Entries & Recent Form
- Saturday, 14 April 2012 07:21
- Written by James C Smith
Just in case you have been on a different planet for the last few days, it is the world's biggest steeplechase this afternoon The Grand National. The Aussies would try to tell you that the Melbourne Cup is the biggest racing event, but don't be fooled - it doesn't get any bigger than this! When you walk around the National course you can see why all the jockeys get so excited. It just shows you how brave (or mad!) they must be! I always go down to the start for the race and the atmosphere is unbelievable with all the horses milling around and the jockeys having any last minute alterations made to their tack. When the tapes finally go up, the noise is deafening - there really is no other sporting event like it in the world.
- Friday, 13 April 2012 07:36
- Written by James C Smith
It is day two of the Grand National meeting and I can't wait! Friday is always my favourite day of the Grand National meeting - the girls all turn up in their finery, although there is not usually much of it. At Liverpool, the Scouse girls certainly seem to believe in the addage "less is more"! We have four runners at the meeting today - Matuhi, Poole Master, I'm So Lucky and Street Entertainer. They all look to be very competitive races so we will just have to keep our fingers crossed.
Click below to see Junior's final piece of work before tomorrow's Grand National.
- Thursday, 12 April 2012 07:35
- Written by James C Smith
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.
- Wednesday, 11 April 2012 06:53
- Written by James C Smith
There are just four meetings this afternoon on the flat (five if you include the meeting at Dundalk) and three of those take place on the all-weather! Nevermind, the proper stuff kicks off again tomorrow with the start of Liverpool's three day Grand National meeting. It looks as though the ground is going to be perfect for the jumpers. The big race tomorrow will be the Liverpool Hurdle with Big Buck's the likely short-priced favourite to make it eighteen wins on the bounce - there is also the small matter of £100,000 in prize money - not bad work if you can get it!
- Tuesday, 10 April 2012 07:38
- Written by James C Smith
We had another good day with our only runner, Shoegazer scoring nicely under topweight in the competitive handicap hurdle under Tom Scudamore at Chepstow yesterday. He jumped well and handled the testing conditions admirably. Tom completed a double aboard Take Of Shoc'S for Rebecca Curtis - I would imagine that one will be turned out again quickly under a penalty before the handicapper has his say.
- Monday, 09 April 2012 07:44
- Written by James C Smith
At last Ladyvie managed to get her head in front. She won the handicap chase at Newton Abbot on Saturday under a good ride from conditional jockey Conor O'Farrell, who had obviously had enough time to dry out after the Lesters on Thursday night! We knew that she had ability, but up until now she had not consented to use all of it - the switch back to fences and faster ground seemed to help her and now that she has got her head in front, hopefully she may be able to build on that and could follow-up. Earlier on the card Terfels Toscar had been beaten on the nod by Fashion Week and his turn cannot be far away.
- Sunday, 08 April 2012 00:00
- Written by James C Smith
Big Bucks after Winning this years World Hurdle
Happy Easter everyone! David does not have any runners today but there are two jumps meetings at Towcester and Plumpton and there is a flat card at Musselburgh. There could be runners from Pond House at Chepstow tomorrow so check back here for more news in the morning. Excitement is now building as we count down to the start of Aintree on Thursday. There is no jumping action on Tuesday or Wednesday but then we have the big race action from Aintree and also a fixture at Newton Abbot on Thursday as well. Remember, the Newton Abbot meeting is replacing the Taunton fixture that was abandoned due to the firm going so don't go heading there on Thursday as there will be nothing to watch! Kazlian is entered in the four year old hurdle on the first day while we have several entries in the three mile handicap hurdle so we could well have a few runners at Liverpool. We also have the likes of Big Bucks to look out for and he will be going for his 17th victory in a row at the highest level, a truly remarkaable horse and I can't wait for the action to start. An added spice to the fixture this year is that this meeting could have a big impact on the trainers championship with lots of prize money on offer, so I shall be sitting back and enjoying the racing.
