I am a believer in the free market and who knows the circumstances of the former owners but, with so many GN types unable to get a run, it leaves a sour taste in my mouth that having an OR high enough to get in the top 40 in the GN weights becomes simply a tradable commodity. Giving away or auctioning ownership for the day for a charity is one thing but the example set of cashing in on a high OR is quite another.
Top work Peanuts, good luck tomorrow old boy. Will also be on Druid's Nephew, was on him last year when he was going nicely, will be annoyed if I had nothing on him and he won this year (especially being trained specifically for this)
Top work Peanuts, good luck tomorrow old boy. Will also be on Druid's Nephew, was on him last year when he was going nicely, will be annoyed if I had nothing on him and he won this year (especially being trained specifically for this)
Cheers and good luck Gents. I had Druids in my squad last time aswell Bob - so unlucky. Would certainly have been there or thereabouts.
I've read your posts with interest and I've backed four other horses which I'm not sure if I regret...
Backed 6 last year.
• Top 2 rated (Chance Du Roy and Oscar Time) disappointed, as did First Lieutenant (though he ran OK after bad mistakes early doors) • The Druids Nephew 14/1 (very unfortunate, going brilliantly before slipping on landing and departing 5 out) • Monbeg Dude 33/1 (3rd and a bit unlucky in running) • Portrait King 66/1 (ran well, in touch but one-paced when tipping up 3 out)
Monbeg Dude got me out very slightly ahead but it was a case of "what if" for him and Druids.
I typically back 4~6 (depending on the ratings) every year:
Results since model first employed:
2006: 1st, 4th 2007: 2nd (short head) 2008: 1st, 2nd, 4th 2009: 1st (100/1) 2010: 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th 2011: 2nd, 4th 2012: 2nd (NOSE!!!!) 2013: 2nd, 3rd, 6th 2014: 6th (cock up by me inputting career stats of winner meant I missed backing him - he was actually 4th best rated) 2015: 3rd
Made me a profit in 8 out of 10 years but time for a winner!!!
I've read your posts with interest and I've backed four other horses which I'm not sure if I regret...
Looks a strong squad CrayAddick. Obviously Samuri and Holywell could run huge races and I think First Lieuntenant is excellent e/w value. Best of luck mate.
Does the favourite ever win? 8/1 seems like short odds on a bit of a free-for-all
2010 was the Last winning favourite
Went off Joint-Fav but he was my top-rated and first on my slip at 40/1 after the weights were announced. 2 weeks before the Off he was at around 80s on Betfair because the view was that AP would ride Cant Buy Time and it was on the back of his switch that he roared to favouritism on the day.
I make that 5m37s. Ground definitely dried out from yesterday but, on past Tophams, that time (13 secs slower than last year) suggests predominantly GS. But rain forecast tonight.
EDIT Battery's going, clearly. Official time 5m34.9s (13.9secs slow of std) - I make that straight Good to Soft.
Peanuts, thanks again this year for the tips. I've followed your advice for the last few years and, IIRC, I've come out at least breaking even every year so suspect I will be following you advice again this year, plus a couple of less scientific choices.
Slightly sentimental request from me, but does anyone know which, if any, of the runners are grey horses? My Grandad, who died this year, always backed the greys so I want to put a little something on at least one of them in his honour.
Sorry about those 2 Topham selections guys. Astracad never fancied the task and Mr Moonshine evidently doesn't have the pace these days - maybe on yesterday's ground he might have nicked a place.
Peanuts, thanks again this year for the tips. I've followed your advice for the last few years and, IIRC, I've come out at least breaking even every year so suspect I will be following you advice again this year, plus a couple of less scientific choices.
Slightly sentimental request from me, but does anyone know which, if any, of the runners are grey horses? My Grandad, who died this year, always backed the greys so I want to put a little something on at least one of them in his honour.
Cheers Exiled, Condolences on losing your Grandad. You'll be looking at:
UNIONISTE (very decent e/w shout at 33/1) BALLYCASEY (80/1)
Peanuts, thanks again this year for the tips. I've followed your advice for the last few years and, IIRC, I've come out at least breaking even every year so suspect I will be following you advice again this year, plus a couple of less scientific choices.
Slightly sentimental request from me, but does anyone know which, if any, of the runners are grey horses? My Grandad, who died this year, always backed the greys so I want to put a little something on at least one of them in his honour.
Cheers Exiled, Condolences on losing your Grandad. You'll be looking at:
UNIONISTE (very decent e/w shout at 33/1) BALLYCASEY (80/1)
So, time of Topham suggests ground is riding Good to Soft. Rain forecast from 5~9m tonight (5mm) and, interestingly, after a sunny morning tomorrow, possible thundershowers around 3pm - dry and sunny for the race. Quite a few runners would prefer it no softer than today but much will depend on those possible thundershowers 2 hours before the Off.
Comments
Giving away or auctioning ownership for the day for a charity is one thing but the example set of cashing in on a high OR is quite another.
Will also be on Druid's Nephew, was on him last year when he was going nicely, will be annoyed if I had nothing on him and he won this year (especially being trained specifically for this)
Is this significant?
I've read your posts with interest and I've backed four other horses which I'm not sure if I regret...
• Top 2 rated (Chance Du Roy and Oscar Time) disappointed, as did First Lieutenant (though he ran OK after bad mistakes early doors)
• The Druids Nephew 14/1 (very unfortunate, going brilliantly before slipping on landing and departing 5 out)
• Monbeg Dude 33/1 (3rd and a bit unlucky in running)
• Portrait King 66/1 (ran well, in touch but one-paced when tipping up 3 out)
Monbeg Dude got me out very slightly ahead but it was a case of "what if" for him and Druids.
I typically back 4~6 (depending on the ratings) every year:
Results since model first employed:
2006: 1st, 4th
2007: 2nd (short head)
2008: 1st, 2nd, 4th
2009: 1st (100/1)
2010: 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th
2011: 2nd, 4th
2012: 2nd (NOSE!!!!)
2013: 2nd, 3rd, 6th
2014: 6th (cock up by me inputting career stats of winner meant I missed backing him - he was actually 4th best rated)
2015: 3rd
Made me a profit in 8 out of 10 years but time for a winner!!!
Obviously Samuri and Holywell could run huge races and I think First Lieuntenant is excellent e/w value.
Best of luck mate.
2 weeks before the Off he was at around 80s on Betfair because the view was that AP would ride Cant Buy Time and it was on the back of his switch that he roared to favouritism on the day.
Ground definitely dried out from yesterday but, on past Tophams, that time (13 secs slower than last year) suggests predominantly GS.
But rain forecast tonight.
EDIT Battery's going, clearly. Official time 5m34.9s (13.9secs slow of std) - I make that straight Good to Soft.
Slightly sentimental request from me, but does anyone know which, if any, of the runners are grey horses? My Grandad, who died this year, always backed the greys so I want to put a little something on at least one of them in his honour.
Astracad never fancied the task and Mr Moonshine evidently doesn't have the pace these days - maybe on yesterday's ground he might have nicked a place.
Condolences on losing your Grandad.
You'll be looking at:
UNIONISTE (very decent e/w shout at 33/1)
BALLYCASEY (80/1)
Best of luck.
Rain forecast from 5~9m tonight (5mm) and, interestingly, after a sunny morning tomorrow, possible thundershowers around 3pm - dry and sunny for the race.
Quite a few runners would prefer it no softer than today but much will depend on those possible thundershowers 2 hours before the Off.
The Druids Nephew
Holywell
Goonyella
Gallant Oscar
Romford Pele
Saint Are to win ante post @25/1
Will be at Lingfield watch from there before last race.