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comply or die
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Possol :D
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Offshore Account 50-1
OUR THOUGHTS: Recently returned from a fifteen month lay-off due to injury and made a staisfactory comeback finishing seven lengths 2nd in a 2m 7f Hurdle race at Navan. Was a prolific scorer in the 06/07 season where he won five races, including a four-timer over fences. Ended that season by springing a surprise in the Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival and still has a high looking handicap mark as a result. Has still to confirm that he is as good as he was over fences and it appears that its been a bit of a rush to try and get him fit in time for Aintree but with plenty of stamina in his pedigree and age still on his side he is very capable of playing a big part in the National. PINSTICKERS STATS: Age: 10 Weight: 0st 0lbs Jockey: Trainer: Charlie Swan Horse's Star Sign: Taurus Trainer's Location: Ireland Jockey's Colours: White Expert Tips: 0 think ill throw a nifty on it ;) |
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Iris De Balme 50-1
OUR THOUGHTS: Winner of the Scottish National from 26lbs out of the handicap at the massive price of 66/1. Two races previously he was a winner over 3m 7f at Folkestone off a mark of 108 so it has to be seen as something of a surprise that he was able to win at Ayr off of 143. However he ran well a week after his Scottish exertions when a very respectable 4th in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown and it may just be that he has taken a while to acclimitatise to British conditions after moving from France in December 2006. He could make up into a live contender for the Grand National but his style of running (being held up) does not fit in with the profiles of recent National winners |
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Best horse out so far is Backstage! Great run at Musselburgh,and has eaten up well this morning and returned home sound.
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Royal County Star..
OUR THOUGHTS: Favourite for the 2008 Irish National and looked to be travelling like the winner three out but didn't find as much as expected and eventually finished 12 lengths second to eventual winner Hear The Echo. This performance doesn't exactly scream out that he has the necessary stamina to potentially win a Grand National and his potential Aintree supporters must also be turning a blind eye to his numerous jumping errors in the bet365 gold cup at Sandown. A good horse but probably better backed in other races. |
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sonicanthem thanks ......that's good news I might double my bet ;)
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Next step is to wait for the weights to come out and then look for a chase on good ground, nice to get yesterday out of the way without a problem.
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here we go VIRGIN MORE CHANCE WITH THIS THAN PICKING MY OWN
Ballyholland 50-1 OUR THOUGHTS: Smart and versatile gelding, trained in County Down by Colin McBratney, caused something of a shock when winning the Galway Plate back in July at 16/1. After that McBratney stated that the Becher Chase might be the next target but instead the son of Tiraaz waited until January for his next run, a novice hurdle at Naas. The lack of a run for nearly five months did not appear to incovenience Ballyholland who kept on well to record the fifth win of his career when winning by just under two lengths from Mr Cracker. This latest win pushes his career strike rate up to close to 33% and he looks a horse to continue to follow but with no wins over 22 furlongs it remains questionable if he would have the stamina for a race like the Grand National.Two wins in his early career at three miles in point to points may give hope to his supporters about his underlying stamina but four defeats at distances over 22 furlongs on the racecourse must call into question his ability to stay a trip. |
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Ken
so true :^0 |
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STATE OF PLAY for me
Ran a cracker to finish fourth in the 2009 Grand National where he challenged for the lead at the second last and looked like he might go on and win the race. However his stamina just gave way in the last furlong and he ended up eighteen lengths behind Mon Mome at the finish. Well handled by Evan Williams, he has won the 2006 Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury and the 2008 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby so not afraid to win a big race but can be a difficult horse to work out as consistency does not seem to be his strong point. Connections have come to the conclusion that he is at his best when fresh and four of his five wins over fences have come when returning after an extended break. Likely to be lightly raced in 09/10 and aimed at Aintree once again to see if he can improve on last year's placing. PINSTICKERS STATS: Age: 10 Weight: 0st 0lbs Jockey: Trainer: Evan Williams Horse's Star Sign: Aquarius Trainer's Location: Wales Jockey's Colours: Blue Expert Tips: |
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STATE OF PLAY for me
Ran a cracker to finish fourth in the 2009 Grand National where he challenged for the lead at the second last and looked like he might go on and win the race. However his stamina just gave way in the last furlong and he ended up eighteen lengths behind Mon Mome at the finish. Well handled by Evan Williams, he has won the 2006 Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury and the 2008 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby so not afraid to win a big race but can be a difficult horse to work out as consistency does not seem to be his strong point. Connections have come to the conclusion that he is at his best when fresh and four of his five wins over fences have come when returning after an extended break. Likely to be lightly raced in 09/10 and aimed at Aintree once again to see if he can improve on last year's placing. PINSTICKERS STATS: Age: 10 Weight: 0st 0lbs Jockey: Trainer: Evan Williams Horse's Star Sign: Aquarius Trainer's Location: Wales Jockey's Colours: Blue Expert Tips: |
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Beroni
OUR THOUGHTS: Transferred to Willie Mullins when Michael O'Brien retired at the end of last season and the horse has flourished in his new surroundings - winning three races to date and moving up the handicap around twenty pounds over hurdles and fences. On the strength of his impressive start to the season Beroni was made the strong favourite for the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park but struggled to make an impression on the all-the-way winner Whinstone Boy. It is possible that the eight-year-old gelding may have now hit his peak but it is also feasible that four hard races since October had taken their toll and given the benefit of a short break he may come back and be competitive again. PINSTICKERS STATS: Age: 8 Weight: 0st 0lbs Jockey: Trainer: Willie Mullins Horse's Star Sign: Aquarius Trainer's Location: England - North East Jockey's Colours: Red Expert Tips: 0 |
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^ Trainers location, England, North East :(
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Whinstone Boy
OUR THOUGHTS: Lightly raced over fences and looked well handicapped before the Thyestes Chase based on his hurdles mark and so it proved with an all the way victory in the valuable handicap. That win has pushed his mark up to 131 and into the realms of horses who may get into the Grand National but it might be that he could fall a little short this year, although connections have tried to give the horse every chance of getting into the National by getting another win on the board since the Thyestes Chase. It would be a shame if he fails to make the race as he hails from the same stable that guided Monty's Pass to Grand National victory in 2003. If he were to miss out on the National would be a very interesting runner if given his chance in the Topham. |
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War Of Attrition 33-1
OUR THOUGHTS: Surely one of the classiest horses to potentially run in the Grand National for some years. Runner up in the Supreme Novices Hurdle to future Champion Hurdler Brave Inca in 2004, he went on to win a host of races over fences but is, of course, best remembered for his victory over Grand National winner Hedgehunter in the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Suffered injury since then but has managed to find winning ways again after returning from a lay off. Has managed to win three races since being off for nearly two years between December 2006 and October 2008, including a Grade three chase on his return to the racecourse and Grade two hurdle on his most recent run at Gowran Park. War Of Attrition has always been a super jumper of fences and let's hope he does line up as to see him take on the Aintree fences would be something to savour. PINSTICKERS STATS: Age: 11 Weight: 0st 0lbs Jockey: Trainer: Mouse Morris Horse's Star Sign: Taurus Trainer's Location: Ireland Jockey's Colours: Red Expert Tips: 0 |
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OFFSHORE ACCOUNT
OUR THOUGHTS: Recently returned from a fifteen month lay-off due to injury and made a staisfactory comeback finishing seven lengths 2nd in a 2m 7f Hurdle race at Navan. Was a prolific scorer in the 06/07 season where he won five races, including a four-timer over fences. Ended that season by springing a surprise in the Champion Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival and still has a high looking handicap mark as a result. Has still to confirm that he is as good as he was over fences and it appears that its been a bit of a rush to try and get him fit in time for Aintree but with plenty of stamina in his pedigree and age still on his side he is very capable of playing a big part in the National. PINSTICKERS STATS: Age: 10 Weight: 0st 0lbs Easy money |
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n0
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Possol 23-1
OUR THOUGHTS: Still only seven years old but starts the 09/10 season as already having had the experience of fifteen races over fences and has recorded four victories. Two of those victories have come in Class Two chases and he also recorded a runner-up spot to Nacarat in the 2009 Racing Post Chase at Kempton. Hasn't been tried very often very often on soft ground since arriving in the UK and it would appear that he is well suited by top of the ground conditions. Very much in this horse's favour is the fact that he has never fallen or unseated his rider and Henry Daly may have that in mind if Possol does make it to Aintree as the trainer has not had the best of luck with his runners in the Grand National to date - he has had five runners since 2000 and only Behrajan (10th in 2003) has managed to complete the course. Daly has exploited the fact that Possol began the 09/10 season as a novice over hurdles and has saved his handicap mark over fences by winning two novice hurdles with his charge. Possol has won his hurdle race with such ease that he has received an entry in a novice hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival! PINSTICKERS STATS: Age: 7 Weight: 0st 0lbs Jockey: Trainer: Henry Daly Horse's Star Sign: Aries Trainer's Location: England - Midlands Jockey's Colours: Red Expert Tips: 0 |
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Tricky Trickster 16-1
OUR THOUGHTS: Very young to be considered a Grand National prospect and, at the time of writing has only had four races over fences and seven races under Rules in total in his fledgling career. Tricky Trickster was owned by the Million In Mind partnership in 07/08 and the multiple owners of that club had great fun with a win in a novice handicap chase at Newbury and emphatic ten length success in the NH Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Nigel Twiston-Davies trained the youngster to his Festival victory but as the Million In Mind horses all go to the sales at the end of the season, this horse was bought for an owner in Paul Nicholls' yard at the Doncaster Sales. �320,000 was invested for this son of Oscar and Nicholls is reportedly very excited at the prospect of training the horse in 08/09. Starts the season 22lb higher than his last victory in a handicap so Mr Nicholls might have his hands full trying to ensure his owner gets a decent run for 300k+. Obviously stamina won't be a problem with regards to the National but inexperience and youth could well be and whilst NH Chase winners should theoretically do well in the National with Butlers Cabin and Hot Weld winning other big staying races races, no NH Chase winner as gone on to win the Grand National itself in recent years. PINSTICKERS STATS: Age: 7 Weight: 0st 0lbs Jockey: Trainer: Paul Nicholls Horse's Star Sign: Gemini Trainer's Location: England - South West Jockey's Colours: Red Expert Tips: 0 |
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The Package 33-1
OUR THOUGHTS: Recorded his first win over fences at the seventh attempt when taking the valuable Neptune Chase at Cheltenham in December. Had a good field behind him that day and as that race was won by Mon Mome in 2008 he has inevitably attracted attention for the 2010 Grand National. However, connections are suggesting that this horse needs more experience before being considered for Aintree and as they already have 2008 Grand National winner lined up for another try at the great race, The Package may have to wait another year to gain his chance at the Aintree fences. PINSTICKERS STATS: |
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big fella thanks
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Siegemaster
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comply or die. it gave me niche market last year who was nowhere near making the cut. wish i'd kept my eye on him.
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Irish Raptor
OUR THOUGHTS: Irish Raptor has had six attempts over the National fences and has finished 7th, 6th, 2nd, 6th, 1st and UR - finally registering a success in the 2009 Topham. None of these races has been in the Grand National itself with the horse narrowly missing out on getting into the race a couple of times. Surprisingly Nigel Twiston-Davies took him out of the National at quite an early stage last year but it seems his win in the Topham has persuaded the trainer to focus his horse at the longer race for 2010 and whilst he obviously has an excellent completion record over the National fences there must remain a nagging doubt about the horses stamina. The eleven-year old gelding seems to find the better quality races a struggle at longer distances but may be able to get into a better rhythm at Aintree and could definitely lead the field for a very long way. This horse would now almost certainly be assured of a place in the race this time and his trainer is well aware of what is required of a National winner after the successes of Earth Summit and Bindaree. |
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Taranis 33-1
OUR THOUGHTS: Put in one of the performances of recent Cheltenham Festivals when giving everything to just hold on from Our Vic in the 2007 Ryanair Chase. Came back the following season after that victory to step up to three miles and Grade One success at Down Royal in the James Nicholson Champion Chase but unfortunately suffered an injury in his subsequent race in the King George at Kempton and was off the track for two years. Only recently returned and defied logic and his trainer's expectations to comfortably win his comeback run in the Argento Chase at Cheltenham and in the process catapulted himself into the Gold Cup betting alongside some of his illustrious stablemates. The Grand National could also be on the horizon and although a big weight could prove a major burden he does have a major stamina influence from his sire so could well enjoy the step up in trip. Appears to be a horse who needs holding up to the last minute and that can prove difficult in a race such as the National so will have to be confidently ridden. |
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:)
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Trabolgan 75-1
OUR THOUGHTS: Winner of the Sun Alliance Chase and the Hennessy Gold Cup in 2005 but was struck by injury after the latter race and was off the racecourse for just over three years as a result. Three runs since returning to action and there were signs on his last outing at Cheltenham that Trabolgan could still have what it takes to win a decent handicap. Nicky Henderson's twelve-year-old went up to a mark of 151 after winning the Hennessy but the handicapper has taken into account his injury and time off from racing and has been quick to drop this son of King's Ride down to 137. This seems a very fair assessment and if the old warrior does retain some of his former high class he could well take advantage sometime this season but will it be in the Grand National? PINSTICKERS STATS: Age: 12 Weight: 0st 0lbs Jockey: Trainer: Nicky Henderson Horse's Star Sign: Gemini Trainer's Location: England - South East Jockey's Colours: Yellow Expert Tips: 0 |
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Niche Market - Had a little bet on it, for interests sake!
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Iris De Balme
Winner of the Scottish National in 2008 from 26lbs out of the handicap at the massive price of 66/1. Two races previously he was a winner over 3m 7f at Folkestone off a mark of 108 so it has to be seen as something of a surprise that he was able to win at Ayr off of 143. However he ran well a week after his Scottish exertions when a very respectable 4th in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown and it may just be that he took a while to acclimatise to British conditions after moving from France in December 2006. Unfortunately suffered an injury after the Sandown race and was not seen on a racecourse again until February 2010. He returned in a Novice Hurdle at Wetherby and, considering the setting and circumstances, he ran well to finish fifth. If he remains fit and well it would look as though Aintree would be the target this season as connections had discussed the Grand National as a possibility for 2009 before injury intervened. One drawback could be Iris De Balme's style of running as he tends to be held up and hold up horses have not had a lot of success in the National in recent years. |
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Vic Venturi Odds & Grand National Form
Similar profile to Dessie Hughes' other Grand National candidate Black Apalachi in that both horses had entered their Becher Chase winning season on a long losing streak but managed to find their form at the right time. Vic Venturi won his race prior to Aintree but before that we have to go back to October 2006 to find his last winning run. Amazingly during that barren run his handicap mark rose by eleven pounds as a result of finishing runner-up in three top-quality handicaps so it remains to be seen if there will be much improvement left to find now he has found a winning thread. He was put up a further six pounds for his win in the Becher and that was an eight runner race that was quite slowly run in the early stages so it may not have been much of a comparison as to what to expect in the National itself. Some of Vic Venturi's jumping was a little ponderous in that race and it would be doubtful he could jump so deliberately in April and be able to be competitive. |
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:x morning
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what is the point of this ?
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Cane Brake 50-1
OUR THOUGHTS: Leading Irish contender who won one of the premier Irish handicaps, the Paddy Power at Leopardstown in 2006. Stepped up again from that effort on his next outing when asked to take on the big boys in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2007 and performed with merit to finish an honourable fifth, only beaten eleven lengths by Kauto Star. Connections decided on a try at the Irish National after the Gold Cup and unfortunately Cane Brake picked up an injury here and was off the track for twenty months. Since returning from injury Tom Taaffe's eleven-year-old as performed respectably but has yet to hit the heights of his 06/07 campaign. Consequently his handicap mark has been coming down from its peak of 159 and he now finds himself approaching the mark that he won off at Leopardstown. So, if the horse retains his old ability he would have an excellent chance of winning a good handicap but does he have what it takes to win a Grand National? PINSTICKERS STATS: Age: 11 Weight: 0st 0lbs Jockey: Trainer: Tom Taaffe Horse's Star Sign: Taurus Trainer's Location: Ireland Jockey's Colours: Red Expert Tips: 0 Full Form Profile For Cane Brake |
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Casey jones 50/1
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top
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Black Apalachi 20-1
OUR THOUGHTS: Won his first race for nearly three years when routing the field in the Becher Chase in November 2008. Followed up later that season when taking the Bobbyjo Chase at Faryhouse and in doing so had the likes of Snowy Morning and Southern Vic behind him that day. On the strength of this form he went into the 2009 Grand National as one of the top fancies from Ireland and appeared to be going great guns when leading the field until falling at Bechers second time around. That fall now means he has come to grief in the National two years running - he fell at the second fence in 2008 when a nibbled at outsider at 66/1. However his jumping is usually very sound and he has only ever come to grief at Aintree in twenty plus races over fences. His Aintree form of a win and two incompletions from three attempts leaves more questions than answers but if he could stay on his feet he could be a very big player in the Grand National 2010. PINSTICKERS STATS: Age: 11 Weight: 11st 6lbs Jockey: Trainer: Dessie Hughes Horse's Star Sign: Aries Trainer's Location: Ireland Jockey's Colours: Green Expert Tips: 0 |
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Niche market 16/1
OUR THOUGHTS: Didnt make the weights for the 2009 Grand National so was diverted to Fairyhouse for the Irish Grand National where he provided a 33/1 shock when staying on in fine style to see of Church Island. Connections of the horse have always been very positive about his prospects and have not been frightened to go after the big races with two attempts at Cheltenhams National Hunt Chase (4th in 2008 and 8th in 2009) and another bookie friendly 33/1 victory when taking the BGC Silver Cup at Ascot from the very reliable yardstick, Monkerhostin. His win at Fairyhouse put him up to 145 which whould have been an ideal weight at Aintree but his excellent run when third to the mighty Denman in the 2009 Hennessy will surely catch the handicappers attention. Irish National winners have had a decent record in the Grand National in recent years and Niche Market is playing himself into a very strong position for Aintree 2010. PINSTICKERS STATS: Age: 9 Weight: 11st 4lbs Jockey: Trainer: Bob Buckler Horse's Star Sign: Taurus Trainer's Location: England - South East Jockey's Colours: Orange Expert Tips: 0 Sounds like a dead cert this beauty :-) |
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dont push it
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Cheltenham Festival winner in 2007 of the Kim Muir and was all the rage for the Grand National in 2008 following the publication of the weights. This was mainly due to the rich vein of form in which he was in at the time - notching up a hat-trick of wins between December and March. He went into the National well ahead of the handicapper as a result of the early framing of the weights but couldn't take advantage of his favourable mark and never really looked likely to land the gamble in finishing a well beaten 6th. Connections tried again in the National in 2009 but after this horse's game success in that year's Peter Marsh, he was running off a mark approximately 17lb higher than when disappointing in 2008. Consequently the omens didn't look good for Cloudy Lane, going off relatively unfancied at 50/1 and only making it as far as The Chair where he unseated his rider. It appears connections are likely to have a third attempt in 2010 and the handicapper is starting to relent with his opinion of Donald McCain's ten-year-old so perhaps it might be third time lucky?
cloudy lane 50/1 |