wood Equestrian Centre. “Last year we took five grand prix horses for a hack down the Devon lanes, all tinseled up”ANNA ROSS ON THE CHRISTMAS DAY RIDE “But I’ve changed my ways. Beth [Bainbridge, Anna’s rider] is bonkers about it all. She’s said all along that the tree this year would be a big one and it would go up early.” With the Newton Stud in close proximity and around 350 horses across both sites, the festive season is a flurry of activity. “We’re quite a large community with a sizeable team including…

catherine.austen@futurenet.com @cfausten123 A HUNT secretary is nearly everyone’s first point of contact with a hunt. That first impression is vital, and will never be forgotten, however well someone may get to know the hunt’s other officers and characters. It is not a glamorous role, filled as it is with paperwork, organisation and getting people to hand over money, but it is perhaps the essential grease that keeps the engine functioning smoothly. To have been the four-day-a-week Beaufort’s hunt secretary for 17 years is therefore an achievement of considerable note; to remain popular and unruffled, as Nigel Maidment has, in all that time, is almost worthy of a medal. “If you want a job doing, the Maidment family will do it,” says Ian Farquhar, who was master of the Beaufort for…

OPINION “I GOT 99 problems but… my hounds… ain’t one,” rapped Jay Z (sort of). After keeping a fit pack of hounds on ice for a month, last week’s release into the hunting field was glorious. On crisp mornings hounds had bounced down the road but despite their confusion at being “off games”, had kept themselves together beautifully. Those of us who hunted hounds back in 2001 remember when hounds had to hit the ground running in mid-December, once the scourge of foot-and-mouth disease had finally been banished from the countryside, after snapping shut the previous season in February. Hounds never cease to amaze; they have rebooted their season with a flourish. The ladies and gentlemen, just as eager to return to the hunting field in their legions, armed with…

“There was a massive hedge with ditch and wire on the far side; she pinged the whole lot” THE act of a gentleman led to Odin’s arrival. In 2012, Eggesford huntsman Gary Boon needed a horse so turned to Nick Murphy of Wexford Horse Transport. “He sent one over, but that one didn’t work out so I sent it back,” says Gary. “I was desperate, so Nick said, ‘I’ve let you down, but the only one I’ve got left is my own mare. You’ll have to have her.’” By Nick’s showjumping warmblood Mr H and out of Irish Sport Horse Odin’s Surprise, Odin was, in Nick’s words, the “best horse I’ve ever ridden”. That verdict seemed inaccurate on the first day when Gary’s wife, Joanne, rode her. “The meet was…

polly.bryan@futurenet.com @pollyrose21 Moretón Morrell, Warks AFTER 18 months out of action, Claire Abel’s Sandreo gelding Ro Coco followed up an advanced medium win with an exuberant 75% victory in the freestyle. “The first test was quite civilised, but he was squealing as we went into the music,” said Claire, who experienced a midtest wardrobe malfunction when her boot zip descended. “My boot started flapping, which made for a rather exciting extended canter. Richard Baldwin, who was judging, later said, I’ve heard of people riding their socks off, but not their boots!’” “Lessons have really paid off"ELLIE SPELMAN Coco returned to work early this year after recovering from a field injury, only to be sidelined again with the first lockdown. “I was shielding as I lost my spleen many years ago…

ELLIE ROBERTS and Zante braved the wintry weather at Manor Grange Stud, West Yorkshire, for their first advanced test, achieving the necessary score to ride at prix st georges. The pair also took the advanced medium freestyle on 76%. “We leased the lovely Zante a year ago and I bought him in October as a surprise 18th birthday present for Ellie,” said her mother, Jo Pettit. “Having been to just one High Profile show, Ellie was selected to ride for Britain in the juniors at Keysoe CDI – which was an amazing experience for them both.” ONE TO WATCH…

AT the height of Desert Orchid’s popularity, connections seriously considered running him in the Grand National, in which he would have been asked to carry top weight. That prospect had the nation on tenterhooks. “I’m sure he’d have been absolute mustard round Aintree,” says Simon Sherwood, who rode Desert Orchid to win nine times from 10 starts. “Becher’s would have been something, especially if he took off on a long stride. But there was little to gain and too much to lose if anything awful happened – not that I think it would have. And the weight might have told on him over four-and-a-half miles.” David Elsworth was keen to go but there were other concerns. “It would have been some sight, but by then, the pressure was building on…