National Saturday - we're off to Newcastle though.....

Grand National Saturday at Aintree is a special day.
Not just for jumping aficionados but for the whole British Isles....and beyond. The vast majority of the runners hail from just one of the 6,000 islands that make up that geographical area - Ireland, with 24 horses hailing from across the Irish Sea.
But Scotland do have a couple of runners, headed by Lucinda's recent Cheltenham winner Corach Rambler. Unpenalised for that success, he looks sure ot go close but Elliott's Delta Work is well fancied to also follow up his Cheltenham victory in this race and last year's winner Nobler Yeats runs again, and is well fancied by our Assistant Trainer.

After a couple of heartbreaking runner up efforts - Ahoy Senor and Douglas Talking - in the previous couple of days at the Aintree Festival, it was good to see her stable gain a boost for Corach Rambler when Apple Away won the Grade 1 Sefton Novices Hurdle on Friday. Of course, regular readers will be well aware that this column highlighted Apple Away to be a good bit classier than a 0-115 handicapper back in January, so this victory came as no surprise to us.......

Anyway, 7 lengths adrift in 3rd place that day was Nights In Venice, who takes his chance in the first race at Newcastle on Saturday, a 3 mile Conditional Jockeys' handicap hurdle. Going at the track is soft.
With warm weather forecast over the next fortnight, we've gone for this race even although it means carrying 12st 2lb (minus the jockey's 3lb allowance). He looked like winning last time at Carlisle and seems in fine form at home, so we reckon we hold a realistic chance of a bold showing.

Micky Hammond's recent scorer Howzat Hiris recorded not only her initial success when winning over C&D a couple of weeks ago but also gave her jockey Joshua Thompson his maiden victory too. They reunite here and along with 16 race maiden Shesupincourt may make most of the considerable weight differential from our gelding. McCain's Nell's Bells doesn't look overburdened off OR100 for his handicap debut - up in trip - and is another whose jockey can claim 8lb.

Rose's conditional Dylan Johnston comes in for the ride.

And we wait for the last race on the card for another of our recent 2nd placed horses when Enemy At The Gate runs in the 2m 4f handicap hurdle and ridden this time by Craig Nichol.  This is the 4.40, so plenty of time to take this in before settling down to watch the National (post time 5.15pm).

It was Henry Brooke who was in the saddle when our gelding was beaten less than a length over C&D about a month ago. That was his best form shown so far but this is not a gimme as he's up 6lb for that run.
And we better watch out too, as Henry rides a handicap newcommer for Micky the H in Lincoln Burrows. Mmmnn.....

Moonlight Glory was a course winner when last seen over hurdles in February but that was over 2 miles and he may just be more effective at that shorter trip. Celestial Fashion improved for a wind op when runner up at Carlisle last time while the more rain the better for Turning Gold who relishes testing conditions.

Best of luck to both jockeys and all connections.