13/04/2012 Racing from Aintree

magnificent Grand National course going right around the edge and

inside it, the Mildmay course over which the normal steeplechase races

are run. This is the scene here. Yesterday, we had a crowd of over

30,000. They set a new first day record. Back in the '70s, those who

were here tell me you would be lucky to get 3,000 people coming on

the Thursday and Friday. Ladies' day has become spectacularly

popular. We could get up to 50,000 people today. They come early to

enjoy the full celebrations of the day. Hugely entertaining and they

get ladyed' day goody bag wiskon tain flip-flops, which are

essential if you are wearing stilettos -- which contain flip-

flops. The winner walks away with �5,000 today. The grandstands will

be packed. When it comes to the racing, it's of the highest quality

and a lot of people coming racing here for the first time expecting

it to be one big party get caught up in the excitement of the sport

and find themselves falling in love with racing. That is the point of

it. We really do have a great line- up for you today. Everybody's eyes

and attention are on tomorrow, the John Smith's Grand National is only

one day away. Always remember as a kid I was very

excited about it. I used to sit on my dad's arm chair, I remember

commentating on the Grand National in my grandparent's house. It's the

one race that sets it apart from any other, it's the National. The

whole world watches it. The night before, the nerves start. Too much

anticipation. Do get butterflies. Everything blews up around. You can

hear the helicopters above. So much colour. Feels like you're flying.

My wife worries a little bit about me going in the National. Dream of

get ago clear run round. You are going out there and you could be on

the 2-1 favourite, a 200-1 shot and you know that you could still win

that race. Can't do it without the horse. This is the people's race,

These are the horses on board which they'll be riding. He could have a

chance for Gordon Elliott. This is down at the racecourse stables,

very rare we get a view down here and a lot of the Irish horses have

come early. This is Sea Bass. This horse is Organised Confusion for

her uncle, Arthur Moore. All the horses very well looked after.

Fantastic racecourse stables. They have a buzz about them. For the

jockeys, it must get really nerve- racking. Richard Dunwoody's won

twice, Richard Pitman came close to winning it. What is it like the day

before? The buzz is tremendous. It really, if you've got any blood in

your veins, it pumps it round hard, Clare, it's so exciting, you want

it to get on and do it. The day before is not a nice day, you want

to get in there. For those that have rides, it's fine. Denis o

Regan hasn't got a ride until the last live race and he's all excited.

Doesn't know what to do with himself. But Richard, you rode a

lot of big race winners, class winners all over the place. When

you won the Grand National, both time, did you find you got a

different reaction? It's obviously totally different, it was THE race.

For me, AP will always say the Gold Cup is the professional's race and

for him as good as the National, but for me, riding the National was

the top pinnacle and I love coming back every year and was very lucky

to have some great horses to ride. It wasn't just winning it, I had a

couple come round and finished place as well. You get a buzz

thinking you might finish second or third. You come in and you are on

such a high afterwards. Just completing it you are on a high,

just getting round, it's a real buzz to get around. I've done it,

I'm here! If you compare it to how children feel about Christmas, it's

that kind of excitement for the jockeys. This is what gets them

excited. This is what we've got in store here, we are here all

afternoon. In the sport of horse racing, horse welfare is THE

paramount concern, the vets' team here has been expanded and improved.

We find out how the vet checks whether a horse is fit to run. The

trainer of Grand National Hello Treacle, we speak to him. Finian's

Rainbow won a race at Cheltenham, bids to follow up here in the grade

one race. He's up against Albertas one race. He's up against Albertas

Run. The professional jockeys get their first chance to saver the

national fences one circuit ahead of them for the top and chase,

including Always Waining, who's won it twice before. Peter O'Sullivan

shares his Grand National memories with us in the race where you must

expect the unexpected. Devon Lock and Foinavon feature today. These

are the races, we start shortly at including Frankie Figg and Always

Waining. Triangular is the favourite and we finish at 4.15

with the John Smith's receive phone novice's hurdle. The weather here

has been extraordinary because yesterday folks stone had to be

abandoned after the first race because it was raining so heavily -

- Folkestone. No rain as yet here but clouds. What is the forecast

right down there between the second last and last of the National

course, we find Mick and Rishi. Where we are standing at the moment

has been one of the dry spots on the course, between fences one and

two in the Topham Chase and it's fences 13 and 14 in the big race

tomorrow. Mick, yesterday, the clerk of the course put on between

three and five mill metres of water. Good job and what is the ground

like? I think it's beautiful. If you look here, you can get a nice

print. That's exactly what everybody wants to see. I deny any

trainer to come down here and not be happy. Superb ground. The

official going is good, good-to- soft in places. The forecast is dry

and sunny in the morning, showers forecast in the afternoon. Let's

say we don't get any more rain between now and tomorrow afternoon

before the showers are forecast, any possibility that more water

might go down on the course courtesy of the clerk of the

course? It will be a risky proposition to do it in case you

get a deluge. I don't think it will dry out that much. There's a bit of

moisture in this great old turf. I think they'll be OK. One horse that

will enjoy the ground today? It's a Gimme. One horse I'll go for

Champion Court, fast becoming one of my favourite horses in training.

Thanks to Mick and Rishi. We are going to get a fantastic cheer

today as the runners start for the first race, mainly because we have

such a huge crowd and a big percentage of them are female

because it's ladies' day and I hope the sun stays out for their sakes

as much as anything because if it starts to get chilly, you could

regret not wearing a jabgts or something .I'm sounding terribly

sensible and matronly, I realise -- jacket. Great to see so many people

enjoying a day at the races though, Jim? Yes, it is, absolutely

wonderful. They are out here for their traditional Friday here at

Liverpool. It is a real buzz, a real special atmosphere and, of

course, we've got a great programme of racing as well. Yesterday, we

saw Big Bucks, Menora winning. We have a good card for you today. The

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 43 seconds

runners and riders for the first Today's racing could be absolutely

crucial for Nicky Henderson. Paul Nicholls went back in front of

Nicky for the race to be champion trainer. So let's hear from Nicky

on his prospects and what he thinks about them today.

You are the man to speak to with this race, they are all very nice

horses. Darlan, great run at Cheltenham last time? It was. You

feel sorry for him a little because he looked as if he'd come there in

the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, came second last with every chance and

fell. It looked as if we might have thrown that away. Le did nothing

wrong at Cheltenham, so he does deserve a little consolation prize.

Certainly does. This track versus Cheltenham, better or the same for

him? Middle East a speedy customer. Funnily enough I think he'll jump a

fence next year anyway. What happens here will tell us a lot. I

wouldn't be worried about the track, he's sharp. Two others, Captain

Conan? Lovely great big horse. He's more likely to be a chaser than a

hurdler, but he's won the Tollworth, kept him out of Cheltenham in the

first place, didn't need to be there this year but he deserves to

be here. Then we'll put him away to two chasing, but he's a lovely

horse. Oscar Dara -- Oscara Dara? He was monumentally impressive in

his last race. The handicap was going to kill him for what he did

at Sandown, so I thought, you've got to try and come out of your

novice season with something, you know, like a race like this, if you

can come out with something like this, I didn't go and blow his

maiden for nothing, at the moment it looks like I've done that. If I

knew he'd do that at Sandown, I might have thought twice, but he

was very impressive. Got to see what happens. We don't know with

him, he's a lovely baby. Looks as if Darlan should be the best, is

that what you think it is? If you take the Cheltenham form here, but

like a lot of them yesterday, there were a couple came from Cheltenham

won and there's a few of mine that haven't run to their Cheltenham

form so you don't know what the Cheltenham factor has on the horses

as far as this is concerned. Darlan is obviously the one that had a

great run if you take Cheltenham form. Speak to you later in the

winners' encoz sure, I'm sure. so! -- enclosure.

When I said AP McCoy didn't have a win this week yet, I should clarify,

I meant this meeting. In the betting ring, we find John Parrot

all on your own? Very much so. We'll be poorer for the about --

absence of my old mate Gary but a Darlan. We had a look at Darlan

when we were talking to Nicky Henderson. Paul Nicholls trains

Ruby Walsh trains in the middle there, Prospect Wells. I love him,

his form ties in with Darlan. OK, he was fifth at Cheltenham when

Darlan was second but he was running up the hill and the

distances were nothing. Vulcanite is being mentioned a lot. Going

very well faded a bit quickly. Now Richard Dunwoody, this course is

less testing than Cheltenham, maybe that's why it gives him a chance

today? It does. A real good horse ant flat. I have a good each way

prospect with this horse. People don't realise the importance

of tongue ties. If I horse can't breathe because it's swallowed its

tongue, the next time it can breathe, chalk and cheese. Captain

Conan is trained by Nicky Henderson. Travelling strongly alongside the

winner last time out. Falling at Newbury on his penultimate start.

Definitely there? Captain Conan, he was taken to Kelso for his prep run

and got beat there. Looks very fit. Henderson's horses are very lean

and ready, they don't have fat horses at Henderson's. Agent Archie,

number two in pink was on the flat, ran in San Moritz on the snow. Now

with Donald McCain. Didn't run too badly. He sweated up again today

Claire. He ran a good race for a long way there and they said

they'll probably give him a bit more of a chance today. You can see

there how warm they get. They'll get him a bit more settled and

recked run better today, closer to Darlan -- he could run better.

Seventh Sky was lathered in sweat. Some horses need to be though.

are being directed out on to the course and towards the start, so

let's join Jim McGrath for the opening race on ladies' day.

Tangle Teezer Top Novices' Hurdle. They're walking out slowly. The

interesting runners here, Prospect Wells, Ruby Walsh wearing the same

colours he'll wear on his own tomorrow in the National. By

coincidence, AP McCoy, he's wearing the same jacket that he'll be

wearing. 7-1 favourite for the National at this point, but still

24 hours or a little over to go. Walking out slowly for the first

race. They're coming forward to the starter now. Starts yesterday were

exemplary. That's it. Except for one. They're off. In the centre,

Absolutlyfantastic first away from up there in the early stages, Agent

Archie and Captain Conan settles in third on the inside.

North Cape. Darlan. Oscara Dara on the outside. The white face of

Prospect Wells just in advance of those. Followed next in the field

by Toughness Danon. They are crawling. They come up towards the

first of nine. On the far side, it's Absolutlyfantastic, the first

to rise, from on the near side, Agent Archie. Followed by Captain

Conan in third. Followed a half length away by North Cape. Oscara

Dara followed by Darlan. Toughness Danon. Further back in the field

Right Step. Vulcanite giving them a long start. The leader goes to the

third and steps over it well. Followed by Theatre Guide in

company with Seventh Sky. They've gone very slow early and, as they

come up to the judge now with a circuit to go and six to jump, it's

Agent Archie who takes it up. Jason Maguire. Out in front. A length and

a half away, Captain Conan. Followed further back by North Cape,

as they swing left handed towards the back. Followed by Darlan on the

inside. Seventh Sky's made some ground out wide. Half a length into

Prospect Wells. Oscara Dara is next, followed by Theatre Guide. Right

Step is next in the field. Toughness Danon. Half a length to

Vulcanite. Only nine lengths covers the field and they are still

crawling. Into the back now and towards the fourth and Agent Archie

shows the way by three paths. Up in second place, the outside,

Absolutlyfantastic who absolutely flew it. Two lengths away, Captain

Conan is travelling well. On the outside of Darlan, who's had a

perfect trip throughout. Half a length to North Cape deeper on the

track. Oscara Dara in the centre. So too is Prospect Wells as they

come to the fifth. Followed then out wide by Seventh Sky and Theatre

Guide. Oscara Dara lost ground there. Vulcanite going through on

the inside is back towards the rear in company with Toughness Danon and

Seventh Sky. As they head towards the last one down the back, four

out, absolutely Absolutlyfantastic steps out in the lead. Half a

length away, North Cape. Captain Conan going well. Prospect Wells.

Oscara Dara. Theatre Guide. Seventh Sky. Further back in the field,

Right Step. Six lengths between first and last as they race up the

side towards the entrance to the home straight. Absolutlyfantastic

shows the way. A bit of bumping as Captain Conan goes in the second.

Prospect Wells goes third. Darlan is quick there as well. Deeper on

the track follows Theatre Guide, followed by Oscara Dara, reading

between horses. They come into the straight with three left to jump

and Absolutlyfantastic flew the third last. Captain Conan. Darlan.

Prospect Wells. The white face on the near side. At the second last

now, Darlan jumped to a narrow lead from Captain Conan. Followed in

third by Prospect Wells. Vulcanite has made up huge ground. One left

to jump. Darlan. Captain Conan the near side. Darlan has now hit the

top of that. Captain Conan in second. Darlan from his stable mate

Captain Conan, 100yarbdz left to go and Darlan is going to win the

first by four lengths. Captain Conan is second. Third, Prospect

Wells from Oscara Dara, Vulcanite, a gap then Absolutlyfantastic. They

were followed by Theatre Guide and then Right Step. Further back is

Seventh Sky. Then Agent Archie. Followed by Toughness Danon. North

Cape is the last to finish. The winner of the Tangle Teezer Top

Novices' Hurdle is Darlan ridden by AP McCoy. A one two for Nicky

Henderson as he tries desperately to try and reel in Paul Nicholls

who had such a good day yesterday with a cross-country treble. He's

made inroads there. 28,000 for the winner and 10,000 for second.

Oscara Dara's finish fourth so a prize for that. Darlan. The colours

that McCoy will also wear tomorrow. Lovely shot of Darlan who didn't

jump that cleanly early on. Awkward at the fourth hurdle but keeps

picking up. He's an amazing ride from AP McCoy. He looked like he

was under pressure. He almost pulled up, gave the horse a bit

more confidence. What will that have done to the in-running market?

I know! Nicky there. Back in front with Paul Nicholls. Paul picked up

third prize money but Nicky with first, second and fourth. He's a

sweet little horse, Darlan. Looks more like a flat horse. Captain

Conan looks like a chaser. You were pointing out that fire service iffy

jumping. McCoy scraping the paint though, going right round the

inside and he has the speed. It wasn't a great pace early on and

that helped Darlan because he was quicken where Captain Conan perhaps

keeps going on a long stride in the same rhythm. Captain Conan ran a

very nice race and Nicky is looking forward to him next season. This

horse used to be trained by Aidan O'Brien. Very successful stallion

and going places. AP was on the radio with me last night. He was so

interesting about the Grand National and what he thinks the

horses that he thinks have chances and what he thinks of synchronised.

He thinks it's 1-20 in the Grand National, don't even look below

that, the winner will come from the top half from 1-20. If you want to

listen to that programme again, it's available on the iPlayer.

Nicky Henderson coming back towards the winners' enclosure and he'll be

very satisfied after that. Good chances still to come. Could be

Nicky's day. This is coming towards the fourth. He sort of cat jumps?

Yes, just got in close with his own method and lost no ground at all.

That was such a heavy fall he had at Newbury as well. Captain Conan

taking off like a chaser. completely different horses all

together. At one time, it looked like Captain

Conan was going the best as they swung into the straight. That's why

I thought the confidence of McCoy was interesting of not going after

the horse, he didn't want a long ding-dong batsle, he wanted to come

back, wait and go for speed. puts his feet right into the

stirrup irons, I'm not an advocate of this toe iron job. AP usually

rides just on the ball and slants the iron a little bit to get

about he hates the idea that anyone thinks he's going soft. So when he

had the bad fall with a punctured lung, his one thought was, I'm not

being taken away from here on a stretcher, I'm going to walk back.

And he did. He's an incredible athlete. No doubt about that. May

have been incensed by a newspaper headline as well, just might have

given him a bit more determination to prove to those who thought that

he might be soft that he wasn't. I don't think anybody did. JP McManus

there giving his winner of the first, Darlan, a pat. Been going

incredibly well. Went well in the race at Newbury then crashed two

out which was unfortunate. He's got a lovely head on him. St Leger

winner. A really good athlete. Travelled well. Let's check the

He's relishing the moment. AP McCoy obscured there but explaining to

owner JP McManus that this horse travelled beautifully throughout.

Frank Berry there, racing manager for JP. He's behind them. And the

traditional pictures they pose for. Nicky Henderson a happy man, a one,

two, four in the first race. This is going to go right to the wire,

this trainer's battle between Nicky and Paul Nicholls, the defending

champion. Some interesting tussles to come, I'm sure. Later on, Nicky

has good runners, Finian's Rainbow coming up. Giorgio Quercus. As the

explanations go on after the win there, let's cross to Rishi down in

the Paddick. Darlan was just enjoying a lovely

drink of water after his very easy win in our opening race. Nicky

Henderson getting a debrief from Tony McCoy. Nicky Henderson has

been busy because he's had the first, second and fourth. Just

trying to jump in now. Congratulations. Had a lot of

debriefing to do with three of the four places. How impressive was he

today considering it was a slow gallop at the start start?

always expect them round here to go a good gallop. In fairness, all the

boys said there was no pace so they've all been queuing up on the

back of it. It was going to be a bit of a dash, but it was just nice

to see both those two horses off what was going to be a sprint

actually quicken up and go away like they did. I think they are two

seriously nice horses and it's a pity one had to get beat. I hate

beating one's own, but they're two horses to look forward to.

Darlan a champion hurdler? I think one day he'll jump fences. He's a

big horse and he's got a lot of physical development in him still.

I suspect he might stay over hurdles, but we've only just

brushed that for the moment. We've got all summer to think about that.

Before we bring in Tony McCoy, a word on the trainers' Championship.

How much are you enjoying this battle? It will be fun. A long way

to go, a lot to play for, we'll keep trying. Well done. Thank you

very much. Tony, well done. Thank you. First of all, how

inconvenienced do you think you were by the slow early pace?

probably didn't help him. Do you know what, he's a horse that we

thought a lot of and he was going very well last time and got a heavy

fall. At Cheltenham, it knocked him. He was a very good jumper before he

fell and I think it knocked his confidence a little bit. He got a

bit far back at Cheltenham, didn't jump as well as he did at Newbury

before he fell. It knocked him, then he stayed on well. Today, I

wanted to ride him handy and felt a few times he didn't just as well as

he had done. I think he won because he's a good horse, I don't think...

I think I got a better feed off him at Newbury. He won and it's great

that he won and hopefully he has the potential to be a very good

horse. We'll see. Nicky suggested over fences maybe one day. A

Champion Hurdle next season? We'll have to wait and see and speak it

through with Frank and JP and see what they think. What he does do is

normally travels very well in a race and he can obviously quicken

up off the slow pace. He stays very well but it's a big step up from a

novice to being a Champion Hurdle. You can only dream. I think he has

enough size and scope that he will make a chaser so there are options

for him. Some timeious get a horse that is a Champion Hurdle and there

are no option, but there is with him. It's nice for him after the

heavy fall, fair play to the horse for coming back from it. Thank you

because I thought that put Nicky Henderson back in front, but it

our next two races, AP receiving his trophy there, JP McManus in the

background as well and sponsored by Top Teezer Direct.

Well, one thing that both AP McCoy and JP McManus really appreciate is

the history of racing, and particularly of this meeting and of

the Grand National, but nobody knows it all better than Sir Peter

O'Sullivan. Here's the latest in the anduls of the Grand National

was the mystifying collapse of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother's

horse Devon Loch. Just 40 yards from the line victory looked an

absolute certainty. A stunned crowd willing home a Royal winner could

scarcely believe what they were witnessing. Commentating for BBC

Radio, I shared their sentiments and echoed the description of the

amazing scenes. A hundred yards to go - Devon Horse

- oh! Devon Horse has gone down! He has been passed. Marvellously stoic,

as was her way, the Queen Mother simply commented "Oh, that's

racing." Under the circumstances, it was amazing grace, and she was

also quick to congratulate the winning connections. As for the

distraught jockey, Dick Francis went on to rise from his despair to

write a series of best-selling horses do over the years, that is

the most extraordinary. It happened just in the shadow of the water

jump. Still a lot of debate as to why he took off to jump an

imaginary fence. Did he see the fence in the corner of his eye? Did

he think he had something to jump? Did he hear the crowd roar what

they thought was a certain win for the Queen Mother? Nobody will know,

and Dave Dick, I asked him once years ago, he was a lovely plan -

what did you think when you saw Devon Loch go down like that? He

said "Bloody marvellous", a typical jockey's reaction. We have been

talking a lot about the modifications made to the courses,

but also the money invested, a quarter of a million pounds by

Aintree in increasing the veterinary facilities that are

available, and our correspondent racing industry make sure all the

horses running today in this meeting, including those over the

Grand National fences, are in the best possible condition so that we

know none of these horses are taking risks. The first initiative

is that these horses entering the Grand National have to meet strict

entry criteria in order to enter the race. There is then a second

tier of inspection. All of those entrys that are accepted are then

reviewed by an Aintree review panel to make sure all the entrys are

safe jumpers. Then what you are seeing here this morning is the

third level of safety. These animals are all inspected on the

day. Their legs are palpated for signs of injuries and the horses

are trotted up and down to ensure they're sound, moving correctly, so

that on the day of running we know these horses are all fit and not

putting themselves at an increased risk. These are the Olympic

athletes of our sport. Some of them do pick up injuries from time to

time. What we're doing is making sure none of those horses go into

the race carrying injuries that could be potentially harmful to

them. When the horse trots, we're making sure to see the way the

horse moves is symmetrical. Let's have a look at this fella trotting

towards us. What do you make of it? What I can see this horse is moving

symmetricly. I suspect the veterinary surgeon inspecting is

probably going to be quite satisfied with the horse's movement.

I don't know what he observed or palpated, but certainly the way the

horse moved, there are certainly no grounds for concern there. Will you

ever really be able to remove the element of risk that is always

going to be there? Of course you can't. You can't totally remove

risk. Racing is a competitive sport, as in human competitive sports,

there are risks. The regulators, the British racehorsing authority

and the organisation that are running this event, Aintree Race

course, what we must do is try to identify these risks and mitigate

them, minimise them, make sure we're doing everything we can to

make sure the horses are in the best possible condition and the

course and the conditions in which they run are as safe as possible

for those animals. The explanation of what's exactly going on here,

then the jockeys get their leg up. Barry Geraghty is one of the most

senior jockeys in the weighing room. You would be quick to know if a

horse wasn't right and pull it up for the race? That's right. That's

your first inspect, as a kid, to pull him up. You have two exciting

rides to come, Finian's Rainbow in two races' time - he's a horse that

seems to have got slightly easier maybe to ride, thank God? Yeah, he

was very keen last year as a Novice. If he'd settled better in the Arkle

he might have won that but he's settling better now. I am really

looking forward to him. In terms of Solix in the next, what do you

think? He's a good chance. He didn't jump as well at Cheltenham.

I felt the fences were coming at him quick. He made a few mistakes.

Just going a bit slower, hopefully he'll run well. Umbrellas are being

put up all around us. The rain is coming. I don't know how long it

will fall for, but what chance will that have for your ride Sha

kalakaboomboom in the Grand National tomorrow? I would say

we'll have beautiful ground unless we get a lot of rain. Do you get

the feeling when you know you're on a good one? What are your thoughts

about tomorrow? He was sixth in the Topham. We felt that was sharp for

him. The sixth will suit him. We think he'll travel. He jumps well.

With luck in running, we'll win. Barry is one of a team of jockeys.

They're all good friends because they know how dangerous it is. They

also have good senses of humour, so we have been trying to ask them

some different questions. I'd be a horse. A cat to sleep all

day. Probably be an eagle. I'd be a tiger - on the prowl.

A horse in the Grand National. Galileo. I would like to be a dog

probably. They get looked after well in this country. My missus'

dog because he's spoiled rotten. bird. Um... Just to fly, freedom,

no traffic. I'd have to be a rat. Probably a fly on the wall, you

know, ladies' locker room. Sadler's Wells. Tom Scudamore saying

Sadler's Wells. Some of the jockeys that aren't riding until later just

chilling out, having a good stretch and waiting for their chance later

on. That's Tom O'Brien, who is going to be riding in our next. We

have the John Smith's Mildmay Novices' Chase, but first, we'd

like to confirm the field for the Grand National. Reserves might have

come in up until 9.30am this morning. They did not. So this is

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 43 seconds

the worst, but my company's got better because we have David Yates

here, the newsboy of the Daily Mail and top tipster. What have you made

of this year's Grand National field? I can never remember a

boring national jumper. This year I think it's particularly exciting.

We have a Gold Cup winner in Synchronised which we don't have

every year. We also have Ballyrock, of course, -- BaliBriggs and Mon

Mome, a previous winner as well. It's always a fascinating race, and

this year even more so. What do you fancy? I have got down to a short

list of three. Killyglen I thought was interesting, the Irish

challenger, used to be a bit quirky when he was trained in the UK by

Howard Johnson, now trained in Northern Ireland, came down late in

the race last year, was going well. Sunnyhillboy is interesting, stable

hill companion of Synchronised. He's not very big, but he's a

Cheltenham Festival winner last month. He's a horse often appearing

late on the scene in the Handicaps. I think if he gets a rhythm and

takes to the fences, I could see him coming home strongly. Do you

think the race is different than previously? Yeah, going back to the

races I watched in the early to mid '70s then the ones dealt with

professionally in the '80s and '90s - well, '90s - the 11-stone rule

used to be something you could build your house on because hardly

anything ever won with more than that. That's not so true now

because the horses are given lenient ratings towards the top.

You used to be able to rule out the top third. The bottom third just

weren't good horses, then you would concentrate on the middle 20.

for today for the people at home? think Finian's Rainbow in the 3.05

and Cotton Mill. Thank you very much.

You can tell from the shots behind David and John how heavy that rain

shower was. It has just eased off. Gosh, for people who have come

without a mac, coat and umbrella, I just feel for them. Hopefully, it

will stop again soon. It does feel like a passing shower. The runners

are down there for the next live race. They're having fun, aren't

they? Let's take a check of them Silviniaco Conti, 13-8. 7-4 is the

and let him go to get onboard Solix. This is him cantering down to the

start. He gives the horse a bit of chance on this. If you look at the

ratings he comes out just about the best of this. He does make a lot of

mistakes when he's jumping. really sets him back because this

horse has an awful lot of ability. The problem is around this track

it's so tight around here, you make a mistake, you have to make up

ground, make another - they keep getting away from you all the time.

There is no doubt he's got a lot of ability. Let's have a quick spin

through some of the others. This is Silviniaco Conti. Ruby Walsh has

chosen him instead of Join Together. He had the choice of the two, and I

am pretty certain that Ruby Walsh hasn't actually been on him for any

of his four wins in this country - yet. Yeah, he rode this horse when

he finished second at Kempton. Ruby Walsh really liked him on that

occasion. He's a smart horse. They have always felt flatter track

suits him better. He's not really big - you can see him alongside the

others. Champion Court is a massive horse. Silviniaco Conti - ruby had

to choose between him and Join Together. Join Together, a little

horse, but he'll love this rain. That's Join Together in the

foreground. But let's have a look at Champion Court. A lovely shot of

Allen coming out on to the course. This one is trained by Martin

Keithley. He has been such a star. He finished second to Sedechion,

who could win the Gold Cup next year. Mullins said that when he was

interviewed for Radio Five Live. He races prominently, ridden

aggressively, should stay, a solid jumper.

So for you, he's the choice? Yeah, he's pretty solid, but I would be

willing to give Join Together a chance. Jim?

That's it. They're off and running, setting off here over three miles

and a furlong and a good pace early, and Join Together - Jacob in first

- they almost collided - they did collide. No damage done, and he

leads with ears pricked. Thomas is giving him a wide berth as they go

over the second, an open ditch. They're followed by Champion Court

behind, further back in the field is Solix and last is Silviniaco

Conti. So some strange antics in the early stages, and they've

swapped positions now, and on the far side is Yes Tom. On the near

side, Join Together. Coming towards the next, and they jump it. They

were both spring heeled at it, three lengths in advance of

Champion Court followed by Silviniaco Conti, the outside, and

Solix on the inner. Richard Dunwoody, the early stages there, a

bit of a bumping duel. I shouldn't thinkpad pad was too pleased with

Darryl Jacob at the first, but they have sorted themselves out, and

Paddy has rightly moved to the inside. He'll be happy enough with

that as they turn now down the back straight. They have settled into a

nice racing rhythm and Yes Tom with ears pricked bowling along. Darryl

Jacob on the inside in the checked cap. Behind them in third Champion

Court. Solix got right into that one. Barry Geraghty, and didn't

lose that much ground, but a mistake as they head now towards

fence number five, and on the near side it's Yes Tom, the grey here

for Paddy Brennan leads by a half length, in the inside, Yes Tom, in

too tight there and went right through the top of that behind them

in the centre, Champion Court lulling along. Solix has made some

ground on the inside in the black cap as they come to the second open

ditch now. Out wide, Silviniaco Conti jumped that well on a tight

rein. They continue their journey to the seventh. It's Yes Tom on the

near side who leads, jumps it well, all over safely from in second Join

Together. A length-and-a-half further back, Champion Court, the

centre, a half to Solix and a half further back Silviniaco Conti, and

it's on the inside Yes Tom who leads them out of the back. Yeah,

Ruby is taking his time on Silviniaco Conti. Barry, as they

come to this fence down the side missed the first down the back, and

then really made his mind up at the ditch, and he's jumped the next two

- jumped it pretty well, so they're all - all the jockeys will be quite

happy at the moment. So we're at the halfway point. They have jumped

eight, and they swing into the home straight now, and on the inside Yes

Tom. Paddy Brennan shows the way from Join Together, Darryl Jacob.

In behind them Solix. The inside, Barry Geraghty. Champion Court on

the near side as they go over the ninth, and last is Silviniaco Conti,

Ruby Walsh, but has the leaders well and truly in his sights as

they come towards the third of five ditches, and Yes Tom steadying at

it, and outjumped there on the outside as he goes up there. Join

Together takes over. Solix wasn't fluent at all back in the field on

the inside. Heading up the home straight to the one that'll be the

next - next time around, and the leader, far side, Yes Tom, near

side is Join Together. They come towards the 11th now with ears

pricked, and it's Yes Tom who gets over it in the lead by an 11th and

a half. As they go up to the judge, a circuit remaining. In second,

join followed by Champion Court, Solix on the inside, then

Silviniaco Conti. They're about six lengths off the pace. He's now

starting to accelerate - Paddy Brennan just trying to inject a

little bit of pace. Inject a little bit of pace down the back, and

Solix missed the ditch, second, last that last circuit, and his

jumping will be really tested now as they turn down the back. I would

really be sat on Champion Court. He got in close with a circuit to go

and fiddled it well. Paddy Brennan is really trying to stretch him

down did back, really grabbed hold of his horse there. Over the 12thth.

Champion Court travelling well. Another plain fence, and Yes Tom

the leader on the inside. Join Together is still there, Champion

Court and Silviniaco Conti going up on the inside on a tight rein. In

behind them is Solix as they continue their journey towards the

fourth open ditch, number 14 overall, and Yes Tom on the inside,

steadies at it, gets in too tight, mistake there by Join Together.

Silviniaco Conti has jumped up on the inside to join them, a reminder

for Join Together, and Champion Court going well in behind as they

go over five out. They're clear, then, of Solix. As they prepare to

leave the back, Darryl Jacob giving a reminder to Join Together who

takes it up clearly now. Yes Tom has dropped out the backdoor.

Second is Silviniaco Conti. It's a one-two at the moment for Paul

Nicholls as they leave the back and race towards the cross fence four

out. On the outside, Join Together, Silviniaco Conti. Out wide making a

line of three now is Champion Court, who has gone up on the outside to

put the pressure on. Silviniaco Conti the leader around the turn,

followed on the outside, Champion Court going well. They're four

lengths in advance of Join Together, a long gap then to the other two.

Into the home straight now with three left to jump - far side

Silviniaco Conti, near side Champion Court, and Champion Court

not fluent at that. They were clear then of in third place Join

Together as they come up towards the last ditch. This is the second,

last coming up, and on the far side, Silviniaco Conti. Near side now,

Champion Court - he's got a task now to reel this leader in. He's

under the whip. They're well clear and have joined together. They come

now with one left to jump. Ruby Walsh going for home now on

Silviniaco Conti. It's Silviniaco Conti mostly clear for in front of

Champion Court - may have run his race. One left to jump. Silviniaco

Conti is over the last. APPLAUSE

And he's home. In second is Champion Court. Further back in the

field and in third is Join Together. Up towards the line, Silviniaco

Conti, Ruby Walsh, is going to go on and win the John Smith's Mildmay

Novices' Chase in style, Champion Court, in third, Join Together, a

one-three for Paul Nicholls, and still coming down the track Solix,

Nicky Henderson's runner, back in fourth, and in fifth and last

position, Yes Tom, trained in Ireland by Roy Wilson and ridden by

Paddy Brennan. So the winner of the John Smith's Mildmay Novices' Chase

- first is number three, Silviniaco Conti ridden by Ruby Walsh. Second,

number one, Champion Court and third, number two, Join Together,

Darryl Jacob. Fourth, number four, Solix, ridden by Barry Geraghty,

and the winner, trained by Paul Nicholls, was the 7-4 favourite,

Ruby Walsh, the winning jockey in our second race.

Winning trainer Paul Nicholls. Paul, you missed Cheltenham with this

horse, and it seems that's paid off. Yeah, he's a good horse. I was

really disappointed when he ran at Ascot and stopped two out. Of

course, all the horses were wrong. He was wrong. We purposely left him

to come here. He's a young horse, he's improving. I really look

forward to next year with the three-mile chase. He's in form. He

was behind him at Kempton. Looks well for the future. He was ridden

with a lot of confidence. I suppose you and Ruby Walsh have always

thought well of him. Yeah, he's frsh and well. Lorraine said to me

he was the best he's been all year. Everything is right today. Do you

think he could be a Gold Cup horse? It's a long way off. Step by step.

He's a young horse, a long way off at the moment. It's a trainers'

battle - one for you, one for Nicky, one for you. Every little one

counts. It's going to be interesting over the next two weeks

- it's good for the sport, and it's we're good mates will, have a lot

of fun over the week. Well done. That's another 50 grand into the

pot for him. Ruby Walsh, so cool, kept this horse wide, kept him out

of any trouble. I think the crucial moment - the moment the race was

run was here at the third, last because the two of them come to it

upsides - Silviniaco Conti and Champion Court, and Champion Court

just paddles through it and loses two lengths. Yes, but in the end

the margin of victory was quite good. Was there a bit of team

tactics when he came off the bend and kicked for it? Of course he

wanted to win, but it didn't do demiharm to the winner did, it?

And Ruby Walsh made the right choice between this horse and the

other. The rain making conditions pretty difficult for the jockeys.

Your vision gets slippery. Your goggles get wet. He won easily in

the home, but going to the last, he wasn't going for medals. The stride

wasn't there, so he just sat and held because it's so important -

you hit a fence by the roots, the whole complexion changes. We nearly

had an incident at the very first fence. We'll have another look at

that because Join Together on the inside closest to the camera and

Yes Tom collide in midair because Join Together jumps to the right.

He does. Look. He's seen the stride, but he was stretched going...

word. You know, very easily there Paddy Brennan could have been

knocked out of the saddle, but how clever of him because he now

switches to the inside. He says, that's not going to happen again.

Solix made a mistake at the fourth and the 10th. Barry Geraghty was

pretty easy on him when it looked like his chance had gone. He has

finished, but a long, long way behind. This horse is the winner

and will continue to progress, I suspect, Silviniaco Conti.

He is indeed progressive. That's for sure. And Richard, the way Ruby

was riding there, he was oozing confidence all the way. Always,

just sat there with a double handful. He was very disappointed

in the Reynolds Town. He jumped away timely that day. It was nice

to see how well this horse stayed today, got did trip well. He showed

so much promise as a hurdler. I remember at Ascot early in his

career he was absolutely brilliant there. He had always showed

glimpses that he could be something special. I think he's really now on

the upward curve again. The form is looking pretty good, isn't it?

Bobsworth finished third that day. All three of those horses are real

class horses. So there he is. He'll be having a

nice old bucket of water here, make him feel a bit better.

Let's have a look at the result of the 2.30pm, the John Smith's

struck up such a useful and successful partnership, and they

understand each other well, and Ruby flies over to ride Paul's

horses whenever he can in this country while still riding for

Mullins in Ireland. He's managed well in Ireland, but looks like

he's going to lose the Championship there this year and can never

challenge AP for numbers in quality... Is that important?

wants to be champion jockey every year, but he made the choice,

quality over quantity. Didn't he ride quietly, quietly with this

horse early on? While they were all battling each other, he was just

eyeing them all up. Let's get his reaction now.

How impressive were you with Silviniaco Conti today? He jumped

really well, travelled really well. I thought Champion Court was a good

yardstick, and he's beat him really well. He's only six. Paul said he

has more improvement to come. Could he possibly be Gold Cup class?

track like Cheltenham, maybe next April, but he's going the right way,

anyway. What's the conditions like? Cold - perfectly safe, and he's

good to ride on. Well done. Cheers. The rain just stopping again. You

can see the bookmakers' umbrellas are still up down there. This the

situation - the Trainers' Championship - Paul Nicholls, �2.4

million and Nicky Henderson �2.34. Various courses have their names,

Beech's, Valentine's and the rest of them only one is named after a

horse because of an incident back in 1967, and here is Peter

obstacle caused the biggest upset in national history? A mass pile-up

at the 23rd fence allowed a 101 outsider to bypass the stricken

field and run on to a shock victory. The incident has long since been

immortalised in the distinctive commentary of Michael O'Hara.

OLD NEWSREEL: He has fallen. Another horse has fallen. It's a

right pile-up. The situation emphasised to me the

value of research. The commentator and I went to the weighing room to

double check race colours and agree on the pronunciation of horses'

names. Michael saw John Buckingham in his racing silks and said

"That's not one of ours, was it?" I replied it was and the horse is

Grand National history. This is where it happened. I don't know

what they are going to call this one in the future. They might call

this the Foinavon fence. And indeed it is the Foinavon fence, named

after the horse that won the race in 1967, the only one that managed

to negotiate it safely. The smallest fence on the course and

caused a bit of trouble yesterday in the Fox Hunters. They take their

jumping. Until 2009, Foinavon was on his own, the longest priced

winner of the Grand National ever at 100-1. In 2009, mon moan came

along and won and that is one of the former winners who will line up

tomorrow in the 2012 running of the John Smith's Grand National. We

have talked about horse welfare and the improvements that have been

made there. What about jockeys' welfare, how are they treated if

they get injured in a fall? Ian Bartlett has been finding out.

Jump jockeys might be the iron men of sports, but they have to

occasionally come into the medical room where I am with the senior

doctor, Dr Ian Roberts and Richard Dunwoody. How often did you end up

in the medical room? I had one particularly bad meeting here, I

think it was about 92 93, six falls and three winners, so I was a

regular visitor there in the old weighing room. The facilities here

though, I have to say, look fantastic. Doctor, seven of you

here, is that right? Yes. And quite a few ambulances on the way round

for the jockeys as well? Yes, today we've got five and tomorrow we'll

have seven, but usually we have two for the flat meetings and three for

the jumps. Obviously we hope none of the jockeys end up in here, but

obviously apart from broken bones or whatever, what sort of injuries

do they pick up, sprains and things? Yesterday, we had 17

fallers, so you can imagine that that logistically is something to

cope with. Obviously, we've fully covered that. Yesterday was an

injured ankle, a concussion and soft injury where a jockey had been

kicked in the chest. So from 17 fallers, we had three people that

needed treatment. It was a busy day, we hope you don't have one today or

tomorrow. Richard, a top quality facility for the riders, they can

be very pleased if anything goes wrong for them? That's right. The

best of treatment. Let's hope we don't see them here. Seven doctors

on duty for the couple of days of the Grand National meeting. Sadly

for Mick, you know that doctor particularly well? Yes, I do. I was

staring up at him when I broke my neck here four years ago now. But I

can only say, without the professional care of the paramedics

and the people on site here, I would be paralysed. Well, many

people may remember if they were watching the Grand National last

year in one of the earlier races, there was the most horrific fall

and injury to Peter otool. You have seen him recently, how is he doing?

-- O'Toole. I went to see him the day after that fall and it's scary.

When you see someone who you know who's very lively lying there

unable to communicate with anybody and to see him 12 months later up

and around, flying, having physio every single day. He's in Lambourn

at a new facility that the Injured Jockeys' Fund put together. The

improvement in him is massive and he's still got a long way to go,

but he's in the right place to improve. Doesn't regret having

chosen the life of a jockey? Absolutely not. Can't wait to get

back on a horse. It's amazing, the bravery of them and the ones you

will see lining up in the Grand National tomorrow are the bravest

of all. Ruby Walsh won it on his first attempt on pab-on, then on

Hedgehunter and he has a great chance tomorrow. -- Papion. The

presentation taking place there. The presentation is being made by

Mr Daley and Mr Irvine of the Cavern Club in Liverpool. He's got

an iPad or an iPad cover. That's really nice! I'm always very

critical of the old glass bowls and photo frames and think, you should

be giving things that you want to take home Nicer if it had an iPad

in it! Yes. We are trying today to give you an idea of how some of the

runners are being prepared for the Grand National. We'll be looking

through the runners and trying to pick a winner and they'll be

putting their finger on Treacle. Trained by Tom Taff in County

Kildare. Rishi has been there. For Treacle, a horse that's had its

fair share of setbacks, the National offers a chance for

who'd love to be standing where I am. Here is an enkapslaition of

history of horse racing, jump racing in particular --

enkapslaition. There's your father Tom, your grandfather Pat, the

Grand National, Arkle, the centrepiece is this trophy

presented to your father. I suppose every time you walk up here, you

become a bit burglar zi about it. When it's in your -- blase. When

it's in your face, you do that. When the house is quiet, you have

an appreciation of what happened in those years and it encompasses a

lot. How much of your dad and Arkle do you appreciate? You know what,

it's when you are racing now and all of the comparisons are being

made to Arkle. That's when you realise. He obviously was the

greatest. Comeencomeen Arkle going away now. Hs the champion --

COMMENTATOR:. This is the champion. Arkle is the one. I said it myself.

There is a picture of me riding him when I was two. I knew he felt like

a good horse! We grew up in a family where - I'm not being cocky

saying this - when we'd get a few days off because Cheltenham would

be on and we'd get a few days off and there was no big deal if there

was a treble the first day, a treble the second day and won the

Cup the last day. It was unusual if you came home without winning three

or four races in Cheltenham. That was the way it was.

I didn't overdo it yesterday, but did just enough and I'm happy.

does Treacle fit the bill for the National? He's the right type of

horse for Aintree. He's intelligent and can get into a rhythm. It's not

all just about jumping, it's about avoiding loose horses. The first

big challenge is the first, third fence and then the next big

challenge is Becher's, the sixth fence. If you can get into a rhythm

down over the six fences, things begin to settle down normally after

that. We'll be just hunting around trying to mind our own business and

whatever is going to unfold will unfold.

And there is Treacle. He's arrived here. He'll spend the night in the

racecourse stables and line up with Andrew Lynch on his back. He's

about 20-1. He's lovely. Not walking out of the box door which

crowds absolutely buzzing trying to select what they think can win this.

The next race is the John Smith's Melling Chase. In terms of quality

and prize money, it's the top race of the day and we have a field of

eight in it, including Finian's Rainbow who won the Queen Mother

chase last time out at Cheltenham. They had to come around the last

fence and it was a real arrangey baji between them. A brave

performance by Finian's Rainbow. Can he do the same here? Let's take

mount. Finian's Rainbow, Queen Mother Champion Chase winner at

Cheltenham. Geraghty aboard and a valuable runner for Henderson.

Forpadydeplasterer, winner of the 2009 Arkle at Cheltenham. Cooper

rides. Kalahari King loves fast ground. Had injury worries. Kauto

Stone, not nearly as good as his half brother, Kauto Star. This

horse is capable. Six is Poquelin. Ruby Walsh wearing the famous

family colours again. Unseeded in this race in 2010. Pure Faith. A

winner over these fences here at Aintree. Hasn't won for a long time.

Wishfull Thinking, Richard Johnson has plenty of talent but fell at

Cheltenham last time. So your favourite for this is Finian's

�20,000 Finian's Rainbow. Good luck to that punter.

I wanted to say happy birthday to you. Your 60th birthday to you. You

should be celebrating? Should be yes, probably shouldn't be here.

The big celebration would be if Albertas Run could win this? Yes,

he's in great form, come out of chelt national nam really well and

we could have done without the rain really -- Cheltenham really well.

It is what it is and he's in great shape and I hope he'll put on a

great show. He's come out all right. Gosh, he battled in Cheltenham.

home, you would be thrilled with him. He's fresh and well in himself

really. Hasn't done a whole lot since but he's in great shape and

he's fresh. The rain may not be in his favour but may be in favour of

Synchronised? Not too much rain for him really, you know. We know how

he goes on better ground as well and the more you think, the things

will go better. Good luck and happy birthday. Come over here. This is

the Goat Syndicate. They own Forpadydeplasterer who we are

hoping - hello, lovely to see you again - we are hoping he'll spring

back to some form? I think our horse has improved a lot since

Cheltenham and we are here to win. Listen, I'm enjoying this. This is

very, very sensible. This is the cheap way to do the Mac. We are

going to christen it, St Patrick's Day will be brought forward to

Friday 13th if it wins today. biggest cheer will come from your

lot. Thank you. Good luck. We'll see how Forpadydeplasterer looks in

the paddock. I would love one of those, thank you, although this is

waterproof. Thank you. Forpadydeplasterer hasn't won since

2009 when he won the Arkle. He's got to put that record right. Let's

take a look at the other horses. Coming to our right is the Champion

Chaseer Finian's Rainbow. This horse is ridden out every day. The

trainer is very happy with him and he said no worries about the rain.

What about Kauto Stone, Kauto Star's half brother? Looks nothing

like Kauto Star but he looks well. Paul Carberry won on this horse, so

it's a winning team. Let's try and find a horse that you like,

Wishfull Thinking. He's trained by Phillip Hobbs, hasn't had the best

of seasons but was very impressive when he won here last year. There

is a twinkle in your eye when you talk about him? I spoke to Richard

Johnson last year. He said this horse seems to have come back to

himself. Phillip Hobbs had a winner yesterday. He looks a picture in

the paddock and he hasn't looked well all season, so maybe this

fella comes at the right time of the year. Nasty incident in

Cheltenham where he crashed through the railings. Into one of the

photographers and sent him to hospital with a cut eye, yes, but

this horse didn't have a hard race because he fell early. Maybe he

comes here slightly fresher. We have Kalahari King. At one time

he was on the verge of being very, very good over two, two-and-a-half

miles and they never quite cut the grade and he's now a bit old?

I think he's a horse that is a nearly horse. Maybe his chance has

gone. Maybe his chance has gone. We are going to see Kauto Stone and

Wishfull Thinking. Pure Faith, number seven ran really well

earlier in the season against Albertas Run and Mastermind? Yes,

will he belie his odds on this occasion too? What do you think?

looks good. Always Waining too. Pick of the paddock is Wishfull

Thinking? Is it Wishfull Thinking though? We'll find out very soon.

The horses are just getting themselves into order for the

parade. Poquelin will probably lead the parade going out because he's a

fizzy horse, isn't he, Richard? and he has special dispensation to

lead the parade. He doesn't look too worked up there though, Clare,

does he? Very settled. Dan hanging on to him, been the trainer for six

or seven years or longer. He was withdrawn at the start at

Cheltenham because there was some blood come trg his mouth. I'm not

sure they could work out whether he'd bitten his tongue. The vet

withdrew him at the start so he comes here effectively fresh.

coming from his mouth. Ruby Walsh rides on his own tomorrow in the

big race, the Grand National. Trying to keep the horse calm and

not to get too excited. Here is the wonderful Albertas Run. Came so

close to recording a fourth win at the Cheltenham Festival and a third

in -- a third. Runner up in this last year.

Finian's Rainbow. Trained by Nicky Henderson. He won the champion by a

length and a half. Forpadydeplasterer hasn't won a

race since he took the Arkle in 2009 but has been a model of

consistency finishing second in five grade ones.

Kalahari King hasn't won since Doncaster in February 2010. Behind

him an interesting ride for Paul Carberry, Kauto Stone, a half

brother to Kauto Star. Made a good impression on his debut.

Disappointing since then. Then we've got Pure Faith. The boys were

saying they were looking so well in the paddock, 100-1, but Tom O'Brien

will run him like he's favourite. Number eight is Wishfull Thinking.

He fell at the Champion Chase last time, Wishfull Thinking. I stood by

the fence and he came sideways through the fence and Richard

Johnson was badly injured but still rode again that week. They are so

tough. Here is the market at the very good horses in his time,

including Hedgehunter. -- Hemm iz ngs. McCoy is looking around there

as if something's happened or maybe have hit a rail I'm hearing. I

don't know whether we have that incident or not, but we'll show it

to you if we have. The rain has stopped now. Just

going back to Albertas Run, just a brilliantly brave horse and the

only fear you would have. He's only had two runs this season. The only

fear you would have is that it may have taken too much out of him at

Cheltenham. A hard race. I love watching this horse. He won the

last chase that I sat on. Oh, yes. Let's look at see what

happened. This was Finian's Rainbow as he came out to canter down.

bit fresh. He went smashing straight into that rail. My word!

Barry's done very well to sit on him there. And so lucky that we now

have the plastic rails and not the old concrete ones. Wow! That would

have been serious if it was the old style wooden rails and concrete

posts. Absolutely. Finian's Rainbow looks

settled now. Out of character? bit keen and gas si though. We were

talking to Barry earlier and he was saying how much more settled he is,

hopefully he will be in the race but not on the way to the start. If

Nicky Henderson's eight runners down to the race, seven have

finished unplaced. Very rare he does have such a bad record. In

fact his last win in the race was with Remittance Man in 1992.

think that was me too. 20 years ago. He came here after winning the

first Champion Chase. A bit of statisticical form for you there

for Finian's Rainbow. I wonder whether that an incident like that

has any effect in the betting ring when people see that? Finian's

Hasn't had an effect, no. -- money for Poquelin.

That was a good run behind the giant bolster at Cheltenham in

January. He didn't run too badly at all there. I think he's got a real

good chance here. Ruby Walsh wearing the gold arm

band as leading jockey so far this week and riding in the colours of

the Stuart family who own Big Buck who is notched his 17th successive

win yesterday. Let's have a close look at Kauto Stone, he looks

nothing like his half brother Kauto Star. Nice to see Paul Carberry

pick up a good spare. He gave that hoshes a fantastic ride at

Cheltenham -- horse. This horse, he fell first in the Champion Chase.

He was disappointing at Ascot in February but won last time. Here is

Jim. They are off and running setting

off over two and a half miles. Albertas Run on the outside toward

the first with Poquelin. Jump together. Kauto Stone was a little

sticky at it. They head towards the second. Another plain fence.

Poquelin on the inside of Albertas Run. A real good gallop early as

they come to the second. Three lengths away, Finian's Rainbow who

jumps it well. They are over safely. Pure Faith. Forpadydeplasterer. The

first open ditch. Kauto Stone the outside. Wishfull Thinking ridden

back in the field. In company with Kalahari King. As they come to the

fourth, last one down the back on the first occasion, Poquelin flew

that. Poquelin tight. Pure Faith travelling on the inside.

Forpadydeplasterer. Three parts away then the outside Kauto Stone.

A gap then to Kalahari King and Wishfull Thinking. They head down

the side now and hit fence number five. Poquelin on the inside. The

Stuart family colours, gets over in good style. All over safely. In

second, Albertas Run. AP McCoy just pulling down the goggles. Two

lengths further back is Finian's Rainbow in third. A gap to Pure

Faith. Runs four lengths away for Forpadydeplasterer. Followed by

Kauto Stone. Kalahari King and Wishfull Thinking. Poquelin jumps

in good style on the inside. Albertas Run. Finian's Rainbow. The

second open ditch. Pure Faith. Red and white colours with the nose

band, Forpadydeplasterer. Out to regain a bit of form if he can

today, hasn't won for a long time, three lengths away is Kauto Stone

with Kalahari King and Wishfull Thinking is at the tail of the

field. Towards the eighth, the last next time around, and on the inside,

Poquelin got in too close. Forpadydeplasterer went through the

top of it. All over safely though and this pace has been very good

throughout. It will really suit the Stayers. Those who get a very

strong two-and-a-half miles in any. Poquelin showing the way. -- two-

and-a-half miles in any case. Further back on the inside is

Finian's Rainbow. We've got Walsh, McCoy and Geraghty, one, two, three,

as they hit towards the back. Two lengths away, Pure Faith, followed

by Forpadydeplasterer. Swinging to the back where they started. Kauto

Stone back towards the rear. In company with Kalahari King. Half a

length to Wishfull Thinking at the ninth. Poquelin on the inside.

Joint now and pressured by Albertas Run, this dual Ryanair chase winner,

he's applying the pressure now. Finian's Rainbow, the Queen Mother

winner is am bling along. The tenth. Poquelin outjumped Albertas Run

there and hitting it hard, Finian's Rainbow behind them third, followed

by Pure Faith. The third open ditch. Forpadydeplasterer is further back

in the field. Followed by Wishfull Thinking. Gone past Kauto Stone. A

gap to Kalahari King who is struggling. On the inside, Poquelin,

a big jump by Albertas Run on the outside. They're two lengths in

advance now. Finian's Rainbow. Two lengths further back, then Pure

Faith on the inside of going forward now for Forpadydeplasterer,

followed by Wishfull Thinking who is starting a Forward Move. A gap

to Kauto Stone is under pressure and forget Kalahari King. Poquelin

on the inside of Albertas Run who outjumped him and went to a clear

lead. Finian's Rainbow coming strongly now on the turn. Wishfull

Thinking has come from the rear and is starting to run well as they

straighten up for home. Three left to jump. Albertas Run kicks.

Wishfull Thinking. Finian's Rainbow going with him. They jump it well.

Three in line here, four lengths for Forpadydeplasterer. Two left to

jump. The last ditch coming up. On the inside it's Finian's Rainbow.

On the near side, Wishfull Thinking. They jump it together. They touch

down together. Albertas Run can't find any more and a gap then to

Forpadydeplasterer. As they race up now with one left to jump, a long

run before they reach the last and, Finian's Rainbow the far side, the

leader. On the near side is Wishfull Thinking. They come

towards the last, Finian's Rainbow going well. They come towards it

now, he takes off, lands over it safely and he's starting to draw

away. Finian's Rainbow, Barry Geraghty, he rode him confidently

all the way and goes on to register another valuable win for Nicky

Henderson. Second Wishfull Thinking, third Albertas Run, followed by

Forpadydeplasterer, further back Pure Faith, then Poquelin who was

responsible largely for that very generous pace and Kauto Stone is

last to finish. The winner is Finian's Rainbow, number two,

ridden by Barry Geraghty, the 13-8 favourite has won the Melling

chaste. Wishfull Thinking was second, ridden by Richard Johnson.

Third, Albertas Run and Forpadydeplasterer fourth.

So, it's Barry Geraghty coming back here on this 13-8 favourite,

Finian's Rainbow. 15-2 Wishfull Thinking, 11-4, Albertas Run.

That's the one, two, three. And what a classy horse he is. He was

travelling well all the way. He'd be very happy I think at the way

the race was unfolding, Barry. He did have to ask, as they came to

the third last, Wishfull Thinking went around the outside and made it

interesting, and he kept a bit back as they went to three out. Two out,

a good jump and then it became obvious that he was travelling much

the better and he's gone on to win this by seven lengths with 13

lengths between second and third. Seven lengths and 13 the distabss -

- distances. He hasn't finished out of the first two in his last nine

runs now. That's his 14th win in all jumps races, his ninth in

chases and his most worrying moment was cantering down to the start

when he claided with the rail. In the race, he barely put a foot

wrong for Geraghty and rid ard, -- Richard, you were praising him?

Barry didn't have a chance. Look at this. He's smacked straight into

the rail and that would have been very serious ten or 15 years ago

when we had the wooden rails. doing it because he's so fresh and

well? Amazing to be that fresh having come out of Cheltenham where

he won the Champion chaste. They've had a hand this year, the

Cheltenham horses. We've just had the extra week, week and a half and

yes, certainly helps that Nicky's done a smashing job to get this

horse spot on. As we join them at this stage, it's McCoy and Johnson.

Geraghty right in-between them there, sees a lovely stride.

Suddenly the horse is back on the bridle and he can sit up and let

him get more air into his lungs. Wishfull Thinking came a rattle

with Richard Johnson there. Looked a real danger. Here between the

last two you could tell Barry's just got it in the bag really.

Basically you will you could to do now is meet that last right running

and meet it spot on, they do. Now that you can see how well he gets,

good over two miles as well, what the King George. I love watching

Barry, the loop in his race. He got that horse so settled and certainly

from his early days when they had to make the running with him

because he was so keen. He was very settled. Barry Geraghty, we spoke

to him earlier - she's such a good jockey, he really is, and this

horse owned by Michael Buckley. They had disappointment with Solix,

but had success here, and can roar him home up the home straight in

front of this massive crowd, and a great, great moment for them. Well

finish and a wonderful performance here in the John Smith's Melling

Chase, the Grade 1 race of the day. It's been won by the horse who took

the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He follows up

here at Aintree with Barry Geraghty onboard, owned by Michael Buckley,

trained by Nicky Henderson. He is Finian's Rainbow.

APPLAUSE Yeah, he's a class act this horse.

He'll be a King George horse. That's for sure. His performance at

Kempton earlier in his career was a real eye catcher. He made a bad

mistake at Kempton. That was at the second day of the Christmas meeting,

and he hit it so hard, he seemed to lose all chance. He dropped right

back. He went right around them and went on to win courageously, and

since then, he's kept progressing. He got beaten at Ascot, but he won

at Cheltenham in quite controversial circumstances because

they had to bypass the last fence. This is the way they are for the

Trainers' Championship - Nicky Henderson having won that race, and

the difference is �24,100-odd, so not much in it. �2,46 - �2,468,000,

Paul Nicholls, �2,44,000, Nicky Henderson, so absolutely nothing in

it, and if either of them happen to win the Grand National tomorrow,

that would absolutely clinch it - a huge prize.

Total prize money of �975,000. Right. Let's have a look at the

details of this John Smith's won �32,500.

Connections once again having their photograph taken. A great follow-up.

Barry Geraghty is going to go and weigh in. We'll try to get a word

with Michael and Nicky. Congratulations, Michael, Nicky,

well done. What a super horse he is. He's pretty special. Were you

worried at all coming here today, the fact he was stepping up to two-

and-a-half miles? Actually, I wasn't, to be honest with you. The

ground is probably on the soft side for him now, but he's very relaxed

now, and I think he acts like the stayer we always thought he would

be really. How far he'll say I have no idea. Nicky will tell you that.

He's becoming a real man now, isn't he? I think I have just seen - last

year as a novice he was trying to do everything in a terrible rush -

flat-out in the Arkle. I think he had a hard race at the - Cheltenham.

Barry said he grew up at the third last, but he grew up last summer

for some reason. He suddenly became a sensible person, didn't he? This

season he's been a much more amenable horse all the way through

it. He's doing everything like a sensible person instead of trying

get from A to B as fast as he can. Barry was more confident about him

staying two-and-a-half miles than Moscow Flier, and he won the race

twice. Yeah, you always expected this fellow to stay, hoped he would.

It was suddenly last year he did the out-and-out mile, doing it in

such a rush. But this time he was so comfortable, just behind them,

and you hoped he was in cruise control. I think he probably was.

When he switched it on, then I think he did pick it up very

quickly. Will it be the two-mile route with him again next year?

Will there be talks about possibly taking in, I don't know, the King

George? I don't know. We have a long summer to think ability, but

luckily enough, we're in a nice enough position to think about

those sort of things. He's won the Champion Chase. He won this. He

goes to bed with all the medals. Have do you have any thoughts on

next year? I am going to try to enjoy the rest of today I think. I

must say Cheltenham was a bit of a blur. I don't remember too much

about it. So I am going to try and remember this one, particularly

your smiling face. Very sweet. Well done.

Doctoringly, Aden McGwire, we're going to talk to him later, he sold

this horse. I'm going to ask him about it. But a great result there

for Finian's Rainbow and huge celebrations - funny, Michael

Buckley saying he can't remember the Cheltenham Festival at all.

loves Cheltenham and the fact this horse won for him - he said he had

so many disappointments there, to finally win a big one was special.

What's your view on this horse and what he might be able to ultimately

achieve? He's done plenty already. He has done plenty already. We're

talking about next year already. We're already thinking about next

March. The work - he's nice - bare bay, interestingly, had gone off

this horse when he won him first time at Kempton he said this horse

wants a real trip now. Everybody was scratching their head thinking,

last year he barely got two miles. He was so free this year he's so

much more switched off. He can stay. It might depend as well on what

Sprinter Sacre does and obviously they're wanting to take him on from

the same yard. He wants a challenge. As Nicky says, if this horse should

run a Champion Chase, may the best horse win. We're focusing on the

jockeys. We have plenty of ex- jockeys on the team, but what about

the guys in are riding at this meeting? What do they really

would be myself. Dishonest people. Probably the Prime Minister.

Rudeness. CVs. Stuck on plane for a couple of hours. Probably the sauna.

My taxi. Probably traffic jams. John McCririck. The taxman. A few

presenters. David Cameron followed by the tax bond petrol. Taxes if

you could. An awful lot of concern there for

the jockeys having to pay their tax. Everybody has to.

But it's interesting - if there's ever a thing to put those sort of -

you know, we asked them a question that invited them to moan, but to

put those things into perspective, it's what you and a few of the

jockeys went to do this morning. Yeah, went to see children in Alder

Hey. To see how brave these kids are - it's unbelievable to see them.

These are all children with very serious illnesses. Very serious.

There is one little child there - 18 months old, and it's - look at

that. Paddy Brennan was really taken with him. There is little

Joshua - really nice. And it's the first time that jockey has been...

Yeah. For the jockeys, they put themselves in the position of the

parents, and suddenly, it becomes very vivid. It becomes - does

racing really matter? Does it matter whether I win or lose this

afternoon? Because look at these people. All they're worried about

is their kids, just making sure they're going to have a life.

think it's such a good tradition that's built up. I know you and AP

McCoy have very much driven it, but so pleased to see the number of

jockeys wanting to do it increasing. I think they realise what a

humbling experience it is and do they really want to imagine

themselves being put in that position? They see the bravery of

these little kids, some of them a year and two years of age. They're

so brave. The smiles on their faces makes the day. Which reminds you to

enjoy the good days when you can, which is why there is such a big

crowd here and all of those who are involved in racing and constantly

in situations in which they might be racing. Reachy is in the area

where they're getting the horses ready - well, the people are

getting them ready. Yes. It's a very busy pre-parade

ring. One horse who has been here, has done it all before, the Always

Waining. He's being saddled up by Peter Bowen, his trainer. He's in

the midst of the crowd. We can't see him. We have to keep the

walkway clear. He's being saddled up. He won the race before. He's

also placed in the race. He has the most tremendous race in this, the

Topham. I'm going to try to see if I can grab a quick word with Peter.

Is it possible to grab a word with Peter in the corner there? I

suppose this horse knows his way around better than you do.

should by now, shouldn't he? How is he? Yeah, in good form. He's a

hoarse who seems to come alive when he comes here to Aintree. Can you

put a reason on why that is? idea. He loves the place. He hasn't

been the best of form this season, but will he come alive today?

does that every year. A quick word on Sunday City and the chances?

good horse, ran well last time out, hopefully will take the fences and

run well. Thanks for talking to us. Good luck to Always Waining, a

magnificent record in this race, can he win it a third time in a

row? I am with somebody here who has won

a considerable amount of money and hasn't even won a bet. What have

you won? �5,000 cash and �500 Matalan vouchers and makeup.

For what? The Star Contest. That's absolutely fantastic. What are you

going to spend the money on? haven't a clue, to be honest. I am

still in shock, but I am going on holiday towards the end of the

month. That should contribute to my spends. I hear you weren't

considering entering. I wasn't, to be honest. I was walking towards

the winners' enclosure and one of the stylists said I should enter.

Here I am now. And your outfit is, what, vintage? It is. It's '50s

vimting a. You're living near my old stomping ground. From where?

Liverpool. This week I should imagine you'll be in the Elephant

for a couple of drinks. I will be. I hate to say this to a lady, but

you're single, aren't you? Thanks, John. Yeah, yeah. I am only saying

it because you mightn't be for long. Go down the Elephant. She's

available! John Parrott, my word. Congratulations to her for winning

the most stylish race goer. Many people here will remember this

fantastic jockey, who finished in the Grand National - riding this

race since... Last summer I rode, but before that, I can't remember.

When did you last professionally ride? 1976. I did ride in America

out of the stalls, rattling, a horrible place to be. Explain to me

why you're riding in this Legends Race tomorrow? It is legends but

they have had to lower the race to let me in. It's because it's for

cancer. Last year they raised �100,000. A mile and five. Are you

going to ride? I don't know. I am riding for Alan King. I am hoping

for a big one. I hope to win. would be fantastic on Grand

National day. I was here last year. I was lucky enough to witness Jason

winning the National. We had a runner in the National ourselves.

It's great to be here. And great to be here on the day Finian's Rainbow

has run. That's fantastic. My young boy Finney, who he was named after,

it's his birthday today. Brilliant. You had him and you sold

him? Yeah. We bought him from Gough Sales. He was a four-year-old

unbroken. He ran going absolutely bolt up - overknuckled in landing,

and John Edwards was very soon afterwards wanting to know was he

for sale? Getting back to the race, not only is this your first ride in

public, it's your first ride since having a serious operation. Donated

a kidney weeks ago, and it works perfectly, and the person who I

donated to I have never met is back working. The doctor said I am not

sure we should let you lose. I said, "I'll go at the outside at the

back." He said, "Jockeys always get there. You'll be up there pushing

in." I met the doctor. The first thing he said to me trade was

"Don't think you'll get your licence back by riding tomorrow."

Good luck to both of you tomorrow. Good luck. Enjoy did whole buzz of

it as well. It will be great. you. We'll be showing the Legends

Race tomorrow afternoon. It will be at ught 1.00pm and building up all

afternoon to the Grand National, and coming up now we have the race

for professional jockeys, and they get a chance to jump a circuit of

the Grand National course, the course that is so often identified

the Grand National. Marvellous, marvellous, marvellous.

They come to the elbow. It's still wide open. First, number ten,

Ballabriggs at 14-1. It's incredible! I don't know how I feel.

Sex is an anti-climax after that. OLD NEWSREEL: He's passed the

winner. OLD NEWSREEL: At last it's Tony

McCoy at the 15th attempt. Devon Loch has gone down.

Absolutely unbelievable. I think I am dreaming. I really do.

OLD NEWSREEL: Red Rum wins the National. What do you think about

it now, huh? I think it's bloody marvellous.

it will be at 4.15pm tomorrow afternoon. Here we go with the John

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 43 seconds

your favourite is Little Josh at it's a double-edged sword, though,

because jocks have hurt themselves in the past, and it's a good ride

tomorrow in the National. The thing is all of these lads are really

looking forward to it. I can see Ryan Mania, the horse we're looking

at here, David Bass, Chance du Roy. He's looking forward to his ride on

Sunday City. Arthur Moore has had some good rides in this race. He

really loves the buzz. These lads love to get a little taster of what

it's going to be like tomorrow. That's Tartak going out. He's just

gone off the boiler. Arklow Ger has gone by, Paul Carberry is having a

good season. He rides predominantly for Evans.

Nikola is a horse trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies. Is it good to get a

feeler for these races tomorrow, or is it a little bit chancey?

it's a good thing. I used to love warm-up before arode the race.

David Bass will be looking forward to this. I watched this horse when

it ran at Warwick last time, very disappointing. He's a horse quietly

fancied by the connections. They have quite a few horses dotted

around the course. They own Junior. He's dung tied. You can see him

salivating a bit. That's a good sign. They need to salivate, don't

they? Apt amount we can see there being a little bit troublesome.

This horse is very decent. His horses run in some top-class races.

You can see he's avoided clashing into the rail. Maybe it would be a

good omen, seeing as Finian's Rainbow clattered into it before

winning the last race. Is it a sign of I don't want to go out or at the

top of my game and really well in himself? I think he's at the top of

his race. We can just see them going down.

Rain's gone, Claire. That's good. Yeah, it's warmed up. The sun

coming out again, and this is the course they'll face. It's two miles,

five-and-a-half furlongs. They normally set off fairly fast coming

towards that first fence. They're coming down into the grandstands or

in front of the grandstand very, very quickly, and the chair comes

as their third fence. It's the narrowest fence on the course. That

makes it look even bigger, but it is big as well, a 5'2" height and a

spread of 11 feet, so they really stretch over that, and then they

jump the waterfront in front of the stands, then head off to where the

Grand National start is and down that line of fences that all come

fairly close together. This is where Tom Taff on Treacle was

talking about getting into the rhythm. On The Topham you get a

little bit of breathing space, testing this whole line. The thing

is you feel like you have so much more time in the Topham because of

that. It's not such a hectic run. You're spread out a little bit. You

get yourself into a little bit of a pattern. You have. You know you're

coming to Becher Chase shortly because there is a hedge on the

inside. If you don't know where you are, that's a reminder. Absolutely,

and the drop has been levelled out a little bit. But it's still steep.

The back ditch has been filled in, and the modification - you can see

them from the shot above. You can get around all the fences. That's

to allow the loose horses to run around the fences and not get in

the way. There is the angle, the canal turn. I am looking for

Frankie Figg and Little Josh, confirmed front runners, coming to

that, and watch the jockeys come across... They have just passed

valentine's which doesn't have the reputation of Becher's yet it is

the other end. Back to the race course proper. That's when you know

you almost have it within your grasp... Or not. Listen, if you

suffer from vertigo, I apologise for this. We go back to ground

level. There is the elbow. They jump those two fences. They jump

the first and second. That'll be their second last and last, get

around the chair, then this long run to the winning post. Over 400

yards - I remember them well. you would have won it. A This is a

great moment. Little Josh will be suited for this race. It's perfect

for him today. It is. Little Josh ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies

Twiston-Davies. He's only 18. Congratulations to Willie, his

little brother, who switched to being a flat jump runner. He rode

his first flat runner the other day at Kempton. He's going to be based

with Brian Meehan - down at the start is where we find Ricci.

horses at the start have been circling the start. Richard

Dunwoody, anything taking your eye? Yeah, I had a word with Ruby. He's

really looking forward to riding Frankie Figg. The lads are just

getting their goggles down, and - they'll be just probably taking

another turn now. Another horse I am really looking forward to

watching is Triangular, and he jumps superb at Newbury, and he -

is too careful, almost, for French racing, and Dicky is looking to get

an inner spot on number four. Chance du Roy. Yeah.

Frankie Figg is an exuberant jumper. He's had many falls, but loves to

be up there. That is amazing because that horse jumps these

fences as well as any horse you'll see, yet his record isn't good.

know. It seems to suit him better here than anywhere else. There is

that tongue tie - looks like a pair of tights he has on. At Aintree,

it's a much wider circuit than anywhere else in the world. We have

three commentators in position. Jim McGrath, you may be calling home

this horse, Always Waining, which if he wins will be the first horse

ever to win the topham three times. That's right. He could be a history

maker, clear. They are walking in. That's it. They're coming forward

now. The starter has them. Still 20 seconds before the official off-

time here, and they can't really go off before the scheduled off time.

These days it's not quite as important as it was in yesteryear

when a race could be voided if it was off before time.

They are just about ready. Moon Over Miami and Montoya's Son are

right out the back. They're delaying the start.

They're off. Away they go, and at the approach one of the first away

Chance du Roy is there, Massini Sunset, Always Waining as they head

over the first. A faller there is Fabalu. Fabalu has - no, it's