22 April 2018

Three not to be.

It's was Scotland's chance to be nationally grand when Ayr staged the 160^th renewal of the Scottish Grand National. There were twenty-nine runners in this nigh on four-mile event. One jockey, in particular, was hoping to live down his disappointment of not making it beyond the first fence seven days ago at Aintree. Sam Twiston-Davies, whose mount, Blaklion, was unfortunately brought down before the race really got going, sought compensation by making history on the Paul Nicholls-trained Vicente. If this nine-year-old Dom Alco gelding had triumphed in the richest race run in Scotland, he would have not only won the £215,000 in prize money but, more importantly, he would have become only the fourth horse in history to win this prestigious race three times. Sadly it was not to be. A 33/1 outsider, Joe Farrell, trained by Rebecca Curtis. claimed the prize and Vicente had to be content with fifth slot.

Lloyd knows how!

This John Gosden-trained Dubawi filly put on a real posh performance for her celebrity owner when she made a successful debut in the BJP Celebrating 20 Years Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Newbury. The Andrew Lloyd-Webber-owned Lah Ti Dar looked every bit the part as she galloped decisively clear of her thirteen rivals. Ed Walker's Arendelle initially set a cracking pace and was eight lengths clear as the field turned for home but ran out of steam and was passed three furlongs out. The 7-2 joint-favourite, Lah Ti Dar however, was still going well at this stage and took her curtain call, six lengths ahead of Arcadian Cat, who could have come straight from one of her owner's musicals, Cats!

Expert failed

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Acclamation colt caused quite a stir when winning the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last August but failed to follow up that success in his subsequent line-up in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newbury in October, finishing last (9^th). That's why connections are expecting better thing from Expert Eye in today's Al Basti Equiworld Supporting Greatwood Greenham Stakes where the market seems to think he has a chance as he is currently the 11/8 favourite. The four-year-old, steered by Ryan Moore started off steadily but was held up in fifth position for part of the way. Though bravely tracking leaders over two furlongs from home he was unable to quicken but managed to stay on and claim second slot.