First Day Of Aintree!

At last it is here, the start of the Grand National meeting at Aintree and the stable has four runners this afternoon.  Our Father, Buena Vista, Star Of Angels and Shoegazer (pictured above) all go in the 5.25pm race.  Personally, I think the most interesting of them could be Shoegazer, who put up a good performance under topweight when winning at Chepstow four days ago.  He has a 4lbs penalty today but is due to go up more in future handicaps.  I will be flying up with David later this morning and we will be staying near the course with our old friend Gino.

Meanwhile, we also have a runner at Newton Abbot as Terfel's Toscar bids to atone for his narrow defeat at the course on Saturday.  He is partnered again by Conor O'Farrell as he steps up markedly in trip.  He is another who is potentially ahead of the handicapper, so I will be keeping my fingers crossed for a good day!

I would imagine that the ground at Aintree this afternoon will be at it's fastest of the three days.  I always enjoy having a stroll around the course - it doesn't get too busy today, although as you can imagine on Saturday you are barely able to move for all the people.

Tomorrow at Aintree it is Ladies Day and all the girls turn up in their summer dresses (even if it is snowing!).  You can't miss the scouse girls, they are almost the same tone of orange as Attheraces presenter Matt Chapman and you can always bet that a couple of them are going to get into a fight just outside of the bar!  Then it is on to Grand National day and the place is like a madhouse.  Everywhere is packed, from the roads leading into the course to the car parks, bars and enclosures.  It is completely different to Cheltenham and I would imagine that most of these racegoers only go racing once a year - the Grand National meeting is like a carnival atmosphere and is definitely the place to be.

*****

What about Manchester United getting beaten by Wigan last night?  I could hardly believe it...Sir Alex said that Wigan were the better team last night, before returning to form by suggesting that the referee missed a penalty...I don't think he has too many reasons to complain on that score!  I have been waiting for head lad Eddie Buckley to drop in the office this morning - he's normally early, although this morning I haven't seen hide nor hair of him.  It's amazing, whenever you want to find a United supporter they all go missing!

There was a good win for QPR last night as they beat Swansea - I hope that you took the price!