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
Grade 3 handicap chase, £1 million total prize fund. Aintree, 5.15pm Saturday, April 6, 2019. 4m 2f 74y over the Grand National fences. For seven-year-olds and upwards who, up to and including March 19 have started in a steeple 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 10. Horses who 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 10 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, entries revealed January 30 (112 entries – 2 not qualified), weights revealed February 12, first scratchings deadline February 26, second scratchings deadline March 19, five-day confirmations April 1, final declarations 10am April 4. Maximum field of 40 plus four reserves.
11.55 Aint- Champagne Mystery (win).
12.25 Aint- Katachenko (e/w).
1.00 Aint- Dubai Angel & Chtibello (e/w).
1.30 Aint- see link above
2.05 Aint- Definitly Red (win).
2.40 Aint- Dance To Paris (e/w).
3.15 Aint- Captain Redbeard (e/w).
Young Kenny winning the Becher Chase 2000.
Posted in Blogroll
Tagged aintree, Becher Chase, Grand Sefton Handicap Chase, Young Kenny
It was nice to escape the fireworks last week by taking a late holiday. Let’s hope some of these fancies go off with a bang today!
Today’s Aintree fancies:
12.25 Aint- Minella Awards (win).
1.00 Aint- Captain Drake (win).
1.35 Aint- Jeannot De Nonant (e/w).
2.10 Aint- Wholestone (win).
2.40 Aint- War Sound & Mercian Prince (e/w).
3.20 Aint- Robbing The Prey & Mercian King (e/w).
3.55 Aint- Raven Court (e/w).
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!
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