No better way to start the p2p season than with a winner, Illicitt Illusion won in spite of the race only being run over 2.5 mile and on fast but safe ground, he will come on mentally for that and it was just was the doctor ordered for the horse, he jumped from fence to fence and wasn't really ever out of his comfort zone, it will do his confidence the world of good. My target for him is now the Restricted race at Whitfield. He is the type, who, at this moment in time, will need plenty of space between races. Whitfield will be right up his street and it is worth waiting for. A great result for the Drinkwater family - Sam's mum bought the horse at Doncaster in May and got a roasting when the bill appeared! Yesterday, all was forgiven and by all accounts there was a few sore heads this morning. Tom Weston gave him a smashing ride and carried out his orders to the letter. Tom is almost family as Sam has been going out with his sister (who must be a saint) for a long time. Sam and Charlotte are about to move into a house together. Poor Charlotte, she must be bonkers. Spare a thought for Sam who had to watch from the side lines. Can't split a winning combination now, even if your the owners son!
All the horses went up the woodchip and a couple loose schooled. Tomorrow all the 3 year olds will be schooling over the fences.
What I failed to comment on on Saturday in my blog was the pathetic fences at Aintree. It appeared that the top 3ft or more sits on a bench type frame about 12 inches off the ground. For me the National fences now offer no challenge at all, I didn't notice one horse even peck at Beeches and the riders hardly needed to slip their reins. The race is now a glorified handicap over easier fences than regulation ones. It is ruined and winning it will eventually mean nothing as the challenge no longer exists. Now the fences are as they are I can see the French trainers seriously targeting the big prize on offer. Of course you'll still get fallers, horses fall over hurdles. Shame on the authorities who have bowed far far too much to pressure from animal rights protesters. When an industry is being run by people in the street it is seriously a time to worry. Well that's my rant over but the Grand National is no longer very Grand.
