Aintree Grand National Meeting Final Day Review
Saturday at The Aintree Grand National Meeting 2008 wasn't only about the Grand National. Here's our round-up of the day's action…
1345 Extra Smooth Handicap Hurdle
A smooth win by the very versatile Pearl King. Trained by Philip Hobbs and very well ridden by Richard Johnson he took it up at the last and won with plenty in hand. He did not have a hard race and could well go in again carrying a penalty off his current mark.
1415 Maghull Novices' Chase
There was plenty of pace on here set up by the mare Kruguyrova. Takeroc looked like collecting until the pushed along Tidal Bay loomed up between the last two and went on to win easily. The winner will now be a leading fancy for Queen Mother Champion Chase 2009.
1450 Aintree Hurdle
Al Eile stormed home to win this race for the third time yet again demonstrating the wisdom of avoiding Cheltenham. Osana just about made all and stayed on better than Straw Bear for second. The disappointment of the race was My Way de Solzen who was well backed.
1525 Extra Handicap Hurdle
Under a truly magnificent ride from Ruby Walsh, Forest Pennant came through after the last and got up in the last 20 yards to pip superior wisdom. Ruby settled the winner out the back as he was trying 3 miles for the first time. He worked his way quietly into it over the last 3 furlongs and nosed ahead in the shadow of the post.
1615 Grand National
A great race run on perfect ground and won by Comply Or Die, perhaps the best supported horse on the day. The winner travelled really well through the race, Timmy Murphy taking him the wide route. When push came to shove the winner´s proven stamina won the day. Hopefully our readers took the tip in our various previews this week.
A great day´s racing and plenty to mull over for the future. Will Tidal Bay be aimed at the Queen Mother Champion Chase 2009 or will he be campaigned over further? Perhaps the 2 ½ m Ryan Air at the Festival will be his target.
With Osana having been second in the Champion Hurdle and again here connections must be tempted to keep him to hurdles. However he does have the conformation of a chaser. Perhaps he will be an Arkle horse in 2009?
Comply Or Die has now proven his National credentials and obviously this will be next year´s target.
If wagering fever has got into your blood then why not take a look through the pages of the Bodog Sportsbook. You'll be raking in the readies in no time.
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