Highs and lows of world cup day

After a 5am start, it is fair to say I slept pretty well on Saturday night.

After a busy day riding out, not to mention eight hours of live radio broadcasting, I was ready to hit the sack.

After such a highly accelerated build-up; it was nice to wake up on Sunday morning knowing that a work-free day lay ahead. It was, however, a day of mixed emotions.

Realising that the end was upon us, and there would be no local racing until November, left a sort of empty feeling. I have to admit, after a day full of such highs, my spirits soon came crashing down.

It is such a shame that many of the headlines have revolved around the queues to get into the racecourse and detracted from the fantastic evening of top-class international racing.

Many of the grievances came from the once-a-year fans, and surely anybody really interested in racing, made sure they left in plenty of time.

I agree there were problems, however. I was sent on a mile-round detour when the entrance I required was only 50 yards away. I eventually ended up back in exactly the same place.

Unfortunately, at events where thousands descend almost at once, queues are inevitable, and I’m sure Dubai Racing Club will work to keep queuing minimal next year.

Let’s focus on the positives of a largely well organised and enjoyable event. One man who made sure he arrived in plenty of time was the Sudanese guy, who many will remember led the Willie Supple fan club at the Carnival. He was keeping the crowds entertained while swaying the UAE flag in the air, and judging by the amount of TV cameras pointed at him, I hope he put in his invoices for all the worldwide television appearances.

McCoy looks to butler

The Grand National is on Saturday, and it’s amazing how quickly it has come around. I have only just got over Cheltenham!

The most famous event in racing folklore, the four-and-a-half-mile steeplechase is full of thrills and spills, and amazingly has never been won by the 13-time champion jump jockey, Tony McCoy.

This year he relies on Irish Grand National winner, Butlers Cabin, who competes in the famous green and yellow silks of J P McManus. I’ve never had the chance to be there on National day itself, but have attended on the previous day, and while that is always a popular fixture, the atmosphere tends to be more subdued as many people are still nursing themselves after a frantic Cheltenham.

Martin Pipe won the race in 1994, and his son, David has strong chances with Vodka Bleu and Comply Or Die.

Brett’s grand national tips

1. Comply Or Die
2. Butlers Cabin
3. D’Argent
4. Cloudy Lane