Author: GrandNationalpro Staff
Our expert brings you insider tips for the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle, the first Grade 1 contests on Grand National day at Aintree.Many of these are dipping a first hoof into pattern race company having proved prolific in less-exalted novice events but Messire Des Obeaux is an exception. He won the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle in December and was a close-up third in the Neptune Investment at Cheltenham, though has been on the go for a while. FINIAN’S OSCAR was forced to miss Cheltenham after suffering a minor setback but he looks the one to beat in this if back fighting fit.…
Insider tips for the Betway Handicap Chase, the second handicap on Grand National day at Aintree.There’s no time to draw breath before the big race as 18 runners are due to contest this always-competitive handicap on the Mildmay course. Emerging Force, Potters Legend and Relentless Dreamer all ran well in different races at Cheltenham last month. Value At Risk in unexposed over fences but racing for the first time since October. Thomas Brown won over 2m4f here in November but has been successful over further and is an interesting runner. STARCHITECT never really got involved in a Grade 3 at The Festival but was…
Harry Fry confirmed yesterday that Unowhatimeanharry, the beaten Stayers’ Hurdle favourite and 2016 Albert Bartlett champion, will skip a showdown with Yanworth in the Liverpool Hurdle and head to the Punchestown Festival instead.Everyone in the horse racing world will have been looking forward to a stunning showdown between Yanworth and Unowhatimeanharry in the Liverpool Hurdle on Saturday afternoon. Both are looking to bounce back quickly from underwhelming performances at the Cheltenham Festival, with Alan King and J.P. McManus deeming the time right to push Yanworth up to three miles for the first time.Sadly, this clash of the titans has been…
Following conflicting reports on Thursday afternoon, Katie Walsh is set to keep her ride in the Grand National, despite a heavy fall in the Foxhunters Chase at Aintree.The Chair has claimed many victims over the years and as Distime made a mess of his landing following a leap over Aintree’s infamous fence, Katie Walsh was thrown from the saddle in the Foxhunters. Paul Nicholls will have been dismayed to see Walsh crash to the turf and looked on in horror as she was clattered by a following horse when attempting to protect herself on the ground.Early medical examinations looked bad, with…
Jack Kennedy will join the list of 17-year-old’s to ride in the Grand National, when he saddles Gordon Elliott’s Roi Des Francs in the main event on Saturday afternoon.Kennedy hit the headlines over here in England when he rode Labaik to victory in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the first race of the Cheltenham Festival, but in Ireland, the young jockey’s reputation has steadily been building, thanks to some stunning victories and the incredible consistency and natural talent for riding he shows on a daily basis.He is widely expected to take up the mantle the likes of Ruby Walsh and A.P.…
A full, updated list of the 40 horses who are set to contest the 2017 Grand National. Carlingford Lough was the name that headlined the latest list of withdrawals from the Grand National field over the weekend. Following their removal from the entries, the weights and numbers have had to be reassigned accordingly. Here is an updated list of the 40 horses who will battle it out for the 2017 Grand National on Saturday 8th April. *Number, name, age, weight, jockey, trainer, current best odds* 1. THE LAST SAMURI, 9, 11-10, David Bass, Kim Bailey, 16/1 2. MORE OF THAT, 9, 11-6,…
If Barry Geraghty though having to choose between More Of That and Cause Of Causes in the Grand National was difficult, he must now choose between two of the favourites in the Liverpool Hurdle. Geraghty will have watched on from his treatment table as Unowhatimeanharry’s unbeaten streak came to an end in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, but he will have an excellent chance of bouncing back to winning ways in the Liverpool Hurdle on Saturday afternoon. After he tumbled back through the field in the Champion Hurdle, Geraghty will have fancied Yanworth’s chances over the extended trip in the…
Following the withdrawal of Carlingford Lough, along with several other notable names, The Last Samuri has been pushed up to the top of the weights on his return to the Grand National on Saturday.As the highest-rated entrant in the field, Carlingford Lough was set to carry the heaviest weight burden into Aintree. However, his withdrawal means Kim Bailey’s charge’s task has been made even more difficult and The Last Samuri will carry 11-10 to post with him on Saturday afternoon. Despite this weight hike, his trainer is still sweet on The Last Samuri’s chances of improving on the second place finish he…
It was the ultimate showdown of car vs horse. Leading trainer Dan Skelton took on jockey Harry Skelton in a battle in the Cotswolds. But who would you have backed? The 2017 Grand National meeting is finally here and luxury Italian car brand Maserati are celebrating by exploring the capabilities of the first ever Maserati SUV, by pitting it against leading point-to-pointer Dinnie O. To add spice to the intriguing clash, National Hunt Trainer and Maserati ambassador Dan Skelton was behind the wheel. Brother and jockey Harry Skelton was in the saddle – and the battle took place in front of…
After falling at the first hurdle on his quest for the triple-triple of festival Foxhunter titles, On The Fringe will return to action at Aintree as he looks to bounce back to winning ways. On The Fringe created history last season. Enda Bolger’s charge won the Foxhunters races at the Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown Festival for the second year in a row, becoming the first horse ever to land the double-triple of Foxhunters festival titles. A runner-up finish to Foxrock on his one and only pre-festival prep run was an encouraging start to the season in February and On The…