The two features on Thursday saw some interesting finishes.
The Abernant went to the 33/1 shot Washington Heights for Kevin Ryan and Tom Eaves. Ryan has a good record in this race and knows when to sneak one in under the radar. Jane Chapple-Hyam's Mill Stream 6/1 was second and Spycatcher was the only one in single figures to finish in the frame.
The Craven went to Richard Hannon's Haatem 172 with Sean Levey in the irons and this maybe compensated from their unplaced favourite in the Abernant. Haatem was impressive scoring by 3 ½ lengths over Eben Shaddad with Jane Chapple-Hyam's Sons And Lovers third on 28.1. Alcantor and Native Approach had a min-race within a race early on and used up most of their petrol before coming home in 5th and 6th places.
The Craven Meeting results make the Guineas races interesting as the form here was on good going and therefore should come into play.
On Saturday we go north to Ayr for the Scottish Grand National which has a field of 26 for the 6400m trip. Willie Mullins has sent a huge team to Aintree and has 6 in this, including the first two favourites Macdermott and Mr Incredible. The latter is coming in after only a week since the Aintree GN but in that race he dumped the jockey early on and had an easy time of it.
We actually agree with Paul Townend and like Spanish Harlem here on 8/1.
Good news during the week of the safe return home of I Am Maximus so what do you do with a GN winner to celebrate his home coming? You take him to the pub! Not quite sure if the horse went into the pub but there was a large gathering there and somebody would have bought him a drink – it's Ireland after all!
