First thought on the list is the quality seems to have dipped from recent years. Don Poli probably the classiest (Lord Windermere of course being a Gold Cup winner), hasn't ever struck me as winning this under a big weight. Outlander is Gold Cup headed isn't he? More Of That ......don't think so. No Gilgamboa(4th) , Goonyella(5th) last year . A lot of the same faces most of who have clearly had their chance Saint Are , Ballynagour , Shutthefrontdoor etc. Ucello Conti and Vieux Lion Rouge are obvious ones who will be heading the betting , running well this season following 6th and 7th places last year. The Last Samurai is the most likely favourite , a magnificent jumper. Gallant Oscar was going very well last year when falling second time around . One For Arthur jumped the fences well in the Becher and then won well at Doncaster . Empire Of Dirt improved throughout last season looking an Aintree possible.
Nothing jumps out to me at this stage.
First thought on the list is the quality seems to have dipped from recent years.Don Poli probably the classiest (Lord Windermere of course being a Gold Cup winner), hasn't ever struck me as winning this under a big weight. Outlander is Gold Cup head
Had a few speculative punts on Romford Pele,Gallant Oscar,Carole's Destrier,Houblon des Obeaux and Saphir du Rheu. I agree Empire of Dirt is very interesting he could still yet develop into a Gold Cup winner.
Had a few speculative punts on Romford Pele,Gallant Oscar,Carole's Destrier,Houblon des Obeaux and Saphir du Rheu.I agree Empire of Dirt is very interesting he could still yet develop into a Gold Cup winner.
Highland Lodge, Maggio and Regal Encore for me so far... Highland Lodge OR 140, will be interesting what weight this one is given, 140 maybe tight... this is Maggio's target so far so good with this one, being kept over hurdles... Regal Encore a horse I've followed since it won its AW bumper, when it popped up the race before last I clawed a few losses back, last start at Chelters 'nothing to see here', may be going for the Midlands Nat and maybe the Scot and/or Ire versions, entered for the big one but not heard it's a target but not overly concerned with these colours... do like the Romford Pele, backed it last year, anyone heard anything about this one?
Highland Lodge, Maggio and Regal Encore for me so far... Highland Lodge OR 140, will be interesting what weight this one is given, 140 maybe tight... this is Maggio's target so far so good with this one, being kept over hurdles... Regal Encore a hors
What time today are the weights announced? Currently away on holiday but trying to keep a handle on what's going with the Grand National weights. Thanks in advance.
What time today are the weights announced? Currently away on holiday but trying to keep a handle on what's going with the Grand National weights. Thanks in advance.
Well Outlander has already been ruled out so everyone will be going up atleast 1lb
Early likes are Hoiblon Des Obeaux and Raz De Maree, At 37 and 55 they are either guarantees or pretty much guaranteed a run and am happy HDO is comfortably under 11st
Well Outlander has already been ruled out so everyone will be going up atleast 1lbEarly likes are Hoiblon Des Obeaux and Raz De Maree, At 37 and 55 they are either guarantees or pretty much guaranteed a run and am happy HDO is comfortably under 11st
The Randox Health Grand National Grade 3 handicap chase, £1 million total prize fund. Aintree, 5.15pm Saturday, April 8, 2017. 4m 2f 74yds over the Grand National fences. For seven-year-olds and upwards who, up to and including March 20 have been placed first, second, third or fourth in a steeple chase with an official distance description of' two miles seven and a half furlongs' or more and which are allotted a rating of 120 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including February 12. Horses which are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain or Ireland at closing may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible for a weight providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances up to and including February 12would merit a minimum rating of 120. To qualify, horses must have run at least three times in chases run under the Rules of Racing of the same Recognised Racing Authority up to and including February 12. At the Handicapper's discretion, such horses may be allocated a rating. The decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final. Entries closes January 31, entries revealed February 1 (110 entries, Otago Trial (IRE) subsequently scratched), weights revealed February 14, first scratchings deadline February 28, second scratchings deadline March 21, five-day confirmations April 3, final declarations 10am April 8. Maximum field of 40 plus four reserves.
HORSE Age Wgt Rating Owner Trainer 1) OUTLANDER (IRE) 9 11-10 166 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 2) CHAMPAGNE WEST (IRE) 9 11-09 165 Roger Brookhouse Henry de Bromhead IRE 3) EMPIRE OF DIRT (IRE) 10 11-08 164 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 4) DON POLI (IRE) 8 11-07 163 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 5) CARLINGFORD LOUGH (IRE) 11 11-06 162 J P McManus John Kiely IRE 6) THE LAST SAMURI (IRE) 9 11-05 161 Paul & Clare Rooney Kim Bailey 7) ALARY (FR) 7 11-04 160 Ann & Alan Potts Colin Tizzard 8) ALELCHI INOIS (FR) 9 11-03 159 L McMahon/Mrs F Murphy/F Mangan Willie Mullins IRE 9) MINELLA ROCCO (IRE) 7 11-02 158 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill 10) DEVILS BRIDE (IRE) 10 11-01 157 Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead IRE
11) MORE OF THAT (IRE) 9 11-01 157 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill 12) LORD SCOUNDREL (IRE) 8 11-00 156 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 13) PERFECT CANDIDATE (IRE) 10 11-00 156 ISL Recruitment Fergal O'Brien 14) SAPHIR DU RHEU (FR) 8 11-00 156 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls 15) SHANTOU FLYER (IRE) 7 11-00 156 Carl Hinchy Rebecca Curtis 16) ROAD TO RICHES (IRE) 10 10-13 155 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE 17) SAUSALITO SUNRISE (IRE) 9 10-13 155 Diana Whateley Philip Hobbs 18) CAROLE'S DESTRIER 9 10-12 154 Carole Skipworth Neil Mulholland 19) CLARCAM (FR) 7 10-12 154 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 20) FOXROCK (IRE) 9 10-12 154 Barry Connell Ted Walsh IRE
21) ROI DES FRANCS (FR) 8 10-12 154 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 22) WONDERFUL CHARM (FR) 9 10-11 153 Robin Geffen & Sir John Ritblat Paul Nicholls 23) WOUNDED WARRIOR (IRE) 8 10-11 153 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE 24) BLAKLION 8 10-10 152 Sarah Such & Gino Paletta Nigel Twiston-Davies 25) DROP OUT JOE 9 10-10 152 The Jesters Charlie Longsdon 26) TENOR NIVERNAIS (FR) 10 10-10 152 Boultbee Brooks Ltd Venetia Williams 27) TIGER ROLL (IRE) 7 10-10 152 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 28) A TOI PHIL (FR) 7 10-09 151 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE 29) LE MERCUREY (FR) 7 10-09 151 Chris Giles & Colm Donlon Paul Nicholls 30) THE GAME CHANGER (IRE) 8 10-09 151 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
31) CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA) 9 10-08 150 J P McManus Gordon Elliott IRE 32) MAGGIO (FR) 12 10-08 150 Douglas Pryde/Jim Beaumont Patrick Griffin IRE 33) REGAL ENCORE (IRE) 9 10-08 150 J P McManus Anthony Honeyball 34) THE YOUNG MASTER 8 10-08 150 Dajam & The Old Masters Neil Mulholland 35) DEFINITLY RED (IRE) 8 10-07 149 Phil Martin Brian Ellison 36) DOUBLE SHUFFLE (IRE) 7 10-07 149 Crossed Fingers Partnership Tom George 37) HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (FR) 10 10-07 149 Mrs Julian Blackwell Venetia Williams 38) PLEASANT COMPANY (IRE) 9 10-07 149 Malcolm Denmark Willie Mullins IRE 39) UCELLO CONTI (FR) 9 10-07 149 Simon Munir/Isaac Souede Gordon Elliott IRE 40) VIEUX LION ROUGE (FR) 8 10-07 149 Prof Caroline Tisdall & John Gent David Pipe
41) BALLYNAGOUR (IRE) 11 10-06 148 Allan Stennett David Pipe 42) HIGHLAND LODGE (IRE) 11 10-06 148 Bowes Lodge Stables James Moffatt 43) JUNCTION FOURTEEN (IRE) 8 10-06 148 Martin St Quinton & Tim Syder Emma Lavelle 44) O'FAOLAINS BOY (IRE) 10 10-06 148 Trembath, Hyde, Outhart & Hill Rebecca Curtis 45) ONE FOR ARTHUR (IRE) 8 10-06 148 Two Golf Widows Lucinda Russell 46) VIVALDI COLLONGES (FR) 8 10-06 148 The Gi Gi Syndicate Paul Nicholls 47) BISHOPS ROAD (IRE) 9 10-05 147 Alan Halsall Kerry Lee 48) LORD WINDERMERE (IRE) 11 10-05 147 Dr Ronan Lambe Jim Culloty IRE 49) SAINT ARE (FR) 11 10-05 147 David Fox Tom George 50) VICENTE (FR) 8 10-05 147 John Hales & Ian Fogg Paul Nicholls
51) VICS CANVAS (IRE) 14 10-05 147 Bodeen Bandits Partnership Dermot McLoughlin IRE 52) ZIGA BOY (FR) 8 10-05 147 Axom LI Alan King 53) JUST A PAR (IRE) 10 10-04 146 Paul Barber & the late Graham Roach Paul Nicholls 54) MEASUREOFMYDREAMS (IRE) 9 10-04 146 Gigginstown House Stud Noel Meade IRE 55) RAZ DE MAREE (FR) 12 10-04 146 James J Swan Gavin Cromwell 56) STELLAR NOTION (IRE) 9 10-04 146 Roger Brookhouse Henry de Bromhead IRE 57) AS DE MEE (FR) 7 10-03 145 The Stewart Family & Judi Dench Paul Nicholls 58) COCKTAILS AT DAWN 9 10-03 145 Robin Geffen & Sir John Ritblat Nicky Henderson 59) PENDRA (IRE) 9 10-03 145 J P McManus Charlie Longsdon 60) ROGUE ANGEL (IRE) 9 10-03 145 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE
61) SEVENTH SKY (GER) 10 10-03 145 Fidelma Toole Charlie Mann 62) SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR (IRE) 10 10-03 145 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill 63) GAS LINE BOY (IRE) 11 10-02 144 The Three Graces Ian Williams 64) GOODTOKNOW 9 10-02 144 Burling Daresbury MacEchern Nolan Potter Kerry Lee 65) THE ROMFORD PELE (IRE) 10 10-02 144 Trembath & Outhart Rebecca Curtis 66) THUNDER AND ROSES (IRE) 9 10-02 144 Gigginstown House Stud Mouse Morris IRE 67) TRIOLO D'ALENE (FR) 10 10-02 144 Sandy & Caroline Orr Nicky Henderson 68) VIEUX MORVAN (FR) 8 10-02 144 N H Bloodstock Ltd Isabelle Pacault FR 69) DOCTOR HARPER (IRE) 9 10-01 143 The Johnson Family David Pipe 70) GALLANT OSCAR (IRE) 11 10-01 143 J P McManus Tony Martin IRE
71) LA VATICANE (FR) 8 10-01 143 Maria Bukhtoyarova David Pipe 72) BLESS THE WINGS (IRE) 12 10-00 142 Adrian Butler/S P O'Connor Gordon Elliott IRE 73) TOUR DES CHAMPS (FR) 10 10-00 142 Prestbury Racing Club Samuel Drinkwater 74) KNOCK HOUSE (IRE) 8 9-13 141 Tim Leslie Donald McCain 75) HADRIAN'S APPROACH (IRE) 10 9-12 140 Richard & Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes Nicky Henderson 76) BENBENS (IRE) 12 9-11 139 Sarah Such & Gino Paletta Nigel Twiston-Davies 77) POTTERS CROSS 10 9-11 139 Conyers, O'Reilly, Roddis, Zeffman Rebecca Curtis 78) SAMBREMONT (FR) 7 9-11 139 Shanakiel Racing Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE 79) STRAIDNAHANNA (IRE) 8 9-11 139 Margaret Scholey & Ray Scholey Sue Smith 80) VIVA STEVE (IRE) 9 9-11 139 Paul & Clare Rooney Fergal O'Brien
81) CLOUDY TOO (IRE) 11 9-10 138 Formulated Polymer Products Ltd Sue Smith 82) LAMB OR COD (IRE) 10 9-10 138 Terry Warner Philip Hobbs 83) MILANSBAR (IRE) 10 9-10 138 Robert Bothway Neil King 84) POLIDAM (FR) 8 9-10 138 Simon Munir/Isaac Souede Willie Mullins IRE 85) DROMNEA (IRE) 10 9-09 137 Ann Daly Mouse Morris IRE 86) STREETS OF PROMISE (IRE) 8 9-09 137 Gempro Michael Scudamore 87) VYTA DU ROC (FR) 8 9-09 137 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson 88) BEEVES (IRE) 10 9-08 136 Paul & Clare Rooney Jennie Candlish 89) ROYALE KNIGHT 11 9-08 136 Chris Stedman & Robert Corsan Dr Richard Newland 90) ALFIE SPINNER (IRE) 12 9-07 135 Alan Beard & Brian Beard Kerry Lee
91) EMPEROR'S CHOICE (IRE) 10 9-07 135 The Bellamy Partnership Venetia Williams 92) GOULANES (IRE) 11 9-07 135 Roger Brookhouse Neil Mulholland 93) LESSONS IN MILAN (IRE) 9 9-07 135 Trevor Hemmings Nicky Henderson 94) MOUNTAIN KING 8 9-07 135 Jack McKay/Paul McKay/Mark McKay Gordon Elliott IRE 95) OUT SAM 8 9-07 135 Swanee River Partnership Warren Greatrex 96) SIZING COAL (IRE) 9 9-07 135 Alan & Ann Potts Partnership Jim Dreaper IRE 97) DARE TO ENDEAVOUR 10 9-06 134 Aidan J Ryan Eric McNamara IRE 98) FATHER EDWARD (IRE) 8 9-06 134 Fergus Wilson David Pipe 99) SAMINGARRY (FR) 10 9-06 134 Nigel Hawke Racing Club & Partner Nigel Hawke 100) SILVER MAN 10 9-06 134 John Wardle Jo Hughes
101) ALVARADO (IRE) 12 9-05 133 William & Angela Rucker Fergal O'Brien 102) MILBOROUGH (IRE) 11 9-05 133 Helen Cross Ian Duncan 103) THE CRAFTY BUTCHER (IRE) 10 9-04 132 P Byrne/P W Mullins/D Ryan/I Madigan Willie Mullins IRE 104) WALDORF SALAD 9 9-04 132 Alan Parker Venetia Williams 105) KATENKO (FR) 11 9-03 131 Andrew Brooks Venetia Williams 106) FEDERICI 8 9-02 130 Jon Glews Donald McCain 107) GONE TOO FAR 9 9-01 129 Fergus Wilson David Pipe 108) RACING PULSE (IRE) 8 9-01 129 Carl Hinchy Rebecca Curtis 109) KILLER CROW (IRE) 8 9-00 128 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
The Randox Health Grand NationalGrade 3 handicap chase, £1 million total prize fund. Aintree, 5.15pm Saturday, April 8, 2017. 4m 2f 74yds over the Grand National fences. For seven-year-olds and upwards who, up to and including March 20 have been pla
A speculative punt for you. Cocktails At Dawn. He has one bit of form which , if taken at worst , gives him a great chance. If taken at best value it makes him a snip. Weights are not the be all and end all but 200+ on here is worth a sheckel or two.
A speculative punt for you. Cocktails At Dawn. He has one bit of form which , if taken at worst , gives him a great chance. If taken at best value it makes him a snip. Weights are not the be all and end all but 200+ on here is worth a sheckel or two.
Not getting a run at the moment are the winners of : 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup 2 Irish Grand Nationals 1 Scottish Grand National 1 Welsh Grand National 1 Hennessey 1 RSA Chase 1 Bet365 Chase
In addition Saint Are ,Vic's Canvas and Alvarado , 2nd , 3rd and 4th respectively in the race previously are outside the 40.
Got to be every chance that The Last Samurai will carry top weight, no way is he winning it with 11 -10
Number 40 is 10-7 , only 17 pounds between them , 16 pounds if you take into account Outlander not running according to the media.
Looking at the numeracy and quality there must be every chance that Gigginstown are successful again .... A Toi Phil for one is on a lovely mark.
Post Weights Initial ThoughtsNot getting a run at the moment are the winners of :1 Cheltenham Gold Cup 2 Irish Grand Nationals1 Scottish Grand National1 Welsh Grand National1 Hennessey1 RSA Chase1 Bet365 Chase In addition Saint Are ,Vic's Canvas a
HOPE fully gives us a run down again as great to have all that knowledge on the site .. well done to him .. Amazing how it all breaks up .. and plans lie in tatters for horses .. never get put off with a small horse with a decent engine that jumps for fun .. got a shortlist of about 8 .. last year all the work got swallowed up in the downpour .. as we all know still had the winner small to cover that but left half of my stake on the day .. was disappointing .. had some great results over the years .. as can normally score out around half that will never go the distance reduced by 50 percent is a good guid .. interesting if MULLY treats the race similarly .. ??
HOPE fully gives us a run down again as great to have all that knowledge on the site .. well done to him .. Amazing how it all breaks up .. and plans lie in tatters for horses .. never get put off with a small horse with a decent engine that jumps
Five day decs out today... good and bad news por moi... Regal Encore stands his ground... market been constantly weak with this one, matched at 350 last week... I'm on at an average of 170 and hoping for a decent run for me money... trainer on fire presently... big shock Maggio coming out, didn't see that one coming... wedge down the drain... as for Highland Lodge lack of a recent run is a big negative... will be happy with a place with that one, on at 50s... will aim to do two or three others... do like TN and HDO of Venetia Williams but ground against those two... otherwise there are plenty sub 20/1 who appeal but not at the price... Raz De Mee, Stellar Notion and Saint Are three in the frame presently...
Five day decs out today... good and bad news por moi... Regal Encore stands his ground... market been constantly weak with this one, matched at 350 last week... I'm on at an average of 170 and hoping for a decent run for me money... trainer on fire p
I'm finding it tough this year to nail it down to a couple of horses and think it is more competitive than usual. Getting drawn to Saphir du Rheu at the moment. He was a hype horse early in his career and get the feeling much better was expected. He does seem to have got his act together this year and shapes as though the extra distance is within his grasp. The national fences are not what they used to be and I think he is a big danger if he gets around.
I'm finding it tough this year to nail it down to a couple of horses and think it is more competitive than usual. Getting drawn to Saphir du Rheu at the moment. He was a hype horse early in his career and get the feeling much better was expected. He
Am a fan of SDR having backed him in Gold Cup... as everybody was piling on to Minella Rocco for the Nat straight after Gold Cup I noticed there was a bit of 60 available on SDR... alas I failed to snap it up...
Am a fan of SDR having backed him in Gold Cup... as everybody was piling on to Minella Rocco for the Nat straight after Gold Cup I noticed there was a bit of 60 available on SDR... alas I failed to snap it up...
What horses might come out before the final decs on thursday? Or will they all stand their ground? I haven't seen a great deal of trainer comment regarding any other runners
What horses might come out before the final decs on thursday? Or will they all stand their ground? I haven't seen a great deal of trainer comment regarding any other runners
I thought Saphir Du Rheu might run well as a big price in the Gold Cup and he certainly did. His form this year has been good , only the ludicrous amount of ground he was expected to make up earlier in the season stopped a win at Cheltenham.
Looks very easy traveller and relaxed now ......and he was in contention for a lot longer than Many Clouds was in his Gold Cup run prior to winning at Aintree.
My only concern is , I have no idea how he handles two races of this magnitude close together .
I may well be wrong but I can see cruising around like Rough Quest did and winning well , one of my 3 'probables' this year .
I thought Saphir Du Rheu might run well as a big price in the Gold Cup and he certainly did.His form this year has been good , only the ludicrous amount of ground he was expected to make up earlier in the season stopped a win at Cheltenham.Looks very