PART I
DIARY – AINTREE FESTIVAL
GRAND NATIONAL DAY
SATURDAY 08 APRIL 2017
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The ‘fortunate’
winner of the Maghull Novices Chase, San Benedeto, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Nick Scholfield I was up at 06:00, after which I showered and
washed my hair before going to breakfast with Sandra at 07:15. It was a full English breakfast once again,
with three rashers of bacon, 2 fried eggs, a pork sausage, mushrooms and two
half fried tomatoes. Plus three
yoghurts – peach and apricot, strawberry and plain. Plus, I think, one croissant. Today’s outfit was a black
thermal T-shirt, a purple thermal T-shirt, turquoise button to the neck BHS
cardigan, bright purple fleece, purple tights, black/purple/turquoise M &
S Limited Edition skirt, black Hotter ‘Danielle’
boot-shoes, mauve Per Una raincoat, multi-coloured River Island scarf,
turquoise beaded leaf pendant. I
carried my scarf and fleece in my bag.
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M&S Black/purple/turquoise
skirt |
Mauve Per Una Raincoat |
Bright-blue BHS cardigan |
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Bright purple M&S fleece |
Thermal T-shirts – black and purple (far left
and far right) |
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Hotter footwear – Danielle boot-shoes (centre) |
Turquoise
leaf necklace (2nd
left) |
River Island scarf (centre) ... but I took it off mid-morning and got sunburnt! |
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I
put on my make-up when I returned to my room.
We left for Aintree at 09:20 today, arriving at around 09:50. There
was a longer queue to enter the Steeplechase car park than on the previous two
days and my car’s cooling fan even came on too, a couple of times, whilst we
were awaiting our turn for the vehicle to be searched by security. I’d also noticed the fan noise when I was
queuing in a traffic jam through Prestbury during
the Cheltenham Festival. In fact I’m becoming
so paranoid, that I even think the noise from helicopters flying overhead is
related to a problem with my car! Anyway,
I finally reached the front of the queue and was 100% confident that the
bonnet would close today following the security search, because the rubber
stoppers set into the metal frame had been removed on Thursday morning and had
not yet been replaced. But just how
wrong could I be? I tried a number of
times to close it but without success.
As I now remain calm in the face of this regular bonnet issue, I
decided to close the bonnet but leave it unsecured, and we drove along the
driveway to park near the rear thereof.
A
number of additional attempts followed to close it, both by me and Sandra,
but it still refused to lock down. We
gave up; fortunately I’d placed a packet of Carex
cleaning wipes in one of the outside pockets of my Kipling bag, so we used
these to clean the dirt and oil off our hands before putting on our
coats. The
design of the 2008 model Fiesta’s bonnet locking mechanism is such that it’s
not particularly obvious when it’s unsecured; the only tell-tale sign is the
‘tongue’ which sticks out around
two inches. But, as they say, a blind
man would be glad to see it! Anyway, I
had a plan B – if the bonnet still wouldn’t lock down when I returned to my
car, I’d exit the racecourse at the expected snail’s pace after racing and
park up in one of the local roads before calling the RAC. However, I also had a strong suspicion that
the bonnet would close once the engine and housing had experienced the
opportunity to cool down during the day!
We
entered the grounds at 10:40, purchased our race-cards and bottles of water
before heading immediately to our favourite spot beside the exit/entry horse
walkway. One or the other of us remained
in this location throughout the entire day, until after the Grand National
winner had paraded on course at the end of the day in fact; we weren’t giving
up our position to anyone! Toni,
from my employer’s Liverpool branch, was making her first visit to the Grand
National today but I couldn’t even meet up with her because I was rooted to
the spot! I did, however, pass on my
Grand National tip to her a couple of days previously – namely One For
Arthur. As
we had been unable to pay a visit to the Parade Ring ahead of racing due to
our keenness to reserve our place, we missed the Parade of Champions
therein. However, the horses were
paraded along the home straight in front of the main grandstands a short
while later. There were just 10 horses
this year, as a number had passed away during the previous 12 months, and
three were too old to travel over from Ireland. The
non-travellers were Papillon (2000), Monty’s Pass
(2003) and Numbersixvalverde (2006). Mon Mome (2009)
was unable to attend because he was recovering from a minor injury sustained in
his field. Sadly five had passed away
since the previous year, namely Rough Quest (1996), Lord Gyllene
(1997), Red Marauder (2001), Comply Or Die (2008) and the much missed Many
Clouds (2015). But
the good news was that Bindaree (2002), Amberleigh House (2004), Hedgehunter
(2005), Silver Birch (2007), Don’t Push It (2010), Ballabriggs
(2011), Neptune Collonges (2012), Auroras Encore
(2013), Pineau De Re (2014) and Rule The World
(2016) were still alive and kicking and able to attend on 08 April 2017. But
the number of living Grand National winners further reduced when Amberleigh House passed away on 27 April 2017 aged 25; he
succumbed to a bout of colic. In
addition, on 03 May 2017, it was announced that Papillon
had died too; he was 26. RIP There
were numerous comings and goings whilst we waited for the racing to commence;
this included trainer Noel Williams and his wife Clare who arrived within the
Earl Of Derby enclosure but seemed unsure about where they needed to be. They had a runner in the first race, namely
Briery Queen.
I didn’t say hello, as they might have thought ‘who is this strange woman who seems to know us’; it’s difficult
when you meet people out of context, so to speak. A stable visit would be a far more familiar
setting! Mind
you, come to think of it, I’m probably quite memorable due to my grey hair
... besides, the receptionist at the Premier Inn always remembers me despite
just the April visit each year! Anyway,
the off time of the first race was 13:45.
The favourite for this race was No Hassle Hoff,
trained by Dan Skelton and ridden by Harry Skelton; price 4-1. I had two runners of interest in this one, namely
Briery Queen trained by Noel Williams and ridden by
Leighton Aspell, and The Tourard
Man trained by Alan King and ridden by Kevin Dowling. I also had my only flutter of the Festival
upon the latter – his price today was 25-1, not the 66-1 he’d been at
Cheltenham when finishing 4th in the Pertemps
Final. Three of the runners were owned by JP McManus,
namely For Good Measure, No Comment and Forthefunofit. The favourite was a little bit spooky as he
trotted through the corrals immediately outside of the exit gateway and Harry
Skelton kept him at a contained pace until he reached the sanded gallop to
the inside of the course and was able to then break into a canter to head
down to the starting gate. There was a member of the ground-staff standing
close to the gallop; he was holding a big arrow sign to direct the
participants through a gap in the railings situated to the landing side of
the final Grand National fence. The
competitors would gather upon the steeplechase tracks to have their girths
checked ahead of the race. The second favourite, No Comment, was the final
horse to join the group as they congregated in preparation for the off.
The 22 horses jogged away from the starting gate
before wheeling around to head back; it was civilised and then they were off,
at the first time of asking. There was a cheer from the crowd as the runners
set off towards the first flight, led by Fountains Windfall. Also prominent was the mare Morello Royale, the nose-banded Mr McGo,
the cheek-pieced Forthefunofit, also Rons Dream. All of
the competitors negotiated the first successfully although, at the rear of
the field, Briery Queen made an error. Heading down to the winning post on the first
occasion, Whataknight came through against the
inside rail to take up the running. No
Comment and Joe Farrell brought up the rear as they headed around the
grandstand bend before entering the back straight on the first occasion.
Fountains Windfall had moved on by three lengths as the runners approached
the next flight. Whataknight wasn’t particular
fluent at this one. Towards the rear of the field, Zarkandar
was awkward too; he might have been short of room. Fountains Windfall continued to lead as the
runners headed to the next, with Whataknight, Rons Dream, Forthefunofit and Mr
McGo line across the track and leading the main
group. Those to the fore of midfield
included Splash Of Ginge, Dadsintrouble
and Golden Doyen. Splash Of Ginge was less than fluent here, and this had a knock-on
effect upon Duke Street. The field then headed across the sanded pathway
which leads to the Steeplechase car park, before reaching and negotiating the
fourth flight successfully. There was
no change at the head of affairs as the runners entered the far turn,
Fountains Windfall was still clear of his rivals, and followed by Rons Dream, Forthefunofit, Mr McGo, Dadsintrouble and Whataknight. To
the outside of the runners, nearer last than first, Holywell
received a reminder. Having entered the home straight, the competitors
fanned out in order to get a clear view of the fifth flight. Once again they were all safely over. Fountains Windfall wasn’t quite so far
ahead of his rivals now, but he continued to spearhead the field as they
travelled to the next flight; there were no jumping issues as the runners
cleared it. The field remained as one
on the journey to the seventh obstacle; the leader skipped over it, whereas
at the rear of the field For Good Measure flattened it; a task for the fence
crew to rectify before the runners returned.
Thus Fountains Windfall led the runners by the main
grandstands, from Rons Dream, Forthefunofit
and Mr McGo.
They travelled ahead of Whataknight and Dadsintrouble; these were followed by Duke Street,
Leoncavallo, No Hassle Hoff, Golden Doyen, Barney Dwan,
Holywell, Desert Cry, Splash Of Ginge,
Morello Royale, The Tourard
Man, Briery Queen, Zarkandar,
Doesyoudogbite, No Comment, Joe Farrell and For
Good Measure. There were no particular signs of distress as the
22 runners headed through the Grand National starting gate and out into the
country for the final time. David
Noonan’s mount continued to bowl along at the head of affairs as they jumped
the next flight. It now appeared to be
crunch time for a number of his rivals, although not literally, as a handful
of jockeys began to push their mounts along.
They continued to the next. Holywell had been dropped from the pack as they headed
safely over this one. Jonjo O’Neill’s son, who was riding him, decided to pull
up his mount before the next. Meanwhile, Fountains Windfall had extended the
lead over his rivals as they headed across the sanded pathway on their
journey to four out. Mr McGo hit this one, with Joe Farrell and Golden Doyen receiving
reminders at the rear of the field, and Zarkandar struggling
too. In contrast Briery
Queen had improved her position within runners. And still the leader galloped on, with Mr McGo spearheading his rivals as they headed around the
top bend. Fountains Windfall was
around 10 lengths clear as they entered the home straight and had quickly
cleared three out. Harry Skelton was
in hot pursuit aboard No Hassle Hoff and had drawn alongside Mr McGo as they jumped it.
Meanwhile The Tourard Man was steered wide
around the main group, hoping to raise a challenge. Briery Queen was
now under pressure to the rear of these.
Fountains Windfall had soon reached two out and,
although he was less than fluent here, he continued to lead his rivals on a
merry dance as they endeavoured to catch him.
The hooded favourite was beginning to pick off rivals by this stage,
and was now in sixth position; but it wasn’t happening fast enough. The leader remained well clear as he hurdled over
the final flight and appeared still to have plenty of running in him. No Comment, No Hassle Hoff and Dadsintrouble jumped it upsides; the favourite
bunny-hopped it. In fact Fountains Windfall continued to gallop on
strongly and he did so all the way to the line; he won by eight lengths. No Comment triumphed in the battle for the runner-up
spot, and he beat Dadsintrouble by half a length,
with No Hassle Hoff four lengths back in 4th position. It was nine lengths back to Forthefunofit, which beat Whataknight
by a neck; Barney Dwan was three-quarters of a
length away in 7th, and The Tourard Man a nose back
in 8th. Briery
Queen completed in 17th place, having weakened after two out; this was her
first time over 3 miles. Twenty-one
finished, with Zarkandar 20th and Splash Of Ginge the last to cross the line.
We remained beside the walkway exit gate following
completion of the race. The Stewards held an
adjourned enquiry into the start of Race 6 The Randox
Health Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase on 6 April 2017 following a report
from the Starter that Ms K. Walsh had cantered in. Having heard her evidence
and viewed recordings of the start the Stewards found Ms K. Walsh in breach
of Rule (D)44.4 and suspended her for 1 day as
follows: Saturday 22 April 2017. Race 1 - 1:45pm THE GASKELLS HANDICAP
HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (Grade 3) The Stewards noted that
RONS DREAM, trained by Peter Bowen, would wear a hood in the Parade Ring. The Veterinary Officer
reported that a post-race examination of SPLASH OF GINGE, unplaced, trained
by Nigel Twiston-Davies, found it to have lost its
left hind shoe. The Veterinary Officer
reported that a post-race examination of LEONCAVALLO (IRE), unplaced, trained
by Ben Pauling, found it to have lost its left hind shoe. The favourite for the next event was Finian’s Rainbow, trained by Colin Tizzard
and ridden by Robbie Power; price 3-1.
The favourite had missed his Cheltenham Festival date due to having
pus in one of his feet. There was a runner of interest in this race,
namely Messire Des Obeaux
trained by Alan King and ridden by Daryl Jacob. There was one grey in this race, the Paul
Nicholls-trained Brio Conti. The
remainder were all bay, apart from the chestnut Le Breuil. Having had their girths checked, the majority of
runners formed into a group although, at one point, Lough Derg
Spirit decided to slip off into a canter before Nico
de Boinville got him under control once more. He subsequently slotted in at the front of
the group as they walked towards the starting gate; Messire
Des Obeaux was now the keenest as he bounded along
to the inside just before the off.
The runners skirted around the
outside of the first hurdle in the back straight and then they were off at
the first time of asking. The field
was led away by the Gigginstown runner, Bel Ami De Sivola; his wingmen
were, to the inside Lough Derg Spirit and to the
outer Le Breuil.
Benatar was the backmarker as they jumped
the first flight. The horses headed over the sanded track on their
way to the next, with Lough Derg Spirit going on as
they cleared this flight and he led the thirteen competitors into the first
turn, from Bel Ami De Sivola,
Le Breuil, Brio Conti to the outside of Messire Des Obeaux, Reivers Lad, Chelsea Flyer, Cultivator, Finian’s Oscar, Bordeaux Bill, Benatar,
Captain Forez and La Bague
Au Roi. Having travelled across the top of the
racecourse, the runners then entered the home straight on the first
occasion. Lough Derg
Spirit led narrowly as the field headed over the first flight therein; the
pace was steady as they continued to the fourth. All of the runners cleared this without
incident, although Reivers Lad was pushed along for
a couple of strides following it. They
moved on down the straight towards the fifth flight; Captain Forez, which sported the well-known yellow and red silks
of owner John Hales, brought up the rear.
The favourite jumped out slightly to his right over this one. Lough Derg Spirit
continued to lead the way as the runners headed down past the winning post
with one circuit now to travel.
Bordeaux Bill was pushed out rather wide as they turned the grandstand
corner. The horses headed beneath the Grand
National starting gate and into the back straight for the final time. The pace quickened as they headed towards
the sixth flight. The leader put in an untidy leap at the obstacle;
at the rear of the field, Captain Forez blundered
badly. Bel
Ami De Sivola now took a narrow lead. Despite the error at the previous flight,
the Skelton’s runner began to improve through the field; La Bague Au Roi made an error at
this one and she was now travelling at the rear of the pack. The runners headed across the sanded track, with Reivers Lad presently struggling to go the pace; La Bague Au Roi made a further
mistake at the final flight in the back straight. Two more came under pressure as they headed
into the far bend; Bordeaux Bill and Le Breuil. The latter was at the rear of the field as
they journeyed across the top of the racecourse; there were reminders for
Bordeaux Bill. Meanwhile, Messire Des Obeaux eased through a gap against the rails and took the
lead as they headed into the home straight.
Lough Derg Spirit was being pushed along in
second position, with Cultivator and Finian’s Oscar
now poised to make their challenges.
Having lost touch with their rivals, Bordeaux Bill and Le Breuil were pulled up before the next. Messire
Des Obeaux held the lead as they headed over the
third last, with Finian’s Oscar soon his closest
pursuer; although on the outside of runners Brio Conti appeared to be
travelling better than both of them at this stage. Soon after jumping the penultimate flight,
the favourite took the lead; Brio Conti was now under pressure. Robbie Power and Daryl Jacob reached for
their whips as they headed down towards the final hurdle and the Potts-owned
runner soon gained the upper hand; the favourite was over a length up as he
cleared it. Meanwhile, Captain Forez continued to stay on and had soon collared the Alan
King runner too. With all of the jumping questions completed, it
was left to Finian’s Oscar to pull away from his
rivals and he galloped away to win by three lengths at the line. Captain Forez
finished 2nd; he completed 3¼ lengths ahead of Messire
Des Obeaux. Benatar claimed 4th.
Eight horses completed, Cultivator being the
final one to cross the line. Bel Ami De Sivola, Lough Derg Spirit and Reivers Lad
having been pulled up before the final flight. It was further success for trainer Colin Tizzard, jockey Robbie Power and owners The Potts. Colin hoped that Finian’s
Oscar would be a novice chaser next season; but it all depended upon the
plans of the owner. The horse cost
£250,000 and remained unbeaten in 5 starts, including an initial
point-to-point. Alan King was hoping to send Messire
Des Obeaux chasing but he picked up an injury during
this race which put him on the sidelines for the 2017/2018 season.
Again we remained beside the course-side
rails following the second race. Whilst
we were waiting for the next one, a posse of six Irish jockeys, including
Ruby Walsh, Paul Townend and David Mullins,
returned from walking the course; presumably the Grand National course that
is. I think another was Donagh Meyler. Race 2 - 2:25pm THE BETWAY MERSEY
NOVICES' HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) David Bass, the rider of
LE BREUIL (FR), which pulled up, reported that the gelding stopped quickly.
The Veterinary Officer reported that a post-race examination of LE BREUIL
(FR) failed to reveal any abnormalities. Nico de Boinville,
the rider of LOUGH DERG SPIRIT (IRE), which pulled up, reported that the
gelding hung right. The Stewards ordered LOUGH DERG SPIRIT (IRE) to be
routine tested. The favourite for the next was Charbel, trained by Kim Bailey and ridden by David Bass;
price 6-5. Connections were seeking
compensation for their departure two out in this season’s Arkle
Challenge Trophy. However, the trainer
was concerned that the Aintree Mildmay park course
was a tight track and his charge had not previously been suited by courses of
this nature; big galloping tracks were preferred. Two of the five runners were trained by Paul
Nicholls – the sole grey Politologue and also San Benedeto. The
latter was aiming for a five-timer, the last of which was just 6 days ago at
Ascot. Forest Bihan had also
run in the Arkle and Politologue
in the JLT Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Douvan
won this race in 2016. Finian’s Rainbow had won it, Sprinter Sacre
too, also Special Tiara and the ill-fated Balder Succes. The starting
gate for this event was in the far corner of the track; the cross fence being
the first obstacle.
Politologue
was the last horse to leave the infield and he trotted and pranced his way to
join his rivals, slotting in just behind Charbel. And then they were off, with the Kim Bailey
runner leading the way to the first; the cross-fence. All five runners cleared this one well
before heading around the turn and into the home straight for the first time. Charbel
increased his advantage as they headed to the next. The leader jumped it well, with Forest Bihan giving it plenty of daylight, although he did jump
out to his right. The following fence
was the first open ditch, with the mare Colla Pier
having to reach in order to make the distance to the landing side. The runners journeyed across the Grand National
course to get to the fourth fence, another plain one. The leader held an advantage of four
lengths over the hooded Politologue, followed by
Forest Bihan, San Benedeto
and Colla Pier.
They all jumped this well before heading down past the winning post
and around the grandstand bend. Charbel’s
rivals were now a little closer as they entered the back straight and
approached the fifth fence. David Bass
had to find a stride for his mount just prior to jumping it. The runners continued to the next, another
plain fence and, once again, the jockey looked for a stride upon the
leader. The following fence was another open-ditch but on
this occasion Charbel stuttered into the fence and
hit it. He lost his lead to Politologue as a result.
David Bass urged his mount forward as they headed across the sanded
track and he gained ground once more.
However again, at the next, he wasn’t fluent. The grey led the runners as they headed into the
far turn, with Forest Bihan advancing into second
position and San Benedeto now disputing third
position with the favourite. The next
obstacle was the cross-fence; they all jumped this one well. However, Charbel
began to struggle as the leading three set sail for home; the outclassed Colla Pier remained at the back of the field. The grey got a little close to the third last but
he continued out in front as they headed towards the final open-ditch. Although under pressure, Charbel lost no further ground at this stage. Having cleared the fence, Politologue was being pressed by both his
stable-companion and by Forest Bihan. The latter got on terms with his rival,
although the grey fought back slightly and put in a far better leap at the
last. And, in the normal way of things, that would have
been enough to seal the victory.
However, having landed safely and taken a couple of strides on the
flat too, Politologue stumbled and fell. Sam Twiston-Davies
was thrown well clear by the momentum.
This left Forest Bihan
a couple of lengths ahead of San Benedeto as they
headed to the line. But that wasn’t
the end of it, as Nick Scholfield had never given
up and his mount began to close the deficit all the way to the line. It was a photo finish. When the result was announced, it transpired that
San Benedeto had won by a head. Charbel had
finished 13 lengths away in 3rd, with Colla Pier a
further 18 lengths behind in 4th. But
the best sight of all was Politologue cantering
loose past the winning line, none the worse for his accident. Sam Twiston-Davies
walked back in too; he looked flummoxed, as were we all. Harry Derham, who
is Paul Nicholls’ nephew and Assistant Trainer too, was on hand to console
the jockey. Sportingly, Sam also shook
hands with the winning rider out on the course. RUK’s Paul Morrison, who had been standing near
the offending fence, was under the impression that the Politologue
had trodden on his own foot and thus tripped himself up. Oops.
Anyway, viewed in slow motion, his near-hind definitely over-reached
his near-fore shortly after landing and he was late in bringing through the
latter; it didn’t extend from the knee downwards as a result. So, when his hindquarters subsequently
propelled him forward, he literally didn’t have a leg to stand on. It was such a relief that the grey hadn’t broken
a leg as a result. Regardless, the stewards and ground staff were
out on the course to check the landing side of the final fence, just in case
the fall had been the result of a hole in the ground.
Yet again, Sandra and I remained at our ‘post’ following the race! Race 3 - 3:00pm THE DOOM BAR MAGHULL
NOVICES' STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1) (Grade 1) The Stewards considered the
running of CHARBEL (IRE) ridden by David Bass and trained by Kim Bailey,
which finished third of four finishers. The Stewards noted the trainer’s
explanation that the gelding made a mistake as the race was developing. They
ordered CHARBEL (IRE) to be routine tested. This year, the Listed Handicap Chase and the
Liverpool Stayers’ Hurdle swapped places on the
card. Thus the favourite for this event was Potters
Legend, trained by Lucy Wadham and ridden by
Leighton Aspell; price 9-2. There were no greys in this race. I liked Emerging Force … because he is a
pretty flashy bay! The starting gate for this race was located at
the far end of the home straight, with the aforementioned straight and two
full circuits to travel.
And then they were off, at the first time of
asking. The runners were spread wide
across the course as they headed to the first fence. Prominent were Lamb Or Cod, the now
Irish-trained Ruben Cotter, followed by Smooth Stepper, Emerging Force,
Sizing Codelco and Starchitect. Potters Legend nodded slightly on landing
over this one; Henri Parry Morgan was last of the 16 runners at this early
stage of the race despite lining up ahead of a number of his rivals. The second fence was the first of the
open-ditches and again Potters Legend was slightly awkward at this one. The runners headed across the Grand
National circuit on their way to the third fence, with Lamb Or Cod, Ruben
Cotter and Emerging Force disputing the lead.
Henri Parry Morgan made up ground upon his rivals at this point and
overtook a number of them shortly after clearing the fence. Heading down past the winning post on the first
occasion, Lamb Or Cod, Emerging Force, Sizing Codelco
and I Just Know disputed the lead.
Just behind these were Ruben Cotter, Potters Legend, Value At Risk and
Starchitect.
They were followed by Our Kaempfer, Knock
House, then Full Cry, Rightdownthemiddle, Henri
Parry Morgan, Relentless Dreamer, Takingrisks and
Smooth Stepper. The runners headed under the Grand National
starting gate and had soon entered the back straight; Emerging Force was the
narrow leader as they jumped the first fence therein. There were around 15 lengths covering the
field as they continued to the fifth fence; Ruben Cotter was drifting back
through runners and he got in a little bit close to this one. Not happy with his mount’s effort at the
fence, Will Kennedy gave Knock House a back-hander. The following fence was an open-ditch and
Emerging Force out-jumped those around him.
In contrast, Our Kaempfer made a bad blunder
here and birch flew; it was definitely a mending task for the fence
attendants! Meanwhile the runners
headed over the sanded pathway on their way to the final obstacle in the back
straight; Sizing Codelco was less than fluent here
and Relentless Dreamer also. Emerging Force held the advantage over I Just
Know and Sizing Codelco as they headed into the far
turn; they were followed by Lamb Or Cod and Starchitect. There were no serious errors at the
cross-fence and Takingrisks now brought up the
rear. One circuit now complete,
Emerging Force and I Just Know led the runners into the home straight once
more. With no departures thus far, the 16 horses
continued over the next fence; near the rear of the field, Smooth Stepper was
pushed along for a few strides having jumped it. The following fence was an open-ditch; once
again there were no problems here. Emerging
Force and I Just Know remained at the head of affairs as the field headed
across the Grand National course towards the eleventh. Again there were no serious jumping issues as
they cleared it. Having commenced the race in a very handy position Ruben
Cotter was now detached, one from the rear of the field, with solely Takingrisks behind him. Smooth Stepper received reminders as the runners
headed towards the grandstand turn, now just one further circuit to
travel. I Just Know took the advantage
as they headed under the Grand National starting gate and into the back
straight. Meanwhile Takingrisks was pulled up and, shortly afterwards, Ruben
Cotter too. Having jumped the first fence in the back
straight upsides the leader, Robbie Power permitted Sizing Codelco to stride on; this move was quickly covered by
the jockeys aboard Starchitect and Potters
Legend. I Just Now and Emerging Force
were being pushed along behind the leading trio as they continued to the next
obstacle. All the remaining runners
cleared this without incident. Value
At Risk then began to improve along the inside rail as they headed towards
the open-ditch; all bar the leading four appeared to be struggling by this
stage, but they still managed to negotiate the fence without any serious
issues. The runners then continued across the sanded
pathway and onwards to the fifth last.
Our Kaempfer made another howling error at
this one and, shortly afterwards, Sam Twiston-Davies
decided to pull him up. The leading
group soon consisted of Sizing Codelco, Starchitect, Potters Legend, Value At Risk and Rightdownthemiddle; after these were Emerging Force and
Henri Parry Morgan. Also still
continuing were Knock House, I Just Know, Full Cry and Smooth Stepper. Having lost touch completely, Lamb Or Cod
and Relentless Dreamer were pulled up before the fence. Having cleared the cross-fence, the Potts-owned
runner continued to stride on in front as the remaining runners headed into
the home straight for the final time.
However, he only held a narrow lead as they jumped the third last
fence; despite him not making much of an error, spruce from the apron flew
into the air. The leading group
continued towards the final open-ditch, with Rightdownthemiddle
appearing now to be the main danger. The leading quintet cleared this fence without a
problem; Sizing Codelco continued to hold the
advantage. Potters Legend was the
first to drop away as they headed across the Grand National track, with Value
At Risk soon fading too. Meanwhile,
the leader’s stamina had kicked-in and he drew well clear on the approach to
the final fence. With all of his
rivals beaten off, the sole danger was the final obstacle. But Colin Tizzard-trained
runner put in a mighty leap at this one and Robbie Power just needed to push
his mount out as he headed down towards the winning post. Sizing Codelco
was eased close home but still won by 13 lengths! Rightdownthemiddle,
for Jack Kennedy and Gordon Elliot, completed as the runner-up, with Starchitect a further 8 lengths away in 3rd. Potters Legend was 4th, Emerging Force 5th,
Henri Parri Morgan 6th and, last of the finishers, was
Value At Risk. Knock House and Full Cry had been pulled up
before two out; I Just Now and Smooth Stepper likewise before 3 out. This was Colin Tizzard’s
fifth winner of the Aintree Festival – following on from Pingshou,
Fox Norton, Ultragold and Finian’s
Oscar. All bar Ultragold
had been owned by the Potts. When interviewed, Robbie Power said the winner is
a ‘character’; he also described
his mount as a coward, who needs his own space during a race, otherwise he will
sulk!
Again
we remained beside the course-side rails following the race. Race 4 - 3:40pm The Stewards considered
the apparent improvement in form of the winner, SIZING CODELCO (IRE), ridden
by Robbie Power and trained by Colin Tizzard,
compared with its previous run at Cheltenham on 16 March 2017 where the
gelding finished fifteenth of twenty-four beaten by 51 lengths. They noted
the trainer’s representative could offer no explanation for the gelding’s
improved form other than their horses appear to have hit form. They ordered
SIZING CODELCO (IRE) to be routine tested. The Stewards noted that
OUR KAEMPFER (IRE), trained by Charlie Longsdon,
would wear earplugs which would be removed at the start. The Veterinary Officer
reported that a post-race examination of KNOCK HOUSE (IRE), which pulled up,
trained by Donald McCain, found it to have bled from the nose. The Veterinary Officer
reported that a post-race examination of POTTERS LEGEND, placed fourth,
trained by Lucy Wadham, found it to have lost its
left hind shoe. The Veterinary Officer
reported that a post-race examination of RUBEN COTTER (IRE), which pulled up,
trained by Mark McNiff, found it to have lost its
right hind shoe. The Veterinary Officer
reported that a post-race examination of RELENTLESS DREAMER (IRE), which pulled
up, trained by Rebecca Curtis, found it to have lost its right hind shoe. The Veterinary Officer
reported that a post-race examination of I JUST KNOW (IRE), which pulled up,
trained by Sue Smith, during routine testing, found it to have twisted its left
fore shoe.
Click here to read my Grand National Day Diary Part II |
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