Jim Culloty: Grand National is not scary at all! April 12, 2024 THE GRAND National was one of Jim Culloty’s favourite, and apparently easiest, races as a jockey, winning the 2002 renewal aboard Bindaree. Looking back on his previous rides in the race, Culloty revealed that he wasn’t at all scared by facing some of the biggest fences that National Hunt racing has to offer. Culloty, [...]
Jim Culloty: Bindaree needed one chance and the rest was history April 12, 2024 AS A jockey Jim Culloty rode some of the best around and will forever be associated with the three-time Gold Cup winner Best Mate, while later he would train the winner of the Cheltenham showpiece himself, when successful with Lord Windermere in 2014. Culloty also won the Grand National as a rider aboard Bindaree in [...]
Waters the one to end Mullins’ National drought April 10, 2024 YOU CAN almost certainly count on one hand the amount of big races that Willie Mullins has won only once. And while Saturday’s Randox Grand National (4.00pm) isn’t exactly an easy race to win, the fact the Closutton supremo has only trained the winner of it once will be a statistic he’ll be keen to [...]
Rain at Aintree but Brighterdaysahead nonetheless April 10, 2024 IT HAS been a miserable winter, but the rain clearly has no interest in ceasing in time for Grand National day, hence heavy ground form is looking the most persuasive, even at this time of year. With that in mind, Dan Skelton’s GWENNIE MAY BOY could be the one in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle [...]
Tres Bon Jon set for more success stepping up in trip April 10, 2024 IT HAS been a miserable couple of months for Nicky Henderson. Not only has he had to deal with the setbacks to his stable star Constitution Hill, but a sickness bug worked its way through the yard, resulting in no winners at the Cheltenham Festival and some high-profile absentees. JONBON was one of them in [...]
Bridge and Water won’t be troubled by handicap marks April 10, 2024 DAN Skelton’s knack of plundering valuable handicap hurdles has been clear for all to see. Langer Dan has been haunting the handicapper since winning the William Hill Handicap Hurdle (2:20pm) for the Skeltons in 2022, and tomorrow they fire five bullets at this year’s renewal. Harry has opted to ride 7/1 favourite Kateira, who could [...]
Impaire to not let his rivals Passe in Aintree Hurdle April 10, 2024 AINTREE’s Grand National Festival gets underway today and while the big race on Saturday will be the spectacle many are waiting for, today’s card is full of top-quality contests. I struggled to find a bet in the opening two Grade Ones, as I expect the Manifesto (1.45pm) to be fought out by the one-two from [...]
A drop of Whiskey will go down well in a competitive Red Rum April 10, 2024 AFTER plenty of small fields to begin the day’s card, the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (4.40pm) – always a competitive contest on Day One of the Grand National meeting – provides better each-way betting prospects. Last year’s winner Dancing On My Own is back to repeat the feat under Rachael Blackmore and recent [...]
Cemhaan can have another day in the Kempton Sunshine April 2, 2024 MANY people will be casting an eye ahead to Aintree with the Grand National little over a week away, and while this weekend is a low-key affair there are a few horses that have caught my eye at Kempton. The Listed Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes (2.05pm) is the feature on the card and despite having to [...]
Progressive Prince ready to rule the roost at Kelso April 2, 2024 UP AT Kelso, the action isn’t of the highest quality but it’s certainly competitive. I didn’t find that many betting opportunities in all honesty, but I did think PRINCE DES FICHAUX might finally get his day in the sun for his new yard in the Paxtons For Kverneland Machinery & Genuine Spares Handicap Chase (3.00pm). [...]
