Midlands National day. Official going "Soft" though it might not be the bog that it can be at Uttoxeter today. 3 each way fancies for me at the prices: Prime Venture (25/1 with Bob 4 places), off same mark as when staying-on 5th in the Welsh GN. Close 4th (4.25L) in this 2 years ago, again off the same mark but no Potters Corner in his prime in oppo today. Achille (18/1 with Skybet 7 places), strongly staying on but just held by Lord Du Mesnil in the GNT (having done likewise in the Warwick Betfred Classic) - up 4lbs for his Haydock run but furthest trip he's attempted should suit - pedigree screams 4 miles. The Two Amigos (16/1), again representing the form of the Welsh GN and GNT. COYR
Mighty Thunder and Tommy Rapper for me .. always enjoy this marathon round Uttoxeter .. I usually go for Truckers Lodge, but not today
Bad luck @Lincsaddick So close. An atypical race on that ground and more than half the field still in the mix so late. First 8 within 7.5L but worthy front 2. Prime Venture didn't look to travel as well as usual (to my eye), The 2 Amigos (8th) maybe doesn't quite get 34f and Achille (never nearer 6th) could have done with a slower surface to reel them in. Hey ho. Nice call re Final Nudge @ISawLeaburnScore even if you didn't back him in the end.
Midlands National day. Official going "Soft" though it might not be the bog that it can be at Uttoxeter today. 3 each way fancies for me at the prices: Prime Venture (25/1 with Bob 4 places), off same mark as when staying-on 5th in the Welsh GN. Close 4th (4.25L) in this 2 years ago, again off the same mark but no Potters Corner in his prime in oppo today. Achille (18/1 with Skybet 7 places), strongly staying on but just held by Lord Du Mesnil in the GNT (having done likewise in the Warwick Betfred Classic) - up 4lbs for his Haydock run but furthest trip he's attempted should suit - pedigree screams 4 miles. The Two Amigos (16/1), again representing the form of the Welsh GN and GNT. COYR
Mighty Thunder and Tommy Rapper for me .. always enjoy this marathon round Uttoxeter .. I usually go for Truckers Lodge, but not today
Bad luck @Lincsaddick So close. Atypical race on that ground and more than half the field still in the mix so late. Worthy front 2.
cheers Peanuts .. could we see the first two in next year's proper national ? .. the winner certainly looks the part
Midlands National day. Official going "Soft" though it might not be the bog that it can be at Uttoxeter today. 3 each way fancies for me at the prices: Prime Venture (25/1 with Bob 4 places), off same mark as when staying-on 5th in the Welsh GN. Close 4th (4.25L) in this 2 years ago, again off the same mark but no Potters Corner in his prime in oppo today. Achille (18/1 with Skybet 7 places), strongly staying on but just held by Lord Du Mesnil in the GNT (having done likewise in the Warwick Betfred Classic) - up 4lbs for his Haydock run but furthest trip he's attempted should suit - pedigree screams 4 miles. The Two Amigos (16/1), again representing the form of the Welsh GN and GNT. COYR
Mighty Thunder and Tommy Rapper for me .. always enjoy this marathon round Uttoxeter .. I usually go for Truckers Lodge, but not today
Bad luck @Lincsaddick So close. Atypical race on that ground and more than half the field still in the mix so late. Worthy front 2. Prime Venture didn't look to travel as well as usual (to my eye), The 2 Amigos maybe doesn't quite get 4 miles and Achille would appear to need 6 miles Hey ho.
Agree, Prime Venture never travelled and chucked in a couple of poor jumps as well.
Hoping for a bit more luck with my horse today and it’s Peanuts favourite of mine Lily The Pink cue the music.............Fontwell 3.55. A rock solid horse who gives 100% every time and is always there or thereabouts.Always get the same message from Anthony as he says easy to train gives 100% every time and never throws in a bad race or workout at home simply loves everything she does. As for the Midlands National it could be Regal Encores last race unless JP wants to say goodbye at the Punchestown Festival so definitely a few sentimental pennies on that one from me. Update on Zee Man up about and out for a trot this morning so all fine with him,still can’t believe what happened and watched it again.........nothing like torturing yourself just like watching Charlton for over 40 years!!!!!!! Olly May even consider a hurdle race for Zee Man to get his confidence back if he feels its needed?
Lily OK @killer kish ? Looked like she was very tired at the finish - hopefully hasn't got a knock. If it meant you missed the horror 2nd goal we conceded at Plough Lane at least that was a crumb of comfort.
All seems OK thanks Peanuts, think she may just of had a long season? Being so consistent she never has a race where she doesn't put it all in so it must catch up at some point.
The thing that makes me laugh is that the bookies artificially shorten these so called "gambles" but don't push anything else to compensate for them. Look at BetVic's prices for the Southwell 1.00
And the first of these gambles is tailed off and pulled up. Good bit of business for bookies having layed it at 11/10
You know it isn't good business for bookmakers. Rumours of coups, whether false or not, do nothing for the integrity of horseracing.
I would agree that VC's prices at 134% are a piss take but in defence, bookmakers (the ones who pay for any coup) have to defend against 'knock-outs' - a practice that was once rife in the game, less so now. Especially as the rightful jolly just won it by 25 lengths, and that's the one that would have been backed heavily by the orchestrators of the rumours.
Tomorrow sees the start of another father/son dual trainer partnership .. John and Thady Gosden .. could this be a winding down towards retirement for the master of Newmarket ?
It is difficult to comprehend why Jamie Spencer doesn't get more rides these days. He was at his finest tonight on Air To Air (yellow body and black epaulets and cap drawn 4):
It is difficult to comprehend why Jamie Spencer doesn't get more rides these days. He was at his finest tonight on Air To Air (yellow body and black epaulets and cap drawn 4):
It is difficult to comprehend why Jamie Spencer doesn't get more rides these days. He was at his finest tonight on Air To Air (yellow body and black epaulets and cap drawn 4):
Cost a mate of mine what would’ve been a very nice treble that did.
A 7lb claimer would have been hauled in front of the Stewards and questioned as to what he was doing. They are immune to Spencer doing it as are commentators who will wax lyrically on the occasions it comes off forgetting about all the times it doesn't.
No model for this folks, just my very dodgy nose but Irish GN on Monday and it will all be about the ground. Tiger Roll's defection and the consequent massive hike in weights has changed the complexion of it - some more likely to handle the extra than others. Difficult to see how it won't be quick given the forecast and that will likely find out several of the market fancies. I'm a big fan of both Moyhenna and Agusta Gold, having run the slide rule over them for Aintree, but sadly Moyhenna would definitely prefer softer going and I suspect Agusta likewise and at 10/1 is too short for my liking though she could go well. A mare that will love the ground is Robin De Carlow - 3 wins from 5 chases to date at up to 23f and last seen reeling in Champion Chase winner Put The Kettle On over 20f. But that was 547 days ago and, while 40/1 is tempting, even allowing for Willie Mullins' skills and having the Queen of Cheltenham on board, it's a massive ask. The Big Dog is tailormade for a GN and has the Coddfather on board but, again, on ground that's probably not ideal, 10/1 is a tad short for me. Latest Exhibition the class horse in the race but 13/2 for the topweight (26 years since the last topweight winner)? No thanks. Plenty to like about Court Maid but 11.09 is a lot for a mare in an Irish GN, however talented she is.
In search as always for some e/w value, I'm plumping for:
OFF YOU GO (16/1) - 8 yo 2nd season novice, has 11.05 on his back (a lot for an Irish GN with only Our Duke carrying >11.00 to win since 2000) but will love the good ground and pedigree screams he should be a natural over an extended trip for the first time on a sound surface, despite an 8lb hike in OR for his win last time out (Farclas's fine Festival run franking the form). By Presenting and closely related to good-ground Irish GN winner Shutthefrontdoor. 16/1 is great e/w value IMHO.
SNUGSBOROUGH BENNY (50/1 7 places BetFred) - 11 yo loves top of the ground. Well beaten 4th behind Burrows Saint in the 2019 Irish GN (stayed on from way back having been held up at the rear as usual, same OR145) but, despite his years, no drop in form over fences since when getting his ground (career-high chase RPR set last time over fences last summer). Will have 5lbs taken off by claiming pro to carry a workable 10.11. Not the likeliest of winners perhaps but, again, great e/w value for 7 places (66/1 for 5 places with WH if preferred).
Of the 1st season novices, 40/1 for bottomweight (10.06) OPPOSITES ATTRACT appeals most. Like Run Wild Fred (who could also go very well), not far behind Latest Exhibition in a Beginnners Chase in October (maybe all a tad flattered by the proximity) but, giving him 5lbs, was beaten only by 2L by Monkfish in a PtP 3 years ago on Yielding ("keeping on well"). Jumping can be sketchy but has near-missed over fences at Fairyhouse and should appreciate the ground.
Eton college 1.50 14/1 worth a shot. Just found his feet at distance when taken to aw and was awful there. Drops weight. Johnson also chasing some records today.
(Hochfield another to consider in the 3.35)
Came from dark 3.00 6/1 open race. Wind op and good over distance. Hollie Doyle rides.
Eton college 1.50 14/1 worth a shot. Just found his feet at distance when taken to aw and was awful there. Drops weight. Johnson also chasing some records today.
(Hochfield another to consider in the 3.35)
Came from dark 3.00 6/1 open race. Wind op and good over distance. Hollie Doyle rides.
Cheers, like to call it luck with some logic sprinkled in. Favourite course southwell today but all races far too hard today! Small punt on rabeeh wo/f in 1.50 and jazz legend wo/f 3.36, both very unlikely. And mr freeze
Comments
So close. An atypical race on that ground and more than half the field still in the mix so late. First 8 within 7.5L but worthy front 2.
Prime Venture didn't look to travel as well as usual (to my eye), The 2 Amigos (8th) maybe doesn't quite get 34f and Achille (never nearer 6th) could have done with a slower surface to reel them in.
Hey ho.
Nice call re Final Nudge @ISawLeaburnScore even if you didn't back him in the end.
Looked like she was very tired at the finish - hopefully hasn't got a knock.
If it meant you missed the horror 2nd goal we conceded at Plough Lane at least that was a crumb of comfort.
Barney Curley changed his name?
EDIT .. He HAS passed away it seems in February this year R I P
6/4
11/10
9/2
9/2
16/1
25/1
So that's 133.71% in a 6 runner race!!!!
I would agree that VC's prices at 134% are a piss take but in defence, bookmakers (the ones who pay for any coup) have to defend against 'knock-outs' - a practice that was once rife in the game, less so now. Especially as the rightful jolly just won it by 25 lengths, and that's the one that would have been backed heavily by the orchestrators of the rumours.
The SP at 111% is about right.
But keep looking the other way and dreaming of that big win.
You bet, they die.
https://www.attheraces.com/atrplayer-popup/VOD/1193153?showResult=yes
Tiger Roll's defection and the consequent massive hike in weights has changed the complexion of it - some more likely to handle the extra than others.
Difficult to see how it won't be quick given the forecast and that will likely find out several of the market fancies. I'm a big fan of both Moyhenna and Agusta Gold, having run the slide rule over them for Aintree, but sadly Moyhenna would definitely prefer softer going and I suspect Agusta likewise and at 10/1 is too short for my liking though she could go well.
A mare that will love the ground is Robin De Carlow - 3 wins from 5 chases to date at up to 23f and last seen reeling in Champion Chase winner Put The Kettle On over 20f. But that was 547 days ago and, while 40/1 is tempting, even allowing for Willie Mullins' skills and having the Queen of Cheltenham on board, it's a massive ask.
The Big Dog is tailormade for a GN and has the Coddfather on board but, again, on ground that's probably not ideal, 10/1 is a tad short for me.
Latest Exhibition the class horse in the race but 13/2 for the topweight (26 years since the last topweight winner)? No thanks.
Plenty to like about Court Maid but 11.09 is a lot for a mare in an Irish GN, however talented she is.
In search as always for some e/w value, I'm plumping for:
OFF YOU GO (16/1) - 8 yo 2nd season novice, has 11.05 on his back (a lot for an Irish GN with only Our Duke carrying >11.00 to win since 2000) but will love the good ground and pedigree screams he should be a natural over an extended trip for the first time on a sound surface, despite an 8lb hike in OR for his win last time out (Farclas's fine Festival run franking the form). By Presenting and closely related to good-ground Irish GN winner Shutthefrontdoor. 16/1 is great e/w value IMHO.
SNUGSBOROUGH BENNY (50/1 7 places BetFred) - 11 yo loves top of the ground. Well beaten 4th behind Burrows Saint in the 2019 Irish GN (stayed on from way back having been held up at the rear as usual, same OR145) but, despite his years, no drop in form over fences since when getting his ground (career-high chase RPR set last time over fences last summer). Will have 5lbs taken off by claiming pro to carry a workable 10.11. Not the likeliest of winners perhaps but, again, great e/w value for 7 places (66/1 for 5 places with WH if preferred).
Of the 1st season novices, 40/1 for bottomweight (10.06) OPPOSITES ATTRACT appeals most. Like Run Wild Fred (who could also go very well), not far behind Latest Exhibition in a Beginnners Chase in October (maybe all a tad flattered by the proximity) but, giving him 5lbs, was beaten only by 2L by Monkfish in a PtP 3 years ago on Yielding ("keeping on well"). Jumping can be sketchy but has near-missed over fences at Fairyhouse and should appreciate the ground.