- Monday, 11 April 2016 07:33
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
What an amazing weekend of racing! It was a good Grand National with all of the runners returning safe and sound this year and it was especially good for 19 year old David Mullins who won the big race aboard Rule The World on his first ride in the race. It seems that everybody involved in racing in Ireland is called Mullins, okay so that might be a slight exaggeration as the winning trainer was ever-popular Mouse Morris. Only in the Grand National could a horse that is a maiden over fences win the biggest Steeplechase in the world. In fairness, the horse has always had plenty of ability, finishing placed at the Cheltenham Festival a few years ago as well as finishing runner-up in last year's Irish Grand National. He has had his share of problems to so this was a very good training performance. Anyway, above is a picture of Martin with winning owner Michael O'Leary of Ryanair fame.
- Sunday, 10 April 2016 07:52
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
MCP with Cilla Black at Aintree a few years ago
It's a bit like after the Lords Mayor Show, we have just two jumps cards at Ffos Las and Market Rasen. David Noonan rides at Ffos Las and Conor O'Farrell goes to Market Rasen. I thought David could ride a winner for Anthony Honeyball's, As De Fer. There is great prize money on offer at Leopardstown on the flat today. I see the crowds were up for all three days at Liverpool. It just shows you what a sporting event it is. I still think the National should be earlier in the afternoon, there would be less drunks about! I sound like a grumpy old man, no comments!
- Saturday, 09 April 2016 00:00
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
Well, the big day is here...Grand National Day at Aintree. There are five meetings taking place today with Chepstow and Sedgefield hosting jumps cards and Lingfield and Wolverhampton on the all-weather supporting the big meeting from Liverpool. The Grand National is one of the most viewed sporting events worldwide and David has three runners in the big race; Ballynagour, Soll and Vieux Lion Rouge (pictured above). Meanwhile, David also saddles Kings Palace and Dell' Arca at Aintree, while Alternatif and Brook represent the stable at Chepstow.
- Friday, 08 April 2016 07:31
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Aintree and Newcastle as well as flat action from Leicester and Wolverhampton. It is fancy dress day (otherwise known as ladies' day) so the orange brigade will be out in force! The stable has three runners for the second day of the Grand National meeting; Starchitect, Un Temps Pour Tout and La Vaticane. Starchitect runs in the 1.40pm and he ran very well to finish a close fifth in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival - the step up in trip looks likely to suit while any drying of the ground could be in his favour. Tom Scudamore is in the saddle. Un Temps Pour Tout (pictured above) is the favourite for the Grade One novices' chase having won at the Festival last time and I think with a clear round he should win, now that's a positive. La Vaticane competes in the Topham Chase, a thirty runner handicap over the Grand National fences - she jumps well and the trip should suit so she will give Conor O'Farrell a nice ride.
- Thursday, 07 April 2016 07:22
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
There are four meetings taking place this afternoon with jumping from Aintree and Taunton and flat cards from Southwell and Chelmsford City. Of course, the big meeting of the day comes from Aintree where it is the first day of the 2016 Grand National fixture. David has one runner, Dynaste at Aintree, while Heath Hunter and Baby Sherlock represent Pond House at Taunton. Dynaste (pictured above) runs in the Betfair Bowl, a race that he was second in in 2014 - he is a 50/1 chance today which tells it's own story about how strong a race it is. If Cue Card is over his Gold Cup fall he will surely take plenty of beating. The one I am looking forward to seeing is Champion Hurdle winner Annie Power - what a great mare she is.
- Tuesday, 05 April 2016 15:57
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
It is the eve of the Grand National meeting from Aintree and there are four meetings taking place this afternoon, none of them over the sticks. The action comes from Catterick, Kempton, Lingfield and Nottingham - even the fixture from Leopardstown is on the level! Despite all of these meetings taking place there is not a seller to be seen anywhere. There are a couple of claimers over 6 and 7 furlongs although that is going to draw little interest from anyone involved in the jumping game. If there were sellers or claimers of 10 furlongs or further I am sure there would be more interest at the subsequent auctions which in turn would generate money for the racecourses - it doesn't seem like rocket science to me.
- Tuesday, 05 April 2016 06:57
- Written by Chelsea Morgan
This afternoon we have three meetings although the cards from Newton Abbot and Pontefract both have to pass inspections following plenty of rainfall yesterday. Ludlow goes ahead without any problems. The stable does not have any runners today so it looks like a quiet day. Yesterday Batavir fared best of our three runners, finishing third at Wincanton and he wasn't beaten that far. Maybe he needs to drop a few pounds from his current mark of 125?
