PART I
DIARY – AINTREE FESTIVAL
GRAND NATIONAL DAY
SATURDAY 14 APRIL 2018
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The winner of the Maghull
Novices Chase, Diego Du Charmil, trained by
Paul Nicholls and ridden by Harry Cobden I
was awake at 06:00, woken by my alarm.
I showered, including washing and drying my hair. Sandra
and I reported for breakfast at 07:15; the same time every day, apart from
Sunday, by which time we were chilling out!
It was a full-English breakfast again today, having paid in advance –
three rashers of bacon, a pork sausage, mushrooms, half a fried tomato and
today, just for a change, scrambled egg rather than an omelette. In addition, I ate two yoghurts, and a cold
croissant with butter; I also drank a glass of cranberry juice. Having
returned to my room, I applied my war-paint and was soon ready to depart; to
fill any free time during my stay, I’d taken my current knitting project with
me to the hotel. However, I only
managed to complete six rows during my entire stay! Today’s
outfit was two light-weight cream-coloured thermal T-shirts, a
lavender-coloured thermal T-shirt, a cream fleece-lined thermal T-shirt, a
mauve BHS cardigan, a grey/black dogtooth-check fishtail hem Dottie P skirt,
a bright purple fleece, a black fleece gillet, a black
BHS coat which cost me just £20 a few years ago, a pair of black jeggings, my black Hotter ‘Danville’ ankle boots, and favourite multi-coloured River Island
scarf. Also a purple Kipling Defea-style handbag;
the one I’d used all week. But I forgot my ‘horse-design’ snood today.
It
was actually a sunny and warm April day ... but I didn’t intend to take any
chances with regards to clothes; I’d rather be slightly too hot, than too
cold. After
yesterday’s problem with my car bonnet, we decided to travel to Aintree in
Sandra’s car. We departed just before
09:30, taking around 35 minutes to reach the racecourse. Being the busiest Festival day of the
three, it took some time for us to clear the vehicle security check. However, this worked to our advantage, as
we were directed to park within the row of cars immediately adjacent to the
entrance; in fact we were the nearest vehicle to said entrance, being just
three or four metres away! Having
had our handbags checked, our bodies scanned and tickets scanned too, we
walked across the Melling Road and race-track in
order to catch a bus to the grandstand side of the course. Having alighted, we headed along the
concourse to buy a couple of race-cards; the kiosk backed onto the Queen
Mother stand. We then bought two
bottles of water and paid a visit to the ladies loo, the one situated to the
rear of the Earl of Derby stand. It
was already time for us to reserve our space for the remainder of the
afternoon, beside the horse-walk exit gateway. I did pop away briefly, to buy a copy of
the Racing Post whilst Sandra guarded our spot. This
year, we’d foregone the opportunity to undertake the Grand National course
walk; we’d been let in late on Thursday, Friday had been wet, and today it
was imperative to reserve our vantage point as early as possible. Besides, I didn’t fancy wearing myself out,
having been suffering from a niggling pelvis issue since the beginning of
January. The
Parade of Champions took place again today – taking part were Bindaree (2002), Silver Birch (2007), Mon Mome (2009), Neptune Collonges
(2012), Pineau De Re (2014), and Rule The World
(2016); Don’t Push It (2010) also appeared today, having not been available
to take part in the parade on Thursday and Friday – he lives at JP McManus’ stud
in Ireland, spending his time with his best friend Sweeps Hill. The horses paraded in the Paddock
initially; then out upon the racecourse itself. For
the past two days the grass surface, where the horses exited onto the
racecourse, had suffered a lot of wear and tear caused by flying hooves; the
ground was described as soft on the Mildmay course
and heavy on the Grand National course.
Unlike two years ago, when a pretty pathetic attempt had been made to
repair the damage, a case of too little too late, this year the ground staff
had done an excellent job, with the area immediately outside the horse-walk
completely covered by sand. Grand
National winning ex-jockey, now a TV racing presenter, Mick Fitzgerald was
inducted into the Hall of Fame today. As
usual, ahead of the races, we spent time people-watching. Today we saw ITV Racing’s Oli Bell, jockey Harry Cobden, ex-jockey Carl Llewellyn,
jockey Tom Bellamy, veteran jockey Andrew Thornton, BBC racing correspondent
Cornelius Lysaught, amateur jockey Katie Walsh,
journalist and former amateur jockey Brough Scott,
jockeys James and Sean Bowen, the lovely Tom Stanley representing RUK, Grand
National winning amateur jockey and now journalist Marcus Armytage,
racing commentator Richard Hoiles, trainer Evan
Williams along with stable jockey Adam Wedge, Robert Waley-Cohen
without his sons today, trainer Fergal O’Brien and his partner Sally Randell, trainer Philip Hobbs and his wife Diana, along
with injury sidelined jockey Ian Popham; also Grand
National winning ex-jockey Jimmy Frost, father of jockey Bryony. Jockeys Tom Scudamore
and Barry Geraghty went to walk the course. Sandra was disappointed that Oli Bell is a smoker! My
work colleague, Toni, had texted me whilst I was preparing to depart for the racecourse;
she was also in the Earl of Derby enclosure today. However, she didn’t manage to locate me,
despite the fact I told her what I was wearing and the fact that I never
moved from my position throughout the afternoon! Needless to say, I wasn’t going to go in
search of her, just in case I lost my place! Anyway,
the off time of the first race was 13:45.
The
favourite for the first race of the day was Mr Big Shot, trained by David
Pipe and ridden by Tom Scudamore; price 7-1. My non-betting selection was Debece. Just one
grey in this race, Fixe Le Kap. The
starting gate for this event was part way down the home straight, with one
flight then two full circuits to travel.
And
then they were off, with Knight Of Noir, Ah Littleluck,
Debece and the urged into stride Connetable leading the way to the first flight; Tikkenbar brought up the rear as the runners negotiated
this obstacle safely. The twenty
runners continued down towards the winning post with two circuits to travel;
the keen running Debece took a narrow advantage as
they headed around the bottom bend. Having
entered the back straight the field was already quite strung out; the
competitors cleared the second flight without incident. Connetable and Tikkanbar were far from fluent at the third. The runners continued along the back
straight, crossing the sanded track-way on their approach to the fourth
flight. Debece
remained at the head of affairs, from Ah Littleluck;
Tikkanbar was slightly detached at the back of the
field having not performed well in the jumping stakes thus far. It was the latter’s first run in a handicap
event. Having
his first run for 372 days, the Tim Vaughan-trained runner continued to
spearhead the field as they headed around the top bend. He was followed by Ah Littleluck,
Connetable and Knight Of Noir. Behind these travelled Sykes, The Mighty
Don, Now McGinty, Golan Fortune, Red Indian, Sir Mangan, Fixe Le Kap, Fortunate
George, Shannon Bridge, Mr Big Shot, Jeannot De Nonant, Prime Venture, Jaleo,
No Hassle Hoff, Louis’ Vac Pouch and Tikkanbar. The
runners entered the home straight and continued their journey to the fifth
flight; Debece made an error at this one but he
remained ahead of his rivals and, with ears pricked, led them down towards
and over the next. Having completed
one circuit, all twenty runners were still standing as they headed towards
the seventh flight; Ah Littleluck jumped the
obstacle upsides Debece. Jeannot De Nonant was less than fluent at this one which, in turn,
caused Richard Johnson to take evasive action aboard Louis’ Vac Pouch in
order to avoid the former’s hindquarters upon landing. Debece continued to
bowl along at the head of affairs as they headed down past the winning post,
with one circuit now to travel. In
contrast, against the inside rail, Connetable was
already being ridden along; also, on one occasion, his jockey Harry Cobden
administered encouragement with his whip.
It was no avail however, as his mount began to lose his position as
they entered the back straight; Connetable made an
error at the next, as did Tikkanbar. The
long-time leader had stepped up a gear as they continued to the ninth flight;
The Mighty Don dislodged the orange strip as he crossed the flight, leaving
it lying on the ground some distance from the obstacle. A number of the runners were beginning to
lose touch as they headed across the sanded track-way once more; namely
Louis’ Vac Pouch, Connetable and Tikkanbar. The
fourth last was subsequently cleared without incident and Debece
led the field into the top bend, from Ah Littleluck,
Sykes and Now McGinty; now struggling to remain in
touch with the back of the main group was Jeannot
De Nonant. There
was no change at the head of affairs as the runners entered the home straight
for the final time. The Tim
Vaughan-trained runner led them over the third last; not far off the pace and
to the inside of the track, Fixe Le Kap made an
error at this one and Mr Big Shot was less than fluent too. The horses continued down the straight to
the second last, with Debece refusing to relinquish
the lead; his nearest challengers were Ah Littleluck,
Mr Big Shot and Now McGinty as they jumped it. Also in the leading group were Sykes, The
Mighty Don, Prime Venture and Red Indian. The
long-time leader finally succumbed as they continued down towards the final
flight; Mr Big Shot had taken the narrow advantage as they cleared this
obstacle, with Now McGinty subsequently heading the
David Pipe-trained runner shortly afterwards.
However, although Now McGinty stayed on well
as they continued down the run-in, Mr Big Shot rallied, proving the stronger
and went on to win by three quarters of a length at the line. Although
having made a mistake two out when outpaced, Ah Littleluck
plugged on to claim 3rd; a distance of 10¾ lengths behind the runner-up and
beating the very game Debece into 4th by a
neck. The Mighty Don was 5th, Prime
Venture 6th, Red Indian 7th and Fixe Le Kap
8th. All twenty completed the course,
with Fortunate George crossing the line in last place. The
winner was stepping up in trip today, having run in the extended 2 mile 4
furlongs Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival – in
other words, the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ race! He’d finished 10th of 23 that day. Mr Big Shot is by Flemensfirth,
this was his fifth run today, having not started off pointing like many
others; he’s owned by Professor Caroline Tisdall. Jockey Tom Scudamore
described his mount as still ‘green’
and said he hasn’t got a ‘nasty bone’
in his body.
We remained beside the walkway exit gate following
completion of the race. Race 1 - 1:45pm THE GASKELLS HANDICAP HURDLE RACE (CLASS 1) (Grade 3) The performance of GOLAN FORTUNE (IRE), which
finished unplaced, was considered. Phil Middleton explained that the gelding
weakened quickly from the third last hurdle. The Veterinary Officer reported
that a post-race examination of GOLAN FORTUNE (IRE) during routine testing
failed to reveal any abnormalities. The favourite for the next race was the Nicky
Henderson-trained, Nico de Boinville-ridden,
On The Blind Side; price 11-8. He’d
missed Cheltenham due to a minor set-back.
Alan
King had a runner in this race, namely Chosen Path ridden by Wayne
Hutchinson. Another
competitor was Black Op, trained by Tom George; he’d finished 2nd to Samcro in the Grade 1 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the
Cheltenham Festival. There
were no greys in this race. The
starting gate for this event was located in the back straight, between the
first and second flights therein.
And then they were off, with Brianstorm
leading the way to the first flight of hurdles; Chosen Path wasn’t fluent at
this one. The runners continued their
journey down the back straight, crossing the sanded track-way before reaching
the second obstacle. At this flight it
was Better Getalong’s turn to make an error. Heading
into the top bend, Brianstorm led the field by
around three lengths, from the favourite On The Blind Side, Silver Concorde,
Black Op, Western Ryder, Momella, Kildisart, Better Getalong, Lostintranslation, Chosen Path, Euxton
Lane and Aye Aye Charlie. There
was no change at the head of affairs as the runners entered the home straight
for the first time, with the hooded Brianstorm
leading the way. Once again, Chosen
Path wasn’t fluent at the first flight therein. The horses continued to the fourth flight,
which the Munir/Souede-owned
Kildisart hit.
The twelve-strong field subsequently journeyed to the next, which
would be the final flight after another circuit of the track. Chosen Path received a slap down his neck
having jumped it. Heading
down towards the winning post the order was Brianstorm,
from On The Blind Side and Silver Concorde.
These were followed by Black Op alongside Western Ryder, after which
travelled the sole mare Momella, then Better Getalong, Lostintranslation,
Chosen Path, Kildisart, Aye Aye
Charlie and, finally, Euxton Lane. Just
beyond the post, the runners swung left-handed to travel around the bottom
bend and into the back straight for the final time. The main body of the field had closed upon
the long-time leader by the time they reached the sixth flight, with Black Op
now in second position; Better Getalong made an
error here and dropped back through the field. Surprisingly Kildisart,
which had won the Kempton Park Festival consolation race in March, had soon
been relegated to last place. The
runners cleared the middle flight in the back straight without incident;
subsequently heading across the sanded track-way before reaching four
out. Western Ryder made a mistake at
this one whilst travelling in mid-field; Better Getalong
was now at the rear of the field and Silver Concorde would join him as they
headed around the top turn. Meanwhile
Black Op, who’d been lobbing happily along behind the leader for a while,
took the advantage as the runners entered the home straight; although he did
make an error three out. He retained a
narrow lead on the journey towards two out, with Momella
and Western Ryder laying down their challenges to the near-side. Lostintranslation
moved into fourth position as they cleared the penultimate flight, the
favourite having blundered here when under pressure. The
leading group of seven, which also included Euxton
Lane and Aye Aye Charlie, had pulled well clear of
their rivals on the run to the final obstacle. Western Ryder’s challenge began to falter
at this point, with Momella and Lostintranslation
continuing to press the Tom George-trained runner for the lead. Neither Black Op nor Lostintranslation
jumped the last flight well, although they’d seen off the mare by this stage.
The
battle was joined after the last with Noel Fehily
and Robbie Power offering their mounts every encouragement as they headed
down towards the winning post, neither wishing to lose. And it wasn’t until the last 100 yards that
Black Op finally proved the stronger, winning by just half a length at the
line. Momella claimed 3rd
place, 3 lengths further back, with Aye Aye Charlie
one length behind her in 4th. Western
Ryder completed in 5th, On The Blind Side 6th, Euxton
Lane 7th, Chosen Path 8th; the last to finish was Kildisart,
as the remaining three had been pulled up. The
winning jockey Noel Fehily said his mount jumps
well during the race when amongst runners but may have been distracted by the
crowds when making errors late on; also that Black Op is ‘crying out for a fence’. Lostintranslation
did briefly get his head in front just after the last, with Black Op battling
back to win. Noel described it as dead
ground today, very tiring for the horses – hard work in fact. Tom
George was hoping that Black Op would go chasing next season with, in the
same ownership, the Supreme Novices’ winner Summerville Boy remaining over
hurdles.
Again we remained beside
the course-side rails following the second race. Race 2 - 2:25pm THE BETWAY MERSEY NOVICES' HURDLE RACE
(CLASS 1) (Grade 1) Following the race, Nico
de Boinville reported that ON THE BLIND SIDE (IRE),
placed sixth, weakened quickly from the second last hurdle and the Veterinary
Officer reported that a post-race examination of the gelding failed to reveal
any abnormalities. The Veterinary Officer also reported that BETTER GETALONG
(IRE), which was pulled up, lost its left hind shoe. The odds-on favourite for the next race was the
highly-strung Petit Mouchoir, ridden by Davy
Russell; price 4-5. Trained by Henry
de Bromhead, the grey played up when coming through
the tunnel onto the racecourse. He had
bumped into and dislodged the guard rails when he exited the Parade Ring and
Davy was unable to get aboard until he’d reached the ‘corral’ in front of the stands ... and, even then, it was with
difficulty. Petit Mouchoir
travelled to the starting gate okay though. My
fancy was Lady Buttons. The starting gate for this event was in the far
corner of the track; the cross fence being the first obstacle.
And
then they were off, with Shantou Rock bounding into the lead as they headed
towards the first obstacle; the cross-fence.
Petit Mouchoir jumped the fence in second
position and Davy Russell had to restrain his overexcited mount as they
headed around the bend and into the home straight on the first occasion. Lady Buttons tracked the leading duo, from
Diego Du Charmil, Delegate and the restrained Kauto Riko well in rear. The
runners continued to the second fence, where Delegate dived over it
slightly. The next fence was the first
of three open-ditches to be jumped during the race; they all cleared this
well, although Kauto Riko
was rather slow in rear and already in danger of losing touch with his
rivals. The horses subsequently
journeyed across the Grand National track to reach the fourth fence, which
they cleared without incident. Shantou
Rock continued to lead the way as the runners headed down past the packed
grandstands and around the bottom bend.
There was no change in the order as they entered the back straight,
although the backmarker had closed the gap upon his rivals slightly. The first four cleared the fifth fence
without issue, but Delegate clobbered it and skewed in the air before landing
safely; jockey Brian Hughes glanced beneath his left arm to check upon the
whereabouts of Kauto Riko
as they headed towards the next fence.
His rival remained a few lengths adrift. Meanwhile
the horses continued to the next obstacle, with Shantou Rock remaining at the
head of affairs; there were no noticeable errors at this one. The following fence was the second of the
open-ditches. The leader jumped this
one a little slowly and Delegate made another error but remained in fifth
position despite this. The
runners continued along the back straight, heading over the sanded track-way
as they journeyed to the eighth fence.
The leading four cleared this well, with their two rivals fencing more
slowly and well adrift. There was no change
at the head of affairs as the horses headed into the top bend; one circuit
now completed and with four fences still to negotiate. The
leading group jumped the cross-fence well, with the remaining two some
distance behind them but, presumably, with an eye on the prizes for 5th and
6th place of £2,210 and £1,100 respectively!
The runners entered the home straight, still led by Shantou Rock and
he was half a length up upon Petit Mouchoir as they
cleared three out; the latter having got a little close to the fence
too. Meanwhile Kauto
Riko had relegated Delegate to last position. The
penultimate fence was the final open-ditch and the grey narrowly headed the
long-time leader as they successfully cleared it. However, having appeared to master Shantou
Flyer, a new rival appeared on the scene in the shape of Diego Du Charmil and the two travelled neck and neck as they
headed across the Grand National course on their way to the final
obstacle. The
Paul Nicholls-trained runner began to assert as the fence approached,
although he did drift to his left which meant that Davy Russell had to switch
behind him. Meanwhile, Lady Buttons
had moved into third position ahead of Shantou Flyer. The leader flew over the final fence, where
Petit Mouchoir was less fluent. Harry Cobden then drove out his mount all
the way to the line; the winning margin was 2½ lengths over the Irish
raider. Having
been outpaced by the leading duo, Lady Buttons and Shantou Flyer were
involved in a protracted duel after the last, with the latter claiming third
prize, 6 lengths behind the runner-up and a neck in front of the mare. Kauto Riko cantered across the line in 5th, 24 lengths further
back, with Delegate last, another 24 lengths behind him. It
was trainer Paul Nicholls’ 7th winner of this particular race.
Yet
again, Sandra and I remained at our ‘post’
following the race! Race 3 - 3:00pm THE DOOM BAR MAGHULL NOVICES' STEEPLE CHASE
(CLASS 1) (Grade 1) PETIT
MOUCHOIR (FR) and SHANTOU ROCK (IRE) wore earplugs which were removed at the
start. The
favourite for the next was Thomas Patrick, trained by Tom Lacey
and ridden by Richard Johnson; price 3-1.
My
non-bet upon selection was Ibis Du Rheu. There were no greys in this race but there
were three Irish raiders, namely Heist, Paper Lantern and Bearly
Legal. The
starting gate for this race was located at the far end of the home straight,
with the aforementioned straight and two full circuits to travel.
It
was a standing start but then they were off, with Thomas Patrick leading the way
as they cleared the first fence.
Trailing the field was Bells of Ailsworth
having been slowly away; a standing start doesn’t suit some horses! The 16 competitors cleared the fence safely
and continued on their journey to the second, which was the first of the
open-ditches. The
favourite continued to lead, from Very First Time, Pearl Swan, Rocklander, Holly Bush Henry, Casse
Tete, Wakanda, Paper
Lantern, Oldgrangewood, Bearly
Legal, Ibis Du Rheu, Clondaw
Cian, Heist, On Tour, Hammersly
Lake and Bells Of Ailsworth. There were no casualties at this fence,
after which the runners crossed the Grand National course as they headed to
fence number three. Thomas
Patrick and Pearl Swan continued to lead the way as they jumped this, before
heading down past the crowded grandstands and winning post with two complete
circuits now to travel. Having entered
the back straight, Bells Of Ailsworth had finally
made up the ground he lost at the start of the race and was now tagged onto
the back of the field. The
favourite continued to lead the way narrowly as they jumped the next fence;
one of the Irish raiders, Heist, made an error at this obstacle. The runners continued on their journey
along the back straight to reach the fifth fence; Thomas Patrick blundered
here. Richard Johnson had seen a
stride but the horse didn’t listen and got too close to the obstacle as a
result; the partnership survived this difference of opinion! Heist made another mistake here. The
following fence was the second of the open-ditches; the leader jumped this
one well, having listened to his jockey on this occasion! The horses continued to the seventh fence,
crossing the sanded track-way en route.
Travelling to the fore, Very First Time blundered at this one, with
jockey Danny Cook having to re-gather his knitting afterwards! There
was no change at the head of affairs as the field headed into the far turn on
their journey towards the sometimes tricky cross-fence. The leaders jumped this well but, in
midfield, Very First Time and Paper Lantern bumped in mid-air. This left Rocklander,
who was travelling in their wake, unsighted with nowhere to go; he fell as a
result. Hammersly
Lake, although hampered, managed to side-step the prostrate horse and jockey.
Meanwhile,
Thomas Patrick led the remaining runners into the home straight, one circuit
having now been completed. Pearl Swan
and Holly Bush Henry disputed second position, from Paper Lantern, Very First
Time and Ibis Du Rheu. Following the bumping incident, Paper
Lantern’s jockey Donagh Meyler
reached down to adjust his right iron.
The
favourite led the horses over the ninth fence; at the back of the field
travelled Heist, which jumped this one very big, and Clowdaw
Cian who was ridden away from the fence. The runners continued on their journey to
the third of the open-ditches and there were no noticeable errors at this
one. The competitors continued down
the home straight, crossing the route of the Grand National course on their
way to fence number eleven. There
were no departures at this obstacle, and with fifteen still standing, they
headed down towards the winning post with one circuit still to complete. Thomas Patrick continued to lead, from
Holly Bush Henry, Pearl Swan, Paper Lantern, Bearly
Legal, Oldgrangewood, Very First Time, Ibis Du Rheu, Casse Tete,
Hammersly Lake, Wakanda,
On Tour, Bells Of Ailsworth, Heist and the detached
Clondaw Cian. The latter was pulled up at this point,
having struggled for a while. The
now field of fourteen entered the back straight for the final time, with
Thomas Patrick leading them safely over the first fence therein. The runners continued their journey to the
thirteenth fence, another plain one, which they also all negotiated successfully. The following fence was the penultimate
open-ditch where there were no departures, although Heist did make another
small error. The
runners headed across the sanded track-way for the final time as they
journeyed to the fifth last. Richard
Johnson saw another stride as he rode the leader towards take-off over this
one and cleared it well. Towards the
rear of the field Wakanda made an error. Thomas Patrick spearheaded the runners as
they headed into the far turn, from Holly Bush Henry, Paper Lantern, Bearly Legal, Oldgrangewood,
Very First Time, Pearl Swan, Ibis Du Rheu, On Tour,
Casse Tete, Wakanda, Hammersly Lake, Bells
Of Ailsworth and Heist. Having
cleared the cross-fence without incident, Tom Lacey’s
charge remained at the head of affairs as the field entered the home
straight; he remained ahead as the jumped three out, but Paper Lantern and
Holly Bush Henry were both within a length of him. Meanwhile, On Tour continued to make
progress from behind and had now moved into fifth position. The
leading five, which also included Oldgrangewood,
began to pull away from their rivals as they headed towards the final
open-ditch. However, instead of being
swallowed up by his challengers, having landed over the fence, Thomas Patrick
began to stretch his advantage once more.
On Tour progressed into second position as they approached the final
obstacle; it’s his style of running to lay down a late challenge. The
leader flew the last fence and, despite On Tour’s best efforts on the run-in
he was unable to catch the favourite who went on to win by 4 lengths at the
line. Paper Lantern completed in 3rd
position, a further 4½ lengths behind the runner-up. Oldgrangewood
claimed 4th position, by a neck from Ibis Du Rheu,
with Holly Bush Henry 6th and, very surprisingly, Heist completed in
7th! There were 12 finishers in total;
Hammersly Lake was pulled up before the last and
Bells Of Ailsworth before 3 out. Richard
Johnson said the winner needs soft ground and stays very well; carrying 10-10
today was also a great advantage.
Jockey and trainer thought, possibly, the Ladbrokes Trophy
(ex-Hennessy) and Welsh National would suit the following season if the going
was soft. Rocklander appeared fine
following the incident; he rose to his feet and cantered off. Not so jockey Adrian Heskin;
he broke his arm in the fall and missed the ride aboard Saint Are in the
Grand National. Paddy Brennan took
the ride aboard Worlds End in the next race.
Again we remained beside the
course-side rails following the race. Race
4 - 3:40pm Having reviewed recordings of the false start,
the Starters were satisfied that no riders should be reported for
contravening the starting procedures.
Click here to read my Grand National Day Diary Part II |
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