what will handicapper put-----?

Bang on 10lbs

Yep I think the G.National chance has gone today. Nice pot though

I read a quote from John Hales (the owner) that Unioniste was his Grand National horse this season. For that reason I didn't back it today as an easy win would raise the weight for the GN. I wonder if the owner and trainer were on the same wavelength? i did back Bertie Boru a place only so happy with the result.

Neptune Collongs won the National off 157 which is basically the mark Unioniste will be on. I'd forget the National this season and go for a few more decent races. Hell run in the Gold Cup so Alf runs in the Champ Chase. Wait till he's older and slower before going for National. He;s very young, what's the rush?

it also took them ages to get his mark down to 157, just cant see unioniste being aimed at this or next years GN, still plenty of time for this horse, no rush....

User CVByrne • January 3, 2015 8:30 PM GMT
Neptune Collongs won the National off 157 which is basically the mark Unioniste will be on. I'd forget the National this season and go for a few more decent races. Hell run in the Gold Cup so Alf runs in the Champ Chase. Wait till he's older and slower before going for National. He;s very young, what's the rush?


agree

although not sure it will go up 10 ibs they try and encourage runners in the GN these days

10 lbs seems a lot for a win against that opposition. I would be surprised if it was much more than 6, which would put him 1 lb above his previous highest rating. In any event, 7 year-olds have a dreadful record in the race and John Hales is reported to have said that his participation depends on the handicapper.

Whatever the plans, he won as he liked yesterday but only the first three coped with the going. Unioniste might still look slow on good/soft ground.

Apologies to you SAGEFORM, the reply should have been to RYDAL.
I'm not perfect, sorry, SAGEFORM.

Raised 11 lbs

I WAS RIGHT IT WONT GO UP 10


11

Try claim that one Howdi

Do you reckon these handicappers get plenty of calls CV from pi55ed off trainers?

No but they do put pressure on them by constantly commenting on the marks given over and over. Unioniste had to be put up 10lbs for his win, he was almost G1 class in a handicap.

The national handicapper does have some leeway at least. Hopefully given the record of 7 year olds in the race previous and to encourage more top class horses in to the race they will be a bit more lenient because he clearly doesn't deserve to go up 11lbs for beating that opposition in them conditions

My own assessment of the race is a mile off that of the handicapper. Given that the national is usually set by the same handicapper, but with a different hat on, it looks ominous for the horse when the weights are out, unless something like On His Own or The Giant Bolster is in the field.

He deserved to go up 10lbs no doubt, don't get what people are fussing over. Bertie Boru ran a solid race, ran to his mark.

I don't see how RPR can justify rating Unioniste as high as 161 after only giving him 142 in the hennessy. I'm sure he improved a lot but 19lb?? I would put up the hennessy ratings by 3lb and bring down the Sandown run by 4. I can't see how they think that Trio D'alene ran to his handicap rating form when he only got third by default.

I'm glad Unioniste went up 11! I really do hope that connections wait until he is older before running in the National. My wallet is talking as I had a cheeky £5 at 900/1 for the Gold Cup before Christmas!!

sageform, You think the RPR are saying he improved 19lbs!! No what they are saying he was training in public in the Hennessy, using the race to put him spot on fitness wise and with the added help of lowering his mark. You know this is very common in racing yes?

The Racing Post Handicapper had a master rating of 160 for Unioniste and has upped him 1 to 161. He was awarded the 160 for his run in the Lexus and or the Aintree race where he beat Wishfull Thinking.

CV, he may not have run to his mark in the Hennessy but I can't believe they ran him there to get him fit for a £20k handicap at Sandown.

HANBURY, YOU BEAT MY BET SAME HORSE, HOPE YOU WIN.