The Grand National is one of the world’s most iconic races – steeped in history and, indeed, controversy. The Aintree course and fences have been changed to make it somewhat safer and appease animal rights activists. Those alterations appear to have done the trick.

Minella Times won the 2021 vintage, handled superbly by Rachael Blackmore who became the first woman jockey to score in this still arduous test of equestrian skill and stamina. After a stellar season and an especially outstanding Cheltenham Festival, she is now a huge factor in the betting market, just like Purton and Moreira’s rides tend to shorten in Hong Kong.

Her mount, Minella Times was duly strongly supported into 11/1 then perfectly handled to run out a convincing winner. 100/1 shot Balko des Flos lumbered up to be next best with an unlucky Any Second Now (who was hampered badly by a faller at the 12th) rounding off the trifecta sequence in a maximum 40 runner field.

Exotics proved rewarding to a few inspired UK punters with the Exacta returning over 2000 Pounds and the Trifecta dividend paying 35 000 pounds! Big, open fields where there is chaos potential can lead to such large payouts. More typically though, field sizes are going down in many racing jurisdictions and punters need to make clinical strikes with razor-sharp small field exotic strategies if they wish to prosper. 

There were two notable performances at Turffontein on Saturday – Puerto Manzano justified market support to win a Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m, as did Tropic Sun in a similar class sprint.

Puerto Manzano attained a speed figure of 101 and upheld the hot stable form of J A J van Vuuren. This Argentinian bred son of Seek Again has now won three of five starts, seemingly with more to follow.

Tropic Sun (s/s 100+) is a speedy daughter of Skitt Skizzle and she too is compiling a fine win to starts ratio. She was heavily backed to take care of another rapid filly, Gallic Princess which she managed to do without much fuss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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