A Great Grand National

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.

Of the Pond House Grand National runners Vieux Lion Rouge fared best in seventh place.  He looked to be going as well as anything three from home but he did not appear to quite get the trip - a big run nonetheless.  Soll was pulled up early on the second circuit, while Ballynagour was running a nice race until unshipping Tom Scudamore at the 19th fence.

There was some very sad news for the stable after the opening race of Grand National day when Tom Scudamore returned in tears after Kings Palace had to be pulled-up in the handicap hurdle.  Unfortunately he had to be put down - it is so sad for everyone involved, the owners, David and of course the lads and lasses in the yard who look after the horses everyday.  He was a lovely individual and extremely classy.

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There was a very good performance from new heavyweight world champion boxer Anthony Joshua at the weekend.  He knocked out Charles Martin in the second round and really does look the real deal, unlike four or five of the other heavyweight champions.  I wonder why there is not just one world champion?  I guess there must be money involved in it somewhere.

It was a good weekend for Yorkshireman Danny Willett who came from nowhere to win the Masters Golf in Augusta.  He is the first Englishman to win the title since Sir Nick Faldo twenty years ago - very well done indeed.

Tottenham Hotspur made Manchester United look very ordinary at the weekend as they won 3-0.  The United defense (or should I say lack of defense) let in three goals in the space of six minutes - the only player in that side worthy of being in the Premier League is goalkeeper David de Gea who saves them at least 25 goals per season.  The United manager Van Gaal has made them defensive but they are not very good.  Mourinho will certainly need to spend a few quid as he basically needs a whole new team.

Meanwhile Leicester won 2-0 at Sunderland to keep them well on course for the title and their victory can only be good for football.  Furthermore my treble and three doubles also came up so we can afford to eat in the Barnes household this week.

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Apparently Chancellor George Osbourne has announced new plans for shortening the dole queues...he is asking them to stand closer together.

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