Cheltenham and now Aintree (not for the first time). Obviously a great trainer with a brilliant first jockey and fantastic contacts to secure the best horses. Rich owners help, too, but he attracts them for the reasons given. So, total kudos to the bloke. Now the down side. The sport is suffering. I love jump racing, but I'm getting bored with the inevitability of it all. When the likes of Elliott, De Bromhead, Henderson, Nicholls and Skelton are reduced to picking up crumbs it really isn't a good look for the sport. Some mention previous domination of jump racing as though this is nothing new, particularly Michael Dickinson and his first five in the Gold Cup, but this is on a totally different scale and far more wide ranging. It is turning me away from the sport and I bet I'm not the only one. However, I have no solution other than the restriction of runners for trainers in races, ie the Grand National (three max per trainer, perhaps). Excellence shouldn't be punished, but competition needs to be nurtured. At the moment, it's a one-way street.
Vikor, agree wholeheartedly. The puzzle solving of the big races at the major meetings was what got me interested in the game, I barely waste time on the jumps any more.
Vikor, agree wholeheartedly. The puzzle solving of the big races at the major meetings was what got me interested in the game, I barely waste time on the jumps any more.