Trainer Fergal O’Brien is confident the horse will do better than last year when he was struggling with a poisoned footTrust Fergal O’Brien to come up with one of the most interesting things said to me by various Grand National-seeking trainers in the last few days. The Gloucestershire trainer expects to have two runners in the race and was ready with an answer when I asked why Perfect Candidate should do any better than last year’s National, when he was pulled up four from home. Related: Grand National: Go Conquer and the injured As De Mee miss out Wolverhampton 2.10 Mighty Zip 2.40 Flying Sparkle 3.15 Fast Track 3.45 Sunshineandbubbles 4.20 Runaiocht 4.50 Baghdad (nb) 5.20 Ghost Continue reading...
Dry forecast for next five days suggests Aintree runners will face better conditions than those for Monday’s Irish NationalWhen I spoke to Andrew Tulloch, Aintree’s clerk of the course, last night, he jokingly described the going on the Grand National course as “flippers and snorkels stuff”. But the good news is that he doesn’t foresee the race taking place on bad ground a week on Saturday, having been given quite a bit of hope by a dry forecast. Related: Bright object may have fazed Bellshill in Irish Grand National, says Willie Mullins Lingfield 1.40 Ertidaad 2.10 Mime Dance 2.45 Flavius Titus 3.15 Faay 3.45 Newstead Abbey 4.15 Sweet Symphony 4.45 Interlink (nb) 5.15 Night Story Continue reading...
Ruth Jefferson’s stable star, who beat Cue Card at Ascot, has been forced onto the sidelines for an indefinite periodI’m afraid Waiting Patiently has become a victim of nominative determinism and is now on the sidelines for an indefinite period. The classy animal’s trainer, Ruth Jefferson, reports this morning that he has had a setback in training and will not run again this season. Related: General Principle gives Gordon Elliott his first Irish Grand National victory Lingfield 2.20 Warrior’s Valley (nap) 2.55 Jungle Inthebungle 3.25 The Jungle VIP 3.55 Kawasir 4.25 Sandra’s Secret 5.00 Le Torrent (nb) 5.30 Our Cilla Continue reading...
The lameness that showed up at Cheltenham will prevent last year’s runner-up from another spin round Aintree in a fortnight In case you weren’t aware, Cause Of Causes is definitely out of this year’s Grand National, having been runner-up in last year’s race. It’s hardly unexpected news after he ran so deplorably and was found to be lame at the Cheltenham Festival, and the Irish Times finally put a line through him in their racing story yesterday; I think it deserves a headline, as the horse has plenty of followers. I see that he’s still being traded on Betfair. Related: BHA apologises for latest blunder in Kempton Park photo-finish error Wetherby 2.00 Pirate Look 2.30 Away For Slates 3.05 Glance Back...
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities should threaten to remove international Group and Graded status from drug-associated races such as those at the Breeders’ Cup, say Timeform “Sport is losing its battle with drugs.” That statement by Timeform in their latest Racehorses annual out this week may arguably be levelled at cycling and athletics given the recent lurid headlines but racing cannot afford to be complacent, according to the respected tipping organisation.While “efforts are still being made by a vocal minority in North American racing to prohibit the use of raceday medication on that continent,” Timeform point out “[that] drugs that are banned in nearly every other major racing jurisdiction are still being freely injected.” Related: Winx will target fourth...