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John Hill

John has worked in the horse racing and betting industry for the last 13 years in various roles, including as a broadcaster for Betfred and as a freelance commentator and journalist. His favourite horse racing moment form the last couple of decades is Kauto Star’s victory in the 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup where the horse became the first to regain his crown in the Blue Riband contest. John particularly enjoys National Hunt racing, with his favourite course being Wetherby.
@johnhillsport
February 19th 2020, 1:44 pm

Punchestown Host Latest Grand National Trial

By John Hill
It was a case of third time lucky at Punchestown yesterday for their Grand National Trial as the previous two attempts to stage the meeting were postponed due to the weather. The race was won by Willie Mullins with Ifyoucatchmenow who stayed on strongly at the finish to get up late by a head in […]
February 19th 2020, 1:35 pm

Can Any Horse Complete The Cheltenham And Aintree Double This Year?

By John Hill
Tiger Roll has been successful at the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National in each of the last two years. Given the short space between the two meetings though, not many horses are able to pull off the impressive double. Here is a look at some of the runners which will be looking to win at […]
February 16th 2020, 7:08 pm

Grand National Contenders Fail To Shine In Haydock Trial

By John Hill
The Grand National Trial at Haydock was a great chance for many Aintree contenders to enhance their claims for the Merseyside contest in April, although very few were able to do that. Smooth Stepper came out on top at 33/1 at the Lancashire course. The 11-year-old, who was off bottom weight of 10st-0lb, does not […]
February 16th 2020, 7:00 pm

Grand National Hopeful Ballyoptic Carries Top Weight To Success At Ascot

By John Hill
Ballyoptic returned to his best at Ascot yesterday with victory in the Keltbray Swinley Chase off top weight, scoring by eight lengths. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ runner is expected to have his second shot at the Grand National in April and this latest performance will give his connections confidence that their horse can be in the mix […]
February 11th 2020, 2:29 pm

Native River Once Again Proves How Tough He Is

By John Hill
🐎🐎🐎 Three time winner of the @Betfair Denman Chase @NewburyRacing #NativeRiver 👏 Great ride from young @JJONeillJnr, well done. 🏆 Gold Cup winner? pic.twitter.com/s6hpLzuTmI — 🐎 Dave Lowe 🐎 (@davelowe3) February 8, 2020 Connections of Native River are targeting the two biggest races on the National Hunt calendar at the back end of the season […]
February 11th 2020, 2:15 pm

Punchestown Grand National Trial Should Give Aintree Clues

By John Hill
Punchestown have been forced to postpone their card this afternoon which was set to include the BoyleSports Grand National Trial Handicap Chase. A number of Grand National entries were down to have their latest outing. The Irish course announced that the meeting will be rearranged for the near future which will give many Grand National […]
February 8th 2020, 2:02 pm

Many Grand National Hopefuls Set For Trial At Haydock

By John Hill
A number of leading Grand National contenders will feature next Saturday in the Grand National Trial at Haydock. The race, which is run over 3m4½f, was first established in 1947 and took place at the Lancashire racecourse all the way through to 1984. In 1991, it returned to the racecourse and was rebranded as the […]
February 8th 2020, 1:55 pm

Hemmings Chasing Record Fourth Grand National win

By John Hill
Trevor Hemmings is one of four owners who have won the Grand National three times and he will be aiming to hold that record outright following the 2020 renewal of the race. Hedgehunter gave him his first victory in 2005 when he justified going off as the 7/1 favourite to score by 14 lengths in […]
February 6th 2020, 1:56 pm

Hogan’s Height Bidding For More Success Over Grand National Fences

By John Hill
What a day for Tom Cannon ⁦@AintreeRaces⁩ – he completes a treble with a surprise win for Hogan’s Height in the Virgin Bet Grand Sefton Handicap Chase pic.twitter.com/3HwbcXCBo5 — David Clough (@DavidBClough) December 7, 2019 Hogan’s Height made his debut over the Grand National fences at Aintree last month in the Virgin Bet Grand Sefton […]
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