EP: 266 Aintree – Grand National Day & Hong Kong April 12, 2024 For many, the Grand National is the greatest race in the world and Saturday is the big day for the maximum field of 34 runners. Aintree also hosts three Grade 1 races on what should be another fantastic day of jumps racing. City AM Racing editor Bill Esdaile previews Aintree’s Grand National Day action, with [...]
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 [...]
EP: 265 Aintree – Friday April 10, 2024 There are another four Grade 1 races to look forward to at Aintree on Friday, plus the Topham Chase, run over 2m 5f over the grand national course, during a fantastic day of racing in Liverpool. City AM Racing editor Bill Esdaile previews Friday’s Ladies Day Aintree action. Hosted by Chris Barnett. The Punter ‘The Punter’ [...]
Success is written in the stars for Purton and Shum April 9, 2024 HONG Kong racing enthusiasts can look forward to a rain-free nine-race programme at Happy Valley today, with a number of highly competitive handicaps on show. A rogue lightning storm scuppered calculations at Sha Tin last Sunday, with numerous jockeys commenting that a change to a soft surface during racing had contributed to their gallopers running [...]
Show Respect for Cruz’s Winning Heart under Bentley April 9, 2024 THERE is just no stopping the legendary Tony Cruz saddling winners in Hong Kong at present. His stable recorded a staggering 11 victories in the month of March, not including Group One California Spangle’s success in Dubai, and that run is showing no signs of abating. With another three victories last week, Cruz brought up [...]