HARRY WHITTINGTON BLOG: Harry Whittington, Grade One-winning trainer and BETDAQ Brand Ambassador, looks back on a landmark week that saw him reach the 100 wins milestone, provides an update on his Aintree runners, and previews the Grand National on Saturday.
We were delighted to get our 100th winner on the board at Wincanton on Wednesday. Captain Tommy got the job done really well and it’s a real boost for the yard with an important few days coming up at Aintree.
We’re set to have two runners in Liverpool, with both Rouge Vif and Bigmartre set to take their chance. Unfortunately, Henrietta Bell didn’t get into the Grade Two mares’ bumper which was a bit disappointing as we think she’s ready to win a race now.
It’s frustrating she missed the cut by one, but that’s racing and it’s not the end of the world. It would have probably been quite a hard race which would have meant we would have had to put her away for the season.
She’s entered in a bumper at Southwell, which looks very winnable, so hopefully she can get her head in front there instead.
Aintree
We’re thrilled to have two runners at Aintree, both of whom I think have good chances. It’s fantastic for the yard to have runners at the big spring festivals who have genuine chances and we’re really hopeful both will run well.
At this stage, it looks as if Rouge Vif will run in the Grade One Top Novices’ Hurdle (2.20pm) on Friday.
The rain that has fallen has pretty much made up our minds for us and I’m not sure the extra half mile of the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle would have really played to our strengths anyway. He’s all about speed and we want to make best use of that, so I think two miles will be perfect for him.
I’m struggling to see why he’s such a big price considering he beat Thomas Darby by over two lengths at Kempton on Boxing Day. That horse has obviously gone on to finish second in the Supreme, so the form of that run looks very strong.
He’s shown throughout the season he’s improving with every run and if he was from one of the bigger yards, I’m sure he’d be a much shorter price.
A number of the others in the line-up had hard enough races at Cheltenham, but we come here fresh and I really think the flat track of Aintree will suit him down to the ground.
He’s in scintillating form at home, his work has been excellent since Kelso and I really couldn’t have him in a much better spot.
I’m really hopeful he can show everyone how good we think he is. I wouldn’t swap him for anything else in the race that’s for sure.
Later on Friday’s card, we’re really looking forward to running Bigmartre in the Topham (4.50pm).
For whatever reason, he hasn’t quite reproduced the form of last year yet, but he ran much more like his old self at Cheltenham the last day.
Based on the way he has schooled over the practice National fences, I really think he’ll take to the big ones on the day. He’s slipped down to a very winnable mark of 142 and has speed too which you need for this race.
We’re lucky to have Leighton Aspell on board. He’s got one of the best records over the National fences of any jockey – two nationals back-to-back – so I’m buzzing we’ve got him to ride.
Grand National
As is always the case with the National, it’s very open, even though we have a short priced favourite in Tiger Roll.
My main fancy for the race is Sue Smith’s Vintage Clouds. He’s a dour stayer with stamina in bucket loads, which as we’ve seen over the years is so important. Sue and her husband Harvey are masters with these staying chasers, so I think everything is in place for a big run.
Another one I think will be in the mix is Mall Dini for Pat Kelly. He’s actually still a maiden over fences having never won over the bigger obstacles, but Rule The World won it as a maiden in 2006, and I’d expect Mall Dini to go well too.
It’s also obviously hard to see past the favourite being there or thereabouts. Tiger Roll is an incredible horse, who has probably looked the best he’s ever looked this year. It would be an amazing story if he could win it again and based on this season, he’s going to be bang there.
