The stable has four runners at Aintree this afternoon - Dynaste, Western Warhorse, Doctor Harper and Close House.  Let's hope that we have a good first day like we did at Cheltenham.  Dynaste was a winner here over course and distance last year and he has been in good form since his Festival success.  According to the official handicapper he has 8lbs to find with Silviniaco Conti despite having a verdict over that rival at Haydock earlier in the season.  I think our grey could find the neccessary improvement.

Western Warhorse caused something of a shock when winning the Grade One Arkle Chase at Cheltenham although there appeared to be no semblance of a fluke about the result.  A similar level of form makes him the one to beat again this afternoon although he does look to have a few ideas of his own.

There are also meetings taking place at Taunton over the jumps and on the all-weather at Lingfield and Wolverhampton.  Unsurprisingly though, all eyes will be on Liverpool today.

Comply_Or_Die_Grand_National2I was talking with James in the office this morning and he disclosed a revelation about this year's Grand National regarding one of our runners, The Package.  He was looking through the card of likely runners yesterday and it occured to him that The Package will be number 33 in this year's race.  The last horse to carry that number from Pond House?  Comply Or Die (picture right), who carried the same number and colours to success in 2008...could it be a case of deja vu?  I certainly hope so!

While we are on the subject of the Grand National we will have three runners with Our Father, The Package and Swing Bill representing the yard in the big race.  We have been on tenterhooks with Swing Bill (who is now owned by Grand National sponsor Crabbies), however it has been confirmed that he gets in at the bottom of the weights and takes his chance in the race for a third time.  Tom Scudamore will ride The Package, Conor O'Farrell takes the mount aboard Swing Bill, while Our Father will be ridden by Denis O'Regan.

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It was a bad result for Chelsea last night as they were beaten 3-1 by Paris St Germain, although they could still turn the result around in the return leg back in London.  Manager Jose Mourinho was having a right good go at his players - he said that he had no centre forward!  I wonder who signed him?

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There was a bit of fog about this morning and I hope that it lifts promptly so that we can fly up to Aintree.  I also hope The New One is successful this afternoon as Gino (as I mentioned, our landlord for the next few days) is a part owner of the horse.  You know how temperamental these Italians can be...we could be sleeping on a park bench by tonight!

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