Very Interesting and nice piece re Buywise in yesterday’s ‘Observer’ which is now on ‘The Guardian’ website - https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/apr/07/buywise-grand-national-evan-williams-aintree-horse-racing-tips Needs to overturn the stat though that no Welsh trained winner has obliged since 1905. Although Evan Williams has had 5 horses placed, in the race, which is some achievement. Mind you no Wiltshire trained animal has obliged since 1937. The one who did certainly delivered on that day. Boom boom! Milansbar would appear the only hope of ending that prolonged hoodoo in 2018.
The ground is going to be all important so I m not backing any further horses until Saturday morning. I can see Minella Rocco being withdrawn on Thursday if the rain continues along with Vicente and a couple of others. Final Nudge is my only bet at this time who I think would be very happy if it is ''soft'. He could run very well indeed....
I've backed Sue Smiths, I Just Know, got 33/1 paying 1-6 with PP and its been nibbled in a bit already. I'll back the others Saturday. Carlingford Lough, Gold Present, and Ucello Conti will be my 4, I think.
I haven't looked at all the runners (just not getting the time these days) but at present I like Blaklion and Buywise. I did fancy Minella Rocco until I saw the weights
Blaklion Shantou Flyer Baie Des Lles Ucello Conti Saint Are Seeyouatmidnight Going to try to narrow the list down to five, will wait till Bet365 put their half stake back offer up before betting.
Just a thought for all...and must admit I love these sort of stories with the Grand National. How about Venetia Williams training the winner again?. It is possible we will have a 'soft' ground national and this would definitely suit Houblon Des Obeaux. Mon Mome finished 10th the year before he went on to win it and yes you guessed it folks...Houblon Des Obeaux finished in 10th last year. Lightning striking twice?
I'm in the Final Nudge camp too. I haven't seen or heard the horse mentioned until I looked at this thread, but have had my eye on it since the weights were announced. Goes on the soft ground and has form in the big staying handicaps. 3rd in the Welsh national this year and was going well when falling 4 out in last years Midlands national. 2nd in the Badger ales at Wincanton reads well too.. Gets in with a nice racing weight and looks like it's been targeted at this for some time. William Hill still going 66/1. 1/4 the odds for 5 places. Might look very generous come 5.30 Saturday evening. Managed to sneak a couple of quid on to win at 70, and another few quid at 16.5 in the place market with Smarkets.
Davy Russell rides Tiger Roll. Mick - Was tempted with 66/1 with William Hill but it's not NRNB and you never know 're injuries. I ll settle for less odds and the extra assurance. I m interested to learn what jockey rides. Coleman is on Pendra so I am hoping Gavin Sheehan will ride who has won on the horse a couple of times . In fact he has ridden him 4 times in total - reads 4311. Maybe they will book Richard Johnson who is presently without a ride but would be a very good booking.
Tiger roll had an extremely hard race at Cheltenham, don’t forget he didn’t even come back in to the winners enclosure and went straight off to the stables. I’d be bit worried about it the race had left its mark
Two that catch my eye are saint are who has a decent record in the last couple of years but needs decent ground. The other is bless the wings, who won't mind the ground. I really fancied him for the cross country but slipped at one of the fences but think the tactic of running prominently has improved this horse. Both will stay. I'll miss the first two days as I'll be at the dressage finals but good luck
Very careful because after the rain yesterday afternoon the ground is already Soft- to heavy and heavy rains are announced by Friday. So we may have the first Grand National with heavy since 2001. If so, the horses with a lot of weight are going to have it complicated. Very happy with Final Nudge 66/1 and with my other two bets. Gavin Sheehan ride Final Nudge, he's 2/3 over fences wiht him and he rode Blakion in The Becher. And I'm waiting to see if Thunder And Roses can get in, right now # 42, last year he was making a perfect race until he crossed a lost horse. 66/1 now.
