Barry Geraghty’s William Hill blog: Protestors need to open their eyes

Aintree protests

The racing at Aintree was fantastic over the three days and it was a real shame what happened on Saturday.

Everyone was aware there was potential for a protest by a small minority, but the day was going as normal and building towards the National. It was when the horses came into the paddock and the jockeys were slow to leave the weighing room that we realised something was wrong.

There were reports of people trying to glue and chain themselves to fences and we also heard about the local community trying to prevent the protesters breaking onto the course. The Liverpool community really is brilliant. The National is their race and they’re proud of it.

You could feel the tension in the parade ring. Some horses were starting to get anxious and sweaty, so they took half the horses out of the parade ring. I’m sure the uncertainty built up the tension in the weighing room, especially for the younger riders. Everything was up in the air. We didn’t know if the race would be delayed or even postponed until Sunday or Monday. It was then that the security, with the support of the locals, did such a great job and the arrests were made.

Like many have said, of course people have the right to protest, but it should be done in a proper and peaceful manner. It is also vital to protest based on the facts, there’s too much of a smokescreen going on with these guys.

Look, there’s an element of risk in everything anyone does – human or animal. In the past 15 months, Kicking King and Bobs Worth have sadly had to be put to sleep after suffering injuries living in the field. The dream of rewilding horses into some kind of utopia is just so far from reality.

Racehorses are so well cared for and their performance level depends on their health and wellbeing. You saw at Aintree on Saturday, and you see every day on a racecourse, the love and affection that people have for the horses. And that is in every stage of their life – from a foal, through their racing career and then into retirement.

I visited Monty’s Pass in the autumn who was, at the time, the oldest living Grand National winner. He was nearly 30 and looked absolutely amazing. He enjoyed a blissful retirement with the Mangan family and was cared for at every stage throughout his life. The idea of rewilding sounds beautiful, but there would be no-one caring for these horses.

My advice for the protesters is to learn and acknowledge the facts. Open your eyes and see what’s really happening, don’t be a closed book.

Corach Rambler

What a brilliant performance by Corach Rambler. Derek [Fox] did amazingly to win the Ultima last year, but I thought it was a stronger performance at Cheltenham this year. He then carried that into the National and I really don’t recall a horse in recent times travelling as well as he did over the last. He dossed at Cheltenham when hitting the front and then did the same at Aintree after the Elbow, but he won with his ears pricked. I’d say the atmosphere and noise from the crowd just took his attention a bit.

He was a very comfortable winner and it was a brilliant training performance by Lucinda [Russell] and Peter [Scudamore]. It was great for northern racing and fantastic for Derek to win his second National, only nine days after suffering a collar bone injury. He probably couldn’t afford to take a fall before the National, so he gave up his rides through the week to make sure he was okay for the big one. Derek is a top class rider and a beautiful horseman. I was thrilled for them all.

We’ll have to see what weight he gets if he comes back to defend his crown next year, but if he lines up in the mid-150s he would have to be in everyone’s calculations. You wouldn’t have thought an extra 10 or 12lbs would have stopped him on Saturday.

Scottish Grand National

From one National to another with the Scottish Grand National (3:35) at Ayr on Saturday. Lucinda and Derek team up again to try to land a famous double with Your Own Story and he has a chance in what is always a competitive race. However, the one for me is MONBEG GENIUS for Jonjo and Jonjo Jr [O’Neill]. He was an excellent third to Corach Rambler in the Ultima and that is very strong form.

He is three from five over fences, has the right kind of profile for this race and Jonjo is brilliant with staying chasers. By Shantou, his pedigree suggests he will enjoy the extra distance. He perhaps got competitive a bit sooner than ideal in the Ultima, but this race should suit him very well.

If you’re looking for one at a bigger price, I wouldn’t put anyone off Manothepeople for Fergal O’Brien and Paddy Brennan. He’s two from three over fences and four from eight in all starts. His best form has come on a sound surface as well.

Rest of Ayr

The Skeltons often do well at this meeting and FRERE D’ARMES looks to have a massive chance in the opening two-mile handicap chase (1:15). He had some good horses behind him when winning at Newbury in November and he ran well after a break at Ascot the last day. He likes good ground and is fitted with a first-time tongue tie here. He should be hard to beat. Coastguard Station would be the one with an each-way squeak. He’s had a good season and likes better ground.

I’m sticking with the Ultima form in the novices’ champion handicap chase (1:50) where I think OSCAR ELITE will go very close. He was fifth at Cheltenham when just weakening in the softer ground. A bit like Monbeg Genius, he got competitive a little too early.

I was ready to go with Nemean Lion in the Scottish Champion Hurdle (2:25), but he’s a non-runner, so I’m switching to another of Jonjo’s runners, SOARING GLORY. He won the Betfair Hurdle two years ago and was only beaten 4 ½ lengths by Glory And Fortune in last year’s race. He has a lot of class and they stepped him up in trip last time on soft ground which may not have helped. He’s now back to his last winning mark and the return to two miles on a sound surface could do the trick.

The Future Champion Novices’ Chase (3:00) looks an open enough contest, but I like the look of TELMESOMETHINGGIRL for Henry [de Bromhead] and Rachael [Blackmore]. She won the Mares’ Novice at the Festival a couple of years ago and the form of her second at Thurles was boosted when the third that day, Instit, beat Allegorie De Vassy at Fairyhouse a few weeks ago.