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I don’t think the winner jumped that badly. He made a mistake at the Chair and wasn’t brilliant at the second Valentines. He probably wouldn’t have won an old Grand National but his jumping is good enough for today’s version.
I stood quite near the Chair when I was at Aintree on Thursday. I could not believe how much spruce the field in the Foxhunters managed to dislodge. I know there were still unseated incidents at the fence but they can get away with a poor jump at it now. There is so much spruce they can just brush through.
Class winner and now has two Nationals to his name. Could well see him coming back for a repeat and a few extra pounds (he carried 11-6) wouldn’t have stopped him today.
Hope Corach is ok, unseasted at the first and fell at the 2nd (the only faller) which was a surprise considering there were a few that took some right liberties at some of the fences during the race – quite clearly being a great jumper is now no longer a major requirement for the race.
A great race to watch with so many in contention at the last and Kitty’s Light being the first non Irish horse home was a great run considering the four that finished in front between them had won a Gold Cup, a Irish National, multiple G1s and Festival wins.
21 finishers almost equal to 1984 Hallo Dandy’s 23 finishers. All survived to race again which as the “window dressing” of racing is good public relationship.
Question does the new changes work, like Standing start and reduce field or did they get lucky?
You've got to accentuate the positive.
Eliminate the negative.
Latch on to the affirmative.
Don't mess with mister in between.Need a few years to assess it I can’t see 34 runners making much difference the so called standing start and moving the first probably did. Time will tell.
The more I know the less I understand.
I really enjoyed watching today’s race. Much like the Topham yesterday, it was great to see so many horses still in contention late on.
Aintree are to be commended for all they have done to improve safety. The National is a very different race nowadays, but has needed to evolve to ensure its ongoing popularity. It doesn’t have quite the same magic that first captured my interest back in the 80s, but my heart was still racing at 4 o’clock this afternoon.
The move of the start time back from 5:15 was very welcome as the build-up was becoming painfully drawn out.
Hoping all the participants are OK, in particular Corach Rambler after his fall while loose and Mac Tottie who went back in the horse ambulance.
Totally agree with the earlier start any other year we would still be waiting.
The more I know the less I understand.
My eyes are still recovering
Had I Am Maximus down the inner and Panda Boy out wideGaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Believe that Corach Rambler is back safe and Mac Tottie possibly dehydrated, rather than injured. Good news if so.
“I don’t think the winner jumped that badly. He made a mistake at the Chair and wasn’t brilliant at the second Valentines. He probably wouldn’t have won an old Grand National but his jumping is good enough for today’s version”.
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IAM jumped better than he ever has, CAS. But going into the race he was a poor jumper… Which will encourage other owners with dodgy jumpers to have a go in the future.Not that he was fluent today. Greatly helped by an outstanding ride, scraping the paint down the inner. Can go badly left at his fences and the rail helped keep him as straight as possible. As you say, The Chair was the only “mistake” but wasn’t “fluent” at many, from what I noticed particularly going out on the second circuit. But even when getting them right he was still losing ground on his rivals. I’d like to see those stats they do these days about how many lengths a horse loses to his rivals in the air through the race. That could’ve been worse had they gone quicker. Suspect it was slowly run, as so many were in with a chance two out – even non stayers. That said, if they’d gone quicker and his jumping had stood up then his superior staying power would’ve been even more evident.
Value Is EverythingRuby Walsh did an excellent job at explaining why the new rules were brought in.
Value Is Everything“Which will encourage other owners with dodgy jumpers to have a go in the future.”
He’s won a National, an Irish National, beat Found a Fifty in the Drinmore who got beat in the Arkle by Gaelic Warrior
I’m torn between if I Am Maximus could jump he’d be the best horse in the World and Gaelic Warrior could win a Champion Chase, Gold Cup and Grand National
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
“The move of the start time back from 5:15 was very welcome as the build-up was becoming painfully drawn out.”
Agree Marlingford. I thought the 4pm start time was much better. I also like there being two races after the National. I suppose it is not ideal to have a Grade 1 not on ITV but it is not one of the top Grade 1s and it is better to have some competitive handicaps on Saturday television.
I expect the fact there are two races after the National again is welcomed by the police and Merseyrail as well. It must reduce the pressure on Aintree station to some extent.
“It doesn’t have quite the same magic that first captured my interest back in the 80s”.
I know what you mean. I suppose the changes needed to be made but it is not the same race nowadays. It is certainly not a jumping challenge anymore. I still watch it but I don’t find the race that exciting now. It is just another race.
Having said that, I thought the whole 3 days was fantastic racing. I enjoyed it more than Cheltenham. The Aintree festival keeps on getting better and 3 days is just right.
“Greatly helped by an outstanding ride”.
Agree Ginger. I thought Townend was brilliant. I still think the inside route is the way to go.
The Race IQ stats showed he did lose plenty of ground in jumping when compared to Minella Indo. Usually that might have made a big difference but not here, probably because the winner was a good bit ahead of his handicap mark!
If Cheltenham isn’t careful Aintree could become a better quality meeting – if it is not already. The mares, amateurs, conditionals and too many novice races at Cheltenham all decrease overall quality.
Value Is EverythingThing is CAS, Minella Indo has for some time been a weak finisher. After the last it was fairly evident who was going to win once taking who finishes weakly / strongly as well as who’s the greatest stayer.
Value Is EverythingI think it already is better quality overall. The Championship races at Cheltenham are still great but there is far too much dross over the four days.
Aintree is a good mix of Grade 1s and handicaps. It is sustained quality.
One amateur race is sufficient and at least it is over the National fences. 2 bumpers is perhaps the only false note but at least they are the last races on their cards.
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