Day one from Aintree saw four Grade 1 races and the other supporting races were good too. The Manifesto Novices Chase got things underway and the betting suggested there were only two runners that could win. Jango Baie was sent off favourite at 6/4. The eventual winner Impaire Et Pass led before the last fence and won from Gidleigh Park who made most and went down by a length and a quarter. Jango Baie was a shorthead back in third. Nice start for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.
Next up was the Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle and a lot of the field had run in the Boodles Handicap at the Festival. The favourite Puturhandstogether could only manage third place behind Dan Skeltons Live Conti and the impressive winner Murcia who was backed at 8/1 in the early exchanges and returned much shorter at 11/4. Number two for Mullins and Townend.
The Bowl Chase attracted seven runners and the betting considered this race very close. Grey Dawning was sent off at the head of the market. The Mullins yard had 2 runners and Paul Townend chose Embassy Gardens who pulled up after the third fence. However, his other runner, Gaelic Warrior came from well back to win under Patrick Mullins from Grey Dawning. Three out of three! Incredible. The Aintree Hurdle saw the match between Constitution Hill and Lossiemouth and many sided with latter including the Major with the latter over the two-and-a-half-mile trip. Just like Cheltenham everybody was left with questions without answers as Constitution Hill fell two out and, in the end, Lossiemouth came home one- and three-quarter lengths to the good from Wodhooh who ran a blinder for Gordon Elliot.
Four Grade 1 races 4 Willie Mullins winners …..
The supporting races saw Gracchus De Balme take the Foxhunters over the National fences. Sans Bruit won the Red Rum Handicap Chase for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. This was a repeat of victory in last years race for good measure. The Mares Bumper to end the card saw Irish raider and favourite Seo Linn oblige for Paddy Twomey and flat jockey Billy Lee.
Friday saw four more Grade 1 races at Aintree and the racing didn’t disappoint. The Mildmay Novices’ Chase was first up and here the Paul Nicholls trained Caldwell Potter made all under Harry Cobden to hold off Jordans trained by Joesph O’Brien by a length and a quarter. The next Grade 1, the Top Novice Hurdle was won comfortably by Salvator Mundi for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend who led approaching the last and won seven lengths from Gordon Elliotts Romeo Coolio. Next up was the Melling Chase, where previous winner Jonbon took it up two out and won nicely for Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville. A proper race horse who delivers time after time. The Sefton Novice Hurdle over the three-mile trip saw a bit of a turn up. Julious Des Pictons ridden by Gavin Sheehan won two lengths from 50/1 chance Minella Rescue to give trainer Jamie Snowden his first ever Grade 1 winner. Many congratulations to Jamie.
The Topham Handicap Chase over the National fences was taken by Gentleman De Mee for that man Mullins and jockey Mark Walsh. The other two handicaps both over hurdles saw victory for Wellington Arch for the O’Neil’s while the Conditional and Amateur jockey’s race went to the Dan Skelton trained, She’s A Saint under Tristan Durrell.
On to Grand National Day and the stage is set.
Three Grade 1 races took place today and the Mersey Novice Hurdle was the first. This two and a half-mile contest went to Honest Policy trained by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Mark Walsh. The JP owned winner stayed on well to see off Regents Stroll by half a length.
The Liverpool Hurdle over three miles saw a deserved win for Hiddenvalley Lake who over the last eighteen months has run some might races in defeat. The winner ground it out to beat Strong Leader and Jetara. The final Grade 1, the Maghull Novices’ Chase saw the Paul Nicholls trained Kalif Du Berlais make all and win unchallenged. A very smart performance I thought.
On to the great race and a feat occurred that will never be matched or bettered. Nick Rockett took the world’s greatest race, the Grand National for owner Stewart and Sadie Andrew, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by his son Patrick. A great success for the Mullins family and a very emotional win for Steward Andrew whose wife Sadie insisted they get a horse with Mullins. Not long after the horse went into training Sadie sadly passed. This year Nick Rockett has won the Thyestes at Gowran and the Bobbyjoe at Fairyhouse before today’s famous victory. However, the unbelievable was the fact that Mullins trained the first three home and four of the first five. I doubt this will ever happen again! Well done to team Mullins quite remarkable.
The other races went to Deep Cave for Christian Williams and Jack Tudor in the staying handicap hurdle. The handicap Chase over three miles was won readily by Cruz Control for Tom Lacey and Stan Sheppard. The concluding bumper was another Willie and Patrick Mullins success as the Double Green owned Green Splendour won three lengths.
So, to recap “Willie Mullins trained the first three home in the Grand National and four of the first five for good measure. Over the three days he trained a total of eight winners from the twenty-one races. Let that sink in ….”