A Trio at Chepstow!

All eyes will be on Aintree at 5.15pm this afternoon for the Grand National.  While sadly we do not have any runners in the great race this year, I am looking forward to watching the big race.  I will never forget the feeling we had at Pond House 15 years ago when Comply Or Die was victorious, giving David his first ever National win in 2008.  The horse and Timmy Murphy were a joy to watch on the way around and I remember having tipped him to all my non-racing friends who thought I was a hero after the race!  The celebrations were memorable and lasted for days!  Comply or Die returned to Aintree the following year and ran another gallant race to be second to Mon Mome.  I think Noble Yeats may do the same today, run a great race but be placed and my fun bet will probably be on Delta Work.

Vieux Lion Rouge is at Aintree today and is parading with former winners of the National.  While he didn’t win it himself he loved the Grand National Fences.  He won the Becher Chase twice in 2016 and 2020 and finished runner up in 2018.  He has jumped 254 Grand National Fences in his career, more than any other horse in history.  He ran in the Grand National five times with sixth his best finishing position.  Unfortunately for us he just didn’t quite see out the 4m4f test in the National itself but excelled in the Becher Chase over the shorter distance.  He is loving retirement and will love his outing back to his favourite racecourse today.  The parade is happening about 12 noon and I am sure they will show them on the TV, if not live then at some point throughout the afternoon so look out for him!

Today we have three runners at Chepstow, Hammer Dan, Abaya Du Mathan and Royal Mer.  Hammer Dan runs in the opening novices hurdle on the card at 12.45pm with Fergus Gillard on board.  He is unlikely to be winning today but he is more of a long term project and will be seen in better light next season.  Abaya Du Mathan runs in the 3.10pm handicap chase over 2m3f with amateur Gearoid Harney in the saddle.  He has run well in his last two starts with Gearoid on board and ran his best race for a long time when second at Hereford on his latest start.  The winner that day, Grizzly James re-opposes today and while that one might be hard to beat, if the ground has not got too soft then hopefully he will not be far away again.  Royal Mer runs in the 2m3f handicap hurdle with Philip Armson on board.  He ran well at Hereford last time to be second, his first start since a wind operation.  The softer the ground the better for him and I can see him running well today at about 13/2.  The track, ground and trip should all be in his favour and fingers crossed he might be able to get his first win.

There are three jumps meetings today, Aintree, Chepstow and Newcastle and there are two flat cards at Yarmouth and Wolverhampton. 

There are lots of Premier League football matches today with the early kick off being Aston Villa at home to Newcastle at 12.30. The evening kick off at 5.30pm is Manchester City at home to Leicester City.  Plenty of sporting action for us all to look forward to today!

One sloth turned to the other and said: “I never used to like moss….but now it’s starting to grow on me”!  Have a good day!