Monday 13th April, 2026

Two runners tomorrow with Manalishi (pictured) in the 2.45pm at Market Rasen and Dora Vita in the 6pm at Lingfield. Manalishi has shown promise on both his runs, including a third to Storming George who won so well at Aintree.   He returned with a back injury that day and hopefully following treatment will jump more fluently on this occasion.  Although only six runners there are a couple with decent form and hopefully he will continue to show promise with Harry Bannister onboard, as Finn Lambert is recovering from injury.

Dora Vita ran well in her last run at Wolverhampton and this time steps up to a mile at Lingfield on the all-weather.  She did well to finish fourth in her first handicap and will hopefully appreciate the step up in trip on this occasion and Rab Havlin takes the ride.

Baron Wagstaff is declared in the mile novice stakes at Southwell on Wednesday.  He found the ground at Bath a bit on the quick side last time out and will hopefully appreciate a return to the all weather.  With few options around, it is a competitive event but hopefully the experience will do him good and once again Sean D Bowen rides having ridden him on his debut at Kempton.

We have entries for Elfride, Manton Road, The Last Drop and Willow Edge towards the end of the week and some rain would be very much appreciated for all.

I was fortunate enough to be invited to Aintree on Friday and Saturday and witnessed a memorable Grand National.  The winner is undoubtedly turning into an Aintree great it would be no surprise if he matched Red Rum’s record next year.  However things might have been different had Jordan’s jockey taken a little more time and as one observer commented following the race ‘tonight will be the first time Richard Pitman will not have a sleepless night.’