14.04.12 - THE GRAND NATIONAL

A sell-out Ladies' Day

Yesterday’s attendance on the second day of the John Smith’s Grand National meeting - Ladies’ Day - came to 53,461.

Ladies’ Day was a sell-out early this week and follows a record crowd on the first day of the meeting yesterday - Liverpool Day - of 30,340.

Julian Thick, Managing Director of Aintree Racecourse, said: “It has been a fantastic day  and we are now looking forward to another sold-out occasion, John Smith’s Grand National day, tomorrow.”

FIRST RACE - TANGLE TEEZER TOP NOVICES’ HURDLE - WINNER QUOTES

1-2-4 FOR HENDERSON IN OPENER

It may be a Friday the 13th, but luck was in for Nicky Henderson in the opening Tangle Teezer Top Novices Hurdle and Darlan gained compensation for his second spot in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham, with his stablemates Captain Conan and Oscara Dara in second and fourth spots. Both the first two overcame the disadvantage of a slow early pace.

“We knew beforehand that there was likely to be no pace,” said Henderson, “and that it would probably turn into a bit of a dash, and that’s just the way it turned out so full credit to the first two for the way they pulled clear. It’s not easy to quicken up to sprint and they’re both very nice horses indeed.

“As far as Darlan is concerned, we’ve only brushed at it so far with him. He’s a big weakish sort of horse with a load of physical development left in him yet. We’ve now got the summer to think of a programme for him for next year,but I’d think he’d stick to hurdles.”

Before Cheltenham, Darlan had seemed poised for victory in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury before falling two out, an incident which his rider Tony McCoy feels he still remembers. “He’s always been a horse we’ve thought a lot of,” he said, “but he took a very heavy fall at Newbury which I think really knocked his confidence. At Cheltenham he got a bit far back in the race and stayed on to get second place and so today I wanted to ride him a bit handier.

“It was good that he won today, but neither here nor at Cheltenham did he jump as well as he had done at Newbury before he fell. He gave me a better feel over the hurdles that day than either of the days since. But what he does do is travel and stay and he’s shown today he can quicken as well, which they can’t all do off a slow pace. He’s got a bit of size and scope, too, so if he doesn’t make the top grade as a hurdler then there will be the option of chasing open to him in due course.”

The winning owner J P McManus said: “It was nice to win a big race with him. He was unfortunate at Newbury, when he took that heavy fall and, looking at him, he still probably remembers it a little bit. He’s getting his act together again now and that was very pleasing.

“Nicky has done a great job - I thought that Darlan looked great today - and, considering that he has run so many times, I was very happy with his condition. A P said that he was workmanlike today and he was pleased.

“He’s done his quota for this season and I am sure that he will have a rest.”

Referring to his John Smith’s Grand National favoiurite, Synchronised, he added: “I left the decision to run up to Jonjo and he was very keen that he would run. Normally they are a bit tired after winning the Gold Cup but he ate up that night and I would say that he is even better now.”

First race - Tangle Teezer Top Novices’ Hurdle

Placed quotes

STIFFER TEST PROBABLY BEST FOR PROSPECT WELLS

Paul Nicholls’ lead in the trainer’s championship took a dent in this race when Nicky Henderson saddled the first, second and fourth, but at least the champion had a consolatory third with Prospect Wells.

The seven-year-old son of Sadler’s Wells, carrying Ruby Walsh in the colours of Andrea & Graham Wylie, was further behind winner Darlan compared to their running in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, and Nicholls admitted: “I’m slightly disappointed - a stiffer track and a faster-run race might suit him.

“I had him in the two-and-a-half miler and couldn’t make up my mind which race to run him in and as he gets older he might appreciate further. He’s run consistently well all season.

“Next season he could be a horse to run in races like the Greatwood Hurdle or Ladbroke and the type of events where they go flat out and it’s a bit rough and tough. He could probably do with a break now.”

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LADIES’ DAY, FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2012

Second race - John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase

Winner’s quotes

CONTI LOOKS A KING GEORGE HORSE FOR NEXT SEASON

Paul Nicholls hit straight back after Nicky Henderson’s near whitewash in the opener when he saddled the first and third in this Grade Two novices’ chase.

Silviniaco Conti, the mount of Ruby Walsh, ran out a comfortable winner from the Martin Keighley-trained Champion Court, while stable companion Join Together battled on for third.

Both the winning trainer and jockey felt Kempton’s King George VI Chase would be a logical long-term goal for the six-year-old, and Nicholls said: “He was obviously wrong when he ran at Ascot [in February] because he travelled like the winner and then stopped suddenly, but all our horses were out of form then.

“We missed Cheltenham with him on purpose because I don’t think he’s a Cheltenham horse physique-wise at the moment. We made this his target and he got it spot on.

“He travelled and jumped as well as he’s ever done and he’s maturing all the time. He will be really interesting next season and we’ll have to aim for the King George because a flat track suits him.”

Of Join Together, Nicholls said: “He ran nicely enough. He disappointed me when he last ran and I didn’t want to end the season with him having pulled up. Last year he pulled up at the Festival over hurdles and when he went there and won at the start of this season he just thought about pulling up going past the stands, so I wanted to end on a positive note.

“He stayed on alright, but he’ll never be in the same league as Conti. That said he’ll give his owners a lot of fun and he’ll be the type for those long-distance staying chases. He could end up in the National one day although he’ll need luck with the handicapper to be effective in that.”

SECOND RACE WINNING QUOTES

JOHN SMITH’S MILDMAY NOVICES’ CHASE

RUBY SHINES ON SILVINIACO

Jockey Ruby Walsh feels that Silviniaco Conti could be an ideal contender for next year’s Betfred Bowl at Aintree after winning the John Smith’s Melling Chase in good style.

“It was a good performance - he jumped really well and travelled really well. I thought that (runner-up) Champion Court was a good yardstick and he has beaten him really well,” said Walsh.

“I don’t know whether three and a quarter miles on a track like Cheltenham would suit him and he might be more of a King George horse or maybe the Bowl here next April. He’s going the right way, anyway.”

Part-owner Chris Giles, who is represented by Zarkandar in tomorrow’s John Smith’s Aintree Hurdle, added: “We bypassed Cheltenham to concentrate on today and he turned up for us. I bought into him last year - Jared Sullivan was the original owner - and I am delighted to have come in on the horse.

“I think the decision to miss Cheltenham has paid off. I think that he prefers a flat track - he ran well in the Feltham at Kempton - and he loved it out there today.

“We have Zarkandar tomorrow and he has come on a bit since Cheltenham, when he was a little bit light. I think that he will be fit and ready to go. It looked like he wanted a bit further in the Champion Hurdle and we are very excited.”

Second race - The John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase - placed quotes

TRIP STILL A QUERY FOR BRIDESMAID

CHAMPION COURT

The John Smith’s Mildmay Novices’ Chase runner-up Champion Court was stepping up to three miles and a furlong after his good second-place finish to Sir Des Champs over two and a half miles in the Jewson Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham last month and trainer Martin Keighley is still undecided about the best distance for his talented chaser.

He said: “Alain [Cawley, jockey] said he felt a bit flat and maybe the Cheltenham race has taken a bit out of him. He still ran a mighty race and it’s a job to know about the trip. He does seem happier bowling along in front so perhaps we ought to drop him back to two and a half miles.

“He’ll have a holiday now and we’ll think about next season. He’ll have one run and then go to the King George and we can decide on his trip.”

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LADIES’ DAY, FRIDAY 13, APRIL, 2012

Third race - The John Smith’s Melling Chase - winner’s quotes

FINIAN’S RAINBOW OFF FOR A BREAK AFTER WNNING ‘ALL THE MEDALS’

Finian’s Rainbow was one of Nicky Henderson’s magnificent seven at the Cheltenham Festival and Michael Buckley’s lightly-raced nine-year-old followed up his Queen Mother Champion Chase victory with a seven-length win in the John Smith’s Melling Chase.

His delighted trainer said: “Last year as a novice, Finian’s Rainbow was trying to do everything in a terrible rush. He was only quieter here last year because he had had such a hard race in the Arkle at Cheltenham.

He grew up last summer for some reason and seemed to become a sensible person. This season has been a much more amenable horse all the way through, doing everything as he should rather than as quickly as possible.

“You always hoped he would stay, but obviously last year he looked an out-and-out two-miler because he was doing everything in such a rush, but today he was always in a nice position and when Barry (Geraghty, jockey) switched him on he picked them up very quickly.

“We’ve got all summer to think about what route we take next year, but he has won the Champion Chase and the Melling Chase so he goes to bed with all the medals.”

Michael Buckley, who also counts Solix and Spirit River among his horses in training with Henderson, commented: “Finian’s Rainbow is a pretty special horse. I wasn’t concerned about stepping up to two and a half miles as he is very relaxed now and acts like the stayer we always thought he would be.

“That was really thrilling. He’s had his doubters but I hope that’s been put to sleep now. He was very keen last year and the year before and that made him difficult to ride and also for him to see out the trip.

“He became a much more amenable creature over the summer and you could go up to him in the field whereas before he’d always walk away from you.

“We always thought that if he settled he’d stay more than two miles. I think he out-stayed Sizing Europe up the hill at Cheltenham. I don’t agree with the opinion that it was only the fact that they bypassed the last fence that enabled him to win.

“Now we have lots of options for next year and we’ll maybe even try three miles at some point. As he gets older he’s inevitably going to want a longer trip if he can get it.”

Asked whether Finian’s Rainbow would take up his entry in the Punchestown Champion Chase on April 24, Buckley added: “I did say to Nicky that if he was to win easily here that maybe we could go to Ireland and duff up Sizing Europe again but there was a big groan at the other end of the telephone. I’m sure that will be it now for him for this season but he does have very few miles on the clock - he’s only raced 14 times in his life.”

THIRD RACE WINNING QUOTES

JOHN SMITH’S MELLING CHASE (GRADE 1)

GERAGHTY DELIGHTED

Jockey Barry Geraghty was delighted with Finian’s Rainbow after easily winning the John Smith’s Melling Chase aboard the nine-year-old.

“He made one or two mistakes early on and I’d say the ground had gone a bit soft for him,” said Geraghty. “He’s settling better these days and therefore he’s finishing his races better.

“He really came alive in the straight today and he won well. It was a good Champion Chase that he won at Cheltenham and I’m delighted he showed today that he wasn’t a lucky winner in that race.”

THIRD RACE - JOHN SMITH’S MELLING CHASE - RUNNER-UP QUOTES

WISHFULL BACK TO HIS BEST

Wishfull Thinking, who took a dramatic fall when leading the field early in the race for the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham, produced his best performance of the season when chasing home the two-mile champion Finian’s Rainbow in today John Smith’s Melling Chase.

“Delighted with that,” said trainer Philip Hobbs. “The winner is a very good horse. It’s taken us all season to get ours back to his best, though goodness knows why. It’s been a bit of a frustrating season all round but it seems to be coming together now.”

At Cheltenham, Wishfull Thinking fell sideways through the rails after the fence, but the incident did not affect his confidence as he jumped straight and true today. “We had him schooling soon after Cheltenham and he was absolutely fine,” added Hobbs.

Wishfull Thinking won at the Punchestown festival last year after taking the Manifesto Novices’ Chase at Aintree. “We’ll see how he is before we decide whether to go again,” said Hobbs, “There’s not so long between the meetings this year.”

Hobbs, who took this year’s Manifesto Novices’Chase on Thursday with Menorah (like Wishfull Thinking owned by Diana Whateley), reports his Somerset stable’s John Smith’s Grand National candidate Planet Of Sound in good form. “The drying ground will help him,” he said.

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Third race - John Smith’s Melling Chase

Placed quotes

BRAVE ALBERTAS WILL BE GIVEN A WELL-EARNED BREAK

Brave Albertas Run, who was bidding for a second win in this Grade One contest, had to settle for third behind winner Finian’s Rainbow.

Albertas Run won the race in 2010 and was second to Master Minded last year, and while he was beaten 27 lengths by the winner today it may prove to have been his gutsiest performance in the contest.

Trainer Jonjo O’Neill fears the 11-year-old may have been feeling an injury that has troubled him in the past, for he said: “His old problem, a touch of a leg, was probably just bothering him.”

Albertas Run gave his all when a close second to Finian’s Rainbow in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham, but O’Neill did not believe that had left its mark on his performance today.

O’Neill said: “He didn’t jump as well as he can do and he was never really looking like the winner. He’s run well enough and done us all proud, but he won’t run again this season. In three runs this year he’s finished first, second and third, so we’ve no complaints.”

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 FOURTH RACE WINNING QUOTES

JOHN SMITH’S TOPHAM CHASE

 RECORD-BREAKING WAINING

    The Peter Bowen-trained Always Waining entered the history books when landing an unprecedented third consecutive John Smith’s Topham Chase over the Grand National fences after he came home four and a half lengths clear of Chance Du Roy.

            The 11-year-old has been disappointing over hurdles this season and owner Peter Douglas had only decided on Thursday morning to miss the John Smith’s Grand National in favour of today’s race.

            “It’s sets him alight as soon as he steps off the box here but he’s as flat as a pancake everywhere else. He loves this place and hates every other place,” said Bowen. “You never know what might have haened in the National but it’s some achievement to win three Tophams.

            “We were very close to running in the National, Peter rang yesterday morning and said he’d prefer to go for the Topham in case the ground became soft. I’d have preferred to go for the National but wasn’t going to disagree, you can’t persuade an owner to run a horse in the National if he doesn’t want to, and I’m glad we’ve gone for the Topham now. Peter just thought that four and a half miles on soft ground would be too far for him.

            “We have been racing him over hurdles because we thought that if we’d run him over fences he’d have gone down the weights and not got in the National. Over hurdles they go a bit quick for him but he just loves these fences.

            “I can’t get inside his head, he doesn’t want to know anywhere else. He also finished fourth in the Becher here when the ground was totally unsuitable for him.

            “For an 11-year-old that ran on the Flat as well, it is amazing that he has lasted so well. He’ll probably have the same prep next season as he has had for the past three years and maybe go for the Becher. The thing is to not get disappointed with him over hurdles. Last time out I thought ‘bloody hell he’s disappointing’.  We’ve had a long losing spell with coughing as well so it doesn’t do much for your confidence. My son Micky has ridden him out every day for the past three years and loves him. This has made our season.”

            Jockey Tom O’Brien added: “He's absolutely amazing. He gives everyone who rides him a great spin around here and I'm delighted with that. He hears the crowd and he just takes off. I knew Chance Du Roy would take some passing as I won on him last time. It's hard to win big races these days. It's amazing to get a big one on the board.

            “I’ve won two Tophams on him and he’ll hopefully he’ll be in one piece to come here and give it a go next year. He just seems to save his best for this place.”

            Trainer’s wife Karen Bowen added: “I believed Always Waining was capable of winning, but to think of winning three Topham Chases on the bounce, you just don’t think it can come true. He was coming into the race in good form again, although his form hasn’t suggested it, but he does come to himself at this time of the year.

            Owner Peter Doulgas said: “I wasn’t relaxed at all watching that because Peter’s (Bowen) been going on such a bad run with his horses, but to win here and get out of a ruck like that is fantastic.

            “We had the choice of running in the Grand National which we didn’t have last year, but we thought the ground had gone against us with the rain. However, the ground has been drying all week so we are kicking ourselves, but this is great compensation.

ALWAYS WAINING (IRE) FACTFILE - RECORD THREE-TIME WINNER OF THE JOHN SMITH’S TOPHAM CHASE

b g Unfuwain (USA)-Glenarff (USA) (Irish River (FR))

Jump Form: 44111/040P001/24P41131d/1320000/1P641PPP4P/550F0F0P1/0060041-044001

Owner: Linda & Peter Douglas Trainer: Peter Bowen Jockey: Tom O’Brien Breeder: Barouche Stud Ireland         

Always Waining

As an Unfuwain half-brother to the 1999 Derby fourth Housemaster, Always Waining was bred to be a useful Flat performer but it has been over the big fences at Aintree that he has enjoyed his finest moments, winning the John Smith’s Topham Chase in 2010 and 2011. The 11-year-old made only 9,000gns as a yearling and won three times on the level with Mark Johnston, at one stage achieving a decent rating of 96. He was claimed by Pat Clinton for £30,000 after winning a Newmarket claiming race in October 2004 and won three hurdle races that winter. He moved to trainer Robert Stronge in early 2006, before joining Peter Bowen a year later, and the following season yielded a victory in a Bangor handicap hurdle and, sent chasing in the 2006/07 campaigned he scored three times. His next victory came at Aintree in June, 2008, in a 3m 1f handicap hurdle and he kept going that summer and won a Listed handicap chase at Market Rasen in September. He finished fourth in the 2009 John Smith’s Topham Chase and after falling in the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase over the same fences in November, 2009, he prevailed in the 2010 John Smith’s Topham Chase, scoring by 12 lengths from Scotsirish under Brian Hughes. After missing the cut in last year’s John Smith’s Grand National, Always Waining won the shorter contest again last year, finishing four lengths in front of Mon Parrain, with Tom O’Brien in the saddle. This season he finished a distant fourth in the Betfred Becher Chase at Aintree in December and most recently was well-beaten in Bangor handicap hurdle on March 24. He returned to form in spectacular style today, coming away from his rivals for a record third John Smith’s Topham Chase victory, again under O’Brien. The winning margin was four and a half lengths and his starting price was 11/1.

Race Record: Starts: 59; 1st: 12; 2nd: 2; 3rd: 2; Win & Place prize money: £252,168

Lina & Peter Douglas

Peter Douglas boasts a racehorse ownership career spanning more than two decades with one of his early flagbearers being Salwan, a useful novice hurdler ridden by Robert Stronge, who at one stage trained Always Waining. His early trainers also included Peter Bevan, Bill Clay, Jenny Pitman and Andy Streeter. Douglas, who is based near Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, is founder of the PJD Group. The company, based at Castle Donington near Derby, has developed from his Peter J Douglas Engineering business into one of Britain’s leading independent mechanical engineering companies. Douglas is a longstanding sponsor at his local racecourse, Uttoxeter, and paraded Always Waining on the PJD Group raceday at the Staffordshire track in May.

Peter Bowen (Letterston, Pembrokeshire, Wales)

Born on June 9, 1958, Peter Bowen is married to Karen and has three sons, Michael (who began riding in point-to-points in April, 2012 on Iron Man), Sean and James. The son of a haulier and a village postmistress, Bowen trains at Letterston near Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and took out his first trainer’s licence in 1995, having previously been a livery yard proprietor and hugely successful point-to-point handler. He won the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton the following November with Dreams End and the same horse took the Kingwell Hurdle at the Somerset course in February, 1997. A big race hat-trick was completed by Dreams End in the Swinton Handicap Hurdle at Haydock later in the same year. Another horse that he did well with early in his training career was Iffee, whom he saddled to win the Durham National at Sedgefield in 1996. The 1996/1997 campaign saw Bowen set a modern-day record with Stately Home, winner of 10 races that season including the Grade One Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown Park. He captured the Badger Ales Handicap Chase at Wincanton in both 2002 and 2003 with Swansea Bay and the same horse won the Edward Hanmer Memorial Chase at Haydock, also in 2003. His stable stars have included Take The Stand and Ballycassidy. The former was second to Kicking King in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2005 and finished fifth in the 2006 renewal, the highest placing by a British-trained horse. Ballycassidy, a winner of 15 races who ran in the John Smith’s Grand National three times and showed up well on the second and third occasions before being found out. Bowen had his highest-ever number of winners in the 2006/2007 season, with 72 successes, including Dunbrody Millar in the John Smith’s Topham Chase, a race Bowen also captured in 2001 with Gower Slave and with record-breaking Always Waining in 2010, 2011 & 2012. Bowen has also enjoyed Grade One success with Snoopy Loopy in the 2008 Betfair Chase and with Souffleur in the 2007 Challow Hurdle. He went close to John Smith’s Grand National success in 2007 when McKelvey was the three-quarter length runner-up to Silver Birch.

Tom O’Brien

Tom O’Brien, who was born on November 28, 1986, set a record for the conditional riders’ championship in the 2006/07 season with 107 successes. His father Jim is a brother of the brilliant trainer Aidan O’Brien and plays a key role at his Ballydoyle stable in Co Tipperary. From the age of 13, Tom rode out at weekends and in school holidays at Ballydoyle, aboard champions such as High Chaparral, Rock Of Gibraltar and Mozart. He joined Philip Hobbs’s stable as a 17-year-old, initially riding as an amateur and in point-to-points and had his first success aboard The Names Bond at Warwick on December 18, 2004. The rider has also established a useful association with trainer Peter Bowen, for whom he finished second aboard McKelvey when having his first John Smith’s Grand National ride in 2007.O’Brien forged a formidable partnership with the Mick Quinlan-trained Silk Affair, winning the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at the 2009 Cheltenham Festival while the Hobbs-trained Dream Alliance in the Coral Welsh National in December, 2009. He rode Always Waining to victory in both the 2011 & 2012 runnings of the John Smith’s Topham Chase at Aintree.

FOURTH RACE - JOHN SMITH’S TOPHAM CHASE - RUNNER-UP QUOTES

ANOTHER CHANCE NEXT YEAR

On his first attempt at the unique Grand National fences, Chance Du Roy acquitted himself with utmost credit, beating all bar course specialist Always Waining in the John Smith’s Topham Chase. “He was neat and clever all the way,” said rider Richard Johnson. “He wouldn’t be the biggest of horses but he really enjoyed himself, ran out of his skin.

“It’s great fun riding those fence on a horse who takes to them. Let’s hope Planet Of Sound [his John Smith’s Grand National mount] does as well.”

Chance Du Roy is likely to be back at Aintree next year for a second tilt at the two and three-quarter mile Grade 3 contest. “He’s been a fantastic horse for us,” said trainer Philip Hobbs of the eight-year-old. “This is his sort of distance and perhaps softer ground would have helped. It’s difficult to beat a horse [Always Waining] who only seems to come to life here, and so is probably very well handicapped. I should think ours will be back for another crack in a year’s time.”

Fourth race - John Smith’s Topham Chase

Placed quotes

FIRST-TIMER SMITH SO PROUD OF AIMIGAYLE

            Sussex trainer Suzy Smith had never run a horse over Aintree’s National fences, so she was thrilled that Aimigayle finished fourth in the John Smith’s Topham Chase.

            The Colin Bolger-ridden mare was prominent for much of the trip until fading on the run-in.

            Smith said: “That was such a thrill and Colin gave her a great ride. She really took to the fences as we hoped she would, but she just got a little bit stuck in the rain-softened ground.

            “She really wants top of the ground. Colin said he felt she might win turning for home, but then the grod began to have an effect and she couldn’t quicken off it.

            “This is the first time we’ve run any horse over these fences and she’s been a good mare for us so she’s very precious, but she’s a big mare and we always thought she would be suited to Aintree.”

            Aimigayle’s rating of 129 before today’s race means she would probably struggle to get a run in the John Smith’s Grand National, but that could be a goal, said Smith.

            “There is a question as to whether she would stay the trip in the National, but looking at that we would have to consider it,” said Smith. “She was staying on  so well - in an ideal world we would want a three-mile National!”

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FIFTH RACE - JOHN SMITH’S SEFTON NOVICES’ HURDLE - WINNER QUOTES

TOUGH LOVCEN THE ANSWER

Lovcen stepped up on his fourth place at the Cheltenham Festival to take the John Smith’s Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, rather to the surprise of his trainer Alan King. “I thought he’d be competitive,” he said, “but I honestly didn’t expect him to win. We’d been pleased with what he did at Cheltenham and came here hoping, not expecting. But he’s a tough horse, some tough horse. It all looked hard work - he was off the bridle for a long way -but I suspect that he wasn’t actually doing much once in front.”

That observation was confirmed by rider Robert Thornton after the Grade 1 three-miler. “He did everything I asked,” he said, “but I had to keep asking. He didn’t offer me anything extra, which I’d rather liked him to have done. It was all hard work, harder than at Cheltenham. The start was a bit of a mess and I was further back than I’d have liked to have been, but the race did open up and came back to me.”

Lovcen, German-bred by Tiger Hill (also sire of third-placed Cotton Mill), carries the colours of the Barbary Apes, a group of King’s regular patrons, all of them friends. “We needed to find an owner for him half-way through the season,” said King, “and they clubbed together to come to the rescue.”

Lovecen is unlikely to run again this season. “He’ll go novice chasing next season,” said King, “he’s already won a point-to-point.”

Fifth race - John Smith’s Sefton Novices’ Hurdle

Placed quotes

HOBBS PONDERS FINGAL BAY OPTION AFTER FIRST DEFEAT

Fingal Bay’s perfect racing record was brought to an end by Lovcen in this three-mile Grade One hurdle, but the six-year-old remains one of the most promising horses in training.

Fingal Bay was beaten a length and three-quarters by the Alan King-trained Lovcen after they took part in a sustained duel more or less along the long home straight. The only challenge to them from that point was third-placed Cotton Mill, who was shrugged off before the final hurdle and finished 11 lengths behind Fingal Bay.

Trainer Philip Hobbs had every reason to feel frustration, for this was his third runner-up in successive races following second spots for Wishfull Thinking and Chance Du Roy.

He said jockey Richard Johnson felt he may have hit the front too soon on Fingal Bay and added: “Maybe, but only maybe, the horse didn’t quite get home. He travelled so well and it’s easy in hindsight, but of course it’s disappointing to see him beaten for the first time.

“We don’t have many options now, because Punchestown is only just over a fortnight so he’s unlikely to go there, but we’ll see how he is. We’re a bit short of time.

“He’s likely to start next season over fences, possibly over two miles six furlongs or something similar, but I’m sure he will want three miles in time.”

Fifth  race - The John Smith’s Sefton Novices’ Hurdle - placed quotes

‘NEW BOY’ FERGUSON DELIGHTED WITH COTTON MILL

John Ferguson’s five-year-old Cotton Mill crashed through the wings of the second-last hurdle when in contention in the Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival but bounced back from that mishap with a good third to Lovcen and Fingal Bay in the John Smith’s Sefton Novices’ Hurdle.

Ferguson, better known as Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock adviser, was flanked in the winner’s enclosure by a large posse from Newmarket, including Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony and Darley’s director of stallions Sam Bullard.

He said: “I was delighted with that. I’ll never really understand what happened at Cheltenham but that’s behind us now. The important thing is he’s run very well.

“The shower earlier probably didn’t help him. The ground became a little bit tacky and he’d probably prefer it a little bit sharper but I’m delighted - we’re the new boys.”

 THE JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL MEETING, AINTREE

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LADIES’ DAY, FRIDAY 13, APRIL, 2012

Sixth  race - The John Smith’s Daily Mirror Punters’ Club Hurdle - winner’s quotes

DOUBLE DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR MALCOLM JEFFERSON

Malton trainer Malcolm Jefferson pulled off the remarkable feat of bringing his two Cheltenham Festival handicap winners to Aintree and producing them on song once again for their respective Liverpool targets, with Cape Tribulation winning yesterday’s Silver Cross Handicap Hurdle and Attaglance following up today in the John Smith’s Daily Mirror Punters’ Club Hurdle.

Attaglance cruised through to challenge for the lead at the final hurdle and outbattled Tour d’Argent on the run-in to win by a length and three-quarters to record a hat-trick of victories.

Jefferson said: “That was unbelievable. He was never really on the bridle but they go such a gallop in these races. He battled on really well, he’s just really genuine.

“He’s such a straightforward horse - he -works well at home and eats well. He came home from Cheltenham and went into his grub and yate up straight away. Cape Tribulation had a hard race yesterday but got home last night and licked his bowl clean.

“I just kept them ticking over after Cheltenham. They’re both fit horses so we don’t gallop the guts out of them. I only need to know how fast they can go once - the rest of the time it’s just about keeping them happy.

“This fellow’s won four this year and there aren’t many horses who can win four handicaps.”

Winning jockey Harry Haynes, who has his first ride in the John Smith’s Grand National tomorrow aboard the Jefferson-trained According To Pete, said: “It’s a brilliant training performance from Malcolm Jefferson to get Attaglance to win at Cheltenham and then to come here and wins as well - there aren’t many that do it. I wasn’t able to claim in this race so technically he is 8lbs higher than he was at Cheltenham.

“He has showed great determination because he never travelled a yard and I thought I would struggle to complete the race turning down the back because he was just coming off the bridle. I can’t thank the owners enough for putting me on at Cheltenham and here today.

“Today is a warm-up for tomorrow and I’m pleased I came here today to get a feel of the place. Hopefully everything continues to go our way as it seems to be going our way at the moment.”

Sixth race - John Smith’s Daily Mirror Punters’ Club Handicap Hurdle

Placed quotes

HAYNES GRATEFUL FOR DOUBLE OPPORTUNITY

After completing a special double-double by scoring on Cape Tribulation and Attaglance (this race’s winner) at the Cheltenham Festival and again at the John Smith’s Grand National meeting, jockey Harry Haynes was understandably overjoyed.

Tomorrow he could rise to another level, when riding According To Pete in the big race - all three horses are trained by Malcolm Jefferson.

Haynes said: “It has been a brilliant training performance by Mr Jefferson - not many can do it. This horse [Attaglance] went up 5lb for winning at Cheltenham, but I couldn’t claim in the race so effectively he was up 8lb.

“He’s all guts and determination, because he never travelled a yard and I was struggling to even complete the race going down the back straight because he was off the bridle. From that point I couldn’t see him winning, but he’s so brave and wants it so much.

“I’m so grateful to the owners for even considering me for the ride. Today was a good warm-up to get a feel for the place and I just hope everything goes our way again tomorrow with According To Pete.”

SCUDAMORE EYES FRENCH POTS

Michael Scudamore’s big-money buy Saphir River showed the promise that created his price tag when finishing fourth in the John Smith’s Daily Mirror Punters’ Club Hurdle.

Scudamore, who trains the horse for owner Stephen Evans, a Liverpudlian who was delighted to have reached Aintree’s winner’s enclosure, said: “He unseated at the second at Cheltenham so to run so well on what was effectively his first run in Britain was really pleasing.

“Paul [Carberry] was very complimentary about him. The horse takes a bit of settling and he felt that if he could have got the inside a bit sooner he might just have got third. The plan is to go to Auteuil for a couple of runs this summer - on June 10 there is a suitable race over two and a half miles - but the long-term plan is to send him chasing.”

SIXTH RACE - JOHN SMITH’S DAILY MIRROR PUNTERS CLUB HANDICAP HURDLE - PLACED QUOTES

LOS NADIS SUCH A BATTLER

Rider Ryan Mania paid tribute to the determination of Los Nadis after the trailblazing little chestnut’s third place in the John Smith’s Daily Mirror Punters’ Club Handicap Hurdle. “The first two went past me so easily,” he said, “and I thought that was it, we’d be swallowed up by everything else as well. But he battled back and held off everything else. He’s such a hardy little horse and Jim [Goldie, trainer] had him in tremendous order.”

The two and a half-mile contest was hat-trick seeking runner-up Tour d’Argent’s first run in handicap company. “It was a fantastic run for a novice,” said trainer Nicky Henderson, “and fair play to the winner [Attaglance], doing that under top-weight. Ours is still a baby and we’ll put him away now and go chasing next season.”

JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL MEETING, AINTREE

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LADIES’ DAY, FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2012

Seventh race - John Smith’s Mares’ Open National Hunt Flat Race

Winner’s quotes

HONEYBALL’S CAREER GETS IMPORTANT BIG-OCCASION WIN

        Dorset trainer Anthony Honeyball has been gaining compliments for the successes his fledgling career has achieved, but today he nailed one on the big occasion.

        Eleven Fifty Nine’s victory in this mares’ bumper under Honeyball’s partner, Rachael Green, was a breakthrough that could see the couple press on to the next level.

        Honeyball, whose winner was part of a one-two in the race for British stallion Midnight Legend, also sire of runner-up Call Me A Star, said: “That’s our first runner at Aintree, but from the form lines we knew we were going to be there, or thereabouts.

        “She had run very well at Sandown when some people said she was unlucky, but she had the race won two furlongs out and was ground down, while today it was the other way around. She was one of the later ones to challenge and is a really good galloper.

        “She’s a good size and jumps well so she’ll go novice hurdling next season. She won’t run on anything quicker than this, because we jarred her up when she won her first race at Worcester and had a year off.

        “Bryn [Wright] and Martin [Rowe] her owners also bred her and they’ve been very patient.

        “We’ve had a very good season, but this is the win we’ve been waiting for.”

        Green said: “Turning in I had a nice run around the final bend, and while she didn’t pick up instantaneously she did it strongly and finally ground them down.

       “It’s unbelievable to ride a winner here and the crowd is amazing - it’s not quite Cheltenham, but it’s close to it. We’ve been doing very well as a yard, but to win this was just what we needed.”

SEVENTH RACE - JOHN SMITH’S MARES’ NATIONAL HUNT FLAT RACE - THIRD PLACE QUOTES

ONE FOR THE FUTURE

Warren Greatrex was thrilled with the third place of Umadachar in the concluding John Smith’s Mares’ National Hunt Flat race. The French-bred four-year-old had split Call Me A Star and Eleven Fifty Nine at Sandown in March, the two rivals who finished in front of her today.

“It shows she’s right up there with the best and the Sandown race was the one,” said Greatrex of the grey daughter of Turgeon, a €20,000 purchase at Saint-Cloud last June. “I think being a four-year-old against the older horses just found her out today. But she’s done nothing but improve all season and she’s one to look forward to. She’ll be even better with time and distance and we’ll have a lot of fun with her.”

Umadachar was ridden by Noel Fehily. “I thought I might win going to the final furlong,” he said, “but she just hit a wall. She’s a lovely filly and will get better when she strengthens up.”

JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL MEETING, AINTREE

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LADIES’ DAY, FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2012

SYNCHRONISED AIMS TO MAKE HISTORY IN JOHN SMITH’S GRAND NATIONAL

Synchronised heads the market at 9/1 with Aintree’s official betting partner Betfred on the eve of the 2012 John Smith’s Grand National as he aims to become only the second horse to win the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same season, after Golden Miller in 1934.

A P McCoy’s mount already has the Welsh and Midlands equivalents under his belt and looks certain to carry the hopes of the majority of once-a-year punters up and down the country. Around £300 million is expected to be wagered nationwide and a second victory for McCoy could result in a record-breaking payout on the race.

“Synchronised will be the name on the majority of Grand National betting slips up and down the country this weekend and another victory for AP McCoy will surely spell disaster for the bookies,” said Betfred spokesman George Primarolo.

Last year’s winner Ballabriggs is next in the market at 12/1 to emulate Red Rum by becoming the first horse to win back-to-back renewals of the race since 1974. Betfred make it 9/1 that either Nina Carberry or Katie Walsh become the first female jockey in the history of the race to pass the post first whilst Becauseicouldntsee and On His Own are 11/2 joint-favourites to be the first Irish-trained horse home.

John Smith’s Grand National – Betfred bet: 9 Synchronised; 12 Ballabriggs; 14 Cappa Bleu, Shakalakaboomboom, West End Rocker; 16 Becauseicouldntsee, Chicago Grey, Giles Cross, Junior, On His Own, Organisedconfusion, Sunnyhillboy, 18 Killyglen; 22 Seabass, Treacle, 25 Always Right, 33 According To Pete, Planet Of Sound, The Midnight Club; 40 Calgary Bay, Neptune Collonges, Quiscover Fontaine, Rare Bob; 50 Alfa Beat, Black Apalachi, Mon Mome, Weird Al; 66 State Of Play, Vic Venturi; 80 Deep Purple; 100 Arbor Supreme, Hello Bud, Midnight Haze, Neptune Equester, Tatenen, Viking Blond; 125 Swing Bill; 150 In Compliance, Postmaster, Tharawaat. ¼ the odds 1-2-3-4

John Smith’s Grand National: Irish-trained National – Betfred bet: 11/2 Becauseicouldntsee, On His Own; 6 Chicago Grey, Killyglen, Organisedconfusion; 8 Treacle; 9 Seabass; 14 The Midnight Club; 16 Alfa Beat, Rare Bob; 20 Black Apalachi; 28 Vic Venturi; 50 In Compliance, Tharawaat. ¼ 1-2-3

John Smith's Grand National: What weight will the winner carry? - Betfred bet: 2/5 Under 11st, 7/4 11st and over. Win Only

John Smith's Grand National: Age of Winner - Betfred bet: 7/4 Nine-year-old, 2/1 Ten-year-old, 7/2 Eleven-year-old, 7/1 Eight-year-old; 14/1 Seven-year-old; 25/1 Twelve-year-old; 50/1 Thirteen-year-old; 100/1 Fourteen-year-old. Win Only

John Smith's Grand National Specials - Betfred bet: 7/4 Irish-trained winner; 11/2 Jonjo O’Neill-trained winner; 8/1 Willie Mullins-trained winner; 9/1 Nina Carberry or Katie Walsh-ridden winner; 11/1 Donald McCain-trained winner; 12/1 David Pipe-trained winner.

Win Only

John Smith’s Grand National: Winning Distance – Betfred bet: 2/1 Over 3 lengths to 10 lengths; 9/4 Over 1.5 lengths to 3 lengths; 11/4 Over 10 lengths; 4/1 0 to 1.5 lengths. Win Only

John Smith’s Grand National: Number Of Finishers – Betfred bet: 9/4 13-16; 5/2 17-20; 4/1 21-25; 9-12; 12/1 26-30; 20/1 8 or fewer; 40/1 31 or more. Win Only