Ravenhill I can see him turning up here for a shot over the fences and then put away. He's ran a few times already this season without showing much, has all the hallmarks of being laid out for the big one in April.
Crievehill He ran in the Sefton a couple years ago and did OK on soft ground, much better on decent ground, and he improved for stepping up in trip to 3m at Haydock. Very Interesting at a price (33/1), whether this is the aim I don't know, he was down to run at Cheltenham the other week but was a NR.
Walk In The Mill Will surely run his race again despite being 6lb higher this time around.
Le Breuil He was 7th in this race last year, a fair way behind but is 10lb lower this time around, I can see him running well.
Coo Star Sivola This one got dropped 2lbs after his season opener at Bangor the other day, and is now on 137. He's done nothing since his festival win, but he ran well for a long way at Bangor. If he's anywhere near his best he can win off 137 if taking to the course. Big price (50/1) currently.
9/12 age 9 or above 5/12 top 3 betting 1/12 won lto 9/12 ran within 54 days 10/12 ran at aintree 10/12 ran 3m or more at least 5 times 11/12 min 13 chase starts 7/12 won grade 1-3 race 9/12 min 1 run current season 2/12 carried more than 10-12
Not the worst piece of advice from SQ.
Aintree I have right up there,as one of the most inaccurate courses re ground conditions.
3 of the last 4 winners have been aged below 9,that first stat might be misleading on recent evidence.
The 2 that interest most are the number of chase starts,and the weight stat.
Despite not being the test many remember,these fences still remain unique in their make-up.
Finding horses that do not make mistakes,would be a key factor in my own initial assessment of the race.
Run style would be another big factor,horses held up around here strike me as a big negative.
As for handicapping,long held the belief that this course pays scant respect to normal handicap marks.
Finding a horse / pilot that can get into a rhythm,would outweigh a potentially decent mark.
Hogans Height and Calipso Collonges look interesting,nothing more than that at this stage.
Also think they are missing a trick with this race long term.
Guarantee a spot in the big one,maybe give a 5lb weight concession,make this THE qualifier for the National.
Such a wonderful course,woefully under used in my humble opinion.
9/12 age 9 or above5/12 top 3 betting1/12 won lto9/12 ran within 54 days10/12 ran at aintree10/12 ran 3m or more at least 5 times11/12 min 13 chase starts7/12 won grade 1-3 race9/12 min 1 run current season2/12 carried more than 10-12Not the worst pi
Not a great race to have a bet unless you like hypertension would be but two I think could go well if avoiding fallers etc Aso and Calett Mad both well enough handicapped and touch wood both turn up? preference for the later but been off for a long time, have bet both
Not a great race to have a bet unless you like hypertension would be but two I think could go well if avoiding fallers etc Aso and Calett Mad both well enough handicapped and touch wood both turn up? preference for the later but been off for a long
That is some record for VLR,lets hope he continues that today.
Gone with two,neither been round here before which is always risky.
Smooth Stepper and Callipso Collonges,both decent jumpers over parkland fences.
Looks like it could be gruelling race,safe return for all hopefully.
That is some record for VLR,lets hope he continues that today.Gone with two,neither been round here before which is always risky.Smooth Stepper and Callipso Collonges,both decent jumpers over parkland fences.Looks like it could be gruelling race,safe
That was some achievement was it not ? Being niggled early on and then hacked up .
223 fences jumped now.
After the tedious excuse making for superstars not running over their optimum distance on winter jumping ground .....to this fellow still going strong. It made me very happy to watch ,after all the claptrap earlier.
That was some achievement was it not ?Being niggled early on and then hacked up .223 fences jumped now.After the tedious excuse making for superstars not running over their optimum distance on winter jumping ground .....to this fellow still going str