Aintree Bumper 231011

Some decent animals have contested this race in the past 5 years

YEAR	WINNER	AGE	WGT	SP	TRAINER	JOCKEY	RPR
2010	Herdsman	5	11-0	7/2F	Philip Hobbs	Richard Johnson	122
2009	Solway Sam	6	11-2	33/1	Lisa Harrison	Ewan Whillans	112
2008	Cloudy Times	5	11-4	9/4F	Sue Smith	Tjade Collier	123
2007	Silly Wupple	5	11-0	50/1	M Scudamore	Alan O'Keeffe	107
2006	Super Nick	5	11-0	2/1F	Nigel Twiston-Davies	David England	117
2005	Spartacus Bay	4	10-13	14/1	Venetia Williams	Liam Treadwell	114

it pays to look at the field closely and take notes on the outcome
Royal Guardsman looks very smart indeed on its win at Fontwell where the Tizzards introduced Cue Card for a very similar performance before going on to trounce the field in the Cheltenham bumper at odds of 40/1  and a horse that was well worthy of following -- 
 but the field today at aintree on the fast ground has thrown up some very long prices  as you can see from the above 
 have highlited the Vfb card for the race set for the highest rating  take a look and make sure you make notes 

  bloody hell what a beautiful winner in Sir Johnson for Bowen - hes gonna be in everyones book now 4 winners in bumper unheard of !


A big field of promising sorts lined up for this, and there is no doubt that some nice prospects took their chance, but you can only admire SIR JOHNSON for winning his fourth straight bumper, giving away at least 7lb to all his rivals. Connections are unsure whether to go hurdling with him or save him for a crack at the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham next March, so it´s difficult to predict what´s next for him.

Talkonthestreet, who won an Irish point on his only start in that sphere, moved quite well in midfield and kept on dourly, but wasn´t able to get past the winner. He did beat the third by a healthy margin, however.

Special Catch travelled strongly for quite a way but took a while to really pick up. The way he closed down the fourth was pleasing, and he should have no problems winning a bumper.

Royal Guardsman impressed when winning at Fontwell on his debut and looked a big threat as he moved closer here. He was still bang in contention when the winning jockey´s whip unintentionally came close to hitting him a few times across the head (it may have made contact at least once, but it was difficult to tell), so although Colin Tizzard´s horse was starting to look held, there is possibly a reason why he faded inside the final stages.

Victor Lynch ran a cracker and doesn´t look short of heart. He stuck to his task well under pressure and was keeping on in pleasing fashion after being prominent throughout.

Merry King won an Irish point in March, in which the fourth and fifth had already come out and won. He was produced to have every chance and ran better than his final position suggests, as his jockey wisely didn´t give the 4yo a hard time when he looked tired.

The Goldmeister looks as though he has ability and will no doubt win races in time, while Heart Dancer was a big eyecatcher from the rear. He´d unseated his rider in a point on his only previous outing, but he shaped really nicely here, running on past horses from an unpromising position. Hopefullyhe´ll be raced closer to the pace next time.

Swinging Sultan had every chance turning in but looked inexperience off the bridle and wasn´t given a hard time when it was clear he´d play no part in the finish. 

QUOTES: Owner Steve Fleetham Sir Johnson has schooled over hurdles, but we´re not sure whether to go jumping with him or leave him for the Cheltenham bumper.


The satisfaction of beating Martin selection by 2.5l is a little tempered by the fact both animals finished so far back and took our money with them does not make make it much of a coup.


my pleasure in sharing the notes above - cut and paste into the note field there will be money made from these 
 Bob