My Race Days

"What would you say your favorite thing to do in the entire world would be?"

Mitch Heron

"That's a difficult one. There is so much I enjoy! Racing, good food, travelling in foreign countries, good bands, fashion, meeting people - I guess my favourite thing is to combine all!! Variety is the spice of life! x"

"Hi Eliva
I look forward to reading your racing features, but I would also like to hear about your ice core findings and your opinion on Global Warming, Fact or Political Fiction?"

Ray Hamilton

"Well there is defintely recent warming; and man has been a major influence in that. But ice cores and other proxies tell us (far more) rapid and dramatic climate change has also been a regular feature of the past; which is why such research is so important. As for the future predictions...I'll stick to trying to predict race results !"

"Model AND PhD student!? Any other talents? Rocket scientist?"

Robin Mounsey

"Well....I can make a good Shepherd's Pie and also Lasagne; and am going to have a 'cook off' against Salvo Giannini (Barnhill Brownie's owner)wife Alex to see whose Lasagne is best."

About Eliza Cook

Hi! I'm Eliza. I am a Geographer by profession, and am currently studying for a PhD in Geography at Swansea University. I will be investigating ice core records from Greenland pretty soon. But you don't want to hear about those.

On top of this, during a year out, I fell into working as an in-house model for Agent Provocateur. Strange but true! This experience heightened my appreciation of fashion - especially the eclectic and eccentric fashions of the races.

I've been a racing fan for two years. I love all racing, but a day at the jumps is where I really feel the most excitement. Having grown up in Gloucestershire, with two great racecourses on the doorstep - Cheltenham and Chepstow - it is a wonder that I didn't find racing sooner.

I've been privileged to be a part of some of the 'behind the scenes' elements of racing, from photographing frosty morning breeze-ups to attending the post Cheltenham Festival jockeys' celebration in the Weighing Room!

I am thrilled to be a 'Voice of the Races'. To me, the most striking feature of racing is the accessibility of participants - and the fact that everybody attending has a part to play. A day at the races has it all; wonderful horses, spectacle and fashion, in an adrenaline soaked atmosphere where people from all walks of life come together in mutual appreciation of the sport.

I can't wait to tell you all about my experiences at the races, the people I meet and the adventures I have, as well as the fashions I encounter and the stories I uncover.

I hope you enjoy it!