Today’s Gulfstream Park fancies:
5.45 Gulf- Big Treasure (e/w).
6.15 Gulf- Transistor (e/w).
6.45 Gulf- Fiery Princess (e/w).
7.15 Gulf- WW Archie (win).
7.45 Gulf- Grey Manners (e/w).
8.15 Gulf- Kozy Dreams (e/w).
8.47 Gulf- Snap Hook (e/w).
9.18 Gulf- Hotty Toddy (e/w).
9.49 Gulf- Mobeatyabad (win).
10.20 Gulf- Penalty (e/w).
10.52 Gulf- Tomcat Black (e/w).
11.24 Gulf- Sweet Story (e/w).
Pic: Neil Watson
My portfolio currently looks like this and I shall be building my stakes up around these ten. My only slight worry at the moment are the plans for Native River. He’s potentially thrown in if he takes his place this year.
1 Delta Work (FR) 7 11-10 170 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
2 Tiger Roll (IRE) 10 11-10 170 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
3 Bristol de Mai (FR) 9 11-08 168 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Nigel Twiston-Davies
4 Native River (IRE) 10 11-06 166 Brocade Racing Colin Tizzard
5 Anibale Fly (FR) 10 11-02 162 J P McManus Tony Martin IRE
6 Aso (FR) 10 11-02 162 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams
7 Cadmium (FR) 8 11-02 162 In Our Element Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
8 Elegant Escape (IRE) 8 11-02 162 J P Romans Colin Tizzard
9 Top Ville Ben (IRE) 8 11-02 162 Harbour Rose Partnership Philip Kirby
10 Beware The Bear (IRE) 10 11-00 160 G B Barlow Nicky Henderson
11 Chris’s Dream (IRE) 8 11-00 160 Robcour Henry de Bromhead IRE
12 Alpha des Obeaux (FR) 10 10-13 159 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
13 Jett (IRE) 9 10-13 159 G M McGrath Jessica Harrington IRE
14 Peregrine Run (IRE) 10 10-13 159 V Byrne Peter Fahey IRE
15 Total Recall (IRE) 11 10-13 159 Slaneyville Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
16 Magic of Light (IRE) 9 10-12 158 Ann & Alan Potts Limited Jessica Harrington IRE
17 The Storyteller (IRE) 9 10-12 158 Mrs Pat Sloan Gordon Elliott IRE
18 Voix du Reve (FR) 8 10-12 158 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
19 Ballyoptic (IRE) 10 10-11 157 Mills & Mason Partnership Nigel Twiston-Davies
20 Talkischeap (IRE) 8 10-11 157 Charles Dingwall Alan King
21 Yala Enki (FR) 10 10-11 157 Hills of Ledbury Ltd Paul Nicholls
22 Burrows Saint (FR) 7 10-10 156 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
23 Definitly Red (IRE) 11 10-10 156 Phil & Julie Martin Brian Ellison
24 Ok Corral (IRE) 10 10-09 155 J P McManus Nicky Henderson
25 Sub Lieutenant (IRE) 11 10-09 155 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE
26 Tout Est Permis (FR) 7 10-09 155 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE
27 Crievehill (IRE) 8 10-08 154 Highclere T’Bred Racing- Crievehill Nigel Twiston-Davies
28 Jury Duty (IRE) 9 10-08 154 Sideways Syndicate Gordon Elliott IRE
29 Lake View Lad (IRE) 10 10-08 154 Trevor Hemmings Nick Alexander
30 Vintage Clouds (IRE) 10 10-08 154 Trevor Hemmings Sue Smith
31 Pleasant Company (IRE) 12 10-07 153 Malcolm Denmark Willie Mullins IRE
32 Acapella Bourgeois (FR) 10 10-06 152 Slaneyville Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
33 Any Second Now (IRE) 8 10-06 152 J P McManus Ted Walsh IRE
34 Champagne Classic (IRE) 9 10-06 152 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
35 Mister Whitaker (IRE) 8 10-06 152 Tim Radford Mick Channon
36 Potters Corner (IRE) 10 10-06 152 All Stars Sports Racing & J Davies Christian Williams
37 Shattered Love (IRE) 9 10-06 152 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
38 Death Duty (IRE) 9 10-05 151 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
39 Dounikos (FR) 9 10-05 151 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
40 Kildisart (IRE) 8 10-05 151 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Ben Pauling
41 Ramses de Teillee (FR) 8 10-05 151 John White & Anne Underhill David Pipe
42 Acting Lass (IRE) 9 10-04 150 Nigel & Barbara Collison Harry Fry
43 Double Shuffle (IRE) 10 10-04 150 Crossed Fingers Partnership Tom George
44 Kimberlite Candy (IRE) 8 10-04 150 J P McManus Tom Lacey
45 Saint Xavier (FR) 8 10-04 150 David Maxwell Racing Limited Paul Nicholls
46 Valtor (FR) 11 10-04 150 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson
47 Walk In The Mill (FR) 10 10-04 150 Baroness Harding Robert Walford
48 Warriors Tale 11 10-04 150 Trevor Hemmings Paul Nicholls
49 Chef des Obeaux (FR) 8 10-03 149 Sullivan Bloodstock Limited Willie Mullins IRE
50 Class Conti (FR) 8 10-03 149 P Joubert Willie Mullins IRE
51 Traffic Fluide (FR) 10 10-03 149 Galloping On The South Downs Gary Moore
52 One For Arthur (IRE) 11 10-02 148 Two Golf Widows Lucinda Russell
53 Romain de Senam (FR) 8 10-02 148 Chris Giles & Dan Macdonald Paul Nicholls
54 Snugsborough Benny (IRE) 10 10-02 148 R Loughnane Liam Cusack IRE
55 Dallas des Pictons (FR) 7 10-01 147 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
56 Give Me A Copper (IRE) 10 10-01 147 Done, Ferguson, Mason, Nicholls & Wood Paul Nicholls
57 Lord du Mesnil (FR) 7 10-01 147 Paul Porter Richard Hobson
58 Now McGinty (IRE) 9 10-01 147 The Garratt Family Stuart Edmunds
59 Poker Party (FR) 8 10-01 147 Robcour Henry de Bromhead IRE
60 Steely Addition (IRE) 8 10-01 147 Step By Step Philip Hobbs
61 Takingrisks (IRE) 11 10-01 147 Frank Bird Nicky Richards
62 Borice (FR) 9 10-00 146 Simon Munir/Isaac Souede Gordon Elliott IRE
63 Heron Heights (IRE) 11 10-00 146 Barry Maloney Henry de Bromhead IRE
64 Hogan’s Height (IRE) 9 10-00 146 Foxtrot Racing: Hogan’s Height Jamie Snowden
65 Regal Encore (IRE) 12 10-00 146 J P McManus Anthony Honeyball
66 Activial (FR) 10 9-13 145 Roger Brookhouse Tom George
67 Atlanta Ablaze 9 9-13 145 The Last Man Standing Henry Daly
68 Cabaret Queen 8 9-13 145 SyndicatesRacing Willie Mullins IRE
69 Dalko Moriviere (FR) 7 9-13 145 Ecurie Sagara Jerome Larrigade FR
70 Dragon d’Estruval (FR) 7 9-13 145 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson
71 Le Breuil (FR) 8 9-13 145 Mrs Emma Palmer Ben Pauling
72 Outlander (IRE) 12 9-13 145 GOWING’S ELEVEN Richard Spencer
73 A Toi Phil (FR) 10 9-12 144 Teme Valley 2 Gary Moore
74 Cogry 11 9-12 144 Graham and Alison Jelley Nigel Twiston-Davies
75 Dingo Dollar (IRE) 8 9-12 144 M Warren J Holmes R Kidner & J Wright Alan King
76 Flying Angel (IRE) 9 9-12 144 R J Rexton Nigel Twiston-Davies
77 The Hollow Ginge (IRE) 7 9-12 144 The Ginge Army Nigel Twiston-Davies
78 The Young Master 11 9-12 144 Mike Burbidge & The Old Masters Neil Mulholland
79 Mall Dini (IRE) 10 9-11 143 Philip J Reynolds Patrick Kelly IRE
80 Monbeg Notorious (IRE) 9 9-11 143 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
81 As de Mee (FR) 10 9-10 142 The Stewart Family & Judi Dench Paul Nicholls
82 Fitzhenry (IRE) 8 9-10 142 J P McManus Paul Nolan IRE
83 Joe Farrell (IRE) 11 9-10 142 M Sherwood, N Morris & J Turner Rebecca Curtis
84 Ravenhill (IRE) 10 9-10 142 Try Ravenhill Syndicate Gordon Elliott IRE
85 Roaring Bull (IRE) 7 9-10 142 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
86 Townshend (GER) 9 9-10 142 J D Neild Nigel Twiston-Davies
87 Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) 11 9-10 142 Prof Caroline Tisdall & John Gent David Pipe
88 Ami Desbois (FR) 10 9-09 141 The Reserved Judgment Partnership Graeme McPherson
89 Missed Approach (IRE) 10 9-09 141 Alan & Andrew Turner Warren Greatrex
90 Moonshine Bay (IRE) 7 9-08 140 Ann & Alan Potts Limited Jessica Harrington IRE
91 Noble Endeavor (IRE) 11 9-08 140 Chris Jones Gordon Elliott IRE
92 Out Sam 11 9-08 140 D Charlesworth Gordon Elliott IRE
93 Fingerontheswitch (IRE) 10 9-07 139 Cahill, Atwell & Crofts Neil Mulholland
94 Singlefarmpayment 10 9-07 139 N T Griffith & H M Haddock Tom George
95 Kilfilum Cross (IRE) 9 9-06 138 Andy Bell & Fergus Lyons Henry Oliver
96 Soupy Soups (IRE) 9 9-06 138 Equi ex Incertis Partners Neil Mulholland
97 General Principle (IRE) 11 9-05 137 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
98 Spider Web (IRE) 9 9-05 137 J P McManus Tom Mullins IRE
99 Princeton Royale (IRE) 11 9-03 135 D Nott, P Beadles, R Clarke Neil King
100 Scoir Mear (IRE) 10 8-12 130 J P McManus Tom Mullins IRE
101 Rathlin Rose (IRE) 12 8-10 128 Fergus Wilson David Pipe
102 Disco d’Authie (FR) 11 8-07 125 Mme Magalen Bryant David Cottin FR
103 Prince of Scars (IRE) 10 8-07
Pic: Neil Watson
The Randox Health Grand National
Grade 3 handicap chase, £1 million total prize fund. Aintree, 5.15pm Saturday, April 4, 2020. 4m 2f 74yds over the Grand National fences. For seven-year-olds and upwards who, prior to March 17, have started in a chase during the current season and been placed first, second, third or fourth in a chase with an official distance description of’ two miles seven and a half furlongs’ or more at any time during the horse’s career. Horses must also be allotted a rating of 125 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including February 9. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at closing may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse performances up to and including February 9 would merit a minimum rating of 125. To qualify, horses must have run at least three times in chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Racing Authority up to and including February 10. At the Handicapper’s discretion, such horses may be allocated a rating. The decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final. Entries closes January 29 (105 entries), weights revealed February 11, first scratchings deadline February 25, second scratchings deadline March 17, five-day confirmations March 30, final declarations 10am April 2. Maximum field of 40 plus four reserves.
| Horse | Age | Owner | Trainer |
| A Toi Phil (FR) | 10 | Teme Valley 2 | Gary Moore |
| Acapella Bourgeois (FR) | 10 | Slaneyville Syndicate | Willie Mullins IRE |
| Acting Lass (IRE) | 9 | Nigel & Barbara Collison | Harry Fry |
| Activial (FR) | 10 | Roger Brookhouse | Tom George |
| Alpha des Obeaux (FR) | 10 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Ami Desbois (FR) | 10 | The Reserved Judgment Partnership | Graeme McPherson |
| Anibale Fly (FR) | 10 | J P McManus | Tony Martin IRE |
| Any Second Now (IRE) | 8 | J P McManus | Ted Walsh IRE |
| As de Mee (FR) | 10 | The Stewart Family & Judi Dench | Paul Nicholls |
| Aso (FR) | 10 | The Bellamy Partnership | Venetia Williams |
| Atlanta Ablaze | 9 | The Last Man Standing | Henry Daly |
| Ballyoptic (IRE) | 10 | Mills & Mason Partnership | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| Beware The Bear (IRE) | 10 | G B Barlow | Nicky Henderson |
| Borice (FR) | 9 | Simon Munir/Isaac Souede | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Bristol de Mai (FR) | 9 | Simon Munir & Isaac Souede | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| Burrows Saint (FR) | 7 | Susannah Ricci | Willie Mullins IRE |
| Cabaret Queen | 8 | SyndicatesRacing | Willie Mullins IRE |
| Cadmium (FR) | 8 | In Our Element Syndicate | Willie Mullins IRE |
| Champagne Classic (IRE) | 9 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Chef des Obeaux (FR) | 8 | Sullivan Bloodstock Limited | Willie Mullins IRE |
| Chris’s Dream (IRE) | 8 | Robcour | Henry de Bromhead IRE |
| Class Conti (FR) | 8 | P Joubert | Willie Mullins IRE |
| Cogry | 11 | Graham and Alison Jelley | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| Crievehill (IRE) | 8 | Highclere T’Bred Racing- Crievehill | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| Dalko Moriviere (FR) | 7 | Ecurie Sagara | Jerome Larrigade FR |
| Dallas des Pictons (FR) | 7 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Death Duty (IRE) | 9 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Definitly Red (IRE) | 11 | Phil & Julie Martin | Brian Ellison |
| Delta Work (FR) | 7 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Dingo Dollar (IRE) | 8 | M Warren J Holmes R Kidner & J Wright | Alan King |
| Disco d’Authie (FR) | 11 | Mme Magalen Bryant | David Cottin FR |
| Double Shuffle (IRE) | 10 | Crossed Fingers Partnership | Tom George |
| Dounikos (FR) | 9 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Dragon d’Estruval (FR) | 7 | Simon Munir & Isaac Souede | Nicky Henderson |
| Elegant Escape (IRE) | 8 | J P Romans | Colin Tizzard |
| Fingerontheswitch (IRE) | 10 | Cahill, Atwell & Crofts | Neil Mulholland |
| Fitzhenry (IRE) | 8 | J P McManus | Paul Nolan IRE |
| Flying Angel (IRE) | 9 | R J Rexton | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| General Principle (IRE) | 11 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Give Me A Copper (IRE) | 10 | Done, Ferguson, Mason, Nicholls & Wood | Paul Nicholls |
| Heron Heights (IRE) | 11 | Barry Maloney | Henry de Bromhead IRE |
| Hogan’s Height (IRE) | 9 | Foxtrot Racing: Hogan’s Height | Jamie Snowden |
| Jett (IRE) | 9 | G M McGrath | Jessica Harrington IRE |
| Joe Farrell (IRE) | 11 | M Sherwood, N Morris & J Turner | Rebecca Curtis |
| Jury Duty (IRE) | 9 | Sideways Syndicate | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Kildisart (IRE) | 8 | Simon Munir & Isaac Souede | Ben Pauling |
| Kilfilum Cross (IRE) | 9 | Andy Bell & Fergus Lyons | Henry Oliver |
| Kimberlite Candy (IRE) | 8 | J P McManus | Tom Lacey |
| Lake View Lad (IRE) | 10 | Trevor Hemmings | Nick Alexander |
| Le Breuil (FR) | 8 | Mrs Emma Palmer | Ben Pauling |
| Lord du Mesnil (FR) | 7 | Paul Porter | Richard Hobson |
| Magic of Light (IRE) | 9 | Ann & Alan Potts Limited | Jessica Harrington IRE |
| Mall Dini (IRE) | 10 | Philip J Reynolds | Patrick Kelly IRE |
| Missed Approach (IRE) | 10 | Alan & Andrew Turner | Warren Greatrex |
| Mister Whitaker (IRE) | 8 | Tim Radford | Mick Channon |
| Monbeg Notorious (IRE) | 9 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Moonshine Bay (IRE) | 7 | Ann & Alan Potts Limited | Jessica Harrington IRE |
| Native River (IRE) | 10 | Brocade Racing | Colin Tizzard |
| Noble Endeavor (IRE) | 11 | Chris Jones | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Now McGinty (IRE) | 9 | The Garratt Family | Stuart Edmunds |
| Ok Corral (IRE) | 10 | J P McManus | Nicky Henderson |
| One For Arthur (IRE) | 11 | Two Golf Widows | Lucinda Russell |
| Out Sam | 11 | D Charlesworth | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Outlander (IRE) | 12 | GOWING’S ELEVEN | Richard Spencer |
| Peregrine Run (IRE) | 10 | V Byrne | Peter Fahey IRE |
| Pleasant Company (IRE) | 12 | Malcolm Denmark | Willie Mullins IRE |
| Poker Party (FR) | 8 | Robcour | Henry de Bromhead IRE |
| Potters Corner (IRE) | 10 | All Stars Sports Racing & J Davies | Christian Williams |
| Prince of Scars (IRE) | 10 | Simon Munir/Isaac Souede | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Princeton Royale (IRE) | 11 | D Nott, P Beadles, R Clarke | Neil King |
| Ramses de Teillee (FR) | 8 | John White & Anne Underhill | David Pipe |
| Rathlin Rose (IRE) | 12 | Fergus Wilson | David Pipe |
| Ravenhill (IRE) | 10 | Try Ravenhill Syndicate | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Regal Encore (IRE) | 12 | J P McManus | Anthony Honeyball |
| Roaring Bull (IRE) | 7 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Romain de Senam (FR) | 8 | Chris Giles & Dan Macdonald | Paul Nicholls |
| Saint Xavier (FR) | 8 | David Maxwell Racing Limited | Paul Nicholls |
| Scoir Mear (IRE) | 10 | J P McManus | Tom Mullins IRE |
| Shattered Love (IRE) | 9 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Singlefarmpayment | 10 | N T Griffith & H M Haddock | Tom George |
| Sizing John | 10 | Ann & Alan Potts Limited | Jessica Harrington IRE |
| Snugsborough Benny (IRE) | 10 | R Loughnane | Liam Cusack IRE |
| Soupy Soups (IRE) | 9 | Equi ex Incertis Partners | Neil Mulholland |
| Spider Web (IRE) | 9 | J P McManus | Tom Mullins IRE |
| Steely Addition (IRE) | 8 | Step By Step | Philip Hobbs |
| Sub Lieutenant (IRE) | 11 | Gigginstown House Stud | Henry de Bromhead IRE |
| Takingrisks (IRE) | 11 | Frank Bird | Nicky Richards |
| Talkischeap (IRE) | 8 | Charles Dingwall | Alan King |
| The Hollow Ginge (IRE) | 7 | The Ginge Army | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| The Storyteller (IRE) | 9 | Mrs Pat Sloan | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| The Young Master | 11 | Mike Burbidge & The Old Masters | Neil Mulholland |
| Tiger Roll (IRE) | 10 | Gigginstown House Stud | Gordon Elliott IRE |
| Top Ville Ben (IRE) | 8 | Harbour Rose Partnership | Philip Kirby |
| Total Recall (IRE) | 11 | Slaneyville Syndicate | Willie Mullins IRE |
| Tout Est Permis (FR) | 7 | Gigginstown House Stud | Noel Meade IRE |
| Townshend (GER) | 9 | J D Neild | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| Traffic Fluide (FR) | 10 | Galloping On The South Downs Partnership | Gary Moore |
| Valtor (FR) | 11 | Simon Munir & Isaac Souede | Nicky Henderson |
| Vieux Lion Rouge (FR) | 11 | Prof Caroline Tisdall & John Gent | David Pipe |
| Vintage Clouds (IRE) | 10 | Trevor Hemmings | Sue Smith |
| Voix du Reve (FR) | 8 | Andrea & Graham Wylie | Willie Mullins IRE |
| Walk In The Mill (FR) | 10 | Baroness Harding | Robert Walford |
| Warriors Tale | 11 | Trevor Hemmings | Paul Nicholls |
| Yala Enki (FR) | 10 | Hills of Ledbury Ltd | Paul Nicholls |
| Yorkhill (IRE) | 10 | Andrea & Graham Wylie | Willie Mullins IRE |
105 entries
45 Irish-trained
2 French-trained
2012 Hello Bud
Saturday’s Aintree fancies:
11.30 Aint- Chance A Tune (e/w).
12.00 Aint- Atlanta Ablaze (win).
12.30 Aint- Fixed Rate & Charmix (e/w).
1.00 Aint- Clyne (e/w).
1.30 Aint- see link above.
2.05 Aint- Operatic Export & Ravenscar (e/w).
2.40 Aint- Native River (win).
3.15 Aint- Flying Angel & Federici (e/w).
Becher memories.
Pic: Geoff Davies
Today’s Aintree fancies:
12.20 Aint- Trio For Rio (e/w).
12.55 Aint- Champagne Noir (e/w).
1.30 Aint- Wishfull Dreaming (e/w).
2.05 Aint- Duke Street (e/w).
2.40 Aint- Vive Le Roi (e/w).
3.15 Aint- Roksana (win).
3.50 Aint- Spark Of Madness (e/w).
Don’t try doing this today!
Today’s Ayr fancies:
1.00 Ayr- Elle Est Grande (win).
1.35 Ayr- Order Of Thistle (e/w).
2.10 Ayr- Asum (e/w).
2.45 Ayr- No No Mac (e/w).
3.20 Ayr- Pads (e/w).
3.55 Ayr- Tarset Hinny (e/w).
Forest Bihan winning yesterday.
https://www.racingtv.com/news/forest-bihan-dashes-to-old-roan-success
Today’s Aintree fancies:
1.45 – Burrows Parks & Coolanly (e/w).
2.25 – One For Rosie & Kateson (e/w).
3.00 – Ornua (e/w).
3.40 – Wholestone & Clyne (e/w).
4.20 – Touch Kick & Federici (e/w).
5.15 – Lake View Lad, Vintage Clouds & Joe Farrell (e/w).
6.20 – Subcontinent & Pink Legend (e/w).
30 years ago this happened…
Today’s Aintree fancies:
1.45 Aint- Project Bluebook & Brio Conti (e/w).
2.20 Aint- Itchy Feet (win).
2.50 Aint- Lostintranslation (win).
3.25 Aint- Hell’s Kitchen (e/w).
4.05 Aint- Flying Angel, Doitforthevillage, Cadmium & Sub Lieutenant (e/w).
4.40 Aint- Lisnagar Oscar (e/w).
5.15 Aint- Blackhillsofdakota (e/w).
Topham memories.
Today’s Aintree fancies:
1.45 Aint- Bags Groove (e/w).
2.20 Aint- Christopher Wood (e/w).
2.50 Aint- Bristol De Mai (win) & Blako Des Flos (e/w).
3.25 Aint- Buveur DAir (win).
4.05 Aint- Kruzhlinin (e/w).
4.40 Aint- Belan D’As & Moon Over Germany (e/w).
5.15 Aint- Shantewe & Eyes Right (e/w).
Call Collect collects 30 years ago.
Posted in Blogroll
Tagged aintree, aintree bowl, aintree foxhunters, Aintree Hurdle, Call Collect, manifesto
1-2 for Gordon Elliott with Outander finishing ahead of stablemate Don Poli in the Lexus Chase (Grade 1) at Leopardstown Photo: Patrick McCann 28.12.2016
This morning I was scouring the Betfair forums searching for people’s latest thoughts on the Grand National when I came across the following letter to the Racing Post. As the forum poster “Fourgoldcups” alludes to, the letter may or may not get published, but I thought it was well worth sharing his or hers thoughts on the matter here:
Dear Sir,
The decision of Gigginstown to offer Don Poli and Outlander for sale 2 days before the Grand National with the benefit of a guaranteed place in the race ought to cause the BHA to consider restricting the number of horses any owner is allowed to run in the race.
As it stands, including both these horses, Gigginstown have 11 guaranteed to run in the race. Those horses not guaranteed to run include a Scottish National 1st and 3rd, 2 Becher chase winners (one of whom who has come 2nd twice more in that race) and the horses who finished 3rd and 5th in the Grand National last year.
There is no doubt that Gigginstown have a perfect right to run as many horses as they wish. The question is whether it is correct for them to be allowed to do so.
When Graded races over the jumps and flat are monopolised by a few wealthy owners, there can be little complaint since they are not depriving other owners/trainers of the opportunity to land a big prize. However, it might be argued that it is of greater importance for racing authorities to encourage a greater number of less wealthy owners to enter the sport than it is to maintain a policy of laissez-faire in respect of entries for the major handicaps. There is little incentive on new owners to enter the sport if they know that their chances of having a runner in such a big race is reduced by the plethora of horses owned by the “aristocrats” of horse racing, many of whom have obtained their (unrealistic) ratings by competing against each other in the same small field Graded races over the last 2 or 3 years. Upon what realistic basis (other than rating) can it possibly be argued that Blow By Blow ( a novice, winner of a 5 finisher novice chase at Galway in October) is guaranteed a run whilst Walk in the Mill ( Becher Chase winner) is not?
My concern at the present position is enhanced by the reasonable suspicion that the purchase price of Don Poli and Outlander will be enhanced by their guaranteed place in the race. One is entitled to ask whether they were ever intended runners for their present owners? Grand National entries ought not to be used as a free advert to swell the coffers of owners who are wealthy enough as it is.
Yours faithfully
Fourgoldcups
Details of the Goffs Aintree Sale can be found by clicking this link.
Posted in Blogroll
Tagged aintree, Don Poli, Gigginstown, Goffs, grand national, Outlander
I'm Steve Mullington from Rochdale. My blog is about the ups & downs of a regular punter and sports fan. A place to come to share ideas, tips and of course-friendly banter!
Mull it Over
