'I'll never ride another like Kauto Star - he was the horse of a lifetime'
Julian Muscat meets Clifford Baker, who loves life as Paul Nicholls' head lad
For Clifford Baker, long-standing head lad at Paul Nicholls’ Manor Farm Stables, the festive season has come to symbolise his love affair with the King George VI Chase.
“My Christmas is all about Boxing Day,” says Baker, who celebrated his 60th birthday last month. “When I was young I remember watching Wayward Lad and of course Desert Orchid. And we have developed a great feeling for the race since I came here in 1996.”
Little wonder. The year after Baker started at Ditcheat, See More Business became the first of 11 King George winners saddled by Nicholls. It’s a remarkable record in the most prestigious park-course steeplechase outside the Cheltenham Festival.
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Copy- 'It's tough financially and last year I said I might get a job driving a lorry instead - although to be fair I'd probably crash!'
- 'I'm not here to tell people how to train but if you hide something from me, I'm gone, I'm done - and you won't see me again'
- 'I had to fly back from Saudi on the day for the awards before flying back the following day but it really was a great evening'
- 'The lads often give out to me for saying what I say - but if I didn't say what I thought I wouldn't be being true to myself'
- 'All anyone wants is a pat on the back and these awards show you mean something to the yard and the people there. It's brilliant'
- 'It's tough financially and last year I said I might get a job driving a lorry instead - although to be fair I'd probably crash!'
- 'I'm not here to tell people how to train but if you hide something from me, I'm gone, I'm done - and you won't see me again'
- 'I had to fly back from Saudi on the day for the awards before flying back the following day but it really was a great evening'
- 'The lads often give out to me for saying what I say - but if I didn't say what I thought I wouldn't be being true to myself'
- 'All anyone wants is a pat on the back and these awards show you mean something to the yard and the people there. It's brilliant'