SECOND CAN TURN THIRD INTO FIRST THIS TIME AROUND April 7, 2022 Bill Esdaile’s Grand National 1-2-3-4-5 Any Second Now Run Wild Fred Delta Work Longhouse Poet Fortescue BUSINESS as usual. That’s the message from Aintree as the crowds flock back in their thousands after last year’s ‘behind-closed-doors’ Randox Grand National. However, one notable absentee this year is Tiger Roll, who will not be bidding for a historic [...]
Three Stripe Life looks a Steel in Mersey Novices’ Hurdle April 7, 2022 SATURDAY’S Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2.25pm) doesn’t look the most competitive Grade One and the one that stands out on form is Gordon Elliott’s THREE STRIPE LIFE. This son of Leading Light has finished second in each of his three starts this season – all in Grade One company – and on the last two occasions has [...]
Mac Tottie can light up Ladies’ Day in Topham April 7, 2022 TODAY’S Randox Topham Chase (4.05pm) is the only chance for many of the Grand National jockeys to get a sight of the famous fences ahead of tomorrow’s big one. They’ll of course already be eyeing up National glory, but this would certainly be the ideal preparation ahead of the world’s greatest steeplechase. As with most big handicaps [...]
European football confirms new ‘financial sustainability regulations’ to replace FFP April 7, 2022 European football’s governing body Uefa has confirmed the adoption of new “financial sustainability regulations” to replace its controversial financial fair play rules (FFP). The biggest change under the new system will see clubs’ spending on wages, transfers and agents capped at 70 per cent of revenue. The financial sustainability regulations will apply to all teams [...]
EP: 123 Aintree – Friday April 7, 2022 We can look forward to some high class jumps racing at Aintree on Friday, a day before the Grand National takes place. Four Grade 1 races feature on Friday, alongside the Topham Handicap Chase which is run over the national fences, albeit over a shorter trip. City A.M. racing editor Bill Esdaile previews the best [...]
Nikita Mazepin: I lost my seat in Formula 1 because of ‘cancel culture against Russia’ April 7, 2022 Russian motor racing driver Nikita Mazepin says he is a victim of “cancel culture” following his sacking by Formula 1 team Haas. Mazepin lost his seat at the US outfit on the eve of the 2022 season when Haas cut all ties with Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine. Haas’s main sponsor [...]
Ed Warner: Trans debate has echoes of Semenya legal row but ‘meaningfulness’ may be buzzword April 7, 2022 It’s a pity Emily Bridges was blocked from competing in the National Omnium Championships in Derby last weekend. Yes, the cyclist would have been at the centre of an unsavoury media scrum, but we would have gathered one more valuable data point with which to try and balance the febrile debate about transgender women in [...]
It looks just the White Thyme to take Rum Before Midnight  April 6, 2022 YOU’VE got to have a few pounds in hand to win today’s Red Rum Chase (4:40pm) at Aintree. Last year’s winner, Editeur Du Gite, won off a mark of 132, and has since gone on to win competitive handicaps at Cheltenham off 140, 147 and finish fourth in unsuitably heavy ground Grand Annual off 153. [...]
Fresh Kemboy can give Mullins another Bowl April 6, 2022 THERE is no mistake that currently the Irish have the upper hand in National Hunt racing. Tornado Flyer’s dominant victory in the King George and a clean sweep of all four championship races at the Cheltenham Festival were further evidence that they are streets ahead of their British counterparts at the moment. It’s certainly a [...]
Brazil set to silence the Piper at Aintree April 6, 2022 PLENTY predicted another Irish whitewash at this year’s Cheltenham Festival but luckily the home team held their own until the last day at least. That said, one division where the Irish appear to hold all the aces is the juveniles with dominant performances in both the Triumph Hurdle and the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. Irish-trained horses [...]