Aintree Review

It was a disappointing end for the One Jump Ahead Updates with a lean three days at Aintree. The first day set the tone when Spillane's Tower was a late withdrawal from the Bowl. The original plan was to select Gaelic Warrior, despite his far from ideal preparation, but once Paul Townend decided to partner stablemate Embassy Gardens, that was enough to set the alarm bells ringing and the rest, as they say, is history. Twenty four hours later, I should have retained faith in Salvator Mundi once conditions came in his favour. Tripoli Flyer never looked like winning and any hopes had evaporated with over a circuit to run with Fergal O'Brien's charge repeatedly jumping to his right in the Grade 1 Top Novices' Hurdle. A couple of the selections in the Topham Chase gave us a run for our money, including Jetoile. Last year's runner-up James Du Berlais looked sure to be involved looming up on the outside approaching the second last. However, not for the first time, Willie Mullins' runner flattered to deceive. The Grade 1 Sefton Novices' Hurdle summed up the week to a tee with Mister Meggit throwing away his chance at the final flight having outclassed his opponents to that point. The other selection Califet En Vol sat too close to a strong early gallop hitting the front much too soon and, not surprisingly, tiring after the second last. 

Moving on to the third and final afternoon, Kitzbuhel raced too keenly in the Grade 1 Liverpool Hurdle and inevitably paid the price early in the homestraight. The ex-French gelding evidently has a lot of talent but needs to harness his enthusiasm, if he is fulfil his potential. Expect to see him dropped back in distance next time. The Grand National proved a tremendous spectacle with Willie Mullins dominating steeplechasing's greatest race - the Closutton team fielded six runners finishing 12357B. The Patrick Mullins ridden Nick Rockett got the better of stable companion and last year's winner I Am Maximus in a driving finish. As regards the selections in the Update, they provided us with a run for our money. One couldn't help feeling the mistake at the last cost Grangeclare West given the fact the Cheveley Park Stud owned runner was only beaten three lengths, which is less than the amount of ground he forfeited following the error. Advised at 66/1 in the February Update, Brian Hayes' mount jumped and travelled superbly. If I wanted to be critical, the nine year old possibly hit the front too soon and should have been ridden with more restraint. Regardless of that, it was a brilliant effort under 11st 8lb and a rating of 163. Minella Cocooner ran much better than his finishing position of seventh implies, especially when considering his saddle slipped before the first fence. A blunder there and at Foinavon arguably cost him dear using up valuable energy. Like Grangeclare West though, Johnny Burke's mount tanked through the race. Another selection Iroko ran creditably in fourth keeping on in the homestraight. Jonjo O'Neill jnr felt slower ground would have aided his cause. Still only seven, the J.P.McManus owned runner has time on his side - there has only been one winner from that age group since 1940. Despite the outcome, I thoroughly enjoyed the race. 

Following 8 winners from 30 Runners, including five Grade 1 victories, plus the Grand National, Willie Mullins is now odds on favourite to become champion jumps trainer in the UK for a second consecutive year. Mullins currently has 13 entries in the Scottish National and a further 8 in the Scottish Champion Hurdle and it will be interesting to see how many remain once the six day entries are published on Monday afternoon. Fingers crossed our ante-post selection in the Aintree Update lines up in the latter event next Saturday.

Mr Percy (16/1) is featured in the Changing Codes section of OJA and the Joseph O'Brien trained gelding won the Grade 2 novice hurdle at Fairyhouse on Sunday.

Switching codes, Ahead On The Flat is due to be published this week and all orders will be sent out as soon as possible. In the meantime, if you haven't ordered a copy, please go to the Publications section of the site.