Weekend Jottings

There are just two meetings taking place this afternoon, both over the sticks at Carlisle and Exeter.  David has two runners today as Mister Drifter contests the 2m7f handicap hurdle at Exeter at 4.10pm and Martabot goes in the 2m5½f handicap hurdle at 4.40pm.  It is going to be very testing on top of Haldon Hill with two hurdles being omitted.  Mister Drifter looks long on stamina so that should play to his strengths, although he does look to have enough weight for what he has achieved so far.  A repeat of his third at Taunton on his penultimate start would give Martabot a squeak, although it is to be seen how this longer trip on testing ground will suit.

Well done to Exeter who have put on some good prize money for today's fixture.  They have been rewarded by decent sized fields and hopefully a good crowd.  I have said it time and again, but it is worth repeating...if you are thinking of having a wager, make sure that your selection will handle the heavy going.

I see that Sam Twiston-Davies has reported that Blaklion is in good form ahead of next week's Grand National.  David and I will be staying with his part-owner, Gino for the duration of the National fixture.  Can you imagine what that is going to be like?  Gino 'walks his box' at the best of times, nevermind before a big race like the National.  It's his lovely long-suffering wife Jeanette that I feel most sorry for!  There will certainly be a bit of banter with David running Vieux Lion Rouge against Blaklion.  Mrs Barnes has already backed them both.

The answers to yesterday's quiz:

* Which is the only horse to have won the Grand National three times, and who were the jockeys?   Red Rum, Brian Fletcher (twice) and Tommy Stack

* Which horse ran in eight Grand Nationals, won two and ran his last race in 1904 at the age of 16?  Manifesto

* What does the Saxon name at Aintree mean?   One tree standing alone

On to today's questions:

* Name the only horse to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National in the same year?

* Despite the race distance being shortened to 4m2½f in 2016, the record time for the race was set in 1990.  Who was the horse and jockey?

* Who was the last mare to finish in the frame in the National in 1995?

Answers will appear here tomorrow...

Manifesto was the answer to one of yesterday's questions and pictured above is Martin with the great horses' skeleton which is on display at the University of Liverpool.  Martin has an honorary doctorate from the University and also has a thesis on display there comparing the careers of Manifesto with another Aintree hero, Red Rum.

It was great to see broadcaster Mike Vince at the stable last week.  He was down to catch a few words with David about Vieux Lion Rouge and the remainder of his Aintree team and there will be a video of his interview with David in his weekly blog tomorrow...

*****

There are a couple of exciting football matches to look forward to this afternoon.  Arsenal take on Southampton and Chelsea play West Ham.  It looks like two home wins to me at 4/7 and 2/7...mind you, West Ham are 12/1 and you know that I am stupid!

Tributes have been pouring in about the death of the Crafty Cockney, Eric Bristow.  British Leyland used to give him a new car every year, but he didn't drive.  Bristow put darts on the map in this country and was the forerunner for the players and entertainment that we see today.

*****

I taught myself how to read minds recently...the trouble is, around here most of the pages seem to be blank!

Tweet