Tweet

racing news / tanya's blog /

Tanya's Blog - 14th February 2012

In this Grand National-themed week, the weights are officially announced at The Savoy later this morning, with Junior supporters at the head of those keenly waiting. However, for the first time since 1981 and Ben Nevis, I think I have found just the horses to land the big race over the spruce fences. As the weights are unveiled I hold much anticipation to see what Treacle has been allotted. Did you see how well he ran behind Quel Esprit in the Hennessy on Sunday?

At the weekend Always Right will try and flag up his credentials in the Grand National Trial at Haydock; I just wish the going wasn’t so testing otherwise I’d fill my boots.

The Grand National weights always give me tingles. I love Aintree, the three days in April are my favourite days in the racing calendar and nothing ever comes close. As a small child I always wanted to go to the weights lunch and having gone the last few years is a dream come true. There is something magical about the course, it comes alive for those three days and each year proves fairytales do come true.

It will be great to network with all those from the training ranks and other famous faces from the racing industry, if I get any snippets I’ll be sure to pass them on to you in tomorrow’s blog.

Three films on the bounce were the order of the day on Sunday, Chronicle, The Woman In Black and The Vow, all watchable but none that I’d recommend. That’s it for the cinema now until after the Festival! I was glad to see The Artist clear up at the BAFTAs - let’s hope there is more of the same at the Oscars.

Thought Dustin Johnson played well to finished tied fifth and Davis Love III played a blinder too. Watch out for the Ryder Cup captain at Hilton Head, he loves the place.

I sympathise with Neil Mackenzie-Ross this morning as he has had to call off Folkestone, the thaw came all too late and the surrounding areas of where I live are still heavily snow covered, I wouldn’t be able to race in my back garden until at least the weekend!

On to Ayr and my selections. Once again, it’s a quiet day but after a bold front-running display at Cheltenham on his last start PENTIFFIC has a big chance at 3.25. TIGER REIGNS who would be in the mix for some tasty flat handicaps could be the answer in the 1.50. The Lucy Alexander steamroller could plough on in the 4.00 with TIPSY DARA.

POINTERS

Nazreef is unbeaten in four starts at Southwell

Jimmy Fortune has had four winners and a second from his last five rides

Alan Swinbank has had three winners and three thirds from his last eight runners

Mark Johnston has had six winners from his last 11 runners

Joe Fanning has had five winners from his last 10 rides

Mark Johnston and Joe Fanning have had six winners from their last 10 runners

Shane Kelly has had five winners from his last 13 rides

Lucinda Russell has had six winners from her last 16 runners