Tag Archive for: Aintree

‘Robust policing plans’ in place after reported National protest plot

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Merseyside Police has underlined its “robust policing plans” after climate activists were reportedly plotting to “ruin” the Grand National by staging a protest on raceday.

Members of Animal Rebellion, an offshoot of Extinction Rebellion, plan to form a human barricade across the course at Aintree after sneaking into the event with ladders and bolt cutters, according to reports.

The Mail on Sunday reports more than 100 activists had signed up to take part on April 15, with the climate group planning to take them to the racecourse in mini buses, where it is claimed they would then glue themselves to the course.

Runners in the 2022 Grand National
Runners in the 2022 Grand National (David Davies/PA)

A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: “Merseyside Police has a robust policing plan in place for Aintree, as it does for any major public event, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.

“We have been working with our partners, including the Jockey Club, for a number of months in the build-up to this year’s festival to ensure that any necessary plans and processes are in place to deal with any incidents that may arise and to prevent any significant or ongoing disruption to racegoers and local residents and businesses.

“We respect the right to peaceful protest and expression of views, but public order or criminal offences will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.”

Six activists ran on to the track before the Derby at Epsom last year, while four climate-change protesters chained themselves to the rail by the winning post on the final day of Royal Ascot in 2021.

Shishkin ready to step up in Aintree Bowl

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Shishkin will step up to three miles in the Aintree Bowl, with trainer Nicky Henderson rating the April 13 contest as the potential “race of the year”.

The nine-year-old was a dominant force in the two-mile chase division until he was pulled up in the 2022 Champion Chase and after struggling on his return in the Tingle Creek, Henderson successfully stepped him up to two miles and five furlongs for an impressive 16-length victory in the Ascot Chase.

Shishkin was duly sent off the evens favourite for the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham but he was slow to stride and a bad mistake three fences from home cost him valuable momentum, with the gelding eventually staying on to finish a two-and-three-quarter-length second to Envoi Allen.

Shishkin was a wide-margin winner at Ascot in February
Shishkin was a wide-margin winner at Ascot in February (Steven Paston/PA)

Henderson will now roll the dice at a longer distance on Merseyside, where possible rivals include Bravemansgame, Conflated and Protektorat, the respective second, third and fifth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, as well as the 2021 Gold Cup winner A Plus Tard.

The Seven Barrows trainer said: “The Bowl is going to be some race because everyone’s threatening to run. It won’t be a re-run of the Gold Cup because I can’t see the Gold Cup winner coming (Galopin Des Champs), but I can see the rest of them coming. So he’s going to have join in with them. It could easily be the best race of the year.

“Ascot suggested that two-miles-five-furlongs wasn’t a problem, so you’re going three extra furlongs on an easier track. So it shouldn’t technically be a problem.

“If this works then that will definitely tell us where we go next year. You’d be thinking about the King George or even the Betfair Chase to start with. And if the King George goes well then obviously you’ve got to think about the Gold Cup. But again, everything has to go right.”

Nicky Henderson with Aintree hopeful Shishkin
Nicky Henderson with Aintree hopeful Shishkin (David Davies/PA)

Henderson admitted he and his team have needed to address a couple of issues since Cheltenham, after Shishkin hung left throughout the race.

He added: “We haven’t found issues that we haven’t corrected and I’m hopeful he won’t do all that again. He shouldn’t. We haven’t done anything dramatic, it was more physio, chiropractors – hopefully we’ve helped him.

“He’s a horse that has in the past had a few issues. We had those issues and we got him right and it all came together at Ascot and then we slightly fluffed our lines at Cheltenham, which was sad.

“But he still finished a remarkably good second, having got it all wrong. So if we have ironed that out then we’ve got every right to think we must have a chance at Aintree.”

Post-Aintree school to determine Constitution’s chasing plans

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Nicky Henderson expects to make a decision on whether Constitution Hill is sent over fences next season around 10 days after his run in the William Hill Aintree Hurdle.

The six-year-old sealed his superstar status with his cosy nine-length verdict in the Champion Hurdle, but a chase career has been mooted for some time, with the possibility of him aiming to emulate the great mare Dawn Run, the only horse complete the Champion Hurdle-Gold Cup double.

A post-Aintree schooling session under Nico de Boinville is planned for Constitution Hill, after which Henderson believes he will know in which direction they will be heading.

“It’s possible Aintree could be his last run over hurdles. Everything is possible,” he said.

Constitution Hill relaxing at Seven Barrows
Constitution Hill relaxing at Seven Barrows (David Davies/PA)

“There are more opportunities over fences to start with, which would lead to the Arkle and the Champion Chase or maybe even the Gold Cup if he stays. A real superstar is a horse that can adapt to everything.

“It’ll all happen after Aintree. Michael (Buckley, owner) was down here the other day and we said what we would probably try to do is, about 10 days after Aintree, if the ground hasn’t dried up too quickly, we’ll school him over fences here (at Seven Barrows) and that’ll give us an idea.

“Then we have the whole summer to sit down and discuss, but if we’ve had one look at him schooling over fences Nico will know, and Michael and I will know, pretty well what are the options then.

“His hurdling and his way of crossing a hurdle is very, very effective but you can’t do that over fences.

“He’s got to learn to jump rather than hurdle. It could be that he’s got totally the wrong technique, I don’t know, but I’d be very surprised. He’s such an intelligent horse that I think he’ll soon realise, probably by actually just rubbing a fence, that he’ll say ‘oh wow, somebody’s raised the bar and now we’ll do something about it’.

“It’ll probably take him one mistake to work it out and a lot of sensible horses will work it out.

“The road has got to be smooth the whole way. Luckily this year, touch wood and we’ve still got two weeks to go, he’s not had any issues and it would be very disappointing for everyone if he couldn’t run (at Aintree).”

Constitution Hill leads his stablemates through the cooling stream
Constitution Hill leads his stablemates through the cooling stream (David Davies/PA)

Usually there are only three weeks between Cheltenham and Aintree, but this year’s calendar gives an extra week.

“We have the advantage this year of the four-week gap between the two (Cheltenham and Aintree) when it’s normally three. This time last year there was a lot of talk about him running again (after Cheltenham), but in my mind there was no chance of him running again and he didn’t after the Supreme,” said Henderson.

“He was only a young horse and it took a lot out of him to be honest. He didn’t come out of Cheltenham at all well last year and we only had the three-week gap.

“This year’s completely different. If it had been a three-week gap he’d be going to Aintree. Touch wood, I think he looks fantastic – I don’t think he’s ever looked better in his skin. He looks in great health.”

Constitution Hill took off a stride too soon over the last in the Champion Hurdle
Constitution Hill took off a stride too soon over the last in the Champion Hurdle (David Davies/PA)

Having made his first semblance of a mistake at the final flight in the Champion Hurdle, Henderson will do his best to ensure Constitution Hill does not do that again, while he does not envisage an extra half-mile at Aintree being a problem.

“He hasn’t started his serious work yet because we’ve had that gap. They have a very quiet first week, then he’s started cantering again and then he’ll have his first piece of work this weekend,” he said.

“Then he’ll have two more bits of work to do after that and then school, I’m sure, because the last hurdle he jumped – that sort of technique needs to be ironed out.

“You can’t iron it out completely – that’s his style and how he gets out of trouble – but luckily he’s got so much scope that he can do it.

“He was so full of horse that any other horse would have been tired at that stage and that mistake would have almost certainly tipped them over, but he had the ability to come up and then come up again in the air. It was an extraordinary thing to be able to do.

“He’s got to show that he stays two and a half miles, but don’t forget we were actually prepared to run him over two and a half first time out this year at Ascot, so I can’t be worried about doing it at Aintree this time of the year.”

Syd Hosie retains plenty of faith in Rock My Way

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Rock My Way has two possible targets at Aintree as owner-trainer Syd Hosie looks ahead to a possible chasing career with his star five-year-old.

Hosie has been involved as an owner for many years with Colin Tizzard before entering the training ranks last year, saddling a handful of winners from his Dorset base.

Having earned a Grade Two success in a novice hurdle at Cheltenham in January, Rock My Way flew the flag for the yard in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival meeting and ran well for a long way before tiring behind Stay Away Fay, eventually being pulled up.

Hosie said: “The Albert Bartlett was a very good race this year. He ran really well for a long way, but just didn’t stay three miles.

“He is a nice horse, but he is five. There were two five-year-olds in the race, but I’m not making excuses.

“We have two options now, either the William Hill Handicap Hurdle at Aintree over two-miles-four (furlongs) – that is probably where we are going to head with him, then put him away – and there is the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle, but that is a bit of an ask, being a Grade One.

“I’m more inclined to run him in the handicap.”

Rock May Way has the scope to go chasing, although Hosie will take his time before making a plan for next season and beyond.

He added: “I have two owners with him now (Nick Case and John Romans), so we will see how he summers and make a plan.

“He definitely has the scope to go over fences. To me, a horse like that, is going to be more natural over a fence – he’s going to do everything easier over a fence.

“He probably needs to strengthen up a little more.”

National hope Hill aiming to make it third-time lucky for Thomson

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Sandy Thomson will fly the flag for the Scottish Borders when Hill Sixteen lines up in the Randox Grand National.

The region has a rich racing heritage and the 10-year-old will be the Lambden-based trainer’s third runner in the race as he sneaks into the 40-strong field off a feather-weight of 10st 2lb.

Seeyouatmidnight was sent off at 11-1 as Thomson’s first runner in the Merseyside marathon in 2018 finishing a well-held 11th behind Tiger Roll, before Dingo Dollar rather unfortunately unshipped Ryan Mania when going well at the second Canal Turn 12 months ago.

Now it is the turn of Hill Sixteen, who was beaten a nose in a Becher Chase thriller by Snow Leopardess in 2021 and last seen finishing seventh in the most recent renewal of the renowned dress rehearsal over the famous green spruce.

Although his best form comes with ease in the ground, his two completions over the National fences have the Borders handler dreaming it will be a case of third-time lucky ahead of Hill Sixteen’s turn to face the Aintree starter.

“We’re really looking forward to it and it has been such a funny spring we really could get a soft-ground National,” said Thomson.

“We’ve seen in the Becher over the past two years it has got to be soft for him to stand a chance. We saw last year that on good ground the top-rated horses have a much better chance, but when it turns soft, they have a big weight to lump round.”

The Grand National has been an ever-present in Thomson’s life and from an early age he grew up listening to tales of Scotland’s favourite racehorse – the Reg Tweedie-trained Freddie.

Freddie was sent off favourite for both the 1965 and 1966 Grand Nationals, finishing runner-up on both occasions, while Thomson’s brush with Aintree history stretches back to 1939 silver medallist MacMoffatt who was bred by the handler’s grandfather.

Although John Leadbetter’s Rubstic in 1979 and Lucinda Russell’s 2017 scorer One For Arthur are the only two winners of the world’s most famous steeplechase from north of the border, Thomson is keen to uphold Scotland’s strong association with the race.

He continued: “I have lots of very early memories of the race and we had Freddie just up the road. I was too young then but grew up with the stories of Freddie and my grandfather bred MacMoffatt.

“John Leadbetter won it and the Borders have had a great association with the race, albeit mostly hard-luck stories rather than actually winning it. But we’ve always gone there and been competitive.

“Non-racing people can’t understand how difficult it is to get a horse qualified to run in the Grand National and hopefully this will be our third runner. Some yards have hardly had a runner in the race. It’s a great occasion to be part of.”

Horse Racing – The 2013 John Smith’s Grand National – Grand National Day – Aintree Racecourse
Ryan Mania celebrates on Auroras Encore after winning the Grand National in 2013 (David Davies/PA)

If Hill Sixteen were to march home in front on April 15, it would be an extra-special moment for Thomson with stepson-in-law Ryan Mania set to do the steering.

Mania won the National on Auroras Encore in 2013 and having retired from the saddle in 2014, spent his years away from the weighing room serving as assistant for Thomson’s Lambden Racing operation before returning to the riding ranks with renewed vigour in 2019.

“Ryan’s record round the fences is very good,” continued Thomson. “He was unlucky last year with his saddle slipping round Canal Turn. That can happen to anyone in a race like that.

“The race has changed hugely over the last four or five years. Ryan said after riding in it last year that it’s such a different race now to what is was when he won on Aurora’s Encore.”

Vaughan thrilled as Eva’s Oskar makes National cut

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Trainer Tim Vaughan was relieved and delighted in equal measure after Eva’s Oskar was confirmed as the 40th horse in the field following the latest scratchings deadline for the Randox Grand National.

The nine-year-old, who won a competitive handicap chase at Cheltenham earlier in the season, was previously further down the order of entry for the Aintree spectacular, but is now guaranteed a starting berth after a total of 16 horses were taken out.

The defectors include Shark Hanlon’s joint top-weight Hewick and Gordon Elliott’s Cheltenham Gold Cup third Conflated, with both absences anticipated. Becher Chase winner Ashtown Lad has also been removed by Dan Skelton, as has the Willie Mullins-trained Franco De Port.

Vaughan said: “We definitely want to run – we’re eager beavers!

“What’s lovely is we’ve actually got in. A lad who works for me was counting them down and we were thinking we might be 41st and you’re still lingering then until the day.

“It’s quite nice as it feels like we can relax now, enjoy the process and just hope that he takes to the fences well on the day.”

Since his Cheltenham success of early December, Eva’s Oskar has finished sixth at Sandown and fourth in the Eider Chase at Newcastle.

The grey is a 100-1 shot to claim Grand National glory with William Hill, but Vaughan insists he is not just there to make up the numbers.

Trainer Tim Vaughan (right) at Cheltenham
Trainer Tim Vaughan (right) at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA)

“We’ve been planning to go there for some time and he seems in good shape. We can make a few fences at home now with the spruce on,” the Welsh trainer added.

“We didn’t want to do that until we knew where we were at. We thought today would sort the wheat from the chaff in terms of who definitely wanted to run and we’re excited to be in there.

“Of course I’m not naive enough to think we’re going there as a 10-1 chance, but as outsiders go he ticks a lot of boxes in that he’s good enough to win a £70,000 premier handicap at Cheltenham and he’s finished fourth in the Eider – we think he can do himself justice.

“It’s obviously a massive step up in class and it’s a great race with all the jazz that goes with it, but you’ve got to be in it to win it and that we are at the moment.”

Any Second Now will carry top-weight of 11st 12lb in the Grand National
Any Second Now will carry top-weight of 11st 12lb in the Grand National (Brian Lawless/PA)

A total of 57 contenders have stood their ground, with Ted Walsh’s Any Second Now – third and second in the last two renewals – out on his own at the head of the weights on 11st 12lb.

Last year’s winner Noble Yeats is just 1lb behind on 11st 11lb, as is Galvin, while ante-post favourite Corach Rambler looks set to carry 10st 5lb.

Eva’s Oskar and Recite A Prayer are the two lowest-rated horses in the field of 40 at this stage, with a mark of 142 translating to a weight of 10st 1lb.

Connections of the three horses rated 141 – Our Power, Dunboyne and Francky Du Berlais – now face an anxious wait to see if they will make the final cut for the great race on April 15.

Buzz to be aimed at Flat return, as Henderson rules Aintree out

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Nicky Henderson’s strong team of hurdlers for Aintree will not include Buzz or Steal A March.

The Seven Barrows handler, who took his Cheltenham Festival winners tally to 73 when Constitution Hill gave him a record ninth Champion Hurdle, has ruled both out of running at the Grand National Festival.

Dual-purpose star Buzz won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket and Ascot Hurdle in quick succession in the autumn of 2021, but has been off the track since fracturing his pelvis the day before an intended outing in the Long Walk Hurdle.

Henderson felt a tilt at the Stayers’ Hurdle would have been a bridge too far and similarly feels bypassing the Liverpool Hurdle allows the nine-year-old grey more time to return to peak fitness.

“We are working away with Buzz, I think really concentrating on a Flat campaign,” said Henderson. “That would be the most likely scenario.

“He is not quite going to be ready for Aintree, anyway. It would be tough to throw him straight into a Grade One.

“So I think we will be looking, as long as the weather holds on for a bit in the summer, at the Flat.

“But he is in good form and it is great to have him back in action. He’s enjoying himself, anyway.”

Steal A March was well-fancied by the yard to land what would have been a popular victory in the Pertemps Final.

The eight-year-old, who gave Henderson huge satisfaction by winning a lowly Worcester handicap hurdle on June 4, providing the Queen with a winner during her Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations, will similarly not make the team for Aintree.

Now carrying the famous purple, scarlet and gold silks of the King, Steal A March was a narrow runner-up on his seasonal bow in a decent Newbury handicap and then scored at Wincanton on Boxing Day.

However, he did not line up at Cheltenham and Henderson revealed he has met with a setback.

“Unfortunately we had a problem with him before Cheltenham and he is going to have to take a bit of time out, which is frustrating, because I was very, very keen to run him in the Pertemps Final,” he said.

“He’d qualified, he won his qualifier and everything was going really well, but we have bumped into an issue, which is very frustrating and that was literally the week before.

“He won’t go to Aintree or Punchestown, sadly.”

Bradley Gibbs gunning for more big-race glory at Aintree

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Fresh from Premier Magic’s Cheltenham Festival success, Bradley Gibbs has his eye on further big-race success at Aintree.

The trainer, who rides the horses as well as training them, steered Premier Magic to a 66-1 shock in the St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase at Prestbury Park and will look to enter the winner’s enclosure again next month when Fier Jaguen attempts to extend a three-race winning run in the Randox Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase on the opening day of the Grand National Festival.

The Cheltenham-Aintree hunter chase double was last achieved by the same jockey, trainer and owner in 2015 when Nina Carberry was aboard the Enda Bolger-trained On The Fringe in the green and gold of JP McManus, while the horse would repeat the feat a year later with Jamie Codd taking over from Carberry for the Aintree segment.

Before that you have to search back to 1993 when Ron Treloggen scored aboard Reg Wilkins’ Double Silk at both meeting.

Bradley Gibbs celebrates winning The St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase on Premier Magic on day four of the Cheltenham Festival
Bradley Gibbs celebrates winning The St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase on Premier Magic on day four of the Cheltenham Festival (Tim Goode/PA)

However, Gibbs is optimistic he can add his name to that exclusive roll of honour with the forward-going eight-year-old, who has been in a class of his own between the flags this term.

“Fier Jaguen had done everything right so far this season,” said the Welshman.

“He’s won three opens and he’s won them all well. He looks the right type for two and a half miles. Last year I didn’t think he was quite fully seeing the three miles out, but he seems to see it out a hell of a lot better this year.

“So, I think two and a half round Aintree will be right up his street and we’ve got fingers crossed we can get a nice run out of him.

“There’s no other way to ride him other than from the front, so I’ll be going rather fast down to the first I would have thought.”

Gibbs is still coming to terms with his moment of triumph at Cheltenham earlier this month, when Premier Magic landed a blow for the British point-to-point scene against the might of Ireland and the plethora of professional handlers who run some of their elder statesman in the prestigious amateur riders’ contest.

“It still doesn’t seem real at the minute,” he continued.

“We went there last year thinking he had a nice chance and I went down the inside. I think he just got a bit of stage fright. Everything just got a bit tight and he just backed off out of it – I had only done a circuit.

“I was going to have a different mare run in it this year and she had a little issue and didn’t make it. A good mate of mine from Ireland, Jimmy Kelly – who buys all my horses for me – said put Premier Magic in there, give him one more crack and if it doesn’t work out this year, you know not to go back. That’s what we did and he obviously repaid us.”

Now thoughts turn to Aintree on April 13, where Gibbs has the chance to join the hunter chase greats.

“It would be unbelievable,” said Gibbs when asked to comprehend doing the double.

“Just to win the one is unbelievable, but I guess we’ll speak more about the double if we pull it off! Fier Jaguen goes there with a live chance so we have our fingers crossed.”

Lifetime Ambition of National victory edging closer for Harrington

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Jessica Harrington has captured many big races in both codes of racing, but the decorated handler could have found an appropriately-named horse to fill the Randox Grand National-shaped void in her trophy cabinet.

Lifetime Ambition is the horse in question – an eight-year-old gelding who comes alive in the spring.

Twice a winner over the larger obstacles, he won a Grade Three at Limerick at this time of year last season, before going on to chase home Capodanno in a Grade One at the Punchestown Festival.

His Aintree credentials were on show during his reappearance in November when given a sighter of the famous green spruce in the Grand Sefton and having finished an eyecatching fourth on that occasion, the rest of his campaign has been geared around a return to Merseyside on April 15.

Lifetime Ambition ridden by Sean O’Keeffe on their way to winning the tote Ten To Follow Beginners Chase at Down Royal
Lifetime Ambition ridden by Sean O’Keeffe on their way to winning the tote Ten To Follow Beginners Chase at Down Royal (Brian Lawless/PA)

“He jumped very well and I was delighted with him,” said Harrington.

“I just hope the ground is OK, he likes nice spring ground, good to soft would be fine, he doesn’t like that tacky ground though.”

Following his appearance in Liverpool, Lifetime Ambition finished second to fellow Aintree contender The Big Dog in the Troytown at Navan – giving a bold sight in front until an error at the final fence allowed his rival to pass for a three-and-a-half-length victory.

He was then a respectable third to Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs in the John Durkan prior to Christmas and has been kept ticking over among useful company in the early stages of 2023.

All roads now lead back to Aintree where Harrington is confident he has the right attributes to thrive over the extended four-and-a-quarter-mile trip.

“He is going to definitely run in the National and Sean O’Keeffe is going to ride him. It’s all systems go.

“He’s a nice horse who stays well,” she added. “All of his form is in the spring of the year and that is when he comes into himself.

“He knows the fences, I think he will stay and he is a horse who will be up there on the front end, hopefully keeping out of trouble, and hopefully the race will get run the way he likes it.”

Harrington is one of the few trainers to do the Cheltenham Festival treble of the Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase, while her National Hunt haul includes an Irish Grand National thanks to Our Duke in 2017.

Trainer Jessica Harrington will saddle Lifetime Ambition in the Randox Grand National
Trainer Jessica Harrington will saddle Lifetime Ambition in the Randox Grand National (Brian Lawless/PA)

The Grand National, however, is one that eludes her.

Despite her long career in the training ranks, it was not until 2019 she had her first runner in the big race when silver medallist Magic Of Light almost did the unthinkable and denied the great Tiger Roll at odds of 66-1.

Magic Of Light returned to Aintree much better fancied in 2021 only to unseat at the fourth, while the same year Jett blazed a trail on the front end for a long way until the petrol tank of the Sam Waley-Cohen-ridden outsider emptied at the second-last.

That small sample size though should not detract from the 76-year-old’s desire to taste success in Merseyside – a victory which would taste all the more sweeter in light of the news Harrington has been battling breast cancer.

“I would be delighted to win it, it is a race I have always wanted to win,” she said.

“Magic Of Light was my first runner in it and since then I’ve had her and Jett run in it in 2021.

“I haven’t had that many runners, but it would be lovely to win one.”

Martin keeping an open mind on Good Time Jonny plans

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Tony Martin will wait before making plans for Good Time Jonny on the back of his scintillating victory in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham.

The eight-year-old gave the trainer a memorable success in the three-mile Grade Three event, coming from last to first under 5lb claimer Liam McKenna.

The manner of victory was all the more remarkable, as the rider had to overcome plenty of trouble in running.

“It was an absolutely brilliant ride for a lad claiming 5lb, but then Liam is a good rider,” said Martin.

“If the horse is not travelling or not jumping, or you’re not getting a clear run, there is just no point forcing them, they won’t get home.

“He didn’t have the nicest of runs through the race. The nerve to sit and the patience he showed, it reminded me of Ruby Walsh or Davy Russell.

“He was very similar to Ruby. When the race didn’t work out, he had the patience and the brilliance to sit and let the race come to him, and not chase it.”

The Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree is among the future options being pondered, along with targets closer to home.

“He’s good, so we will just see how we are as to where we go, whether it is Liverpool, Fairyhouse or Punchestown,” added Martin.

“He will go one way or the other. I’ve been very happy with him. We’ll give him a week before making a plan.

“The horses tell us themselves. We can make a plan if we have enough time. We will see how the race affects him. All the options are there.

“We would like to get two more rolls at the dice before we let him off, but if we get one where he can show his true colours, it would be far better for him that he could do himself justice, rather than try to squeeze in two where we’d rush him.”

Tony Martin reminding everyone he is still a force
Tony Martin reminding everyone he is still a force (PA)

Martin admits he has had a few lean years, but a Cheltenham winner has certainly buoyed the yard.

“It’s hard,” said Martin. “We had bad times for a few years and were out of the place we were. If you are not keeping the ship sailing, you are not attracting owners.

“There are a few lads on side at the moment, a brilliant man gave me an order for two nice horses the other day.

“Any Cheltenham winner ranks high. It’s like when you are playing golf at the Masters, or soccer in the European Cup, Cheltenham is really the be-all and end-all in National Hunt racing, similar to Royal Ascot or the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on the Flat. Of course you rank it highly.”

Next stop Aintree for Stayers’ Hurdle hero Sire Du Berlais

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Stayers’ Hurdle hero Sire Du Berlais will roll on to Aintree to defend his Jrl Group Liverpool Hurdle title next month.

The 11-year-old was a surprise 16-1 winner last year and created another shock when triumphing at Cheltenham as a 33-1 shot earlier this month.

He had shown little in four previous starts, but Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus, says connections are keen to head back to Merseyside now.

Gordon Elliott (left) with Sire Du Berlais
Gordon Elliott (left) with Sire Du Berlais (Mike Egerton/PA)

“It was a fantastic result,” Berry said. “He was in great form and all credit to Gordon Elliott and his team.

“He has come out of the race good and the plan is now to go to Aintree.”

Zenta, a close-up third to Lossiemouth in the Triumph Hurdle, also looks set to run at Aintree.

Zenta (left) was beaten by Lossiemouth
Zenta (left) was beaten by Lossiemouth (Tim Goode/PA)

The Willie Mullins-trained four-year-old, who took a Grade Three at Fairyhouse in February, was only just run out of second place by Gala Marceau.

Berry added: “While it is a bit up in the air at the moment, if all was well with her, I’d say she will go to Aintree.”

However, one runner not due to make the trip is Corbetts Cross, who ran out when well in contention at the final flight in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

The Emmet Mullins-trained six-year-old was snapped up by McManus ahead of his Festival run but while things did not go according to plan at Cheltenham, connections will not bid for compensation this term.

Berry, said: “There was a bit of a gap in the railing and he just copped it. He came back OK, but he is finished for the season.

“We’ll see how he is over the summer before making any plans for him.”

Clan Des Obeaux ruled out of Aintree return

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Paul Nicholls has lost a race against time to get Clan Des Obeaux ready for Aintree.

The dual King George VI Chase winner had been making good progress from a suspensory injury ahead of a planned return to action at the Grand National meeting, where he was set to defend his Aintree Bowl title.

The 11-year-old, owned by Paul Barber, Ged Mason and Sir Alex Ferguson, was last seen finishing second to Allaho in the Punchestown Gold Cup last April.

Clan Des Obeaux had been making strides in his rehabilitation, but Nicholls has decided he will not attempt a hat-trick in the race he won in 2021 and 2022 and wait until next term with the five-times Grade One winner instead.

He said: “We have run out of time to get him ready, so we will just have to wait until next season.

“He had a little bit of a suspensory problem and has been doing everything and coming along well.

“He did a strong piece of work last week away and it has just flared up again.

“The warning light is flashing and we’ve just not had enough time to get him right, so we’ve had to pull stumps for the season.

“Unfortunately, much as we and everyone has tried to get him ready, we’re not going to get there.”

Bravemansgame is still an Aintree possible
Bravemansgame is still an Aintree possible (Adam Davy/PA)

King George winner and Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Bravemansgame may head to Aintree, although the 13-times champion trainer admitted there are no guarantees.

He added: “Bravemansgame is not necessarily going. It’s still an option, always was.

“All those horses that went to Cheltenham, we are not making any decision until nearer the time.

“We have got plenty of time yet. He is a possible, along with Stage Star and all those. It’s not a definite but it’s a possible.”

Aintree on the agenda for Arkle fourth Straw Fan Jack

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Sheila Lewis will head to Aintree with Straw Fan Jack following his gallant fourth in the Arkle Challenge Trophy.

The popular grey has blossomed since going over fences this term, winning novice chases at Ffos Las and Cheltenham.

Sent off a 50-1 chance for only his fourth try over fences, he finished a creditable fourth to El Fabiolo.

Trainer Sheila Lewis said: “He’s fine. He just has a few bumps and bruises and boy don’t they know they’ve had a race there?

“We were so chuffed. We couldn’t have been any happier if we’d have won to be honest.

“We celebrated like we won, anyway!”

El Fabiolo was an impressive winner at Cheltenham
El Fabiolo was an impressive winner at Cheltenham (Tim Goode/PA)

Though beaten 28 lengths by Willie Mullins’ winner, Straw Fan Jack’s jockey Sean Houlihan was happy with the gelding’s display.

Lewis added: “Sean thought Aintree would be worth having a crack at, as the Irish horses don’t always come over, preferring to stay at Punchestown.

“He said he was happy in that company. I know he was well beaten, but he said he ran on strong. He needs further really.”

The Grade One Manifesto Novices’ Chase, the opening race of the Aintree Grand National Festival on Thursday, April 13, is the eight-year-old’s next likely landing spot.

“We will go for the two-mile-four on the Thursday,” said Lewis. “He’s had a few lumps and bumps, but I think he’ll be OK for Aintree.

“It was one of those decisions where we went shorter because the Arkle didn’t appear to have that many runners.

“I think we went the right way, as I’m not sure we would have been placed in the Turners.

“That race appeared a lot stronger. Two horses (Jonbon and El Fabiolo) scared everything else off in the Arkle and us being the small team we are, we are happy to be fourth or fifth.

“The owner said he’d be happy to finish last in the race – just being there was good enough!”

‘All systems go’ for Noble Yeats’ National defence

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Emmet Mullins has confirmed Noble Yeats to be firmly on course for his bid for back-to-back victories in the Randox Grand National next month.

The eight-year-old carried Sam Waley-Cohen to a famous success in the Aintree spectacular last season on what proved to be the amateur rider’s swansong.

Noble Yeats has enjoyed another fine season, with wins at Wexford and Aintree followed by third place in the Cotswold Chase before his staying-on fourth behind Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Mullins reports his stable star to have taken those exertions in his stride and is looking forward to seeing him return to Merseyside to defend his Grand National crown on April 15.

“Noble Yeats looks great and if he hadn’t run in the Gold Cup last week I’d be saying I’d have to work him this week, so it is all systems go for the National,” said the trainer.

“It will be a mammoth task to carry that weight (11st 11lb), but at least we know he’ll take to the course and stay the trip, so those are two big ticks.”

Another Mullins inmate to perform with credit in defeat at the Cheltenham Festival was Corbetts Cross, who was being delivered with a major challenge in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle only to run out at the final flight.

Trainer Emmet Mullins
Trainer Emmet Mullins (Brian Lawless/PA)

The JP McManus-owned six-year-old, who had won on each of his three previous runs, could now be set for a break.

Mullins added: “It was one of those things with Corbetts Cross and we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt.

“I’m not sure if we’ll see him again this year as he’s had a funny time since I’ve had him. I ran him at Naas not knowing whether I’d be going to Cheltenham or not and then it nearly came off, but we are in a different position now and will gather our thoughts and reassess him.”

Confidence growing ahead of Roi Mage’s Grand National challenge

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Connections of Roi Mage are growing increasingly bullish over his Randox Grand National chances after he chased home Longhouse Poet at Down Royal.

A best-priced 50-1 chance for the world-famous steeplechase, he represents the same owners who landed the race with Auroras Encore in 2013.

Like Auroras Encore, who was trained by Sue Smith, Roi Mage is an 11-year-old towards the bottom of the handicap and he narrowly missed the cut for the big race last year.

Trainer Patrick Griffin set his sights on Aintree at an early stage this term, but his participation was left on a knife-edge following an injury sustained at Cheltenham in January.

The trainer’s son and assistant, James Griffin, explained: “After Cheltenham, we didn’t think we would have a horse for the rest of the season, because he cut himself very badly in the Cross Country and genuinely we thought he would be gone for the season.

“Thanks to the Cheltenham veterinary team, specifically Ian Camm, who spent two hours on his hands and knees under the horse, with his finger tip, cleaning the wound meticulously, the dream is still alive.

“The horse cut himself very badly, we were a bit touch and go. But the horse was back being ridden out after three weeks and then it was on to Down Royal, where he ran a hell of a race.”

Roi Mage will carry the same colours as 2013 National winner Auroras Encore, who was partnered by ridden by Ryan Mania
Roi Mage will carry the same colours as 2013 National winner Auroras Encore, who was partnered by ridden by Ryan Mania (David Davies/PA)

Roi Mage was conceding weight to Longhouse Poet at Down Royal when beaten a length and a quarter, but the roles will be reversed at Aintree with Roi Mage allotted 10st 8lb while Longhouse Poet is on 11st.

“We were chuffed,” added Griffin. “I thought he’d run well and we think that would put him spot on. It is all systems go for Aintree now.

“He missed the cut by one last year but because he won at Down Royal last year, he went up 9lb to a mark of 149.”

He went on: “So, the plan all season was the Grand National. The plan always was to start in France, which we did. He finished third at Compiegne, giving both the winner and runner-up weight, and was only beaten just over two lengths.

“We were always working back from April 15 and he has come out of Down Royal bouncing. He has no weight on his back over that trip. We genuinely can’t wait.

“He’ll handle soft ground. If this (unsettled) weather holds up, then happy days. He’ll stay, we think he will. He has jumped round Auteuil, so Aintree shouldn’t be a problem.”

Connections are still hoping that three-time French champion jump jockey James Reveley will be fit enough to ride following a broken tibia sustained in a fall at Pau on February 19.

Griffin added: “We are hoping James will be back in time to ride him.

Connections hope French champion James Reveley will be fit for Aintree
Connections hope French champion James Reveley will be fit for Aintree (Daniel Hambury/PA)

“There are a mass of trials over the big Easter weekend at Auteuil and that is what he is aiming to be back for.

“We want James to ride him, but if he can’t, then we have two other riders in our heads.”

Winner of eight of his 38 starts over fences, Roi Mage has had just five runs over fences for Griffin since arriving from France, winning once and been placed on three other occasions for the yard, who are increasingly optimistic of a good showing at the Liverpool track.

“You can’t fancy a horse in the National, but realistically we know we have a horse who is capable of a big performance,” said Griffin.

“He has form in the book, he has a bit of speed – he won over two-miles-three 18 months ago – and he is relatively fresh. All season we have worked round the National and genuinely, we can’t wait.”