The racing world this week heads to Aintree for probably the world’s most famous race – The Grand National. The race itself throws up many a fairy tale and none would be more fitting this year than for Kitty’s Light, Christian Williams and his family. Nobody should have to experience what they’ve been through in the past 12 months and there won’t be a dry eye in the house should they emerge victorious.
There’s a possibility that we may be there in person with them as despite declaring our focus as being totally ‘flat only from now on’ – a bored moment at this year’s Cheltenham Festival saw us buy (with Anthony Bromley) Lot 2 in the Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival sale held after racing on the Thursday. A winner of his only start in a point to point at Farmaclaffley, Small Town Hero, has been placed in training with Christian and is entered for the Bumper on Saturday. Christian used to ride in my silks, and I’m delighted that he now gets to train for them.
Coincidentally Small Town Hero was already named after a song by an Irish duo named ‘The 2 Johnnies’ who unbelievably come from my dad’s hometown Cahir, County Tipperary – what is the chance of that!
Wonderwall also heads up to Aintree on Friday for Peter Bowen in the Premier Handicap Hurdle.
Last week was quiet on the track from Sefton Lodge with just the one runner, Giant, at Wolverhampton last Thursday. Having been raised 6 pounds following his last time out victory he ran another solid race off a mark of 80 to finish third. Hopefully he’ll be dropped a couple of pounds to give him another fighting chance of victory maybe back at Kempton which he seems to suit.
This week we start today with Pjanoo’s seasonal debut at Wolverhampton under Oisin Murphy. He’s been off the track for 179 days and been gelded since his last start but let’s hope he can still be competitive.
On Wednesday Con Te Partiro heads to Wolverhampton to try and land the hat trick once under regular pilot Hollie Doyle.
Sex on Fire holds an entry at Southwell on Thursday but is more likely to swerve in favour of a reappearance at Ascot on 1st May.
Saturday could see entries for Juicy, Shallow and Toxic.
