With only eleven days to go, the ground will be a major factor as always. They have started watering the course at Aintree to ensure good jumping ground. Point Barrow has been well backed following his last run in Ireland and is taking much the same route as NumberSixValverde last year.
My friend Pete has told me to look out for Longshanks trained by Kim Bailey. Kim Bailey of course trained Mr Frisk in 1990 when he won The Grand National breaking the track record on the fast ground. Longshanks is recovering from a bruised foot at the moment but they are hopeful of him making the line up this year. He failed to make the line up last year due to injury at the eleventh hour. He has jumped the fences in previous seasons when fourth in the Topham Chase. He is quoted at 25/1 at the moment. This brings back happy memories of 1961 when MacJoy trained by Kim Bailey’s father Ken romped home, ridden by Michael Scudamore, in a 3 mile 5 furlong handicap at Sandown Park. His starting price was 25/1 and Pete and I were both on !
For all the runners and riders go to at the races.