Taunton Barr

by Brian Cain

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

  There was an attempt by the BHA to have time settle the dust, but a Cheltenham trial in the Cotswolds gripped the nations public and the controversy of sweeping things under the carpet took a minor story of inconsistency and management. blunders to the front page of every tabloid in the country. Blake refused to talk to anyone, Beaker had requested meetings, as they were continually put back he knew Blake was too busy to talk about something that he had under control. He continued to request meetings to forward a direct invitation to the now four steeplechasers wearing Blake's colours into the grand national without further need to qualify based on their backgrounds, Blake continued to refuse so he just waited.

  Blake moved all four horses to Cheltenham the evening before the following days trial. He had learnt a lot over the years one thing was there is strength in numbers and no matter how early you set out on a morning Flaxmead ran anywhere traffic and elbow room was at a premium. The meeting attendance had sold out when the run was announced in two hours. It was now fairly common knowledge that Taunton Barr was in fact the champion flat charger Flaxmead. Blake had not anticipated this early attention by the press as he did not expect Ashby to run, he had lost all his leads on information, he was flying as blind as the network that he had damaged. With four of the countries leading female jockeys and four champion horses in the same place venerability had escalated to the point Blake feared he had bitten off more than he could handle. Kalika had become rather cumbersome, she dropped things, was inconsistent in timing, had trouble concentrating, she was often silent. Kalika did not attend the Cheltenham meeting and void of his better judgement he stayed at Flax Burton surprising Kalika in the barn first thing in the morning. She was attending the to foal, she jumped out of her skin when she saw him holding a hand over her mouth. 'Oh, what are you doing here.'

  'Attending to things of great importance.'

  She panicked, 'Winston the girls are running this morning.'

  'You will come out of the stall and talk to me or everything will stop.'

  She swallowed hard and coughed with nervous stress. 'I have to run the foal.'

  'I won't ask you again.'

  Kalika knew the tone in Winston's voice better than hers. She took the halter from the foal and left the stall. They walked to bails of loosen feed the jockeys sat on at morning brief, the place was relatively quiet as most staff were at Cheltenham with some kind of task. She sat down next to him. 'You know when you were little I used to watch you ride in the meadow through the window, I wondered who you were and what you'd become, what I see at present wasn't what I had in mind.'

  She looked away. 'I'll be fine.'

  Winston chuckled, he put his arm around her squeezing her tight. 'I think that translates to dad I'm in trouble and I need some help.'

  'I wish my dad was here.'

  'Will I do.' She suddenly grabbed him tight with both hands bursting into tears on his shoulder. He waited for her to settle, she cried for some time, she let go. 'Now what is it.'

  'Graham.'

  'Yes I guessed that much, the rest I'm in the dark about.'

  'Things were fine, he said he loved me, then suddenly he just cut me off, won't answer calls, is out if I go to the station.'

  'Mmm, and you have no idea.'

  'No.'

  'Well lets go and find out.' He stood up.

  She looked up at him. 'Are you serious.'

  'While I'm alive princess, nobody will do that to you without a good reason.'

  She stood up and grabbed him. 'Oh Winston don't harm him.'

  He raised his voice. 'Harm him, have you seen yourself.'

  'We should sort this out ourselves getting involved will just interfere with the natural course of things. Could be something that's not to be.'

  'When the playing field is level, providence will prevail.' The foal had its head resting on the stable gate, he looked over toward it. 'What chance would little Taunton have if we didn't level the playing field. Only then can you step back and nature takes its course. You meet one man and he turns your life upside down, I just can't let this pass without at least levelling the playing field. If it fails on a one to one basis then fair enough. You want to be a police officer do you.'

  'No.'

  'Would you leave here and change your life if that was the answer.'

  'That's a hard question.'

  'Any hard question needs research, information. Personal family matters include these things if a matter of heart is to be answered. I am thinking of taking little Taunton away to Australia to train in the Hunter Valley.'

  'You will not.'

  'But regardless of heart, I think its best for him.'

  She stamped her foot and raised her voice. 'You will not!'

  'Then you must understand that I don't think you and this man should be separated by circumstances akin to commercial aptitude. They must be removed and nature take it's course. You would no more let me send little Taunton anywhere without you, this man must be given a chance to decide if he want's to go anywhere without you, you have already decided you do not wish to exist without him.' He put out his hand to her. 'Come with me, I am about to use influence and power in a manner I have sworn to avoid, but my gut would churn forever should I sit back and do nothing.'

  She raised a gentle smile and took his hand. They headed into Bristol, mechanic was in Cheltenham with the girls, a late decision by Winston, his judgement influenced by a matter of heart. It left only the security guards, he had never left the place without directive but was at peace with his decision. The drive into Bristol was somewhat quiet, Kalika hardly spoke, nor did Winston attempt to invoke conversation for the sake of it. He did however contemplate how to handle the situation, he had an excellent rapport with the local police and went to school with the current chief inspector. Bridewell police station Rupert Street entrance has limited parking outside, Winston pulled up nearly outside the front door in a safe but no parking permitted spot along side the kerb. 'Not sure how long I'll be, I suggest you wait here.'

  Kalika looked around. 'No parking here they won't like that.'

  'You stay here where everyone can see you and if a fuss is made then all well and good. On no account move to somewhere you can't be seen. Possible they may give you access to the car park, any problems at all ring me immediately, here take this.'

  Kalika took the car key. 'Not very nice to park here, bit forward.'

  'Even if we get booked for parking with half the Bristol police looking on that's cheap security.'

  Kalika shrugged her shoulders. 'Never thought of it that way.'

  He got out and walked to the door, he hesitated on purpose, looking up at the building with his hands on his hips before walking in to the front desk. He waited patiently, his presence had not gone unnoticed, there was a knock on the chief inspectors door, he had only just arrived. 'Enter.'

  'Sir Winston Blake is at the front desk.'

  'Oh, considering what's going on I'll come straight down.' He walked from his office to the front desk.' He extended his hand over the counter. 'Ah Winston, to what do we owe this unexpected pleasure.'

  Winston shook Lance Baldwin's hand. 'Here to see Graham Ellis.'

  'Not sure if he's in, em come through to an interview room and we'll have a damn good chin wag.' They settled into a small room with a plain steel table and four chairs, on the way Lance instructed an officer to find Ellis. As they sat down an officer knocked on the door. 'Enter.'

  A female officer opened the door. 'Sir we have a black Bentley parked outside the front door, I do believe it belongs to Mr Blake here, the parking inspector is talking to someone inside it.'

  Winston interrupted. 'Kalika Palmer, with four horses running at Cheltenham in about two hours I thought parking there was a good choice.'

  Lance jumped in. 'Have her take the vehicle into the car park, if there's no park put it behind my car, monitor the vehicle while it's there.'

  'Sir we are a bit pushed.'

  'I thou
ght my instruction was fairly clear.'

  'Yes sir.'

  'So Winston how are thi....' His mobile rang, he answered it with a look of irritation. 'Ah Graham, could you pop down to interview room one please..................I realise your busy Graham but Winston Blake doesn't often request much but he's here to see you..............thank you.' He hung up and looked at Winston. 'Bit of a shook this horse Taunton Barr running for the grand national, you've got the whole place glued to the tabloids. Won't get much done here when your horses run later this morning, tell me is that thing really Flaxmead.'

  Winston raised his eyebrows with a cheeky smile. 'Yes.'

  Lance sat back in his chair and put his hands on his hips. 'Well I'll be, I thought you and Roger were opposed to steeplechase racing, bit of a shook.'

  'You can change nothing without getting involved.'

  'Mmm, understand that, what do you make of this Graham Ellis, young man for his position.'

  'I was hoping you could tell me.'

  'Well he was really on it when he first got here, last couple of days says nothing and he just sits in his room don't know what he's up to.'

  'Really, his bio rhythms must be down.'

  'Well he's on a difficult case, having you in the picture doesn't help, the locals here don't like it, he feels a bit left out.'

  'How's Jenny and the boys.'

  'Fantastic.'

  'I would appreciate the realisation that I am here on a matter of heart, we have been friends for a long time Lance, Kalika only has me now.'

  Lance looked down and folded his arms. 'Mmm, thanks for the heads up, damn force you know, sometimes I pity the young.'

  'I'm out of line and on a limb here Lance hope you understand.'

  'Oh absolutely, em you wish I leave the room when Graham arrives.'

  'That would be one way of doing it, should I need talk to you again will ask.'

  There was a knock on the door. 'Enter, ah Graham.' Lance stood up and began to walk to the door. 'I have to go way behind this morning.' He hastily vanished up the corridor. Ellis closed the door and sat down, he wore a stone face, was slow and rather pale. He settled in his seat but said nothing.'

  'You love Kalika.'

  'So that's what it's about.'

  Blake wore a stern look of determination. 'I asked you a question.' Ellis drew a big breath and looked away, he took a pen from his top pocket and began to fiddle with it. Blake raised his voice. 'I asked you a question man.'

  Ellis snapped back. 'Yes.'

  'Then why the distance.'

  'A conflict of interest.'

  Winston stood up, he fiddled with loose change in his pocket, turned and lent on the wall facing Ellis. 'I am the only one that can help you.'

  'Why would you want to help me.'

  'You think because of your position it would compromise my judgment.'

  'Yes.'

  'Your correct, apart from it being in the opposing direction to what you think.'

  'We've breached the protocols I am privy too.'

  'This conversation is off the record.'

  'This place is full of people like me.'

  'Go see if you can find somebody here that will support that, people like you, I have no idea who you are. How do you know you love Kalika.'

  'This really has nothing to do with you.'

  'This has everything to do with me until I leave this room.'

  'Are you threatening me.'

  'I don't threaten people I act in due accordance to the situation at hand, now how do you know you love Kalika, she is a very attractive woman.'

  Ellis squirmed in his seat. 'I took Cecilia Ridgehaven to dinner.'

  'And.'

  'All I could see was Kalika's face whenever I looked at her.'

  'Cecelia took you to bed.'

  'No, I went home.'

  'Congratulations, Cecilia has chewed up and spat out a hundred men, she's akin to a female narcotic, she wanted you just to defeat Kalika, she couldn't defeat her on a horse but when it comes to a cleavage competition she's up to the task would you agree.'

  'She's a bitch of a thing.'

  'So we've established the fact you love Kalika, do you wish to spend the rest of your life with her these things are not easy.'

  'I'm in no position to find out.'

  The conversation became intense. 'By three o'clock this afternoon you won't have a job.'

  Ellis stood up and went toe to toe with Blake. 'I realise you have powerful friends.'

  'You have absolutely no records at Scotland Yard, nor MI5, however I find people at MI6 are quite familiar with you.'

  'You should mind your own business.'

  'This is my business, Kalika is my business, from what you tell me you are my business, you think conflict and oppression is going to sort out a matter of heart. Threatening and intimidating each other is useless, should nature take its course protocols that you mention as a term of need will technically have you as my son in law. Threatening won't make you leave and crying won't make you stay, so you better sort yourself out man.'

  Ellis calmly sat down, he put his hands palms down on the table looking at the wall. 'I don't know what to do.'

  'What have you found in the investigation, people are missing, all kinds of emotions running round in your head, I am here about far more important things for us as I have no control over such things only the reduction of risk. Kalika is head over heels about you, you are privileged and found something that if you let go will hound you to your grave. I am leaving this room, the decision is with you.' Winston walked to the door. 'I don't know who you are but the next few weeks will define that.' He left the room, greeted the few people he passed on the way out.

  He left the car park in haste, Kalika looked rather concerned, she expected to be able to talk to Graham but thought there must be a good reason for Winston's departure. Her phone rang, she looked at the screen and hastily answered it. She spoke softly with apprehension. 'Graham................yes of course.................wait I'll ask, Winston can Graham come to the barn when he finishes, later this afternoon.'

  'He can come to the barn whenever he wants, he just doesn't.'

  'Did you hear that..............okay see you then.' She hung up. 'What did you say to him.'

  'You will never know.'

  'Did you threaten him.'

  'Threats won't make him leave, nor will they make him stay.'

  'I want to know what to say about your seeing him, he may think it was me that sent you.'

  'He's coming to see you, get on with it, time will tell.' He looked at the clock in the dash. 'Ten minutes to the race start, we won't make home. Command, BBC race channel.' The radio fired up, two commentators traded comment as the horses mounted for the second steeple trial at Cheltenham.

  'Well you can say whatever you want Don but fact remains that odds on this race stand at face value, fine to criticise last week but the fact remains if a horse runs faster than others it wins races.'

  A leading race caller had been brought in for the event at late notice accompanied by a journalist that covered current affairs. 'Odds on Taunton Barr here today you can do no better than ten p to the pound I mean its ridiculous, four horses in this race that have proved themselves beyond redemption in associated sport's and they're here running in a trial and pulling crowds The Rolling Stones dream of, in this case I haven't spoken to anyone that doesn't believe Taunton Barr, Saracen, Backfire and Crimson Tide should be considered to run in the national without all this pomp and ceremony. We have two horses here that broke the record for two miles at Wincanton and two that broke it here, this is a grade one event not a trial.'

  'Well that we agree on, rules are rules and I can't see Blake whom has four horses wearing his colours in this trial deviating from the standards that continue to be tailored to prevailing social and commercial interests and that's what this is all about. Saracen, Backfire and Crimson Tide all even money, other horses won't get a look in with this line up I mean we have seven
scratching's will be a walkover for Blake, a clear message he intends to dominate the national.'

  'Well we have no video footage of any of these horses running their first hurdle only eye witness accounts, now that's cunning. Here we are with a full house here today, betting percentage up so much it can't be calculated and this farce going out to half of the world via TV and radio which reminds me a lot of our new listeners would not be familiar with Cheltenham may I suggest you give them a run down and oh listen to the crowd and there's the reason Taunton Barr has entered the track and taken off toward the start line like a rocket.'

  'And we welcome so many new listeners and viewers to Cheltenham today for this two mile steeple trial, and onto the track the clear favourite for the race Taunton Barr massive black stallion ridden by little Lindy Cumberland. Just looking him over now as he rockets up toward the start passing the rest of the field cantering and that is the horse I know as Flaxmead, I have no hesitation in saying that horse is the undefeated champion flat stayer Flaxmead.'

  'You going to put your money on that.'

  'Anything can happen in a steeple lets not count any chickens but we are looking at a horse that has proven beyond doubt it is the fastest currently in competition, all it's records still stand. I say that because I know the horses owner Blake would tell me somewhere out there is a horse that can run him down but has been given no chance. Now Cheltenham racecourse has a scenic location in a natural amphitheatre just below the escapement  of the Cotswold Hills, at Cleeve Hill, with a capacity of 67,500 spectators and today it is absolutely jam packed. The racecourse also has its own steam railway station of the same name, although this no longer connects to the national rail network but has since rather been the current southern terminus of the preserved Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. Nothing to do with racing but to the uninitiated I say a grand place to spend a day even if the weather is a little dull like today. Some rain has made the going what one would call medium but clear at the moment just before the start of the race. There are two courses here at Cheltenham, one the old course and the new course, this race will be run from the two mile start at the end of the grandstand straight on the new course. The course is extremely testing with a steep uphill finish of half a mile and some of the hardest fences in the UK. The new course tends to favour flat bred horses as their are only two hurdles in the last three quarters of the mile. Now with seven scratching's only leaves eight runners in this race one being Stargazer, a late entry, second in the last two nationals, hardly an event you would expect to find such a horse but I would think the reasons are obvious. We have three horses from the local stables they have only run one trial here so rare mix of form. They did quite well Oslo, Blanco and now prizes for guessing that horse is white and Tudor now that's an interesting horse, owned by the Royal Family and ran first in a trial here two weeks ago matching close to the record time so could see this horse up with the best of them. And the crowd goes very quite here at Cheltenham as the starter attempts to form a start, Taunton Barr playing up, Cumberland has taken the horse wide of the pack absolute handful that thing, rest of them looking like its on and they are away and listen to that as the crowd shows approval. Stargazer fails to start it's jockey dismounting. Taunton Barr wearing number seven streaks from the line and into the lead a short run to the first and over they go Taunton Barr clear by two lengths already, Cecelia Ridgehaven, now there's a name you thought you'd never hear in a steeple holds second spot neither of them touched the fence. It's all the blue and white colours of the Blake stable holding the first four positions Crimson Tide and Backfire along side each other with Tudor Oslo and Blanco tucked in behind them not much in it there currently but the pair of Taunton Barr and Saracen continue to put on a cracking pace over already on the third over they go. Taunton Barr holding three lengths on Saracen the pack follows and into the forth. Taunton Barr holding the inside line and pacing out again clearing the fence without so much as a brush, Saracen landing well still three lengths back. Tudor pulls ahead of the pack now a further four lengths back Oslo, Crimson Tide, Backfire, Blanco. Taunton Barr over the fourth and into the corner first bend the grandstand going mad here as they pass, makes ground out of the bend over the fifth go the two leaders still three lengths between them Cumberland appears to be trying to hold her mount back, the pace is very hard even for a two mile event. The pack holding well as they go over the fifth, over six, and Saracen draws along side Taunton Barr but at different ends of the jump Taunton Barr on the outside, they land together and Saracen takes the lead on the rail Cumberland tucks her mount in right behind her Ridgehaven has a quick look under her arm. The pack now running in a line on the fence, Tudor, Oslo, Blanco, Crimson Tide and Backfire bringing up the rear but nothing between them. And the leaders go over the eighth, Saracen followed closely by Taunton Barr both pacing well on the rail. Saracen holds the rail and Cumberland sitting up a bit her mount throwing his head around he doesn't like something. Over nine and into and over ten, Cumberland taking to the far side of the jump and clears it clean, approaching the hard left turn and Cumberland gets her head down, pulls along side Saracen but very wide, holds pace with Cecelia Ridgehaven having a quick look. And Ridgehaven makes a run, jumps ahead of Taunton Barr, Cumberland gets down behind her mounts ears, she made an obvious release of tension on the reins, both of these mounts trained by the late Roger Palmer no crops. And off he goes! Taunton Barr leads into jump eleven, over lands well after a clean, Saracen only half a length back, and the crowd go mad here as Taunton Barr streaks away from Saracen. The pack pacing well some ten lengths in arrears to the leaders, Tudor still holding third. But its the black champ that makes the dash, over twelve and toward the turn on the finish straight, four lengths five, six, seven striding out not sure if he realises he has to jump another fence. Right in front of us now still kicking up a notch, over the last, ten lengths on Saracen and Cecelia Ridgehaven sits up and pulls Saracen back a notch and its all over. Taunton Barr crosses the line, three minutes forty one seconds taking three seconds off the standing record for today's course. Crimson Tide with Roslyn Brooks aboard neck and neck with Backfire ridden by Janice Portland over the line just in front of Tudor with Charlie Wilson waving to the crowd, Oslo and Blanco just behind you could throw a blanket over that bunch they changed places all the way from turn three putting on a hell of a show. It's the crowd that's a winner here today if you've been listening in or just joined us, Taunton Barr that I have known by the name of Flaxmead has another record to it's name. And he puts on his usual show in front of the grand stand, he's back. Well that's the biggest trial I will probably ever call what do you think of that Don.'

  'Well a commanding run and record by this horse but the national is far longer than today's event and will be thirty nine other runners out there. One thing that strikes me is both Cumberland and Ridgehaven on the ground hugging their mounts necks in front of the crowd.'

  'Both these mounts trained by the late Roger Palmer, I would say that was no coincidence. I am going to predict that the black horse down there will walk over the next grand national.'

  'Not over till the fat lady sings ol man, I quite enjoyed watching this Taunton Barr benefit event, with Stargazer scratched at the line we are none the wiser.'

  'Taunton Barr just ran this course three seconds faster than Stargazer ever has, form is the guide, this horse never drops form. The rest of the field in fact came in the same pace as Stargazer, I just have to go with the flow.'

  'Be one big winner out of this and that will be the media, Lee Hayford has written a front page article every four day's since all this started. Blake they tell me is not even here today,' he laughed, 'must have something important on.'

  'If Blake's not here today would be the first time ever that he has not attended an event this horse has run. I'm sure he would have a very good reason for such a move and wish him all the best this is a real shot in the arm. Well our coverage of this meeting ends here, thanks for listening in and over to R
oyal Ascot for today's group one derby.'

  Blake turned off the radio as they pulled up in front of the house. Kalika had listened to the entire race with her hands over her face sometimes shaking her head. 'He dropped back.'

  'Sounds like Lindy managed to hold him for a while.'

  'She didn't mention that would be part of her race plan.'

  The climbed out of the vehicle, Winston lent on the side of the car looking at the quite barn area and deserted track. 'Looks like we're not the only one's listening or watching the race, you better head over and see if you can rally the troops,' he looked at the ground and kicked a stone. 'I think I've made a mistake.'

  'Why.'

  'Taking a hammer to a thumb tack, seven scratching's including Stargazer.'

  'I wonder why the jockey dismounted and stood down.'

  'Yes, so do I.'

  'The next one's a while away, The Elite Hurdle at Wincanton, any changes in plan.'

  'Not to Taunton, will suggest the rest of the girls take it to alternate meets, spread the effort around, the roll up at Cheltenham is a bit of a disaster really, I have had a few calls asking if they could be given more notice in the future to prepare. I can understand the problems logistics can impose.'

  'So he goes to Wincanton in November, where then.'

  'Planning that move next, waiting to see if he does as expected at Wincanton.'

  'Want your sponsor money back.'

  Winston laughed. 'I think I can repeat the fact I've made a mistake, you never stop learning but you get better at it. I never expected Ashby to throw the towel in, I can't work it out. Will have to see Beaker I suppose and see what the future holds.'

  'You thinking about giving up.'

  'No just thinking.'

  'Well they are a complete bunch of plonker's down at the BHA, you geared for that.''

  'Backing the Elite Hurdle with a favourable winnings will bring out a few more front runners, but the commentator was right, the national is a different kettle of fish. The Elite Hurdle is a two mile event, just marking time and filling in the entry form, we won't know if he can win the national until he runs it.'

  'He'll blow their doors off.'

  Winston chuckled and looked at Kalika. 'Well looks like the morning has done you the world of good.'

  She sighed. 'I'm worried about this afternoon, you won't be there.'

  'Sorry girly your on your own, I can supply tools but you have to do the job yourselves.'

  'Maybe I can't do the job.'

  'First time I've ever heard you use the word can't.'

  'That's how I feel.'

  'If you love someone you have to trust and delegate half your life to them. I can verify that you posses zero ability or experience in such matters.'

  'That hurts Winston.'

  'That's true princes.'

  'I have to go, still no action over at the barn.'

  'Remember, delegation, maybe some of the staff can be trusted with responsibility that rests with you.'

  'What if they get it wrong.'

  'I'll trust your judgement.'

  'I think I see what you mean.'

  'You have for years your just so damn stubborn you bite yourself on the arse.'

  She folded her arms and threw her head around, her hair flew in the wind. 'Winston really!' She turned and walked away, she turned round in a circle as she walked, she had a warm smile.