Friday 5 April 2013

National Nibbles - Jimmy Mangan

Follow us on Twitter - @Aintreeinfo

National Nibbles - Jimmy Mangan

Today sees the conclusion of our Nibbles series, we hope you have enjoyed reading all the different views. To close on a high we bring you an interview with the 2003 Grand National winning trainer Jimmy Mangan. We wanted to close the series with a 'got the t-shirt' kind of interview and feel this totally fits the bill. Enjoy !!

How do you prepare a horse for the National, do you do anything different ? 
Not really, he was second in Topham trophy previous year so he knew he loved the fences and the course.

How nervous did you get before the race ? 
Twas just like any other race, i was just as hopeful as I would be with any other race, however I was more fearful that he would be brought down by another horse.

At what point did you realise you were going to win ?
The Canal Turn.

How did you celebrate ? 
We missed the boat that night and found a B&B and the following day we went back to Conna and after our local point to point meeting we paraded through the village with over 4,000 well wishers and locals. Barry Geraghty even joined us down there.

How do you think the modifications to the start and new fences will change the race ?
I hope that it wouldn't change it too much I would just be a bit worried that they might go too fast. Hopefully the changes are all for the good and I have no problem with the changes.

An Irish horse hasn't won since 2007 and Seabass got harshly treated this year in the weights - do you think the days of lining up a 'plot' at the National are over ?
No they are definitely not over, you just have to be highly rated these days to get into the National.

Which 2 horses do you most fancy for this year's race ?
Definitely "On His Own" and I also fancy one of Ted Walsh's two horses to be in the money

Who would be your idea of a lively outsider ?  
Rare Bob with the way Dessies horses are going its hard to not fancy any of his, they're going so well.

Big thanks to Jimmy for closing the series and to Andrea Mangan for arranging it with her uncle. Andrea's at AIntree today so if you see her say a big hello. Keep an eye out tonight for our National thoughts an some exclusive thoughts from JP & AP.

If like Jimmy you fancy Rare Bob or On His Own then BetVictor are paying an amazing 6 places on the Grand National. To place a bet go to www.freeaintreebets.com

No comments:

Post a Comment