Crus Second Again

The horses ran creditably yesterday at Aintree with Grands Crus in particular putting up a gallant performance in defeat against the mighty Big Buck’s. The winner is surely one of the finest staying hurdlers for some time and to be clear second best to him is no mean achievement. Indeed, we were all thrilled with him and we went to celebrate with part owner Roger Stanley in the bar afterwards. Grands Crus is clearly a tip-top staying hurdler and will be a really exciting prospect when sent over fences.

Gallant grey Grands Crus finished runner-up in the LIverpool Hurdle

The horses ran creditably yesterday at Aintree with Grands Crus in particular putting up a gallant performance in defeat against the mighty Big Buck’s. The winner is surely one of the finest staying hurdlers for some time and to be clear second best to him is no mean achievement. Indeed, we were all thrilled with him and we went to celebrate with part owner Roger Stanley in the bar afterwards. Grands Crus is clearly a tip-top staying hurdler and will be a really exciting prospect when sent over fences.

Roger Stanley and Marilyn Scudamore after another great performance from Grands Crus

Of the others, Mamlook gave Conor a nice ride in the handicap chase and he ran well to finish fourth, while Notus de la Tour finished a close fifth under substitute jockey Andrew Lynch (Tom Scudamore stood down from the ride after his fall from Leo’s Lucky Star).

Ken Dodd was wandering around with his tickling stick even though I don’t think that half of the kids knew who on earth he was…I bet he’s been told where to stick that tickling stick a few times over the years! There will be a large turnout at Aintree today – its ladies day, the racing looks competitive so at least the form students will have something else to look at!

Talking of entertainment, there was plenty to see and do at the course yesterday – there was an Irish band in the winner’s enclosure, acrobats doing there thing and a fashion show put on by Matalan. Aintree always puts on a good show and I would recommend a visit to anyone (even if it is only once!).

Finally, I was pleased to see young Willie Twiston-Davies land the Aintree Foxhunters yesterday aboard Baby Run. Following on from his Cheltenham fall, I was delighted to see the sixteen year old atone for that reversal with a fine front-running ride…I wonder if the headmaster knew that he was riding or if Willie phoned in sick?!