racing news/

Aintree Winners to the Fore in Anglo-irish National Hunt Classifications 12/05/08

Runners at this year’s John Smith’s Grand National meeting fared very well in the Anglo-Irish National Hunt Classifications and the annual jump awards, which were released today, Monday, May 12.

The classifications rate the best chasers and hurdlers who ran in either Britain or Ireland during the 2007/08 season (which ended on Saturday, April 26). Many among the top rank were successful at Aintree, while others recorded good placings at the fabulous three-day meeting in early April.

Tidal Bay
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The Howard Johnson-trained Tidal Bay, who followed up success in The Champion Hurdle winner Katchit. Meanwhile the David Pipe-trained Osana, second to both Katchit at Cheltenham and Al Eile at Aintree, is third best on 165.

Andrew Tulloch, Clerk of the Course and Director of Racing at Aintree, commented: “It is immensely satisfying to see so many horses that participated at the John Smith’s Grand National meeting prominent in the 2008 Anglo-Irish National Hunt Classifications. Aintree would like to thank and offer its congratulations to the connections of all the horses involved.

“With the significant increases in prize money to the John Smith’s Grand National meeting in recent seasons, Aintree is able to attract the very best horses from Britain, Ireland and .

“Tidal Bay’s victory in the John Smith’s Maghull Novices’ Chase was a particularly impressive performance and we look forward to seeing more of him at Aintree in the future.

“Pettifour’s success in the Citroen C5 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle meant that he was rated the best staying novice hurdler of the season. This is the first time that an Aintree winner has taken that honour and we are obviously very pleased.”

Aintree races again this Friday evening (May 16), with the first of seven races due off at 5.30pm. An amazing 268 horses have been entered for Friday’s races and competitive racing is assured.