Arzal got the Aintree Grand National meeting off to the
best possible start, with an all the way victory in the opening novice
chase.
Gavin Sheehan grabbed a couple of lengths as the tapes
went up – and the horse then made the most of an uncontested lead.
He jumped from fence to fence and still had plenty left, when put under pressure between the final 2 fences.
He jumped from fence to fence and still had plenty left, when put under pressure between the final 2 fences.
It
was a great performance from the horse, under a very well judged ride from his
jockey…
Things didn’t go quite so well in the next, when Footpad
took a heavy fall at the fourth last hurdle.
It
was too far out to be categoric, but he certainly didn’t appear to be travelling
like a winner – and the way Apples Jade took the race apart, you have to think
he would have finished second, at best.
I
was tempted by Apples Jade - but just felt she maybe was flattered by having the
run of the race at Cheltenham.
It
would appear not !!
Next
it was the Betfred bowl – and a magnificent performance from Cue
Card.
He
completely destroyed Don Poli and Djakadam – with the rest beaten out of
sight.
It
was such an imperious performance, you couldn’t help but wonder what might have
been, if he’d not fallen in the Gold Cup.
The
third tip of the day to run, was Camping Ground.
I thought the apparently heavy ground on the hurdle course would play into his hands.
I thought the apparently heavy ground on the hurdle course would play into his hands.
Maybe it did – but if that was the case, then he’s not a
grade 1 performer !
He
struggled to lay up with the principals – and was beaten turning in.
I
know he was a big price, but I really did think he would run much
better.
As
for Annie Power, then she looked as if she would have won, giving her rivals 7lb
– never mind receiving it !!
The
final tip to run, was Richmond in the Foxhunters – and it looked like he was
just there for a day out.
Settled plumb last (rarely a good sign), he’d managed to pass a few – but looked well held when decanting his jockey at the 13th fence.
Settled plumb last (rarely a good sign), he’d managed to pass a few – but looked well held when decanting his jockey at the 13th fence.
I’m
glad I kept stakes tiny…
I
very nearly got the 2 mile handicap chase right – but Katachenkos late baulking
of Viconte du Noyer, scuppered his chances.
It’s
impossible to say whether Viconte would have got up – so Katachenko was never
going to lose the race – but I would have been very interested to see what would
have happened if he’d had a clear run.
Finally, my decision not to tip Copper Kay in the mares
bumper, proved to be the right one.
She ran a fair race, snatching fourth in the final strides – but she never really looked like winning.
She ran a fair race, snatching fourth in the final strides – but she never really looked like winning.
Unlike her stablemate, Little Miss Poet, who despite
starting at 33/1, looked like dotting up, when she hit the front 2 furlongs
out.
However, she had made her challenge a bit too soon – and
faded close home.
If Dickie had been on board, it might all have been different…
If Dickie had been on board, it might all have been different…
TVB.
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