racingbetter.co.uk
racing news  

AutoUpdating 160x600 Gif

racing_news/

 

Aintree Welcomes in New Season with Betfred Old Roan Chase Day
13/10/11

Aintree’s new season starts on Saturday, October 22, with the £50,000 Grade Two Betfred Monet’s Garden Old Roan Chase taking centre stage at a two-day meeting that continues with Matalan Freaky Family Funday on Sunday, October 23.

This year’s renewal of the two and a half-mile limited handicap chase is named in honour of Monet’s Garden, who triumphed in the race three times (2007, 2009 & 2010) and is set to parade in front of his legion of fans before the big race.

Albertas Run
© racing-images.co.uk

Albertas Run
Albertas Run came home fourth behind the gallant grey when carrying top-weight last year and the Jonjo O’Neill-trained chaser is on course to return to Aintree.

The 10-year-old subsequently posted a second victory in the Grade One Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival before taking the runner-up spot in the Grade One John Smith’s Melling Chase at Aintree’s Grand National Meeting in April - a race he captured in 2010.

Mick Meagher, racing manager to Albertas Run’s owner Trevor Hemmings, revealed today: “Albertas Run is a possible runner in the Betfred Monet’s Garden Old Roan Chase.

“We are also looking at the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby the week after and we will make a final decision nearer the time, but Aintree is a definite possibility.

“It was wonderful to win a second Ryanair Chase with him last season and we thought that he ran a great race behind Master Minded in the John Smith’s Melling Chase.

“He is a better horse on decent ground and I don’t see why we won’t aim him for a third Ryanair Chase this season, although he has the option of stepping back up in trip as well.

“One or two things didn’t happen for him in the King George VI Chase last year but he has finished second in the race before and won the RSA Chase, so I don’t think there can be an argument that he doesn’t stay three miles.”

Betfred Monet’s Garden Old Roan Chase Day features a quality seven-race card that also includes the £19,800 Betfred 10 Best Odds In Shops Veterans’ Handicap Chase (2.55pm), and the £12,000 Betfred Goals Galore Handicap Hurdle, which gets the action started at 2.25pm.

Aintree hosts Matalan Freaky Family Funday on Sunday, October 23 - a day of racing with a host of free Halloween-themed entertainment for all ages. Highlights of a seven-race card include the £15,000 Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (3.10pm) and the £17,000 Weatherbys Bloodstock Insurance Handicap Chase (for the John Parrett Memorial Trophy) (3.45pm).

Away from the racing action, children can get up close to a pony and take a pony ride or groom one of the miniature Groovy Hooves ponies in the equestrian centre. There will be a host of indoor activities, including Halloween crafts and colouring, face painting and Halloween shows plus a fancy dress contest for all of the family.

Former leading amateur rider Carrie Ford, who partnered Forest Gunner to win the 2004 Fox Hunters’ Chase and finished fifth on the same horse in the 2005 John Smith’s Grand National, will be on hand to give advice and encouragement to budding young jockeys by offering rides on an Equicizer.

Aintree will unveil its new grey horse mascot on Matalan Freaky Family Funday which children will be able to give a name to.

Outside, hair-raising spooky funfair rides are guaranteed to keep anyone warm and there will also be free Halloween goody bags for the children.

tumpline internet home | associations | bloodstock agents | bookmakers | information | horses | jockeys | links | overseas | portals | racecourses | race horse trainers | sales | studs | syndicates | submit site email
© racingbetter.co.uk • 91 Tribune Drive • Carlisle • CA3 0LE