Suroor On Top Of The World…Again
Fans of trainer trends would have had no trouble in picking out the winner of Saturday’s $10million Dubai World Cup over in Meydan. Going into the 2018 renewal Saeed bin Suroor already had a record setting seven triumphs to his name. Thanks to Thinder Snow, he now has eight.
As good as the horse was, much of the credit for this victory must go to the man in the saddle Christophe Soumillon. Getting his mount across from a wide draw, the Belgian hit the front early and steadied the pace to suit his mount.
The first three splits of this contest were by some way the slowest of any of the Dubai World Cup’s to be run on the dirt track to date. If Soumillon believed he was on the quickest horse in the race -but not necessarily the most stamina laden – then these tactics were perfect, and they certainly paid off. Asked to quicken off the home turn, Thunder Snow swiftly put four lengths between himself and his rivals and had the race in safe keeping half-way up the straight. Favourite West Coast following him home in second.
Elliott Wins Fairyhouse Feature On Principle
Easter Monday as ever saw the Irish Grand National take place at Fairyhouse, and what a thriller it produced this year. 3m5f may have been the trip in stamina sapping conditions, but we nevertheless finished with five horses just about in line at the winning post.
Gordon Elliott certainly went for it this year, with the red-hot favourite for this years Irish Champion Trainer title being responsible for no fewer than 13 of the entries. In the end only three of Elliott’s runners managed to finish the contest in what really was a war of attrition. It only takes one to win though, and when the judge called the result it was Elliott’s Gigginstown runner General Principle who had got up in the shadow of the post to deny the Willie Mulllins representative Isleofhopesandreams.
Aintree On The Horizon
With the Irish National now in the record books, thoughts now turn to the English version, as Aintree once again readies itself to play host to the most famous horse race in the World. The Willie Mullins runner Total Recall currently heads the betting at 11/1 and certainly has the form in the book to go close if taking to the fences.
The way Gordon Elliott is going at the minute though it certainly wouldn’t come as a surprise were he to land a second Grand National in what is turning out to be a golden year. Elliott has six entries at the time of writing, including last year’s runner up Cause Of Causes and three time Cheltenham Festival winner Tiger Roll.
The compilers make Nigel Twiston-Davies Blaklion the most likely of the British contingent to come home in front. As ever though there are any number of runners in with a chance in the seasons biggest spectacle.
Not long now anyway until the 14th April showdown and if its anything like as exciting as the Irish version, we will be in for a real treat. Check out our Grand National tips and offers for the best freebies and news!
