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Aintree Grand National Festival 2023 

I've just finished my free 'trends' report, with pointers for all x7 handicaps...

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As many of you know, I head up there every year and I'm still to miss a Grand National meeting since I first moved up there in 2007. I've now a bit further to go from Suffolk but I can't stay away. It really is a great week and whereas I spend most of Cheltenham chained to my desk studying (although maybe not next year, we'll see) this week has more of a social feel, and I have much less time to study the races.

Sometimes my 'instinct' radar works ok, sometimes not! I'll be using those trends to help. As yet I don't know what the blog content will look like, there may be the odd free race preview and I'll try and post some of the trends shortlists. But I don't like promising anything this week blogging wise.

It promises to be a cracking three days as always (although the weather doesn't look overly kind) and it will be great to share a drink with the usual faces, including a few syndicate members.

Talking of which...

It wasn't the best of weekends with our two runners but they're back safe and sound which is the main thing. This weekend was a stark reminder of how tough this racing game can be at times, what with Mighty Potter falling on his sword, and a few others sadly.

Golden Mayflower ran a strange sort of race. From stall 12 we decided to drop her in, as if you're stuck 4-5 wide approaching that bend/can't get in, you've got no chance around there, whereas you can have a small chance from further back but tucked in. However, she could never go the pace but also never picked up the bridle. Maybe those two things were linked but for some reason she never really put down - you wouldn't have known after that she'd had a race, so something was up. She didn't really enjoy herself. In saying that, if you watch it back, you'll see she finished off her race strongly in the final 1/2 furlong and hit the line hard. One of those runs we'll put a line through.

There was a chance 7f was too sharp for her, so we'll be moving her back up in trip. But she likes Lingfield and the prize money was such that it was worth a go. It could be she needs plenty to fall right on race day, including in her own head, but as soon as she recaptures the form of her first two starts for us, she'll be winning. Those were decent performances for her grade (see what Lightship has done since), so onwards and upwards and we'll find the key.

It was Kaleb's turn on Sunday at Plumpton but he failed to fire which was disappointing. His homework was decent, as was his last bit of schooling, and he looked great in his coat pre race. However, Jack reported that he never felt the same as with his first three runs of the season, was being niggled early and didn't jump as he can.

We've concluded that maybe he's just had enough for the season and he's never been the same since his big effort at Kempton in very soft ground. He got one win on the board for us at Fakenham, ran with credit at Haydock and a close 2nd at Kempton. Many would like the season he's had. He's been on the go for a while also, having been kept in training through last June, before 4 weeks off. As such, he's now gone on his first proper holiday, for two months and will be back out on a racecourse in late September all being well. There's more to come from him.

Still, they're both back safe and a combined 40 owners and their guests had a good time over the two meetings, for all not as exciting as hoped. Still, great company and great fun. But that's the racing game and why you have to enjoy the highs.

All the best,

Josh

p.s read my free Aintree Trends pointers HERE >>>