The 2 defeats were in the races that mattered Blue! Whether he'd have won the last day is debatable. What isn't though, is it wouldn't have been impressive. Nowhere near Champion class IMO, but each to their own
Wide open Hennessy and my each way dough will be a further burden to Unioniste. Had a bit of 28s earlier in the week and though the ground isn't looking like it will be as testing as it was it will still be a proper stamina test which will play to this one's strengths. I was very impressed with the way Definitely Red won the bumper lto at Cheltenham. Won like a good horse and will be interested to see how he goes over timber for the first time at Newcastle 1.05. Was around 2s last night but now approaching even money so clearly fancied. Good luck all
Fair comment Beef - I have gone in with Irving today at 6-4 best odds as I have always liked him, I do take on board however that the jury is still clearly out on whether he can sit at the top table.
He did Beef, I think I agree with you however that he will not win at the very highest in the Champion as he is short of that. A real Champion contender would have done it more easily today. He is a very good horse however as his record shows.
I see following the Hennessy Oliver Sherwood came up with absolutely amazing, and quite frankly mind boggling, quote, ‘I don’t give a monkey’s what happens for the rest of the season. If Many Clouds doesn’t run for the rest of the season, it doesn’t bother me.’ That Oliver, old boy, is why you will never be anything more than a journeyman handler. Mr Henderson or Mr Nicholls would have already put Saturday’s win to the back of their minds and be focussing on how to campaign Many Clouds in the future. You instead will dwell on it to the detriment of the horse’s future. A negative to the horses victory was that winning saddle monkey, Leighton Aspell, was suspended for seven days for using his whip above the permitted level and fined £1,800. Personally, I think that rather than handing out such piddling ‘justice’ saddle monkeys instead should be dragged out of the weighing room and brutally horse whipped in front of the stands for their crime. An ‘eye for an eye’ and all that. I’m not a fan of either his trainer or saddle money but I thought Merry King ran a stormer in 3rd and providing connections bypass the Welsh National can see this one heading to the Grand National with leading claims. Merry King ran off 138 at the weekend and although his rating will rise it shouldn’t be too excessive to prevent him getting a nice, manageable weight in the race. Another positive re him and the GN is that he’s likely to have a new saddle monkey for that as Saturday’s is almost certain to be claimed elsewhere.
Saddle monkeys Sir Barney? These brave souls who risk life and limb each and every time they're tossed into the saddle, deserve a little more than to be referred to is such terms. Shame Sir Barney, shame.
