Press Trash Talk

I must say that I agree with Paul Nicholls – the press reporting from Aintree was a disgrace.   I know that they are trying to sell newspapers, but turning the Grand National into a horror story is just sensationalist nonsense. Personally I blame the sports editors; afterall they are in charge of the content of the back pages…or are they?! I am sure that most of the articles written are by non-sports writers who haven’t the first idea about the sport they are covering and are looking to have a go at every opportunity. If I were a leading trainer there are certainly a few newspapers that I would not be talking to in the future.

The jockeys assemble for the traditional pre-race Grand National photograph

I must say that I agree with Paul Nicholls – the press reporting from Aintree was a disgrace.   I know that they are trying to sell newspapers, but turning the Grand National into a horror story is just sensationalist nonsense. Personally I blame the sports editors; afterall they are in charge of the content of the back pages…or are they?! I am sure that most of the articles written are by non-sports writers who haven’t the first idea about the sport they are covering and are looking to have a go at every opportunity. If I were a leading trainer there are certainly a few newspapers that I would not be talking to in the future.

I thought that the Aintree staff did a good job after the race with plenty of water on hand to cool the horses off – remember that it was a very hot day and I thought they made excellent provision for the runners.

We met former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez in the paddock before the big race. He told us that his family (especially his children) liked horses – he seemed like a nice chap and he stopped to sign everyone’s autographs. It just goes to show that there is still a lot of love for him on Merseyside.

MCP and myself with former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez

Both Henry Cecil and his stable jockey Tom Queally were up at Aintree – maybe Tom was looking for a ride in the bumper? Generally speaking, jump jockeys are not the biggest of people, but when you stand them alongside their flat counterparts you realise just how small these lads from the level really are. Talking of jockeys, let’s hope that Peter O’Toole makes a full recovery – he had a horrible fall and is currently on a life support machine. This really puts everything into perspective.

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The sad news on the equine front is that former Pond House inmate and dual Welsh National hero Bonanza Boy passed away yesterday at the age of thirty. He was amazing old horse who also won the Racing Post Chase, Rehearsal Chase and Ansells National as well as finishing third in the Stayers Hurdle and fourth in a Cheltenham Gold Cup. He enjoyed his retirement with his owners and was a local celebrity, until recently making regular appearances at local fetes and events.

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Away from racing, I do feel for young Irish golfing sensation Rory McIlroy following his disastrous final round of 80 in the Masters. He missed so many short putts, I couldn’t believe my eyes. It is still a learning curve for him and hopefully he will have learned plenty from the experience. South African Charl Schwartzel won the event with birdies at each of the last four holes – it was some performance.