Aintree Press Day

There are three meetings taking place this afternoon with jumps cards from Haydock, Chepstow and Market Rasen.  David has two runners today as Midnight Magic contests the staying handicap chase at Chepstow at 2.50pm and Glen Vine runs in the maiden hurdle at 4.00pm.  Midnight Magic posted a good first effort over fences when only beaten four lengths into fourth at Ffos Las and if he can find a little more experience with that run under his belt, he should certainly be in the picture.  David Noonan is in the saddle.  Glen Vine was a very promising second in a bumper on his racecourse debut and again ran with credit on his first start over timber at Exeter last time.  There are a couple in the line-up with some smart form but our son of Gaspara looks to have sound each way claims under Tom Scudamore

It was a frustrating afternoon yesterday with our five runners yielding four third places.  Know The Score finished third at Wetherby, looking as though he may win between the last two hurdles.  I am not sure that he stayed this longer trip.  Even so, he was not beaten far and should be winning again before too long.  Mrs Miggins ran another solid race to reach the frame again, being beaten only 5½ lengths - she has been knocking on the door and surely it is only a matter of time before one of these comes her way.  I thought that Van Gogh du Granit also ran a nice race on his first start in this country at the age of ten.  This was his first try at this sort of trip and he looks as though it was far enough for him and he would not be at all inconvenienced by a drop back in trip.

Let's hope that Bryony Frost is okay after a nasty fall at Southwell.  She is to get specialist advice on her shoulder injury.  Hopefully she is soon on the mend and back in time for the Grand National meeting at Aintree - she is certainly one of jump racing's biggest assets.

Talking of Liverpool, I see that Gordon Elliott has given the green light for Tiger Roll to defend his Grand Naitonal crown in a couple of weeks' time.  It hardly comes as a surprise as he had a nice racecourse gallop at Cheltenham last week!  Despite being 9lbs higher than when successful last year, he is 8lbs 'well-in' according to the official handicapper.  Speaking of the Grand National, I know that David is playing host to a few members of the Press ahead of the big race (pictured above).  David has five entries for the Aintree centrepiece; Ramses de Teillee, Daklondike, Vieux Lion Rouge, Rathlin Rose and Van Gogh du Granit.

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I thought that footballers were on ridiculous money, but it seems that baseball is the sport to be in.  Mike Trout is due to get the biggest contract in sporting history after the LA Angels offered a contract worth $324 million to keep hold of their star player who is out of contract next year.  You should be able to get a salmon for that sort of money!

I see that Ronnie O'Sullivan is to face disciplinary action for slating yet another tour venue.  He said, "I would go as far as to say that most venues would never pass the hygiene standards."  Love him or hate him, you have to agree that Ronnie keeps snooker in the headlines!

Two ukuleles that were played by George Formby in 1934 made £18,000 at auction recently.  I have some old ping pong bats in my shed - I wonder if they would be worth anything?!

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Why do ghosts go to parties?  To have a wail of a time!  Keep smiling...

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