4 against the field.......

Godsmejudge
Al Co
Spring Heeled
Monbeg Dude

Theatrical Star
Godsmejudge
Maggio
Back In Focus

Home Farm
Rubi Light
Alderwood
Theatrical Star

Merry King
Pineau De Re
Wyck Hill
Night In Milan

pineau de re
spring heeled
unioniste
merry king

gods me judge
shutthefrontdoor
rocky creek
baltazzaar king

Balthazar king
Sam winner
Saint are
Night in Milan

Godsmejudge
Teaforthree
Alvarado
Night In Milan
Rocky Creek(for 5 place players!)

I fancy Teaforthree and Night in Milan too. T43 has been well treated by the handicapper, was placed off 11st 3 a couple of years ago, is in decent form and is the right age. 33/1 is massive

I liked the look of Night in Milan last year but it didn't get in, it's got a little bit high in the weights but still has a chance. Didn't run too badly at all at the weekend and 50/1 is also a great bet

Can't see past Rocky Creek if he gets a clear round.

I completely agree with the bloob, am all over t43. He looked in great form first time out, then ran just over a week later to try and qualify for the foxhunters, but you could tell beforehand the trainer was really uncomfortable with it, he needed a bit of time. After that forgiveable and predictable flop the handicapper has given him 7lb back, which was a big surprise. Expect most of T Martin's yard to be running (badly) in meaningless hunter chases next Feb:)
I think he's thrown in, He's the right age, he knows his way round, he stays, handles any ground, and travels. I think it's a blessing that the Cheltenham plan went wrong because he's better when fresher these days imo, I think running in the gold cup last year might have taken the edge off him for Aintree.

I also like Godsmejudge, though but worried he's on the small side. Particularly like Merry King, who ran a blinder in the Hennesy, and is by Old Vic, who's progeny have a remarkable tendency to take to the big fences. And if I have to have 4 at this stage I'll throw in the Druid's Nephew.



Interesting there's only one vote for Shutthefrontdoor. If you believe the hype you'd think he was going to start about 4/7. But then the National market isn't really made by people who know anything about it.

Think since they made all the big modifications 2 years ago its starting to become a race for extreme stayers, lets look at the 1st 4 home in the last two years.
2014
Pineau De Rei..  Won the Ulster National over 3m 4F
Bath King... Cross Country form at 4m
Double Seven..an Outlier..had only won at 25f
Alvarado.. Won over 3m 4F at Chelt(well 33.5 but its a stiff Hill)
2013
Auruoras Encore.. beaten a head in the previous years Scottish National
Cappa Bleu..PLaced in previous Aintree and welsh Nationals
Tea For Three..Won 4m Nat Hunt Chaae
Oscar Time...2nd in a previous National

With the jumping not such a test as it was and combined with my thoughts that a mark of 150 here means you're nearly Gold Cup class..so they're out despite the compression and a personal bias against horses who have run in the race before(if they've run well the handicapper takes notice and if they havent then maybe they are not suited.
Two at present

Royale Knight
Godsmejudge

Mon Parrain
Night In Milan
Monbeg Dude
Oscar Time

my 4 would be:

Teaforthree 33/1
Night in Milan 50/1
Theatrical Star 66/1
Chance du Roy 40/1

It's impossible to look at a list of National entries without wondering why State of Play isn't on the list

Unioniste
Prince De Beauchene
The Druids Nephew
The Package


I backed Rocky Creek when the weights were published but have a feeling he does not really get the trip.
Unioniste will get it on his Irish and his run behind Coneygree looks pretty good to me when you consider he was trying to give the Gold Cup hero 5.
But in truth my short list just goes on and on.

Rocky Creek
Teaforthree
Prince De Beauchene
Saint Are

Spring Heeled
Pineau De Re
Rocky Creek
Balthazar King

Buddy Bolero
Broadway Buffalo
Godsmejudge
Harry The Viking (if he gets in!)

can I change my mind? with Theatrical Star a non-runner, Teaforthree missing a prep race (last run not great so needed one) and Royale Knight getting a decent prep in today. I would go for:

Royale Knight
Alvarado
Night in Milan
Chance du Roy

My 4 are:


Night in Milan
Saint Are
Across The Bay
Alverado

Godsmejudge
T43
Court By Surprise
Royale Knight

1st  godmejudge
2nd   chance du roy
3rd   alvarado
4th    al co

In racecard order:

Carlito Brigante
Night in Milan
Al Co
Portrait King

Cause of Causes
Ely Brown
Renard
Royale Knight

I'd have Guess Again in there, but he's looking touch and go.

Cause of Causes
Gallant Oscar
Broadway Buffalo
Guess Again

At least three possible NRs in there, in which case Pineau de Re, The Druids Nephew and Al Co.

Godsmejudge

Excellent form in staying chases, disappointing run last time out as was expecting more from a prep this close to the race. Nevertheless if he is in form on the day he is a great danger to all.

TeaforThree

Placed horses in the national do not have the greatest record in then going on to win the national but there can't be too many who are trying again on a 7lb lower mark.Yes he's had a few injury problems and LTO was a bit of a disappointment but he didn't run too well before placing at Aintree two years ago. A risk worth taking at the prices.

The Druids Nephew

His form behind Sam Winner at Cheltenham gave many a reason to believe he was well handicapped for the festival and he duly obliged. He's on the same mark here and can replicate sunnyhillboy from a few years ago and go close here. The trip is an unknown but has same sire as Balthazar King so there is hope in the pedigree.

Merry King

Ran well enough in last years Scottish national for a 7 year old and should stay this extreme trip now he's a year older and stronger. His run in the hennessy suggests to me he has improved and will be a danger to all.

t43 cant make I .

In no particular order
ROCKY CREEK
FIRST LIEUTENANT
MON PARRAIN
CARLITO BRIGANTE

Rocky Creek
Godsmejudge
Soll
Goonyella(if absent)-Portrait King

Al Co
Royale Knight
Portrait King
Balthazaar King

first 3 all ran in a hurdle race lto

AL CO
FIRST LIEUTENANT
PINEAU DE RE
GODSMEJUDGE

Shutthefrontdoor
Balthazar King
Night In Milan
Godsmejudge

Godsmejudge
Rocky Creek
Monbeg Dude
Al Co

Alvarado
Chance Du Roy
Soll
Rocky Creek

Mar 16, 2015 -- 6:10AM, marychain1 wrote:

It's impossible to look at a list of National entries without wondering why State of Play isn't on the list

Alvarado is this years State of Play......

Paul Moloney. A short legged Andrew Thornton......

Mr Moloney has placed in the last 6 Grand  Nationals on 3 different horses  , a staggering achievement.
Even picked the right one when State Of Play & Cappa Bleu both ran, I think I recall.

a better jockey than Moloney would have won two of those races . i was hoping Moloney could have been suspended for the race and the champ be offered the ride  . Alvorado has serious chance but he will come flying through late again to be placed

Apr 1, 2015 -- 6:09AM, sixtwosix wrote:

Mr Moloney has placed in the last 6 Grand  Nationals on 3 different horses  , a staggering achievement.Even picked the right one when State Of Play & Cappa Bleu both ran, I think I recall.

Its winning that counts. Paul Moloney "6 times placed Grand National jockey", doesnt have a fantastic ring to it.

Agree with BR, the fact that 6 times he hasnt managed to get at least one in front is a big negative to Alvarado's (winning) chances. Lump on in the place market though!

Don't agree.
Sure he would love to win one , but to be placed for 6 years on the trot , 180 fences jumped  ,even on today's easier fences is some achievement.

He may have run past runners emptying on ocassions , but that is more fool their jocks for not riding for the full trip , rather than racing as if the Melling Road is the finish line.

The Druids Nephew
Carlito Brigante
Mon Parrain
Across The Bay

Al Co................. has a huge chance my idea of the winner if ground no worse than gd/soft
Pineau de re.......... a really good stayer will be there again if jumping holds up
Royale Knight......... he will probably stay but is he good enough?
Godsmejudge........... a similar chance to Al Co on some form but not sure what to make of the prep run

Al Co
Royale Knight
Raz De Maree
Portrait King

In no particular order and updated from the 3rd week of February due to 3 of my original 4 not making the lineup!

First Lieutenant
Dolatulo
Royale Knight
and at a huge price on here
Tranquil Sea

Mon Parrain
Portrait King
Al Co
First Lieutenant

My final 3.

1st Rocky Creek     11/1
2nd Saint Are       40/1
3rd Night In Milan  33/1

All backed in singles, Forecasts and Tricasts.

Am I pushing it????

The first and second not mentioned  in this thread .

oh sorry saint are

Sharp minds