Minello Rocco

Nearly favourite now. However, there's three major issues. One, he's fallen twice in nine chases. Two, he's only had nine chases which is the least since Minnehoma's nine in 1994 (I don't know the previous to have that little experience). Three, 7yo has been placed since 1971.

Im surprised they are Running Him

Any decisions from JP on what horses will actually run? I have backed cause of causes who was a little unlucky not to get in last year. Anyone know if its this one or Irish Grand National?

I think Cause of Causes is a cert to go, and I've chipped away at him myself over the last few months.

Minella Rocco had The Irish National as preference a couple of months back, but I suppose with the weights already framed for both races, they are in a nice position with him, and you could understand if they changed their minds.

The hardest one of the JP entries to weigh up is Shutthefrontdoor. Is he gone at the game, does he really want The National trip, or has been laid out for this again, who knows?????

I really wanted More of That to go, as I have a few quid on him at 1000's, but the market vibes aren't great, and I fear the worst.

Good luck with Cause of Causes (obviously lol)

7 year olds don't have a great record but I don't think it is a reason to avoid Minella. He's ran in two fiercely contested races at the national and has also displayed his stamina in abundance.  If these are the reasons 7 year olds normally fail then I wouldn't be worried. Obviously he has fell a couple of times which is a worry over these fences. It will be interesting to see how the pipe runner does. Clearly lacked for stamina imo at 4 miles last year so will be interesting to see if an extra year has brought about extra stamina as he is excellent over the fences.

What has happened to the horse? Found to have an injury after the race?

Jonjo said he is fine, and will now be trained for next years Gold Cup.

Shutthefrontdoor heading to Irish National, but More of That confirmed as heading for The National.

8

8 maids a-milking?

Great run in the (Lexus) today...looking something back to his best. I believe Cheltenham GC is no 1 target but anyone know if GN 2018 is a possibility?

Taken a few nibbles around the 30's mark just in case.

round abour 25s now

fell at the last in the irish gold cup yesterday. was jumping well up to that point but got very tired when the sh1t hit the fan . was well up with them. assuming wont go for english gold cup now. ran straight through the fence and will need time to recover. interesting that derek preferred the winner. aintree would be perfect, 4 miles plus, plenty of time out. worth a punt.

Too much weight now for me, mouse and noel meade must be pleased

Having backed him to win a right few quid in 2017 I was devastated when he was pulled out when favorite. I stick to my original post that his win in the 4 mile national hunt chase was underestimated but with the second now a Gold Cup winner the 162 he has been allocated doesn't appear as harsh. He is a spring horse and everything he does in winter months can always be ignored. I haven't a cent on him this year but he must be shortlisted now that the national has been pinpointed as the target. Personally I think McManus's racing manager made a huge error last year not running him as he proved in the 2017 Gold Cup he was in form. I know I'm going to get shot down on my last point but I hope BG rides one of the owners other horses. BG is one of my favorite jockeys of all time but through all the falls and injuries he has suffered he has lost his edge. When your riding Minella Rocco you'd need balls of steel and throw him at the national fences. I just don't believe BG would be able to do so. I have to back him.

Why was Rocco withdrawn from Gold Cup. Bad vibe? The other horse mentioned on this thread Cause Of Causes ran like an absolute pig in the Foxhunters. Happy to stick with Blaklion and The Last Samuri

Oh, think it was the Cross Country

CoC was kicked by a faller and went lame

It happens

Im on Rocco,big chance imo.
Nice price for a Gold Cup runner up,still young,has fallen a few times, but puts it together hes a big runner.

Top weights do not win Grand Nationals.

Unless your name was Red Rum

Crossed off the list a long time ago . no chance.

This is why I think the GN has been ruined. As it stands the topweight (sic) only has to concede 17lbs to anything. More like a conditions race.

They missed the boat with this one, should have run it last year when it was thrown in.

Has a big chance IMO but is definitely one to wait for I/R, he just gives himself too much ground to make up with his poor jumping, if he takes to it and can stay in touch nothing will come home better the run to the line after the last is positively made for him, if he's looking like it after the first circuit then I'll be backing him.

spot on duffy

If it is within 20 lengths after the 2nd last, it wins

Beaten the current GC winner ( a top stayer) twice and when it won the 4 miler at Cheltenham it looked like it could do another lap

spot on duffy

If it is within 20 lengths after the 2nd last, it wins

Beaten the current GC winner ( a top stayer) twice and when it won the 4 miler at Cheltenham it looked like it could do another lap

Are you forgetting how much weight it has ? There are plenty of other stout stayers and they certainly wont have 20 lengths taken off them receiving a load of weight.

more concerned about the ground

He beat Native River over 4 miles on good to soft...

Yep, good to soft is fine.
Don't need any more rain.

True he did beat Native River over 4 miles 2 years ago but Measureofmydreams was only 7 lengths behind and he hasn't been sighted in any race since. Just putting that performance in perspective.

Surely Geraghty would be riding if this is the most fancied of JPs entries ?

MR has finished 2nd in a Gold Cup and proved he stays at least 4 miles.
His main problem is whether the ground will dry up enough for him.

As for Geraghty,well hes got another horse that has placed in the Gold Cup,and one that will appreciate current ground conditions more. They are both big runners imo......he cannot ride both.

Not sure if i heard it correctly but believe Ruby Walsh said to forget the horses carrying more than 11 st under current going.

....some of us will just have to hope that the current going changes then

McCoy seemed adamant today that ground was wrong for MR

Would be one of the mightiest performances ever under any conditions.

and that doesn't even factor in the terrible form of his trainer's stable

Rydal, it has

i can see minella getting withdrawn personally.

was just thinking the same thing JJ given the recent rain wouldnt be surprised if Vincente was rerouted to Ayr as well

I find Vicente farcical. All season we hear from the trainer that it doesn't like soft to explain below par performances but then they run it at Cheltenham and Aintree on very soft ground !!

Cannot have Minello Rocco on my mind here at all. So many negatives

Non runner

Everything goes up a pound as well ????

MR non runner according to ATR

Cant get highsight like this anywhere else.. lol. Now for Raz De Maree to win for the JJ/Sewter double. ha ha

Nice, a maximum lay replaced by a £5k green. Let’s keep going with the non runners please let’s get Vintage Clouds in

I'm with you on that Bexley. Gagging for vintage to run.

I am green on both but RDM much more than VC

I agree with you re Vincente, Bindaree, been expecting him to be withdrawn.
I have a bad feeling Nicholls will wait until after the first race, get the jockey feedback and race time, then withdraw him. Would be a real crap way to treat the reserves connections. I’m probably just being paranoid

Vincente out

Apologies Mr Nicholls