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Rhyl Journal
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Skelton fears title chances may go up in Smoke
The Closutton handler is responsible for half of the 20-strong field and with Grand National third Grangeclare West topping the weights, it means Skelton's course winner will have to race from out of the handicap and with the trainer's brother Harry Skelton at his near minimum weight to ride. However, the Lodge Hill team are hopeful the decision to skip the Scottish Grand National will pay dividend as they bid to keep trainers' title dreams alive in a race that could prove crucial. A big success for the Skeltons with Hoe Joly Smoke! 🥇 How many winners will the Skeltons have this week at Cheltenham? 🏆#ITVRacing — ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 9, 2025 'We never entered him in the Scottish National, rightly or wrongly, because I always felt this was the right race for him. We didn't expect Grangeclare West to turn up, but that's happened because of circumstances and we're 12lb wrong before we start,' said Skelton. 'We've got to give it a go. I feel a bit sorry for Harry, who has got to do 10st 2lb, which is not exactly a walk in the park, but he'd do 9st 2lb at the moment for me – I know how much support I've got from him and I know how much he wants it. 'We've got a nice chance, but the data shows it's going to be 12lb difficult before we start.' Skelton will also be cheering on fellow British trainers Olly Murphy and Emma Lavelle, who saddle the tough Resplendent Grey and in-form King's Threshold respectively seeking their own slice of the prize-fund, with the value of the former's National Hunt Chase fourth to Haiti Couleurs given a significant boost recently. Murphy said: 'He ran well in Cheltenham. He didn't go round very well but he came home strong. We'll ride him a little bit differently. 'He's got first-time cheekpieces and hopefully they will help him, he's got a lovely weight on his back and if he gets into a rhythm, he's got an each-way chance.' Sean Bowen will pick up his first title on the day but had to get off Haiti Couleurs at Cheltenham to ride Resplendent Grey and still awaits a first Festival winner. He did, though, win the Irish National on Rebecca Curtis' charge on Monday. Murphy added: 'It would be great if Sean could wrap up the season by winning this. He's been freshened up and we're looking forward to running him.' Neil Mulholland's Transmission was a place behind Resplendent Grey at Cheltenham, while Skelton's old boss Paul Nicholls runs Threeunderthrufive. However, it is hard to ignore the aces Mullins has up his sleeve and as well as the aforementioned Grangeclare West, he will saddle the likes of defending champion Minella Cocooner and High Class Hero, who is the trainer's idea of the stable first string. Mullins said: 'Paul rides High Class Hero and he's one who is going to be high on the list, if not right at the top. 'We switched from the Irish National to this late, we had a lot of rain in Fairyhouse and we just felt a drier track would suit him. 'Grangeclare West and Minella Cocooner both ran well in the National and must have their chances.' There is also a Grade One winner amongst the Closutton team in Dancing City, while Mullins fancies O'Moore Park to go close having knocked on the door at Cheltenham the last twice. 'Dancing City fell at Aintree but on his form before that you'd think he would have a really good chance and I think he's a good enough jumper, maybe we just concentrate on getting him around, then see,' said Mullins. 'O'Moore Park is due a big race and has been improving all season, whether that win is this or next season, I don't know.' Others on the Mullins teamsheet include Olympic Man, Lombron, Klarc Kent, Spanish Harlem and Chosen Witness, with the reigning champion trainer not ruling any out of contention. He said: 'Olympic Man was running a great race for Patrick in Ayr and will be ridden by Johnny Burke. He will be wearing a hood for the first time as he just raced with the choke out a little bit at Ayr and he won't be without a chance. 'Klarc Kent ran a cracker when second in the Scottish National, but even with Kieran Callaghan claiming 5lb, he's still going to be out the handicap. 'Spanish Harlem I think will like this nice ground and he's not out of it and the same applies to Chosen Witness. 'They are two horses I haven't really run before on this type of ground, but I think it's time they did and we take a punt on the ground. They are two big, chasing types that I had been keeping to ground with soft in, but at this stage of the game it's time to let them take their chance.'
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grand National 2025 finishers and winners list in full
This year's Grand National was won by Nick Rockett. The world-famous steeplechase winner was ridden by Patrick Mullins who came home after a confident victory at Aintree. Nick Rockett was 33-1 going into the race and finished full of running, leading home a one-two-three for champion trainer Willie Mullins. READ MORE: Grand National 2025 full results, finishers and places as Nick Rockett wins famous Aintree race READ MORE: How many horses died at the Grand National 2025? Last year's winner I Am Maximus came in second while Grangeclare West came in third. In total 16 horses finished the race. The race, which started at 4pm on Saturday afternoon, saw a field of 34 horses attempt to complete two laps of Aintree covering four miles and 2½ furlongs and jumping 30 fences. The race is the highlight of the Grand National Festival, which got underway at the racecourse near Liverpool on Thursday. If you backed a horse each way you may have won some cash if your horse in the top six, but check with your betting slip. Below are a full list of winners and finishers. The final placings for this year's Grand National, including the winner, with 16 finishers out of 34 runners: Nick Rockett I Am Maximus Grangeclare West Iroko Mettingofthewaters Senior Chef Minella Cocooner Hewick Minella Indo Twig Three Card Brag Beauport Horantazu D'airy Vanillier Bravemansgame Chantry House
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Aintree official gives Grand National update amid fears over conditions
The Grand National's conditions will not be faster than ideal after officials at Aintree moved to allay fears before the meeting gets underway on Thursday before Saturday's showcase race. An unprecedented dry spring and a five-day forecast with no predicted rain have demanded acting clerk of the course Jon Pullin take steps to ensure suitable ground for this week, especially with temperatures expected to reach 18 degrees. Pullin has been watering the track for over a fortnight and told the Nick Luck Daily Podcast on Tuesday: 'The Grand National course is good to soft and the Mildmay course, both chase and hurdles, is good to soft and good in places. 'We commenced watering the week commencing the 17th (of March) and different parts of the track have had differing amounts. It's an average of 50 millilitres that both tracks have had, the Grand National course is good to soft and we're aiming to start no quicker than that. 'It's been a daily cycle of five to seven millilitres on average, we had one day where we missed the cycle a few days ago as we were happy with where we were. We're in a good place now. 'Given a three-day festival with the conditions as they are; dry conditions and temperatures around 18 degrees, we'd like to start Thursday on the Mildmay with good to soft as the lead description. 'We're looking to make sure there's plenty of give on the National course for all three days, but particularly the Saturday (as per BHA directives).' In other National news, Jonathan Burke has been booked to ride the Willie Mullins-trained Minella Cocooner having originally agreed to partner Stay Away Fay for Paul Nicholls. The multiple champion trainer has snapped up the services of Paul O'Brien who will have his first ever National ride aboard Stay Away Fay.
