The Grand National

[brockguy]

Love the race

havent really had a big look at it this year to have any clear cut opinion.

On a slightly related note, I backed 7 horses in the Irish Grand National today (in a field of 26) and the best I could muster was 7th. Disaster, but great to bet!

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by brockguy

Love the race

Yeah I remember.

20 million places to get 20 million updates but this one has a ton of stuff, so...

For anyone interested...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/othe...ng/8603557.stm

[Hwjb]

I haven't had an ante-post bet and, none too surprisingly, the market has it about right I'd have thought, Big Fella Thanks is surely the likeliest winner, and he's almost becoming backable with some firms going 10/1. I certainly think he has a much better chance than Mon Mome (flattered by his Cheltenham run) and The Package (still think he might be doggy) who are only slightly longer priced.

Black Apalachi must have a very good chance, and I'll certainly have a few shekels on him, whilst Comply Or Die has to be the most solid each-way bet at 20+/1.

I may be slightly biased, but Backstage does tick a lot of boxes in that he's got the requisite speed, he's an up-and-comer, the ground has come right, he jumps well and, for me anyway, he'll stay. Granted a bit of luck obviously, I imagine he'll be thereabouts and will certainly have him to win a fair bit.

[my miss storm cat]

Good luck to Celestial Halo and Zaynar in the Dick Francis.

The Package is my pick to win this thing but King John's Castle, Black Apalachi and Character Building all have a shot.

Good luck to Beat the Boys and Preists leap who might be two of the last home but gotta wish them a safe trip.

CONE HOME SAFE, EVERYONE.

[brockguy]

Originally Posted by Hwjb

I haven't had an ante-post bet and, none too surprisingly, the market has it about right I'd have thought, Big Fella Thanks is surely the likeliest winner, and he's almost becoming backable with some firms going 10/1. I certainly think he has a much better chance than Mon Mome (flattered by his Cheltenham run) and The Package (still think he might be doggy) who are only slightly longer priced.

Black Apalachi must have a very good chance, and I'll certainly have a few shekels on him, whilst Comply Or Die has to be the most solid each-way bet at 20+/1.

I may be slightly biased, but Backstage does tick a lot of boxes in that he's got the requisite speed, he's an up-and-comer, the ground has come right, he jumps well and, for me anyway, he'll stay. Granted a bit of luck obviously, I imagine he'll be thereabouts and will certainly have him to win a fair bit.

Harry, cant have Big Fella Thanks. Im not a fan of his attitude and am not getting too carried away with a win over a certain Swiss bred horse last time out. I do agree with you re: Mon Mome (and I had him last year) and The Package.

My 4 would for the race would be:
Niche Market - Im a huge fan of his, He doesnt have anything in hand of the handicapper but is assured of loving the trip, is a great jumper and I love the angle of backing Irish National winners the next year in the big one.

Comply Or Die - last 2 nationals, he's been first and 2nd, you'd have to say hes a cracking each way bet - may find one or two too good but should be in the top 4.

Vic Venturi - I loved him up until yesterday when Paddy Flood was injured and I would not be Roger Loughran's biggest fans. He is a classy sort. Not much between him and Black Apalachi but I prefer Vic (I think last year was Black Apalachi's year!)

and in my search to find a 100-1 winner I like
Palypso De Creek - This guy is not fast or classy, all he does is stay and hopefully he can run into a place at 100-1+. As a 5yo he won a G3 hurdle over 3m on bottomless ground in Auteuil. That will do for me..

Best of Luck.

[herkhorse]

The best I can do is 8/5 on half the field.

[Sightseek]

I'm rooting for Tricky Trickster.

[viscount26]

Don't want to Redboard, but I finally get Tony M'Coy with a winner and exacta

[Hwjb]

Originally Posted by brockguy

Harry, cant have Big Fella Thanks. Im not a fan of his attitude and am not getting too carried away with a win over a certain Swiss bred horse last time out. I do agree with you re: Mon Mome (and I had him last year) and The Package.

My 4 would for the race would be:
Niche Market - Im a huge fan of his, He doesnt have anything in hand of the handicapper but is assured of loving the trip, is a great jumper and I love the angle of backing Irish National winners the next year in the big one.

Comply Or Die - last 2 nationals, he's been first and 2nd, you'd have to say hes a cracking each way bet - may find one or two too good but should be in the top 4.

Vic Venturi - I loved him up until yesterday when Paddy Flood was injured and I would not be Roger Loughran's biggest fans. He is a classy sort. Not much between him and Black Apalachi but I prefer Vic (I think last year was Black Apalachi's year!)

and in my search to find a 100-1 winner I like
Palypso De Creek - This guy is not fast or classy, all he does is stay and hopefully he can run into a place at 100-1+. As a 5yo he won a G3 hurdle over 3m on bottomless ground in Auteuil. That will do for me..

Best of Luck.

Hiya Kev, hope things are well. That Daily Mail link you posted does not show the women of Liverpool in a good light!

Couldn't have found Don't Push It with more than a dozen tries at the race, but even though I'd backed the second, was delighted a true living legend won the race.

It was surely lack of stamina rather than attitude which beat Big Fella Thanks; that's two years in a row he's taken really well to the fences and, campaigned a bit more sensibly next year (i.e. not running over two and a half the time before), there must be a chance they'll eke out the necesary stamina.

Again, being a little biased, but I thought Backstage was massively unlucky to be brought down by a loose horse when he was going just as well as the principals. He's only 8 and with BFT will be right in the reckoning next year.

[brockguy]

Originally Posted by Hwjb

Hiya Kev, hope things are well. That Daily Mail link you posted does not show the women of Liverpool in a good light!

Couldn't have found Don't Push It with more than a dozen tries at the race, but even though I'd backed the second, was delighted a true living legend won the race.

It was surely lack of stamina rather than attitude which beat Big Fella Thanks; that's two years in a row he's taken really well to the fences and, campaigned a bit more sensibly next year (i.e. not running over two and a half the time before), there must be a chance they'll eke out the necesary stamina.

Again, being a little biased, but I thought Backstage was massively unlucky to be brought down by a loose horse when he was going just as well as the principals. He's only 8 and with BFT will be right in the reckoning next year.

Hey Harry, Im grand, hope youre well. yeah i really just glossed over Dont Push It but was great to see McCoy win and it does refute the notion that you need a low weight to win the National. Soon we'll have top /near top weights regularly win it I think.

I still dont know what to make of Big Fella Thanks. He should get a little bit further in future but he did empty quite rapidly I thought from the 2nd last and that would always be a concern with me.. He does look a different horse over the National fences though and with a sensible preparation he will be a threat next year.

The odd thing about Backstage is he's French bred and seems to hate heavy going. I thought they all loved it!