Talking Horses: Kitty’s Light to shine brightest in Scottish Grand National

21.04.2023 - 16:21 theguardian.com

C orach Rambler’s impressive success in the Grand National at Aintree a week ago is fresh in the memory and both Your Own Story, a stablemate at the Lucinda Russell yard, and Monbeg Genius, a close third behind Corach Rambler at Cheltenham in March, are likely to attract support for the Scottish Grand National at Ayr on Saturday as a result.

Both have decent claims on the book but not, perhaps, quite the chance that their current odds might suggest. Monbeg Genius is up another 5lb in the weights after a hard race at the Festival, while Your Own Story is 1lb out of the handicap and also had a tough race last time, a week on from Monbeg Genius’s brave effort at Cheltenham.

Gavin Cromwell saddled Vanillier to be a fast-finishing second to Corach Rambler at Aintree and his mare Malina Girl should be in the mix on the form of her win on heavy ground at Downpatrick last time, but she has had even less time to recover and runs off a 9lb higher mark.

That may leave last year’s renewal of Saturday’s race, in which Christian Williams saddled the 1-2, as the most significant piece of form on offer.

Lucinda Russell Gavin Cromwell Scotland county Chase

“E very ride, every jump, every battle, every fall, every day,” reads the main banner headline on the Professional Jockeys Association’s website. “We’re right here beside you.” But if the exodus of senior figures in the PJA continues at its current pace, there will soon be no one left to represent and advocate for the 450 or so men and women who, on a daily basis, accept the considerable risks attached to riding a half-ton thoroughbred at 30mph or more.

Talking Horses: Frankie Dettori can land his final 2,000 Guineas on Chaldean

I f nothing else, the fact that the normally ultra-cautious Aidan O’Brien was happy to discuss Auguste Rodin as a potential Triple Crown prospect earlier this week suggests that the son of Deep Impact is his No 1 contender for next month’s Derby at Epsom by some distance.

Talking Horses: Racing could pay heavy price in gambling reform

A couple of hours after the government’s White Paper on gambling reform was finally published last week, Julie Harrington, the British Horseracing Authority’s chief executive, was asked whether the proposed legislation took into account the fundamental difference between betting – on racing and other sports – and gaming, on fixed-margin casino products.

Talking Horses: ‘freakish’ Kitty’s Light can double up on Jumps Finale day

K itty’s Light would be a hugely popular winner of the Bet365 Gold Cup on Jumps Finale day at Sandown on Saturday, and Christian Williams, his trainer, believes the seven-year-old has the right attitude and constitution to follow up his success in the Scottish Grand National last weekend.

Talking Horses: Bravemansgame case puts spotlight back on owner rules

B ravemansgame, Britain’s best staying chaser, has been cleared to run at the Punchestown Festival on Wednesday after Bryan Drew, who previously owned the eight-year-old in partnership with John Dance, bought Dance’s 50% share in a deal approved by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA ordered WealthTek LLP, Dance’s financial services business which also traded as Vertem Asset Management, to cease all activity earlier this month, and has since placed the firm into special administration.

Protesters attempt to disrupt Scottish Grand National, 25 arrested

More than 20 people were arrested at Saturday's (Apr 22) Scottish Grand National at Ayr, Scotland Police said, as major sporting events in the United Kingdom continue to be affected by protests.