- Monday, 11 April 2016 15:35
- Written by David Pipe
What a fantastic Grand National meeting once again and I am pleased to see that the later off-time to the big race resulted in increased viewing figures. With an exciting finish to the National, hopefully it will have captured the imaginations of some of the younger generations and they will be the race-goers of tomorrow. I am pleased to report that Ballynagour, Vieux Lion Rouge and Soll have all returned safe and sound and none the worse for their exertions as you can see from the photograph above.
Unfortunately that cannot be said for all of the team and I am extremely saddened to report that Kings Palace (pictured right) was put down after striking into himself in the handicap hurdle, the opening race on Saturday. It is especially difficult as we had had him since he was a young, untried store and I had always held him in the highest regard and he had long been the apple of my eye. He showed his quality when winning a bumper, three hurdles and three chases (including a Grade 2 event at Cheltenham) and he possessed the ability to go right to the top. The lads and lasses in the yard are all very upset, a comment that also applies to Tom Scu and his doting owners – he will be greatly missed.
On a more positive note, I thought that Vieux Lion Rouge ran a huge race in the Grand National to finish seventh. As a seven year old, he was the youngest in the field and with only seven career starts over fences, one of the most inexperienced as well. Even so, he jumped like an old pro and gave jockey James Reveley a thrilling ride until seemingly failing to get the trip from two out. He should continue to run with credit in all the best staying handicap chases. He is pictured below in the wash-down area after the big race.
Ballynagour was still travelling well when blundering and parting company with Tom Scudamore at the nineteenth fence, although it was far too far out to know how he would have fared, while Soll was on the back foot from an early stage having been impeded on more than one occasion.
Congratulations to the connections of Rule The World; trainer Mouse Morris, owner Michael O’Leary and jockey, 19 year old David Mullins. A fabulous victory and one that I am sure they will always remember.
While we are on the subject of the Grand National, it was great to see an old friend of mine, Comply Or Die (pictured left) who was participating in the parade of former champions. Gerry Supple donned the famous David Johnson silks and it was wonderful seeing our 2008 Grand National hero looking so well. Following his retirement from racing he moved to Timmy Murphy’s where he was used as a lead horse on the gallops and also went hunting before switching his attention to dressage where I understand he has met with considerable success. Time has certainly been kinder to Comply than it has been to Gerry!
Also at Aintree there were creditable performances from Dynaste in the Betfred Bowl on Thursday and from Starchitect in the 2 ½ mile handicap hurdle on Friday. There was a bizarre incident in Dynaste’s race whereby a racecourse photographer leant back on the running rail which detached and fell into the path of our runner. Although running through the rogue rail, I am pleased to report that Dynaste is perfectly okay and he ran a great race to finish fourth nonetheless. This could have been a particularly nasty incident and I am just thankful that the photographer did not fall into the path of the horses.
Starchitect followed up his excellent performances in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury and County Hurdle at Cheltenham with third in this fiercely competitive handicap on this step-up in trip. He appeared to get the extra distance well, almost reclaiming second spot in the dying strides. He richly deserves to land a nice prize before long.
I would like to thank our hosts Gino and Jeanette Paletta for once again putting up with me and Chester once again for the duration of the Aintree meeting and for looking after us so well.
Looking ahead there is the small matter of the Scottish National to look forward to at Ayr and we have a couple of possible runners in the shape of Top Wood and Amigo, while we also have other entries on the card. We will have to wait and see what the weather does over the coming days before deciding on running plans as the ground, which is currently good/soft (soft in places) can change incredibly quickly. As usual for all the latest news from the stable keep up to date with Chester’s Daily Chat or follow us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing.
