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GI MAC
07 Dec 21 18:49
Joined:
Date Joined: 23 Sep 04
| Topic/replies: 4,232 | Blogger: GI MAC's blog
Typical looking renewal. Course form is always highlighted as key to finding the winner in this but not essential, both Monbeg Dude and Emperors Choice won this on their first go on the track. I can’t see the top two taking part, so weights will go up at least 10lbs, I can see Elegant Escape running.

My long shortlist at the moment:

Highland Hunter
His target since the start of the season, won well at Sandown on Saturday, that was his prep race and should put him spot on for this, but it was a pretty hard race he had, 8/1 is short enough at this stage.

The Big Dog
Irish Raider who won a decent race over 3m4f last year at Punchestown, has the beating of Screaming Colours on that run. I’ve no idea if he is an intended runner, but his 2 runs this season tell me he is being prepped for something, his mark should get him into the big one. Fair price if you like him.

Time To Get Up
Midlands National winner, so proven stamina, and the form of that race is looking pretty good now. Lightly raced so  still be progressing. Season debut was a bit naff though. 

Achille
Ran well in the Becher but got tired late on which wont have been the trip, so more likely he needed it. Might put him spot on for this. Needs soft or heavy ground. 33/1 is a decent price for VM who targets the race.

Secret Reprieve
Easy winner last year and his higher mark wouldn’t put me off, lack of a recent run does though. Short enough for now.

Ask Me Early
One of the favourites and ticks lots of boxes. Two winning spins over hurdles to ready him for this, his target. Priced accordingly.

Faddo De Brosses
50/1 is a big price for the owner/trainer combination who won the race last year. Novice  staying chaser who loves heavy ground and has won over the course. The long absence is the negative, no idea where they are at.

Hold That Taught
Another VW entry, looked good on his season debut, price is a bit skinny but he’s interesting.

Eclair Surf
This is the aim apparently. He was running a big race behind Snow Leopardess at Bangor on his season debut before tipping up. His run in the trial race was good also, on ground not soft enough, but he blundered 5out. If he can sort out his jumping he is a player.

St Barts
In an early season stable tour Hobbs said this was the aim with one prep beforehand which he has had but it wasn’t so good. Big price though.

Iwilldoit
Won the trial race at the weekend so gets a penalty but he won really well, the concern is his run in the Borders National last year, where he looked like he did not stay.

Captain Drake
Was a very good 4th in last years race, 6l down on Secret Reprieve. He has got in this year on a mark 8lb less, assuming B Carver takes the ride again, weighted to beat him this time round. Has had a couple of wee preps this season and apparently this is the aim. 33/1 available.

I can’t resist an antipost punt in the race and I think the price for Captain Drake is very fair, given his lower mark this time around.

Captain Drake 0.5pt win @ 33/1
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Report Fabulous December 7, 2021 7:04 PM GMT
Good post Mac. No more Antepost for me, as wasted a couple of quid on Copperhead already.

If I was having another just now, it would be from this lot....

Screaming Colours
Time To Get Up
Ramses De Teille
The Big Dog
Report GI MAC December 7, 2021 7:14 PM GMT
You've had some good AP shouts this season Fab.
Report Fabulous December 7, 2021 7:42 PM GMT
Thanks Mac, yeah going ok so far, but those AP’s always risky, especially this race for me, with Copperhead par for the course.

Good luck with Drake
Report GI MAC December 9, 2021 7:23 AM GMT
https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/fahey-predicts-massive-performance-from-welsh-national-hope-the-big-dog/525915
^ The Big Dog an intended runner
Report gpz6316 December 11, 2021 10:34 PM GMT
congrats on a thorough inspection of the field . Anyone that delves deeply like yourself must surely have a great chance of solving a race you clearly look forward to . I guess the big question with drake is the wind op , he may have improved for it and  is certainly layed out for this . The last run reads very well , staying on without being put in the race etc . He,s been campaigned for a big pot both last year (4th) and the previous (2nd) midlands national . The wind op needs to have improved him imo to win . Hes gonna go close , is a great shout and I wish you the best of luck .
Report GI MAC December 12, 2021 8:47 AM GMT
I hope your right gpz, gl yourself if having a play.
Report FatPunt December 12, 2021 9:57 AM GMT
The one I'm drawn to is Time To Get Up. Proven stamina and clearly didn't like the national fences last time. With that being said I haven't had a proper study up. Today's racing isn't up to much so I'll have an in-depth study later. Excellent write-up GI MAC.
Report FELTFAIR December 12, 2021 11:48 AM GMT
Can`t argue with the logic behind Captain Drake but will need a lot to drop out to get in methinks. Having said that I said the same about Secret Reprieve last year.
Report GI MAC December 12, 2021 2:11 PM GMT
It will be close I think Feltfair, my hunch was around position 18 or 19. Stake back if he's balloted out was my thinking.

ty FatPunt. Time To Get Up is very interesting, the form of his Midlands National win is red hot, and his stamina is proven. Trainer did say the big race was his main target in an early season stable tour. That would be my concern, that this is not his main target.
Report nocturnal December 12, 2021 2:32 PM GMT
9/12 aged 6-8
7/12 top 3 betting
3/12 fav won
5/12 won lto
11/12 ran within 49 days
8/12 ran at chepstow
5/12 won over 28f or more
11/12 min 5 chase starts
11/12 rated 131 or higher
11/12 min 2 runs current season
6/12 won current season

(The Stats Don,t Lie)

Another long shortlist GI .... always the same this far out,good write up.

Those top two set a high bar ratings wise,not seen any definitive plans for either,just where they go with them is probably a question for another day.

The single piece of form that gave RP an OR of 166 still eludes me,with the mauling at Chelt still fresh in the mind,anything that travels over the water bears close inspection.

9/12 .... Carried a maximum of 10-10lb,the 3 that defied this stat were GC contenders,quite a strong stat if the weights do rise significantly,plenty of fancied horses are wrong if they all stood their ground above,unlikely as that would seem.

Has this race changed in its complexion over the years?

Without delving into a little history,I for one would have been looking for older horses with proven stamina,especially when normal winter conditions prevail here.Mountainous and RDM upheld that in recent renewals,however both times it was attritional stuff,which might play a part in our thinking if this dry spell continues.

Without those two old stagers,no other horse older than 9 has managed the victory in those last 12 runnings,not what I would have thought when looking back over this race from days gone by.

What about the course itself,such an undulating track when seen head-on,with a gradual rise from the home turn to the finnishing line,up that seemingly never-ending home straight.Exeter and Carlisle spring to mind despite being right handed,Bangor might have some similarities,any others spring to mind? .... are they a factor in our thoughts pre-race.

Just a cursory glance through them,there are a few notebook jobs in there.

If there is a better handicapped horse than Potters Corner ..... I,m all ears.How that bugger gets in off 132 will remain one of lifes mysteries,none too shabby at HQ a few days back,on ground that might not been ideal,if the weights do rise he could be swinging away with around 10-02lb,I can hear them singing in the Valleys now.

Way too early for me,just getting it on in December might be a result,we will see.
Report Fabulous December 12, 2021 10:02 PM GMT
After promising myself not to have another Antepost, bet Ramses De Teille on Friday at 25’s. (Still 25’s with Fred’s)

Be adding two probably from the other three I mentioned.
Report luckyme December 16, 2021 10:42 AM GMT
from geegeez


Key Welsh National Betting Trends
19/19 – Had won between 1-5 chase races before
19/19 – Raced within the last 7 weeks
19/19 – Had won over at least 3m before (fences)
17/19 – Aged 9 or younger
17/19 – Placed in the top 4 last time out
15/19 – Carried 11-0 or less in weight
14/19 – Aged 8 or younger
13/19 – Carried 10-8 or less in weight
13/19 – Returned 10/1 or shorter in the betting
12/19 – Irish bred
12/19 – Had won just 2 or 3 times before over fences
10/19 – Had won over fences at Chepstow before
8/19 – Won last time out
7/19 – Unplaced favourites
6/19 – French bred
6/19 – Had run in the Welsh National before
6/19 – Ran at Chepstow last time out
4/19 – Winning favourites
2/19 – Trained by Colin Tizzard
2/19 – Trained by Jonjo O’Neill
2/19 – Trained by Paul Nicholls
The average winning SP in the last 19 years is 9/1
Report nocturnal December 19, 2021 12:59 PM GMT
Excellent work Luckyme .... Thanks for posting.

Quite a few at the top of the market might need to break some recent stats to figure.

Just like the formbook,utilising stats are surely in the eye of the beholder.

Might be a little fun to put some stat qualifiers up once that final field is known.

Always a tough puzzle to solve,any help is very welcome.
Report gpz6316 December 19, 2021 9:56 PM GMT
I've tried to have a look through this field  gi mac , but , its too vast . for me i need to wait till its a manageable level . having got through  halfish , i,m very disappointed to be siding "with ask me early"  at 5-1 fook joe public would see that in 5 seconds . anyhow see what transpires and ill give it another go nearer the time
Report GI MAC December 20, 2021 7:45 AM GMT
It doesn't look like Ask Me early takes part gpz, hopefully you've not backed him, recent schooling accident has ruled him out.
Report GI MAC December 20, 2021 8:13 PM GMT
Native river an intended runner, so no rise in the weights...
Report ENGLANDBARNES1 December 20, 2021 8:19 PM GMT
I’ve just laid off my 33/1 on Potters Corner at 29/1 on here.
I thought I was in a great position with most firms 16/1, but he’ll be 8lb out of the weights with Native River so I’m just happy to get my money back.
I was adamant this hadn’t been trying and that a decent run in the cross country would put him spot on for this. Shame.
Report gpz6316 December 20, 2021 10:23 PM GMT
no bet gi i,m leaving it for now with a good idea about the contenders from your excellent thread . I will say i,m slipping away from drake , two failed big pot bids and generally wind op not a positive . i feel he has already tried to his maximum . think theirs gonna be a fly in the ointment , rather than the stand up form yours has with a plus from the op giving him a few pounds . anyhow just postulation and floating thoughts from my point of view .
Report gpz6316 December 20, 2021 10:25 PM GMT
on the other side he has the experience etc . difficult to figure
Report nocturnal December 21, 2021 10:46 PM GMT
JB1 ... In normal times you are correct,however allowances brought in for covid appear to still be in place.

If the 3lb for no sauna/3lb for body protector  are still valid,he actually is fine.Add in Tudor,s claim if he gets the gig,by my reckoning he would have 9-13lb in that scenario.

https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/weight-allowance-should-stay/182917

John Gosden highlighting it above with Strad

If the above is tosh,don,t hesitate anyone,I won,t take it personally.

Certainly in proper winter ground,another factor worth considering for handicapping students.
Report Facts December 22, 2021 11:49 AM GMT
Early thoughts......Deise Aba
Report CROPSICK December 23, 2021 11:30 AM GMT
With N/river running some of those at the bottom end are going to be carrying 6-8Lb more than they should be.If you need 6-7LB in hand to win this then it makes there task very difficult unless thay claim to get nearer to their proper h'cap mark.
Report CROPSICK December 23, 2021 12:03 PM GMT
Iwilldoit 134 in reality will be racing off his new mark of 140, Hillsixteen on 132 has been raised to 142 so in effect will be racing off 140.Potters Corner raised to 138 in off 132 here but with 3LB claim will in effect be 1LB ok although his best 3 runs lately have been in the x country which i think should have its own H'cap ratings.
Report CROPSICK December 23, 2021 12:04 PM GMT
early pick for me Discordantly but will wait mainly for the day to see going etc
Report gpz6316 December 23, 2021 9:33 PM GMT
well I've come down on one i,m fairly confident about gi mac . i,m gonna be on " iwilldoit " 12-1 at Ladbrokes down from 25-1 , won 3 of 2 chases . pissed it over course last time out without being fancied 12-1 in a 10 runner race . trainers based in Glamorgan prolly very close to Christian Williams who won it two years ago . I don't see any negatives , 4lb out the weights wont matter a jot . he's trading at 12.5 on bf so the price is very tight , suggesting a strong confidence normally a Ladbrokes 12-1 would equate to a bf 20-1 lots to like . Have a good one merry xmas
Report GI MAC December 24, 2021 8:19 AM GMT
Good Luck with your bet gpz, trainer very happy with the horse in a stable tour on Wednesday.
Report FatPunt December 24, 2021 10:45 AM GMT
When are the decs out?
Report GI MAC December 26, 2021 1:33 PM GMT
Not the line up I was expecting, but a fascinating renewal in prospect. Amazing that last years winner carries the minimum weight. He'll surely run well despite a recent run.
Report strontium December 26, 2021 2:19 PM GMT
Yes, 3/3 at Chepstow too, quite a few out of the handicap. Secret Reprieve must have a huge chance here (unless it's all about Aintree this season).
Report GI MAC December 26, 2021 2:56 PM GMT
I'd say he needs to climb the ratings some more to get in the GN, winning this would do it.
Report strontium December 26, 2021 3:01 PM GMT
Indeed, good call- bottom weight in the GN this year was 145.
Report irishone December 26, 2021 10:41 PM GMT
deise alba
29 on here three weeks ago
moving in week by week
Report nocturnal December 27, 2021 7:36 AM GMT
Stat Qualifiers/Also rans ..... Do not shoot the messenger,at least until after the race.

11/12 Ran within 49 days -  Out go numbers 5,11

11/12 minimum 2 runs current season  - Out go 1,2,3,4,6,10,12,14,16

9/12 Aged 6-8  - Out go 8,15,20

17/19 Top 4 lto  - Out go 7,9


Deise Aba / Eva's Oskar/ Captain Drake/ Hill Sixteen .... These 4 remain from the above stats.

It will mean sweet FA if you have dreamt the winner on xmas eve,and backed accordingly Shocked

Just another angle on what looks a really tough puzzle.

Let's see how they get on.
Report nocturnal December 27, 2021 8:13 AM GMT
Hold That Taught (14) should have gone out on first stat Cry,blonde moment this early.
Report GI MAC December 27, 2021 8:34 AM GMT
Good work noc, Tough puzzle indeed. Some more rain this morning, might be closer to heavy near the off, that would put me off a few.

Think Secret Reprieve might walk this again, but too low a price for me. Going to add half a point on Hill Sixteen at 20's to back up my original punt. Didnt think he'd turn up in this, but ran well lto and runs more or less to his mark.

Cracking renewal in prospect, good luck everyone having a play.
Report nocturnal December 27, 2021 9:28 AM GMT
Morning

Yep,could pick half a dozen,still not hit the frame.

S Reprieve I,m not convinced just yet,every man and his dog will tell you he won on soft ground last year,the time of that race suggests nowhere near soft,add in the extra furlong they have to cover,this will be attritional if the rain continues.

Which horse is a complete handicap blot?

20 of them take a break from the cannon-ball routine,how many can stay the distance ?The Senna sandwiches and high cal frusemide drinks can only keep you going for so long.

Look no further than Kempton yesterday,the gulf in jockey standards is huge.

Quite a few aptly named ones in there,if indeed they need the Arc to get to the start.

Will Achille be heavily bandaged ?

Questions,questions,questions.
Report morpteh mackem December 27, 2021 9:44 AM GMT
one for the stats , gb bred horses 0/29 since 2011
Report FELTFAIR December 27, 2021 12:36 PM GMT
Layed Iwilldoit.

Backed and layed Discordantly and Captain Drake and backed in the seven place market.

Hoping to roll back the years by backing win and place (x7) Elegant Escape and Ramses De Teillee.
Report GI MAC December 27, 2021 3:18 PM GMT
Well done gpz and any others, won it well in the end. GB bred....
Report JayTrumpOldTomDubbl December 27, 2021 6:32 PM GMT
GPZee6**6 brilliant......... great pick. D'ont 4get to get a lotto ticket for next draw.
Report morpteh mackem December 27, 2021 7:20 PM GMT

Dec 27, 2021 -- 3:18PM, GI MAC wrote:


Well done gpz and any others, won it well in the end. GB bred....


aye, made me rule it outSad

Report gpz6316 December 27, 2021 10:17 PM GMT
thanks ! truth is i put a ton to the side to back this horse having put a considerable amount of study into the race .  I felt his chance had gone g/s   then the  rain came and only had buttons him in the end . so its a bittersweet pill for me . great thread gi mac . best of luck to all in 2022 !
Report nocturnal December 28, 2021 10:24 AM GMT
Well Played GPZ .... anyone else coming out ahead.

4 of the 5 finnishers mentioned in that first post from GI MAC,including the first two home,that takes some doing at entry stage,deserves a mention too.

Nothing from those stat qualifiers,the first two came here on the back of winning runs,not to be under-estimated when looking at these big field handicaps,in both codes.

Winning time,32 secs outside standard surprised me,I was expecting that to be a lot higher based on the fact so few finnished their race.Gut reaction would be to point to those ground conditions,however I think as form students that can be the easy way out,invariably there are other factors.

Hard to fault the winner,just the 4 chase starts,needs time between his races according to trainer,with so little experience that was some effort.Connections might want a decent hike if they want him in top staying chases further down the line,much the best on the day.

One other observation,saving ground is one thing,being on the insde up the home straight as happened to HH is another,that would be my last choice in conditions.Not so sure that will be lost on the trainer either,2nd time in as many days track position was arguably poor,those decisions can be race changing.

Plenty ran well until that home turn,sure to be decent winners from this race moving forwards.

Native River .... Bows out in one piece,legend of a horse,thanks for the memories.
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