By Tony Calvin - 31 March 2025
Mildmay GS (G) National GS
Average of 50mm on both courses since w/c March 17.
Between 5 – 7.5mm per day likely to the start of the meeting.
Aim to start Mildmay GS to dry to Good
Aiming for softer on National, as directed
Just a quick few holding lines on Saturday’s racing at Aintree, the centrepiece of which is obviously the Grand National.
I think it is probably best to hold fire on the deep analysis front for now – we get the final fields for Aintree day one on Thursday on Tuesday morning, and waiting until Thursday morning will ensure we have the 34 runners and a better handle on the ground etc – but we are down to 58 entries for the Big ‘Un after Monday’s noon confirmation stage.
There were 65 in the race on Monday morning (Mr Incredible and Farouk d’Alene had already been scratched) and we are now at 58 for a maximum field of 34 on the day (there will be four reserves until 1pm on Friday, I think).
Those that didn’t confirm on Monday were: L’Homme Presse, Capodanno, Velvet Elvis, Minella Drama, Fontaine Collonges and Quick Wave.
All were guaranteed a run if they wanted it.
I am not sure where Minella Crooner has gone (ineligible/scratched maybe, but he was not in the list on the BHA site), but he isn’t in the current list of entries.
That means Duffle Coat is currently the last one in, though Shakem Up’arry and Roi Mage (the 13yo ran in France on Saturday, so an unlikely runner one would assume) are also on 10st 4lb (not sure if they have a random ballot for the final spot, to be honest – but two of them will be reserves anyway).
Actually, the Racing Post reports: “The 34th runner will be determined by the highest current handicap mark at the time of elimination, but should two more more horses have the same rating the place will be determined by a random ballot.”
Duffle Coat looks sure of a run looking at the current official ratings.
I hope Harry Redknapp’s horse wins any ballot though, as that will be an interesting ITV interview with him, for once…..
There are four reserves apparently, so it looks like Favori De Champdou, Fantastic Lady and Yeah Man (all on 10st 3lb) could be in the mix, too.
The ground is currently good to soft on the National course, and good, good to soft in places elsewhere, but they have been watering since March 17th (don’t know how much) and the latest going stick readings were from last Thursday (when this column went live soon after midday on Monday).
Why no updates since last Thursday?
What’s that all about?
Anyway, those Thursday readings would suggest the ground is somewhat softer than advertised, however.
No-one would suggest heavy watering is not necessary given the forecast by the way – especially as these Festivals present increased headaches for clerks, who have a devil of a job – but just tell the punting public the details and treat us all like adults.
It really should be a given.
And no-one would privately disagree with that in my experience.
The going stick readings were updated at 4pm Monday for the Mildmay tracks and 5pm for the National course, so fair play there.
The former is 4.5 over hurdles (from 4.1 last Thursday) and 4.9 (4.1 last Thursday).
The National course is 4.5 (4.0 last Thursday).
The going descriptions remain the same.
No watering details were given in the Monday afternoon update.
The BHA recently clarified to this column what is expected of tracks in this area.
“The BHA General Instructions state the following requirements:
BHAGI 3.2 para 4 (iv)
For the benefit of the racecourse as a management tool, accurate records of the following must be kept, the frequency depending on the course’s fixture programme: irrigation applied in inches or millimetres over given periods and areas;
BHAGI 3.2 para 22
When irrigation has taken place within the previous 72 hrs, the description should be given as, for example, Good to Firm (irrigating), or Good to Firm (irrigated) (when the irrigation process has been completed).
The amount of water applied should be specified.
Should a racecourse provide information which does not meet the requirements then this will be raised with the racecourse and via the RCA, and could lead to follow up action if viewed as necessary.
Should there be a complaint around an incorrect Going Description, the inspectorate will review by requesting all the records leading up to the fixture to determine if the Going description was accurate. Again, if it’s found to not have been, then this could be found to be a breach of the BHAGIs and further action may, in certain circumstances, be taken.”
Mildmay GS (G) National GS
Average of 50mm on both courses since w/c March 17.
Between 5 – 7.5mm per day likely to the start of the meeting.
Aim to start Mildmay GS to dry to Good
Aiming for softer on National, as directed
Hurdle (going stick 4.5, Monday 4pm): Good to soft, good in places
Chase (4.9, Monday 4pm): Good to soft, good in places
Good to soft (going stick reading of 4.5, 5pm Monday)
Tuesday morning course update: 17.5mm in March. Temperatures reached 18 degrees on Monday. Dry, sunny forecast through to racing with daytime temperatures of 16-18 degrees until Friday and 15 degrees on Saturday.
Watering (no amounts given): Watering commenced w/c 17th March. Watering to maintain/improve.
Weather: 16 degrees and sunny all week
Rails: Hurdle rails out 8yds Home & Melling Road bend; 8yds Anchor bridge & Western bend. Chase rails out 8yds Home & Melling Road bend; 6yds Anchor Bridge bend & Western bend. GN Chase rails in innermost position except bend approaching GN13 which is out 6yds and home bend which is out 8yds.
I Am Maximus 2. Royale Pagaille 3. Nick Rockett 4. Grangeclare West 5. Hewick 6. Minella Indo 7. Appreciate It 8. Minella Cocooner 9. Conflated 10. Stumptown 11. Hitman 12. Beauport 13. Bravemansgame 14. Chantry House 15. Threeunderthrufive 16. Perceval Legallois 17. Kandoo Kid 18. Iroko 19. Intense Raffles 20. Senior Chief 21. Idas Boy 22. Fil Dor 23. Broadway Boy 24. Coko Beach 25. Stay Away Fay 26. Meetingofthewaters 27. Monbeg Genius 28. Vanillier 29. Horantzau d’Airy 30. Hyland 31. Celebre d’Allen 32. Three Card Brag 33. Twig 34. Duffle Coat 35. Shakem Up’arry 36. Roi Mage, 37. Favori De Champdou, 38. Fantastic Lady, 39. Yeah Man
1.20pm: Act Of Authority, Maximilian, Monmiral, Sounds Russian, Beacon Edge, Crest Of Fortune, East India Express, Erne River, Hamsiyann, Hardy Du Seuil, Minella Rescue, Moonovercloon, Navajo Indy, Park Of Kings, Tune In A Box,
1.55pm: Castle Carrock, Diva Luna, Fingle Bridge, Honesty Policy, Jacob’s Ladder, Jet To Legacy, Julius Des Pictons, Kish Bank, Listentoyourheart, Lulamba, Mister Meggit, Off The Jury, Romeo Coolio, Royal Infantry, Rubber Ball, Wellington March
2.30pm: Erne River, Moonovercloon, Shakem Up’arry, Amirite, Booster Bob, Cruz Control, Desertmore House, Excello, Imperial Saint, Le Milos, Myretown, Richmond Lake, Sam Brown
3.05pm: Altobelli, Hiddenvalley Lake, Jimmy Du Seuil, Kitzbuhel, Maximilian, Monmiral, Sounds Russian
4pm: Shakem Up’arry, Cruz Control, Desertmore House, Richmond Lake, Escaria Ten, Conflated, Fantastic Lady
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