Snow joke at Aintree

The threat of snow and a cold snap on Grand National day has the bookies fearing a housewives' plunge on the Irish chaser Snowy Morning.

The eight-year-old, trained in

Co Carlow by Willie Mullins, who

won the world's greatest steeplechase

with Hedgehunter in 2005,

was the ante-post favourite when

the weights were announced in

February.

Gwanako: Won Topham Chase on Friday

A couple of modest runs since

then saw his odds extend to 18-1

and Cloudy Lane, currently

priced at 11-2, could yet be the

shortest priced favourite since

7-2 shot Red Rum in 1975 if the

threat of snow disappears.

Cloudy Lane is trained by

Donald McCain, son of Ginger who masterminded three Aintree triumphs for

the legendary Red Rum.

Coral spokesman Simon Clare said: 'If

the country wakes up to a freeze or if the

snow comes, then you could see a snowball

effect on the Snowy Morning's odds.

'It's

just the sort of name which will appeal to

the once-a-year punter.'

Colin Mackenzie, the Daily Mail’s racing correspondent for 20 years, yesterday received a special presentation from Lord Daresbury, chairman of Aintree, to mark his retirement

Only 12 of the 29 runners yesterday got

round over the Grand National fences in

the Topham Chase which was won by

Gwanako.

Two horses were killed — In The

High Grass and Time To Sell — both Irish trained.

No fewer than seven veterinary surgeons

will be on duty at Aintree today to ensure

the highest standard of care for all the

runners at this high-profile meeting.

Tony Dobbin, who won the 'bomb scare'

Grand National on Lord Gyllene in 1997,

announced that he would be retiring from

riding on Thursday at Carlisle, his home

racecourse, ahead of today's big race.

But Dobbin, 35, the seventh most successful

jump jockey with almost 1,200 winners,

must be passed fit by a doctor before

he can ride Point Barrow after taking a

shaking fall on Nacarat in the Topham

Chase. Despite the fall, he expects to be

competing.

Speaking about his decision to retire, he

said: 'Rose Davidson, my girlfriend, is

going to train for the 2009 season and I did

intend going on riding until then.

'But the more I thought about it over the

last couple of months, the more I decided

to go and work for a few trainers over the

next year. I'll be working for Kevin Ryan

and others.

'It would be amazing to go out on a high

with Point Barrow. He was the best spare ride going and he'll get 120 per cent from

me.'

Mick Fitzgerald (L'Ami) and Barry

Geraghty (Slim Pickings) will also have to

pass a doctor's examination after suffering

heavy falls, Fitzgerald from Crozan in the

Topham causing him to miss riding a winner

(Oedipe) in a later race and Geraghty

from Mister Top Notch in the Totepool

Handicap Chase.

Both expect to be fine

this morning although Geraghty's left

hand was encased in an ice bandage, while

Fitzgerald was a little shaken.