So let's start with the Grand National!
This year's edition was fabulous! The changes brought about by the Aintree people seem to have worked as 21 of the 34 runners in the GN completed the course which we understand is some sort of record, and of those who unseated riders or were pulled up both horses and jockeys are all OK.
Winner I Am Maximus presented himself to the world as an amazing horse who is trained by the amazing Willy Mullins and ridden by the amazing Paul Townend. He started joint favourite with Limerick Lace of whom the nicest words we can use are "did not jump well" and who finished 10th.
It looked like Minella Indo, one of our top picks, was going to do it but I Am Maximus came swooping past and put the race to bed and Delta Work, with whom Minella Indo was having a head-to head with, just eased past to get second leaving Minella Indo, 11 years young, in the third place.
A special mention for Kitty's Light who finished 5th. Trainer Christian Wiliams has a daughter who is suffering from leukemia and both his daughters were at Aintree to cheer him on and be part of the celebrations. Williams says they plan to go to Sandown for the Gold Cup in three weeks time which they won last year.
For the rest of Aintree Thursday saw our tip Il Etait Temps win the Novices' Chase by 9 lengths, Sir Gino and Kargese quinella the Juvenile Hurdle, Geri Colombe win the William Hill Bowl Chase and Impair et Passe get the better of Bob Olinger (although there was a protest) to give Mullins-Townend another winner.
On Friday Inothewayurthinkin won the Novices' Chase, the Novices' Hurdle going to Mystical Road from Firefox and the highlight the Melling Chase saw a super run from Jonbon to defeat Conflated and Protektorat.
Saturday dawned and the going was still "heavy" but it got upgraded to "soft" before the GN. The Novices' Hurdle went to Brighter Days Ahead for Elliott-Kennedy who got a great number of seconds so this was very welcome with Staffordsire Knot 20/1 the second.
The Liverpool Hurdle went to Strong Leader 8/1 who lived up to his name, with Buddy One 15/2 second and Hidden Valley Lake third. Monkfish was fourth, Flooring Porter a disappointing fifth and Sire du Berlais was scratched.
And that as they say, is a wrap.
