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Happy Easter everyone ... hope the Easter Bunny delivered your chocolate ... except for jocks trying to make the weight this week !
Today is a very exciting day for us as we have an exclusive scoop. We have not 1, not 2, but 3 interviews for you today with all the connections of National hopeful The Rainbow Hunter.
First up ... the owner and syndicate representative - Oli Bell
How long ago and how did you get involved with The Rainbow Hunter ?
I was with some friends at Royal Ascot who used to have horses with Kim. He was mixing business with pleasure and said he had a horse for sale. Along with Kevin, Dermot and Stephen (the other guys in the partnership) we decided to get involved and it went from there.
Where did his name come from ?
Well he's by Rainbow High so there is the link to The Rainbow but he was already named when we got him so I can't give you a cool story as to how it came about. I suppose I could make one up?!
At what point did you realise you might have a live contender on your hands ?
It has always been on the radar and I guess after he won at Ascot in November we knew he had a chance of getting in and being competitive off 140.
Which other 2 horses do you most fear ?It's boring but On His Own has an outstanding National profile, he was in the process of running a blinder last year when things went against him and I wouldn't rule out Join Together for last years winning trainer Paul Nicholls.
What effect do you think the new modifications to the start and the fences will have ?
I imagine the new starting point will be a help to the horses who can let the occasion get the better of them. I'm probably not the man to ask about the fences given I've never jumped a National fence in my life!
Bearing in mind the new changes, how many finishers do you predict this year ( given good to soft ground) ?
Hopefully 40.
Grand National or Gold Cup ?
The Gold Cup is an amazing race but for me it's the Grand National. It was the race that got me hooked on racing when I was growing up and to have a runner in it as an owner is a real privilege.
We notice that Aidan has never ridden him before, what advice will you give to him ?
The Rainbow Hunter is a horse who likes his own space and we won't be wanting to jump the first in front. The plan is to switch him off out the back and hope he can get into a good rhythm which is important to any horse in the line up. I don't need to give Aidan advice though, he's a top jockey and he would have worked this all out himself. He's a good mate as well so win, lose or draw I hope he enjoys it.
We'd love to see him win - if at 4.25pm next saturday he's victorious how do you plan to celebrate ?
Thank you, so would I! I imagine the party will go on until 4.25pm the following Saturday. I'm sure all 4 of us in the syndicate will probably buy Kim and Aidan a drink or two and soak up the sights and sounds of Liverpool on a Saturday night (hope you're prepared for that! Ed). Whatever happens on the day we will enjoy it because for a small syndicate like ours these days don't come around often and need to be savoured.
Next up ... The Trainer - Kim Bailey
Kim is one of our favourite trainers. He had trained a Gold Cup (Master Oats) and Grand National (Mr Frisk) winner before a certain Mr Nicholls had trained 50 winners.
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| Kim Bailey |
What are your earliest National memories ?
Foinavon in 1967
Which has been your favourite National so far ? (Think I might know this answer!)
How did you guess.. Mr Frisk
The Rainbow Hunter has had a good season so far, how has his prep for Aintree gone and was this always the target ?
So far so good. He has one more piece of work to do and a jump over the National Fences at Lambourn to go ... fingers crossed that all goes according to plan
Do you do anything differently to prep a horse for Aintree ?
No, just prey they don’t step on stones!
Which other 2 horses would you put up against the field in this years renewal and why ?
Imperial Commander looks all over the right type and now has a great course jockey on board.
Seabass maybe, as it would be just a great result for the race... a woman rider.
What effect do you think the new modifications to the start and the fences will have ?
That will be judged by the public sadly not by the pros..
Bearing in mind the new changes, how many finishers do you predict this year ( given 'good to soft' ground) ?
15
Grand National or Gold Cup ?
Gold Cup
What instructions do you give to a jockey riding in the National ?
Enjoy and keep out of trouble
Who would you most like to spend a day at the Grand National with and why ?
Family but having said that without a runner in the big race the day seems all rather tame ... you need that buzz of a runner
If you weren't working where would you most like to be watching the big race ?
In front of a big TV with 10 people for lunch
Come next saturday, if you win, how will you be celebrating? Will we see a Bailey on the dance floor throwing a few shapes ?
Not one for dancing.. winning? Yes ... Let's just celebrate if we do
OK, now last but certainly not least is one of the jockeys of the moment, who booted home his latest winner at Haydock on Saturday and sits a very impressive 4th in the NH Jockeys Championship table and is surely destined for greater heights
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| Aidan Coleman |
What are your earliest National memories ?
First memory of the Grand National would be watching Ruby on Papillon
How would you describe jumping round Aintree - is it like any other course ?
It's a very difficult test especially if your on a horse who doesn't like it but on the right horse it's a great buzz. The fences need to be respected
Which other 2 horses do you fear the most ?
2 main dangers are On His Own as he was very unlucky last year. Imperial Commander is also a very interesting horse - former gold cup winner and he had a great run on his last start
What effect do you think the new modifications to the start and the fences will have ?
Hopefully the new changes will be positively received but I don't think they should change the course any more as it would take from the character of the race
Bearing in mind the new changes, how many finishers do you predict this year ( given good to soft ground) ?
20-25
Grand National or Gold Cup?
Grand National
Who would you consider to be a lively outsider in this years field?
Hopefully my mount ! I think The Rainbow Hunter can give me a good spin and run very well
What are your thoughts at the start line?
At the start you need to be focused on where you want to be and try to get the right horses to follow. It's also important to keep your horse relaxed.
We wish you all the best but if you were victorious how would you celebrate?
I think I'd have a very good night out in Liverpool if I was to win it !
We hope you enjoyed the different perspectives of each connection and that you will join us for another National Nibble tomorrow
If you like The Rainbow Hunter's chances then BetVictor are paying an amazing 6 (SIX) places each way, to open an account just click here www.freeaintreebets.com
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