CHICAGO GREY NEEDS TO MAKE EARLY IMPACT IN GRAND NATIONAL

The early stages of this month's John Smith's Grand National will be crucial for Chicago Grey, according to Gordon Elliott.

CHELTENHAM 16-3-2011. The National Hunt Chase.

Derek O'Connor and CHICAGO GREY with trainer Gordon Elliott and Annie Bowles after he recorded his 1st Cheltenham success. Creative Commons by Horse Racing Ireland


The nine-year-old has got detached early-on in previous races and Elliott is worried that he could get too far behind in the Aintree event.

Elliott told At The Races: "He schooled last week, schooled very well and stays well, he won the four-miler at Cheltenham last year," 

"If he can get into a nice rhythm in the first half of the race I think he`ll run a massive race. The first four or five fences are going to be very important, if he can get into a rhythm and get jumping.

"He`s probably not the best jumper in the world, he`s adequate, he has his own technique. It`s hard to know what horse is going to take to it."

Paul Carberry will ride the grey in twelve days time while Paul Nicholls is down to one representative (Neptune Collonges) after the retirement of Niche Market due to injury.

My Opinion:


There has been a lot of media hype surrounding Chicago Grey and there is no doubt in saying that he is a talented horse. 
Elliott has said it right though, if the grey gets detached from the group in the early stages of the race then he's out. Carberry needs to time it well to ensure that the Cheltenham 2011 winner has a chance of winning.


Ballabriggs is another horse that needs to be watched but I cannot help but be tempted by Sunnyhillboy. I have seen him run before and is decent horse. One to watch over the next few days.
The Grand National is anybody's game - all horses are in for a shot. 


What I am worried about is whether or not the high-profile racing event will attract bad publicity again. Last year was a bad year for the sport as a result of Jason Maguire's ride on winner Ballabriggs. I think people who aren't into racing need to read up on the sport so that it does not come under inappropriate scrutiny.


It angers me when people are ignorant towards the rules of the whip. With all the media attention the sport has been receiving it wouldn't surprise me if many viewers or spectators will be eagle-eyed and on the prowl for any mistake made by the jockeys.


Should it happen again: watch this space!

PAUL BITTAR SAYS THAT WHIP PENALTIES MAY BE EASED

The BHA's new chief executive has announced that whip penalties could be relaxed.

Paul Bittar has claimed that the controversial penalty that jockeys receive as a result of breaking the new rules may be eased.

Bittar took up the post on Wednesday (January 18) but insisted that immediate changes were unlikely, yet he discussed how the new levels of punishment were inaccurate as they don't fit the crime.

Jockeys, trainers and even punters have reacted badly to the severe penalties that are given - the row started as a result of the 2011 Grand National where Jason Maguire was heavily criticised for excessive use of the whip on Ballabriggs.

The debate has recently been reignited as a result of Will Kennedy's suspension following his win in the Lanzarote Hurdle.

He received a seven-day ban and even had to forfeit his prize money.

During that weekend, over 100-day suspensions were handed out, resulting in negative reactions from the racing world.

Come on Paul, I know you can see the severity of the punishment. It's unfair on everyone: jockeys, trainers and owners. Listen to what the professionals want and change the rules to what they were previously. It needs to be done.

 NEW WHIP RULES

• Jockeys can use the whip seven times in Flat races and eight times in National Hunt
• Jockeys exceeding the limit by one strike will be suspended             
• Exceeding the limit by more than one strike will mean the jockey forfeits a share of prize money 

DON'T PUSH IT RETIRED

DON'T PUSH IT has been retired after recent results have been disappointing for owner JP McManus and trainer Jonjo O'Neill.
 
Don't Push It, now a 12-year-old, gave A P McCoy his first victory in the Grand National in 2010.
 
The superb horse then finished in a respectful third last year behind Ballabriggs and was set to make another re-appearance in April.
 
However, as Don't Push It's recent work has been disappointing for McManus and O'Neill, connections have called a halt to his racing career.

The horse has proved that he is a champion in the racing world by making more than £750,000 in prize-money.