Hi all,
After yesterday’s look at Grand National Day, inside today’s main piece I conclude my look back at this year’s Aintree Grand National Festival with a focus on the Grade 1s from Thursday and Friday. Plus, you’ll find two to follow from the meeting.
Thursday – Day 1: Mullins Dominates Day 1 at Aintree
The Willie Mullins dominance of the meeting began on Thursday, with the Champion Trainer winning all four Grade 1s — and none of them were favourites.
Impaire Et Passe had too much pace from two out for Gidleigh Park and Jango Baie in the Manifesto Novices' Chase. The winner wasn’t doing much on the run-in but had plenty in hand at the line.
Gidleigh Park had jumped well out in front, but a mistake two out didn’t help his cause. He can do well next season. Jango Baie, probably a fortuitous winner of the Arkle, was suited by the step up to 2m4f but shaped as though he’ll be better still when stepped up to three miles.
Murcia was the second leg of the Mullins Grade 1 four-timer in the Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle. With none of the principals from the Triumph Hurdle lining up, this was a weak renewal — not that it will concern connections of the winner.
The Mullins juggernaut rolled on as the enigmatic Gaelic Warrior landed the Aintree Bowl. With Spillane’s Tower a late non-runner due to the ground, the race looked set up for Grey Dawning — but he couldn’t match the winner’s pace after the last in what had been a steadily run contest.
Gaelic Warrior has now shown he goes on good ground, stays 3m, and handles left-handed tracks. That said, in the absence of Spillane’s Tower this was a below-par renewal of the Bowl.
Lossiemouth Capitalises as Constitution Hill Crashes Out
Lossiemouth completed the Mullins four-timer in the Aintree Hurdle, proving too strong for Wodhooh on the run-in.
The race took a dramatic turn two out when Constitution Hill came down. He had made a mistake at the last in the Cleeve Hurdle and got away with it, but a similar lapse four out in the Champion Hurdle did cost him. For a third time, his concentration went. He was closing on the leaders and might well have won — although that’s not certain. You could argue Lossiemouth was travelling slightly better when he came down.
It wasn’t Nico de Boinville’s finest hour. He allowed Lossiemouth to get first run three out, which may have affected Constitution Hill’s sight of the hurdle before the fall.
He’s still Punchestown-bound, and dropped to two miles, you’d imagine connections will let him bowl along out in front. If he turns up, we might finally learn how good he still is.
Friday – Day 2: Nicholls and Jonbon Shine as Mullins Rolls On
Four more Grade 1s on Friday, but Willie Mullins could only manage one of them.
Caldwell Potter Steps Up
The Mildmay Novices’ Chase went to Caldwell Potter, who had impressed when winning at Cheltenham in the Novices’ Handicap Chase (2m4½f). He proved his stamina for 3m here, although the race changed at the 14th when Dancing City came down and badly hampered the 11/4 favourite Handstands, ending his chance.
Caldwell Potter jumped well in front again and should hold his own in open company next season. Handstands is best forgiven this run – he remains an exciting prospect for next season.
Salvator Mundi Delivers
Fifth in the Supreme, Salvator Mundi put it all together in the Top Novices’ Hurdle, finally showing the form Willie Mullins had expected. He settled better and enjoyed the quicker ground.
Romeo Coolio, third in the Supreme, made a bold bid from the front but had no answer when the winner came past two out. He looks a nice chasing type for next season. Expect Salvator Mundi to head to Punchestown if underfoot conditions are in his favour.
Jonbon Bounces Back
Jonbon gained a tenth Grade 1 and made it back-to-back wins in the Melling Chase. Cheltenham hadn’t gone his way, but here he had the clear view of his fences that he needs and it made all the difference.
El Fabiolo didn’t jump well and fell six out – even if he’d stood up, it’s unlikely he’d have got to the winner.
Julius Des Pictons Strikes in Weak Renewal
The Sefton Novices’ Hurdle rounded off the day’s top-level action. Julius Des Pictons came from the rear to give Jamie Snowden a first Grade 1 success.
Only one Albert Bartlett runner lined up (and he had been well beaten at Cheltenham), so this wasn’t the strongest race. Mister Meggit looked the winner two out but made a race-losing mistake at the last and faded into fourth. Still, with just two hurdle starts under his belt, he’s the one to follow next season.
Aintree Future Winners
With the jumps season winding down, I don’t usually focus on future winners from the Grand National meeting — but two horses caught my eye this year.
Tommy’s Oscar – Ann Hamilton
Tommy’s Oscar hadn’t been asked for his effort when unseating three out in Thursday’s Red Rum Handicap Chase. It was too far out to say whether he’d have been involved in the finish, but he looked to be going well enough. He’s worth keeping onside if turning up in the two-mile handicap chase at next weekend’s Scottish Grand National meeting at Ayr — a race he won last year off his current mark.
Hamsiyann – Tony Martin
Hamsiyann didn’t get into Saturday’s three-mile handicap chase, so connections rerouted to Friday’s Conditional Jockeys'/Amateur Riders' Race — dropping back a full 7f in trip. Despite the sharp drop in distance, he was well backed at 9/1, but his chance was compromised early after being badly hampered and he finished well beaten. He needs a trip of 2m4f+ and remains of real interest going forward.
He’s also handy on the Flat — runner-up in last year’s Chester Plate behind a stablemate — and could be aimed at the Chester Cup this May. He’s 4lb higher than in the Plate, but that mark still looks very workable.
Grand National Festival Round-Up
It was no-excuses ground across the three days — as good as you could hope for at this time of year. Aintree had clearly watered heavily, but even that didn’t prevent 20 non-runners on Saturday. With sunshine and a brisk breeze, the track soaked it up like a sponge.
Willie Mullins dominated, winning all four Grade 1s on Thursday and taking the big one with Nick Rockett, who led home a remarkable 1-2-3 for the yard in the Grand National. That result has thrown the Trainers’ Championship wide open.
The Grand National itself is now effectively a Gold Cup for stayers. It’s all about class. Yes, there’ll be the odd outlier that bucks the trend — but the direction of travel is firmly set.
Final stat: Since 2015, every Grand National winner had never previously fallen. A telling stat that I had passed me by prior to this year’s race.
Paul Nicholls also enjoyed a much-needed boost with three winners, including Kalif Du Berlais in the Grade 1 Maghull. Jonbon bounced back to form with a tenth Grade 1 in the Melling Chase.
From a punting perspective, the first two days were tough going — easily my worst at Aintree in recent seasons. When Strong Leader couldn’t defend his Liverpool Hurdle crown on Saturday, I feared a hammering. But Nick Rockett winning the National and Kalif Du Berlais scoring later on turned the tide. One more winner and I’d have been in front over the three days. Still, finding the Grand National winner always lifts the confidence — so I’m certainly not complaining.
Drama, quality and some surprise results — once again, Aintree delivered
In Wednesday’s column I’ll be taking a look at Saturday’s Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr.
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John