So, let’s talk Aintree! On Thursday we witnessed a West Country winner for Champion Trainer Paul Nicholls and Bryony Frost with Sans Bruit.

There was also a welcome return to form for Nicky Henderson who scored with Sir Gino, he’s a horse I am very keen on and hopefully he will fulfil his huge potential. On Friday we saw Jonbon back to his brilliant best in a very strong renewal of the Melling Chase and evidence that Dan Skelton is quickly becoming a master at preparing horses for handicaps, at the major meetings, with the latest of a long line of successes being Kateira. This was followed up by Gwennie May Boy on Saturday.

That leads us onto the Grand National.  This year the field was reduced to 34 runners, indeed only 32 ran due to 2 non-runners, and 21 completed the course. Much has been said about the race, and yes it isn’t what it used to be, but on Saturday it was a great watch, unlike some of the previous runnings, and a real advert for our sport. Horse Racing needs the Grand National and if this is the future format that’s fine by me and, obviously the winner’s highly respected owner, J P McManus, who was quoted as saying “There is only one Grand National, for me, there is only one race in the world”. 

The race was won by I Am Maximus, trained by Willie Mullins, ridden by Paul Townend and tipped up by yours truly (sorry had to get that in). He looked well handicapped and so it proved as he bolted up by a commanding 7 plus lengths. Willie Mullins had 5 winners over the 3 days and amassed enough prize money to overtake Skelton and Nicholls in the Trainers Championship. Mullins is over £52,000 clear of Skelton who is in turn £75,000 clear of Nicholls. It’s going to be some two weeks as all three of them plot their way to the end of the season at Sandown on 27th April.

Talking of dates we have our last meeting of the season at Taunton on Wednesday 24th April with our Ladies Evening meeting.  The first race is at 5.25pm so take the chance to dress up and win yourself a weekend for two in Paris..early bird tickets are available at www.tauntonracecourse.co.uk ..why not take the afternoon off, get your glad rags on and join the fun!