The ambience was uncomplicated, basic, but enjoyable all the same. That was when Chester racecourse set a manageable fixture list that predated the corporate rot that has set in and ruined the rare delights of the venue.
For how times have changed. It is now arguably, in the wrong sense, the 'trendiest' venue in the sport whose race-days are set up to attract the cult crowds who are made up of a high percentage of dressed in their best characters who come for the social occasion as opposed to being drawn there by any feel for, or rooted interest in the sport.
It has for many years now been in chic to attend this racecourse. Sadly for those of us who remember the venue how it was in the mid 1970's, the whole day has now become an ordeal.
The ground level view, once amongst the most unrestricted in the country is now mostly obstructed by corporate fittings and ten a penny trashy structures.The racecourse staff are invariably brusque , giving the impression they are revelling in their role and on the lookout for easy targets.This is something that is noted by an increasing number of people.
In fact, one racing forum contained a report of a life long racegoer being questioned as to why he was carrying binoculars ! This is what it is actually coming to. If you don't fit the images of those photographed for the brochures then there is nothing down for you.
Ironic thing is, if an issue needs to be addressed involving individuals that visually look capable of being physically threatening, these guardians of the course will likely look the other way rather than do the job they are paid for. It makes a mockery of so many of them being employed and acting so intrusively on the grounds of public safety.
God help anyone nowadays walking around the course equipped with Raceform loose leaf, a Timeform Black Book, and pair of large old fashioned bins. A pint in each hand and a swagger - no problem at all.
But we do weather the downside to have at least a day at the May meeting as the jigsaw puzzle to the classics is steadily assembled. Having Vase and the Oaks on the same card, with fields that looked as though they may impact on the Epsom races, was irresistible to keep away from and from a racing point of view quite fascinating.
There have been many memorable Chester Vase days. The day Shergar confirmed the impression he had created in the Guardian Classic Trial, when following up even more impressively. Earlier on that card Piggott was seen at his best, forcing the Cecil trained Sacrilege ahead as four flashed across the line with a fast finishing Cauthen ridden animal just failing by inches to get up.
Sacrilege carried the Jim Joel colours having been purchased from David Oldrey and transferred from Peter Walwyn's yard to Warren Place, chiefly to act as a pacemaker for the previous year's St Leger winner Light Cavalry. He was only seen once more later in the month before sustaining an injury.
There was a link from this day to the King George V1 Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes later in the year when Piggott riding Light Cavalry, let out a trapped in Swinburn on Shergar.
The other Vase day that stands out is four years later when Law Society, with Vincent O'Brien present, beat the tank like Petoski. The hype beforehand was all about the Wood Ditton winner Miller's Mate. Swinburn was under suspension so Piggott stepped in for the ride on the Stoute trained colt as he had done on Shadeed in the 2,000 Guineas.
The colt was under pressure trying to close the gap on Law Society when he broke down entering the straight. The dreaded screens went up but they got him into the horse ambulance and he was eventually saved. Miller's Mate did go on to leave a legacy to the sport. In a low profile stud career he sired a lightly raced mare called Katday, who ended up being the dam of a certain Best Mate.
Fast forward to 2019, Vase and Oaks on the same day but renewals that could possibly contain big players for the months ahead. It was worth the ordeal of suffering the 'Chester experience' though there is little inclination to go again for the year.
The opening day of the British Masters Golf fell on the second day of Chester but there was only one place to be. Those of us who watch this sport week in week out on our screens love our rare visits to watch it live.
As some of us have never played this game there are aspects of the spectator experience that we don't pick up. Being able to spot the ball in air from the drive, either from standing by the player or from a ball approaching the green is a struggle.Your strike rate of zoning in on the ascending or descending ball is ten percent at best.
You invariably stand by knowledgeable fans who play the game themselves and who give a commentary of the path of the ball in flight and where the shot has gone right or wrong.You nod and hum and ha in agreement.
But being being amongst those who are die hard fans of the sport, who make up the vast majority of the on course audiences, opens your eyes to all what is wrong with horse racing. The attitude, understanding and enthusiasm for their sport is at complete loggerheads to the characters that form the majority of the attendees at the 'cult' racecourses.
For anyone who has never struck a golf ball, punting on the sport is your ticket in to a tournament. It makes you feel part of it. Most of the enthusiasts present at Hillside would look down scornfully at this approach. And rightly so too.
But racing followers who remember how the sport was in the days of the uncluttered fixture lists where the racing could be anticipated and digested, when betting was 95% about horse racing, and when the majority of those attending the racecourses actually cared about the sport; are a tad bit jealous of these golf fans.
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