Aintree Festival Newswire

Wed, Apr 7, 2010

I’d raise Hughes National pair – handicapper Smith
The BHA’s head of handicapping Phil Smith suggested on Tuesday that he would put up the Dessie Hughes-trained pair Vic Venturi and Black Apalachi 8lb and 5lb respectively if he could redraw the weights for the Aintree showpiece.
View full story at racingpost.com

Dream Alliance searching for Hollywood ending in Grand National
On a television in the newly christened Dream Alliance Suite the horse after whom the room is named had just taken the lead with three to jump in a re-run of the Welsh National and his 22 owners were enjoying the moment again.
View full story at guardian.co.uk

Timmy Murphy stays loyal to Comply Or Die
Comply Or Die was on Wednesday morning cut to 16-1 (from 25) by Paddy Power after owner DavidJohnson revealed that his retained rider Timmy Murphy would partner the 2008 winner, rather than The Package, who is shorter in the betting at around 14-1.
View full story at racingpost.com

Madison on National service
The weights for Saturday’s John Smith’s Grand National will remain the same after connections of Madison Du Berlais revealed he will take his chance under the welter burden of 11st 10lb.
View full story at PA

Time For Rupert to miss Liverpool Hurdle
The Paul Webber-trained Time For Rupert has been withdrawn from Thursday’s BGC Partners Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree after scoping dirty.
View full story at racingpost.com

Ryanair one-two set for rematch in Melling
A cracking field of 11 will face the starter for Friday’s Melling Chase at Aintree, including the first two home in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, Albertas Run and Poquelin.
View full story at racingpost.com

Sanctuaire to represent Nicholls in juvenile
Fred Winter winner Sanctuaire will be the sole representative of trainer Paul Nicholls in the Matalan Anniversary 4-Y-O Novices Hurdle at Aintree on Thursday after the champion trainer opted to run him instead of Escort’men, who won the Williamhill.com Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton in February.
View full story at racingpost.com

Jimmy Mangan in anxious wait over Whinstone Boy’s Grand National run
Chief Dan George and Whinstone Boy are among the fancied contenders that may miss out on a run in Saturday’s Grand National Festival after 65 horses were left in the race at the penultimate declaration stage today.
View full story at prlog.org

O’Neill: My National pair can put on good show
Trainer Jonjo O’Neill is hopeful his two John Smith’s Grand National runners, Can’t Buy Time and Don’t Push It, can put on a good show in Saturday’s Aintree marathon.
View full story at racingpost.com