TimeformBlog

[b]Synchronised[/b] (Jonjo O'Neill/Tony McCoy) has history against him as no Gold Cup winner has followed up at Aintree since 1934, but it should be noted that he's one of the better-handicapped runners in the field, whilst he's also clearly not dependent on the mud to show his best nowadays. That said, his idiosyncratic jumping technique isn't ideal for Aintree and could see him getting further back than ideal. [b]Ballabriggs[/b] (Donald McCain/Jason Maguire) is another runner hoping to overcome bleak historical trends, as there have been only two back-to-back Grand National winners in the last 142 years. In truth, a 10 lb higher mark than when winning the 2011 renewal looks the biggest obstacle to overcome but, given how well he took to the course then, it wouldn't be the biggest surprise...

[b]Albertas Run[/b] is a three-time Cheltenham Festival winner, including 2010/11 renewal of the Ryanair Chase. Narrowly denied 3-timer in that race last month and won this in 2010, so needs considering. [b]Finian's Rainbow[/b] is a bold-jumping front runner who is 6 from 8 over fences, and arrives on the back of a career-best having landed the Champion Chase (2m) last month. This trip not a problem and the one to beat. [b]Forpadydeplasterer[/b] is without a win since the 2009 Arkle though has finished in the frame in most starts since, including runner-up to Albertas Run in this race in 2010. Not as good now, though, and others preferred. [b]Kalahari King[/b] was in the frame at 4 consecutive Cheltenham Festivals until well beaten in the Ryanair Chase last month. Not quite the...

[b]Burton Port[/b] improved since returning from a long absence, chasing home Long Run at Newbury prior to good fourth in Gold Cup. Proven round this circuit and likely to be in the firing line once more. [b]Carruthers[/b] chased home What A Friend in this race 2 years ago and took advantage of a reduced mark when landing the Hennessy, but subsequent efforts less inspiring and tried in blinkers now. [b]Diamond Harry[/b] bolted up in last season's Hennessy at Newbury, but has hit the skids this term, failing to see things out first 2 comeback starts and ran a shocker in the Gold Cup last month. [b]Follow The Plan[/b] was a fortunate winner of the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown last season. Run well to make frame in a couple of graded races since, and cheekpieces need to bring ...

[b]A disappointing start to the week was soon turned around on Saturday afternoon, with a Nicholls Ascot treble which included the fourteenth consecutive win of the phenomenal Big Buck's...[/b] Those who had started to question the form of Nicholls earlier in the week were forced to eat their words come Saturday, a day which typically sees the stable come alive. After just one winner from his previous 16 runners prior to Saturday, Nicholls landed an Ascot treble courtesy of successes from Aerial, [b]Big Buck's[/b] and The Minack. Nicholls sent a strong team to Ascot, the only course where he had runners this weekend, and he couldn't have got off to a better start as Aerial ran out a ten-length winner of the two-and-a-half mile Graduation Chase. Although the race fell apart...

While the attention of the racing Press has turned firmly to thoughts of Epsom and the prospect of a Royal Derby winner, one jumper during the last week excited almost as much attention on the Betfair forum as Carlton House himself. That was the David Pipe-trained Togiak, in a maiden hurdle at Fontwell on Wednesday, a race won by Cleaver. Seemingly ridden with plenty of confidence, [b]Togiak[/b] came from off the pace in a steadily-run affair, never nearer than his finishing position of fourth, leaving the strong impression he would have won had his run begun sooner. The form may not be that solid and Togiak will now get a stiffer mark than he might otherwise have done but he should still be well treated on his Flat form and he can't fail to win races if kept on the go this summer. Togiak...

[b]Our blogger Simon Rowlands the aftermath of Saturday's controversial race... [/b] Saturday's Grand National is likely to be remembered by many who watched it not for the positive reasons that racing might wish but for the sight of the runners being waved round two horses - one dead under a tarpaulin, the other about to be despatched - and for the winner Ballabriggs seeming to be close to collapse at the end of the gruelling four-and-a-half mile race. The hugely critical response from some sections of the public and non-racing press was only to be expected and needs to be taken seriously. Racing cannot expect to exist in isolation from the attitudes of wider society. No pastime can. What took me much more by surprise were the responses of some within racing itself. These ranged...

[i]Don't Push It[/i] enjoyed his finest hour when winning the 2010 renewal of this race and his four runs over hurdles this year will have put him spot on for a repeat bid. However, no horse since Red Rum in 1974 has won back-to-back Grand Nationals and he also has to carry top-weight. [i]Tidal Bay[/i] certainly has his quirks but is a high-class chaser on his day, finishing runner-up in the Betfair and Argento Chases before a good sixth in the Gold Cup last time. However, it remains to be seen whether he takes to such a unique challenge as the National. [i]What A Friend[/i], a dual Grade 1 winner in 2009/2010, was fourth in the Gold Cup last time, where he was equipped with first-time blinkers. Well handicapped here on that form, he's the class act in this, especially if encountering...

[b]Kieran Packman gives us his unique take on the National betting [/b] [i]The National winner[/i] - Oscar Time. Irish National form. Reliable jumper. Jockey with good record over National fences. Favourable Timeform rating. At the 'right' end of the weights. Irish trainer I've never heard of. All positives. Stamina is his potential Achilles heel, but I'm inclined to think his fading finish last time out was attributable to fitness as this was always going to be the focus. [i]A Lively Long Shot[/i] - Becauseicouldntsee. Still relatively unexposed and, like many of the Irish contingent, has intentionally been lightly-raced with this race in mind this season. His second in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2010 proved both his stamina, his ability to show his form...

[i]14:00[/i] - In his eleven straight wins over hurdles the otherwise imperious Big Buck's has never been as unimpressive as when defeating Souffleur and the reopposing Possol in this race twelve months ago. Whether that warrants opposing him is another matter altogether, however, and it's impossible to envisage a scenario that sees him finishing outside of the first three. [i]14:30[/i] - Zarkandar is sure to be another Nicholls-trained hotpot in the juvenile which follows, and we have to ask ourselves the same question. Grandouet ran very well to finish third to Zarkandar in the Triumph at Cheltenham and, though it's a slight niggle that he might have endured a harder race there than some of those to finish around him having been up there from the outset, he's taken alongside Zarkandar...