Which jockey from the famous 1967 National had been deprived of his pedals but still thinks he’d have won?I thoroughly enjoyed speaking to as many of the jockeys who rode in the 1967 Grand National as I could find for this piece about Foinavon’s race. For those of you interested in the subject, I recommend David Owen’s definitive book and Owen was kind enough to put me in touch with a couple of the riders I would otherwise have missed. Related: Tom George hopes Grand National can put gloss on best season as trainer Continue reading...
John Quinn’s Indian Pursuit (8.45) has already built up an impressive record on Newcastle’s new Tapeta circuit and can win there on Friday nightThe 2017 Flat season on turf gets underway at Doncaster tomorrow, when Donncha will be a very live runner in the Lincoln Handicap having not simply hit the bar a few times last season in big-field handicaps, but both posts as well with another goal-bound effort hacked off the line. He was second in the Spring Mile last season after a similar break, and looks like an excellent bet against the favourite Yuften at around 7-1.It is difficult to find a runner at one of today’s meetings that makes quite the same appeal, but Indian Pursuit (8.45)...
Which Grand National runner has had a breathing operation since he last ran? Plus three fancies for Sedgefield todayI appreciate that there is some dispute about the value of wind operations in racehorses but it so happens that I know of a Grand National runner who has had a bit of tinkering to his breathing apparatus since he last ran. I’ve run out of space to mention it in the stories I’ve written over the last couple of days, so here it is now. Related: Derek Fox confident of return to saddle in time for Grand National Continue reading...
Measureofmydreams looks overpriced for the Aintree race a week on Saturday, unless you know something we don’tBeing a bit of a Grand National obsessive, I’ve been turning this year’s race over in what passes for my mind these last few days. I have developed an interest in an outsider that wouldn’t quite justify tipping the beast - not yet, anyway - but I thought I’d share it with you lot in case someone can come up with a convincing reason to leave it alone. Related: Racing news and tips: Blackmore faces race to make Grand National cut Continue reading...
Groundunderrepair (3.00) is very lightly raced and seems certain to benefit from a step up in trip at PlumptonAs ever on a Monday, there is a wide range of ability on show at the day’s three meetings, but the feature races at both Plumpton and Wolverhampton are fascinating contests and deserve close inspection.Plumpton’s main event is a £16,000 handicap hurdle over two-and-a-half miles, and all bar a couple of the 14 declared runners go to post with a chance on their best form. Related: Racing news and tips: Comparing Arrogate and Frankel will trivialise them Continue reading...