Well, shit. Just when I thought my betting slip was looking good for Saturday. Myretown - that absolute beast who demolished the field at Cheltenham - has been yanked from the William Hill Handicap Chase at Aintree. And I'm properly gutted about it.
I'd already told my wife we might be upgrading our summer holiday with the winnings. Rookie mistake.
The Cheltenham Demolition Job
If you missed it last month (where were you?), Myretown absolutely destroyed the Ultima Handicap Chase field. Not just won - DESTROYED. We're talking 11 lengths clear in what should've been a proper dogfight of a race. The eight-year-old gelding from Lucinda Russell's yard was backed from 7s into 4s that morning, and anyone who got on must've been counting their cash from the second last.
My mate Danny had £50 each way and wouldn't shut up about it for days.
The performance was so impressive that punters immediately started drawing comparisons to Russell's previous star Corach Rambler. Remember him? Did the Ultima-Grand National double back in 2023, making a lot of people very happy (not me, I was on Roi Mage that year... don't ask).
So What teh Hell Happened?
That's the weird bit. As of writing this, nobody's saying why Myretown's been pulled. No official word on injury, ground concerns, nothing. The horse was trading around 11-4 favorite for Saturday's race, which was due to go off at 2:30pm - exactly 90 minutes before the National itself.
I texted a contact at one of the bigger yards this morning. His response: "Hearing whispers but nothing concrete. Something's definitely up."
Poor Patrick Wadge
Gotta feel for jockey Patrick Wadge. After that masterclass at Cheltenham, he's now left with just one ride on Grand National day - some 150-1 no-hoper called Moon Phases in the Mersey Novices' Hurdle.
That's racing for ya.
I actually bumped into Wadge at Doncaster back in 2018. Seemed like a decent bloke. Bought him a pint after he'd ridden a 20-1 winner that had saved my afternoon. He's still trying to really establish himself among the top jockeys, and rides like the one at Cheltenham can be career-defining.
What Russell Said After Cheltenham
Lucinda Russell was practically glowing after the Ultima win. "We knew that if Myretown jumped round, he was phenomenally well-handicapped," she said, which is trainer-speak for "we thought we were throwing in a Ferrari against a bunch of family sedans."
She went on: "I just didn't know if he was going to be man enough, and it's very exciting that he is. He's a novice horse, his jumping has been a bit hit and miss, he turned upside down at Windsor, but since then we ran him at Kelso and he's got his confidence back."
The comparison with her Grand National hero was inevitable. "He's a bit different to Corach Rambler – he jumps so exuberantly. Corach is just a different sort of horse, but this is a phenomenal horse."
The Market Shuffle
With Myretown out, the bookies have had to reshuffle the deck. Imperial Saint (Hobbs and White) and Docpickedme (Hobson) are now joint favorites at around 13-2.
Listen. I've spent the last hour looking through the form. I'm leaning toward Imperial Saint, but I've been wrong before. Like, a lot. My wife still brings up the £200 I dropped on that "sure thing" at Newbury in December.
I'll probably end up backing something completely different after 3 pints in the pub on Saturday morning anyway.
Racing, eh? Just when you think you've got it figured out...
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of diet is best for a racing horse?
Racehorses need a diet that is high quality and perfectly balanced to support their training and racing. The diet is usually a mixture of high-quality hay, grains like oats and barley, as well as commercially prepared racehorse feed. A diet that is rich in essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients will support the horse's health and help them perform at their best.
What is a trainer's role in training a racing horse?
Jockeys have a crucial role to play in the training of racehorses. They ride horses and provide feedback about the horse's performance. But they also teach the horse racing tactics like pacing, position, and how to respond to commands. The jockey's ability to understand the horse and its strengths and weakness is crucial for preparation.
How often should racehorses train?
Racehorses are trained according to their individual needs, fitness levels, and race schedule. The typical routine for racehorses would include walking, cantering and trotting daily, as well as more strenuous work, such as galloping several times a weeks to increase speed and endurance. Rest days allow the horse time to recover from training and to avoid overtraining.
How important is the pedigree of a racehorse for success?
While pedigrees can be used as a predictor of potential in a racehorse, they are not the only factors that influence their performance. A horse's lineage may suggest an inherited aptitude for speed or endurance, but training, health, and temperament are also influential factors. Training can enhance a horse’s natural abilities, and allow it to perform better than horses with more impressive pedigrees.
Does a racehorse need a certain type of shoe?
Racing plates are typically lighter and thinner compared to regular horseshoes. These plates provide the necessary traction on the racetrack while minimizing weight. A professional farrier with experience in working on racehorses carefully selects and fits these shoes according to the hoof structure of each horse and the type of racing surface that they will run on.
How do I condition a horse for racing?
A racehorse's conditioning is a process that involves a combination of slow, long distance work for stamina as well as shorter, faster workouts for speed. The cardiovascular system, muscle structure, and bone structure of the horse must be developed over time with a specially designed exercise regime that mimics race conditions without injury or stress.
Statistics
- Around 80% of thoroughbred racehorses begin their racing careers by the age of two, according to industry estimates.
- The majority of racehorses in training are subject to an exercise regimen that includes being ridden six days a week.
- The average racehorse reaches its peak physical ability between the ages of four to five, with some variation based on the breed and individual development.
- Approximately 70% of a racehorse's diet consists of forage, with the remainder made up of grains and supplements to meet their high-calorie needs.
- Gastrointestinal issues affect up to 90% of racehorses during their training, emphasizing the need for careful dietary management.
- An extensive survey indicated that over 90% of racehorse trainers utilize swimming as a low-impact exercise in their conditioning routines.
External Links
How To
How To Educate a Racehorse on Racing Strategies
It takes a combination trackwork and guidance by an experienced jockey to teach a racing horse about racing strategies. Practice gate starts, pacing, positioning, and response to varying tempos within a race. To teach the horse adaptability and the dynamics of competition, role-play different scenarios. Well-trained horses can execute their riders' instructions and make pacing adjustments. This will greatly influence the outcome of races.
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