Another BIG week of racing to look forward to, as Aintree hosts it’s prestigious Grand National meeting. There’s also plenty of other superb racing to look forward to across the UK & Ireland – we look at the key events happening this week.
Monday
Racing returns to Windsor for the first time in 2022. Jockey William Buick has a superb recent record at the course (31% strike rate), and has four rides there this afternoon:
- Inver Park (2:50)
- True Accolade (4:00)
- McCann The Man (4:30)
- Letter Of The Law (5:30)
Elsewhere, Brian Hughes is now on 190 winners for the season and can boost his chances of reaching the 200 landmark with four solid chances at Kelso today:
- Masked Crusader (1:50)
- Bavington Bob (3:35)
- Black Pirate (4:10)
- Spectacular Genius (5:15)
Tuesday
Tuesday’s feature race is the ‘Yorkshire Wonder Horse Search Is On Handicap’ at Pontefract (2:40), which features John & Thady Gosden’s sole runner on the day – Peter The Great. Red-hot trainer Charlie Fellowes will look to maintain his superb recent run (40% strike-rate in past 14 days) with his sole runner of the day in the same race – Injazati.
Elsewhere, there is jumps action to be had at Southwell and Exeter, with the ‘City Of Exeter Challenge Cup Handicap Hurdle’ being the pick of the National Hunt action on offer (2:25 Exeter). The Class 3 Hurdle has a small but select field, where Get Back Get Back will be hoping his recent break will banish his seconditis – having finished runner-up in four of his last five races.
Wednesday
Trueshan looks set to make his first appearance of the season in the Listed ‘Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes’ at Nottingham (4:00). Having won the Goodwood Cup and Long Distance Cup last season, trainer Alan King will be hoping his star stayer can get off to the perfect start this year.
Elsewhere there is Listed action on the card at Leopardstown (4:15), where Matron Stakes runner-up Pearls Galore will be hoping to get back to winning ways.
There is also a couple of All-Weather cards to look forward to, plus jumps action from Catterick.
Thursday
Thursday is the opening day of the Grand National meeting at Aintree. Featuring no less than FOUR Grade 1’s, it’s going to be one hell of a Thursday!
Clan Des Obeaux will hope to retain his crown in the Betway Bowl (2:55), but will face a stern test from the likes of Conflated, Protektorat and Royale Pagaille.
One of the feature races is the Aintree Hurdle, which is set to feature Champion Hurdle second and third – Epatante and Zanahiyr. Buveur D’Air will also bid to win the race he last won back in 2017.
Friday
Day Two of the Grand National meeting and the quality of racing doesn’t let up! Ladies day brings a further four Grade 1 races to get stuck into. Featuring the likes of:
- Jonbon
- Bravemansgame
- L’Homme Presse
- Fakir D’oudairies
- Funambule Sivola
- Minella Crooner
- Bandbridge
If only we could have a meeting like this every week!
Saturday
A race where your mother in-law who has no interest in sport will suddenly be glued to the TV to watch her pick – it’s the Grand National.
Minella Times ridden by Rachael Blackmore wins the 2021 Randox Grand National Handicap Chase.
40 runners will be lining up for the feature, where Minella Times will be hoping to emulate the great Tiger Roll and win back-to-back Grand National’s. He will have to be at the very top of his game to do so, with plenty of big names set to challenge for glory. Notable entries include Glenfarclas Chase winner Delta Work, Any Second Now and Snow Leopardess.
There’s a further three Grade 1 races on the Aintree card so our best advice would be to get comfy and enjoy a superb day of racing!
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Sunday
The Curragh plays host to a couple of Group 3 races in the pick of the racing on Sunday. In the Alleged Stakes (3:05), Helvic Dream has been off since victory in the Tattersalls Gold Cup back in May, so will need to be at the top of his game to beat the likes of Search For A Song and two-time USA Group 1 winner State Of Rest.
Elsewhere, the are a couple of jumps cards to get stuck into at Stratford and Wincanton.