2019 AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL WINNER

And this year's Aintree Grand National winner is ... once again.

TIGER ROLL 4/1F

2019 GRAND NATIONAL WINNER 

Congratulations to all involved with this years winner, who was ridden by Davy Russell and of course was winning back to back Grand Nationals to emulate Red Rum back in the 70s. owned of course by Michael O'Leary and trained by Gordon Elliott in Ireland. 

Runner up was MAGIC OF LIGHT 66/1, 
third RATHVINDEN 8/1 
and fourth WALK IN THE MILL 25/1. 

Let us also remember that we lost UP FOR REVIEW [RIP] at the 1st fence and that was a nasty incident, for all the glory that goes to the likes of Tiger Roll we MUST remember that these incidents are a regular occurrence no matter what improvements the 'powers that be' will maintain. 

AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL DAY -- SATURDAY 6th APRIL 2019

This coming weekend it's The Grand National at Aintree, once again it is sponsored by Randox Health, the biggest and most watched steeplechase contest there is. If you going to the big meeting then I hope you have no worries with the travel and then good luck and hope you enjoy a wonderful time in Liverpool with its famous hospitality.  

Aintree's Grand National is the most popular jumps race on the calendar as 40 runners take on the daunting obstacle of 30 fences over the course of four and a quarter miles. Like the millions of others I will not be going and instead catching it on ITV. The TV channels recently changed the timing of the race so it's nearer the end of the card (due off about 5:15), I can only assume this is to try and gain a bigger TV audience though there are plenty of other events on this weekend including FA Cup semi finals. 

The forecast going is now described as "GOOD, GOOD TO SOFT in places" and this 4m 2f+ trip will surely be run at a fast pace. You can see a link to the official going report here. 

Last years winner TIGER ROLL (above) is going to be a short price favourite for a repeat win here and simply cruised round Cheltenham winning the Cross Country event again while the long term target has always been to defend his title here. Will of course be the first horse to win again since Red Rum back in the 1970s. However that is still a BIG ask.  

There's a feast of good jumping before we get to the main event towards the end of the card, we will have a brief look through these when the final declarations are out and give some selections for the accompanying races.

13.45 Gaskells Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 3m ½f
Our opener on National day is a 3m+ handicap hurdle, we've a huge field of 22 declared overnight and this will be run at a decent pace. Headed by the favourite SIRE DU BERLAIS [8th 7/2F] who won at the Cheltenham Festival and despite top weight is expected to give more than a good account of himself here. 

The likes of KEEPER HILL [3rd 25/1] should find this easier than the stayers hurdle he contested last time, and with Richard Johnson in the saddle the 20/1 price looks appealing as an each way alternative. Along with CANYON CITY [6th 50/1] who is a young horse, with a light weight, and has run well in regular handicaps with bigger weights so might find the burden eased and appreciate this trip too.

Winner -- (2) AUX PTITS SOINS 11/1

14.25 Betway Mersey Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 4f
Just the field of nine go to post here, with the interesting horse at the bottom of the list UMBRIGADO [6th 10/1] from David Pipe who has been lightly raced and could take advantage here against some more experienced opponents. 

While the top rated pair of ANGLES BREATH and BREWIN'UPASTORM are strong in the market they are both been beaten when favourites the Henderson horse beaten at odds on so not without flaws. Gordon Elliott's CHOSEN MATE [5th 6/1] rates the other danger to the market leaders having won three from four outings this season include a Grade 2 win at Naas last time. 

Winner -- (7) RESERVE TANK 20/1

15.00 The Doom Bar Maghull Novices' Steeple Chase (Grade 1) 2m
A decent Grade 1 chase for the seven novice chasers and should be a good opportunity for LALOR [6th 7/2] to get back to winning ways having disappointed more than a little when pulled up in the Arkle at Cheltenham. Looks to have most to fear from Joseph O'Brien's US AND THEM [2nd 3/1].

Winner -- (6) ORNUA 3/1JF.

15.40 The Ryanair Stayers' Liverpool Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m ½f
Time for the stayers hurdle with a field of 15 declared, and APPLES JADE looks likely to have plenty of support here, proven over three miles and although disappointing in the Champion Hurdle was still 6th and the longer trip ought to play to her strength. Another popular runner will be UKNOWWHATIMEANHARRY [12th 25/1] and is 16/1 while not the force of old will stay, and won't mind the ground becoming softer either. ROKSANA [2nd 10/1] will also be interesting with the 7lb allowance for Mares and the Skelton yard still going well so wouldn't be here without a chance.

Winner -- (3) IF THE CAP FITS 7/1.

16.20 The Betway Handicap Chase (Listed) 3m 1f
A big field now with 18 declared for this chase, sure a race where the jockeys will be praying for a clear round so not to compromise their rides in the big race later. 

Usually I would want to rule out all those that have either a 'PFU' in their last run or two here, and that would often help to narrow it down a bit, although sadly (or not, depending on your point of view) that doesn't apply to many here so we have a good number of half decent jumpers to play with. 

Richard Johnson might be able to nurse SPRINGTOWN LAKE [Pulled Up 10/1] over this trip, and worth paying attention to MISTER MALARKY [2nd 11/2] too from Colin Tizzard's yard and both were useful over hurdles so with some reasonable jumping and a clear round can make their experience pay on the run for home.

Winner -- (1) KIDISART 8/1.

17.15 Randox Health Grand National Steeple Chase (Grade 3) 4m 2½f

And now for the BIG ONE, 40 runners declared for a 4m 2f+ marathon over two circuits of this unique course and 30 fences to be jumped in all. Much has been made of last years winner Tiger Roll repeating that feat, but to be honest he only won by a neck last year, it was on different going last year, and it's really hard to back at 3/1F in a race like this. Good luck to him if he does it, but it's not a back able price in this for me really. WON 4/1F ,,, wow. 

So who does appeal, well the likes of VINTAGE CLOUDS has the pedigree to be a top stayer and is in the right hands to achieve National Glory so if he avoids trouble in running expected to be thereabouts. Sadly Fell 1st 😥. 

Let's have a couple of big price outsiders who might get round and spring a surprise, start with GO CONQUER and BALLYOPTIC both hail from the Nigel Twiston-Davies yard who know better than most how to tackle a National and should stay the trip (which is a question most have to answer to) they are both showing at 33/1 which is worth a punt.

While support for WALK IN THE MILL [4th 25/1] would not be surprising given his win in the Beecher Chase around here early in December and any experience of these National fences must be considered useful. Far too many from Gordon Elliot's yard to know what is fancied other than last years' winner Tiger Roll. 

The only wish is to see them ALL come back safe and sound. Sadly that was not the case, as we lost UP FOR REVIEW at the 1st fence. RIP x

18.20 The Pinsent Masons Handicap Hurdle (cond' and amat') (Class 2) 2m ½f

Very much an event after the lord mayors' show, a race for conditional and amateurs to conclude the meeting with and a race that could go to literally anyone ... 22 runners go to face the starter. Would have to consider the more experienced riders here which brings in JJ Codd on CHIEF JUSTICE [WON 13/2] for Gordon Elliott, and Jonjo O'Neill (jr) on SCHEU TIME [6th 6/1] but good luck to all the riders and their horses giving them a day out at the big meeting.

Results will be updated later

Hope you have enjoyed a wonderful weekend.

KEMPTON PARK RACES 2019 -- WEDNESDAY NIGHTS #9 3rd APRIL

Continuing with the next instalment of what I hope will prove to be a productive year throughout 2019.

Now into April which will end with me celebrating my half century of life and a trip to Ascot. The first quarter of the year and the turf flat season has starting again with AUXERRE winning the Doncaster Lincoln last weekend for James Doyle and Godolphin led all the way and very comfortable win. We are back to focus on the all weather horse racing now while the lights still shine brightly here at Kempton Park throughout this year. We are hopeful of better season than we experienced last year but it's just some fun and excitement to mix up the week we have started the first quarter well though so it's positive thus far. 

Lets continue with this our ninth Wednesday night of 2019, and will continue to focus on the handicap contests for each Wednesday evening meeting though we will also occasionally include a feature listed or conditions event too if there is one available. Keeping records of our endeavours to a 1 point level stake at SP, naturally we will personally be looking to get better odds than this but for the purpose of these results here we simply record SP returns only. 

Following a complete wipe-out last time out we lost another -6.00 points to SP and are therefore behind to the tune of -16.77 points to SP returns overall. But I'm fine with it so far given three months have elapsed and there's plenty of time to get this back on track. 

Again throughout the year we will keep up with our occasional lay opportunities of anticipated short priced favourites too. Naturally we will keep these results separately from the handicap figures we have been fairly successful with our selections so far but with a few favourites winning recently we are now 7/12 we will continue with this through 2019. 

This Wednesday will be meeting number nine for the 2019 AW season and we are expecting another eight race card tonight with four handicaps this week for us to look through and enjoy, the action which will commence at 16:40 with a five furlong novice stakes and the card ends around about 20:15 with the second division of the Classified Stakes contest over just short of mile and three furlongs in trip.

Here's a link to this Wednesday's race card; KEMPTON RACECARD

The going on the polytrack surface is described as 'standard to slow' and the current weather forecast for this Wednesday is for a wet day with fair chance of rain a top temperature will only be about 10C by the time the meeting gets underway.

Here are our handicap selections for tonight;

17:10 -- 7f Handicap (3yo) Div One.
Our first handicap event tonight will be for 3yo only and is run over seven furlongs, the event has been split into two divisions and we've a field of ten declared to face the starter for division one headed by MISS ENGIMA for trainer Richard Hughes. 

Not a lot of form to go on here, most have run down the field in 2yo maidens although PENTLAND LAD [WON 8/13F] has some experience of being placed and should go well for Oisin Murphy. I might have an interest in FAST ENDEAVOUR [6th 8/1] too for the 3lb claimer Cameron Noble. Not a race to be too involved with though and hopefully division two is a little more exciting. 

17:45 -- 7f Handicap (3yo) Div Two.
The second division also featuring a field of ten three year olds sadly is not much better than the first. Is headed by GREGORIAN GIRL [WON 12/1] for Dean Ivory, and the selections would ideally come from the lower drawn which also brings in CAUTHEN [2nd 6/5F] and SPEED SKATER [NR].

18:15 -- 7f Handicap (3yo).
And the next contest is another seven furlong handicap (class 5 now) for three year olds only and this field of 14 is headed by JOHN BETJEMAN who at least has some place form to his name. 

Dual winner RED PHOENIX [8th 11/1] will appeal for trainer Mark Johnston and should be thereabouts again in this company along with Michael Bell's REGULAR [2nd 9/4F] if fit to fly on seasonal debut.

19:15 -- 1m 2f 219y Handicap.
Our final handicap tonight will be over a shade under one mile and three furlongs. A strong field of 11 declared for this headed by BAYDAR, while VALENTINO DANCER [4th 11/2] is attractive with the aide of Cieren Fallon who can claim a useful 7lb tonight but will have a little work to do from a high draw in stall nine. 

SURREY BLAZE [6th 11/2] is the other selection here for Oisin Murphy and has the inside draw (1) to help if his rider can jump out and make good use of that.

Staked -- 8 points.
Returns -- 14.62 points.

Results will appear here later during Wednesday evening. We are currently on a deficit of -16.77 points to SP returns for the season, nine months of the season to go though. Nice result giving us +6.62 tonight and taking a piece out of the losses. Now on -10.15 going forwards to the next meeting.

LAYS -- 7/12. Got two correct last time to slightly improve our figures here, still looking for short priced selections and will post below if we have any for tonight. Sadly both odds on favs won, that's disappointing but the chance you take when you play this game on short price selections. 7/14 now.

Tonight's Lays;

18:45 -- CANVASSED (1m Novice Stakes) Won 8/13F.
19:45 -- HARRY CALLAHAN (1m 3f Classified Stakes) Won 4/7F.

Our tenth meeting for this year will be held on Wednesday 10th April so hope to see you then and throughout 2019 too.