He was the first photo last year, so why not start with him again this year: Inglis Drever. After his historic third victory in the World Hurdle in Cheltenham three weeks ago Inglis again failed to add the Liverpool Hurdle (Long Distance Hurdle)
Image: Inglis Drever
But the winner this time, and deservingly so after a couple of near misses this season is Blazing Bailey, seen here being led away after his triumph by his visbly chuffed lasses:
Image: Blazing & lasses
Only two horses managed to add to their Cheltenham successes, and one was Our Vic, who has been called some names over the years but who fought back to beat the mighty Kauto Star here. Mind you, Our Vic did look a stunner in the pre-paradering, so Jimmy backed him accordingly:
Image: Our Vic
My favourite Monets Garden in the paradering. This was the first time he disappointed proper round Aintree:
Image: Monets Garden
Ruby does not look a happy chappy after the oh-so narrow defeat of the brave and gutsy Kauto Star. Many things have been said about Kauto´s two recent defeats, but he is certainly still a superstar to us:
Image: Kauto & Ruby
Binocular must have spotted Jimmy in the stands:
Image: Binocular
Not quite a fairytale ending for the wonderful Katarino, but connections were rightly proud of his second place in the Fox Hunters Chase, after more than 780 days off the races. A great training feat by the Waley-Cohen family:
Image: Katarino
Fox Hunters winner Christy Beamish is led in:
Image: Christy Beamish
Lady´s Day, through Red Rum´s legs:
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Strange racegoers at Aintree: (YES, this IS a bloke dressed like a nun on some sort of piano:)
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Jimmys favourite Cedrus Libani, who was rather outclassed here:
Image: Cedrus Libani
The very talented Big "Big ears" Bucks and delighted connections after Big Bucks impressive win:
Image: Big Bucks
Master Minded, rated the best chaser in training in Britain after his emphatic Cheltenham success, found one too good at Aintree:
Image: Master Minded
Voy Por Ustedes gains deserved compensation for his Cheltenham defeat here at Aintree and is being led in by proud owner Sir Robert Ogden:
Image: Voy Por Ustedes
The stunning Pierrot Lunaire after his easy victory. Certainly one to follow next season:
Image: Pierrot Lunaire
Tidal Bay is the second horse to follow up on his Cheltenham (here: Arkle) success. He takes the Maghull Novices Chase with ridiculous ease and Denis o´Regan can sit pretty crossing the line:
Image: Tidal Bay
My Way de Solzen, so impressive last season, failed to sparkle this season, and unfortunatly at Aintree too:
Image: My Way
The wonderful Al Eile wins the Aintree Hurdle for the third time, and is led in to tumultous scenes in the winners enclosure by proud owner Michael Ryan, who bred Al Eile too and even named his stud after him:
Image: Al Eile
Grand National contenders - this is ....:
Image: Cornish Set
A wonderful head-shot of Turko, who took a heavy fall at Valentines second time round; but we met him in the stables after racing and he was clearly one of the fittest:
Image: Turko
Ante-Post favourite Cloudy Lane would have given the McCain family a record 5th success in the Grand National - he looked stunning in the paradering and did connections proud, finishing a gallant 6th:
Image: Cloudy Lane
King Johns Castle, a major market mover in the weeks before the National, ran his heart out to finish a gallant 2nd, and is seen here striding down to the start:
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Eventual winner Comply or Die on his way to the start:
Image: Comply or Die
The Start:
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Crossing The Water; note Cornish Sett´s (29) rather awkward way of negotiating:
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The finish - only yards from the line Timmy Murphy is getting serious on Comply or Die; he wins a shade cosy against King Johns Castle, who looked a major threat two out, and Snowy Morning:
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A jubilant Timmy Murphy, whose previous battle against his demons included his fight against alcoholism and six month in prison, after the biggest win of his career. He really turned his life around and is now -in our eyes at least- by far the best jockey in the circuit, most stylish and much easier on his horses; this is well deserved for all connections - young trainer David Pipe needed only 2 seasons in training where his dad needed 20 years - and hats off to all:
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