Officials at Aintree criticised the “reckless actions” of protesters after Merseyside Police arrested over 100 people after they attempted to gain entry to the track ahead of the Randox Grand National. Dozens of activists climbed fences at Aintree, with at least two affixing themselves to a fence using glue and lock-on devices, climate and animal […]
Corach Rambler was a superb winner of the Randox Grand National for trainer Lucinda Russell and jockey Derek Fox. Successful at last month’s Cheltenham Festival, the nine-year-old was kept out of trouble throughout after starting as the 8-1 favourite, in a race that was delayed by around 15 minutes after protesters from Animal Rising got […]
The start of the Randox Grand National was delayed after a number of protesters made their way on to the track at Aintree. Animal Rising had threatened to disrupt the four-and-a-quarter-mile and were protesting from early on Saturday morning outside the track. As the National runners were in the parade ring, a number of protesters […]
The Skeltons enjoyed two notable handicap successes as both West Balboa and Midnight River did the yard proud at Aintree. Firstly West Balboa soared to a unchallenged victory in the Village Hotels Handicap Hurdle. Dan Skelton’s mare was the 9-2 favourite under his brother Harry after winning the Lanzarote Hurdle when last seen. Avoiding the […]
Davy Russell has confirmed his temporary comeback will extend no further than Aintree’s Grand National meeting. Russell initially announced his retirement from the saddle after riding Liberty Dance to victory at Thurles on December 18, but he was lured back into the weighing room after Gordon Elliott’s stable jockey Jack Kennedy broke his leg in […]
Sire Du Berlais toughed it out to defend his title in the JRL Group Liverpool Hurdle. The admirable JP McManus-owned gelding completed the Cheltenham-Aintree double for Gordon Elliott and Mark Walsh after taking the equivalent contest at the Festival in March. He was sent off at 8-1 despite his prior victory and looked like he […]
Gordon Elliott’s Irish Point was an impressive winner of the Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree. A 5-1 chance under Davy Russell – winning his second Grade One of the week – the grey ran in mid-division and crept into a more prominent position as the field turned for home. Behind the leaders over the […]
Jonbon strolled to an easy win in the EFT Systems Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree. The Nicky Henderson-trained bay was one of a small field of four and pulled away smartly around the final bend under Aidan Coleman. He streaked clear of Calico, ridden by Harry Skelton for his brother Dan, who then fell at […]
There are few heights Willie Mullins has not scaled in his training career and with five runners in Saturday’s Randox Grand National, he holds a strong hand. While the Closutton handler is miles clear of the pack when it comes to training Cheltenham Festival winners, the world-famous Aintree showpiece has not always been kind to […]
Apple Away stuck to her guns to provide trainer Lucinda Russell with a second victory in the last three renewals of the Winners Wear Cavani Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree. Ahoy Senor was a shock 66-1 winner of the three-mile Grade One two years ago for the Scottish trainer, but has since proved that was […]