1.45 Aland Islands 10/1 e/w and straight forecast to be beaten by Simonsig I've been a big fan of this horse since early last season. McManus has bought it since, he's had a slight training set back but he's still undefeated. He's been in my 10 to follow team since the start of the season and looking past the favourite there's nothing in there i'm worried about to the point of not backing this fella for a small each way bet. To be totally realistic he's not going to beat Simonsig if that one turns up 100%. 2.50 Zarkandar 11/4 Crying out for this trip. Oscar Whisky, Thousand Stars and Rock on Ruby had much harder races at Cheltenham. Grand National To be honest I couldn't care less about this race. If pressed i'd back the Midnight Club at a big price. 5.35 Spirit of Shankly Non runner I've not had a proper look at it yet but i put this boy up last time out and he destroyed a horse I am led to believe is very highly rated in the form of Islandmagee. I'm keen to stay on the right side of this horse and I've got a feeling this has been the plan for a long time. Chepstow 3.45 Victors Serenade No bet - not wet enough I'll only back this horse if it rains at Chepstow as he's extremely ground dependent but if it rains he'd be the nap. 6.20 Alpancho 4/1 It would be a surprise if Rachel couldn't coax this one round for the win. Second in a good Sandown bumper first time up. Experience will be the key. 6.50 Kalani King 3/1 Very creditable third on debut against a very good Longsdon multiple bumper winning horse and a Henderson horse Barry now rides tomorrow. Irish Buccaneer for Hobbs will be interesting and I believe he has been flagged up on here by Stick when he was pulled out a few weeks ago. Interesting race.
Sorry to force you to look at the blog but pieces are too long and I'm too lazy to frig about with multiple posts. Grand National - http://cuhrs.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/grand-national.html Other Saturday Action - http://cuhrs.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/aintree-saturday.html
You wont be surprised Zen to find out that Timeform top rate SUNNYHILLBOY. To think people laughed at me when I said AP had a very tough choice to make!
I put him up on here when the weights came out when he was 40/1. Didn't back him immediately and the price was gone in a flash. The McCoy boy has 'picked' the wrong one, no doubt about it. And the money is coming for Sunnyhillboy. JP knows.
I have long touted BABY SHINE as a future star and she will certainly make up into a lovely chaser next season. She stays well but also has gears and at 18-1 tomorrow she is great value. Simonsig should have the measure of all these but I think with 7lbs sex allowance she might give him a half decent race. NOLAND is a belting price at 14-1 in the John Smiths hcap ch. Ruby unsurprisingly overlooks him for Chapoturgeon but it wouldnt be the first time he was on the wrong un would it. The horse I have been looking to back all week is KAZLIAN who ran a belter in the Fred Winter. I had hoped that they would take on Countrywide Flame, Grumeti et al and give us a decent price to play at. This is easier and very winnable. I cant see 4-1 being around for long tonight. There are so many nice types in the bumper that you would have to be a mug not to be interested in the race. I could make a case for seven or eight but the one I am already on at 20-1 is MANY CLOUDS who performed with enormous credit in the Festival bumper. That was only his second outing and they couldnt be more pleased with him since. He got behind at Cheltenham and had to chart a wide course. I hope he is ridden more positively tomorrow and scrapes some paint. The more experienced The New One was only a couple of lengths in front of him at Cheltenham and yet trades at 6-1. Many Clouds is the value bet.
Backed Synchonised in the Gold Cup but cannot have him for the National. Think he will get too far behind and they rarely stop in the National. Cappa Bleu for me. Also have a family connection with Tatenen.He is the kind of rogue to run well in the race and Thornton is a good jockey for the race - but would still be a massive shock.
shakalakaboomboom, seabass, treacle n sunnyhillboy are mine. however, the closest ive came to picking a winner in the national has been 2nd in a sweepstake and could clean up if i backed my horses to fall at the first
At the risk of hoots of derision, and I admit I'm full of excellent food and wine, but what about Calgary Bay for the National? His Grimthorpe Chase victory reads very well (gave Shakalakaboomboom 7lbs and the admirable Fruity O'Rooney 11lbs) and is certainly one who can hunt round, staying out of trouble, to land a late blow. 33/1 looks mighty tempting.
Grand National is not for me but the thing sticking in my mind from the press this week is Ruby Walsh deciding to get on On His Own- very interesting I felt. Toppies value to follow: THOUSAND STARS A race with no pace and a horse who has the turn of foot to make it count here. Zarkandar needs pace and he won't get it. Thousand Stars will have the absolute run of the race and he is the value call, though Oscar Whiskey is clearly suited to this. I thought Thousand Stars ran very well at Cheltenham, travelled much better, and outstayed Oscar in the end, though Oscar Whisky did possess a better turn of foot. The difference this time is that Thousand Stars can kick for home earlier and turn it into a battle late on. This is a bet placed solely on the tactical unfoldings of the race- they could all beat each-other in different circumstances. Oscar Whisky "better" over 2m 4f? -He was all out to fend off Thousand Stars last time, and we don't know how below par Peddlers Cross and Rock On Ruby were, so I think he is slightly hyped at the trip, as classy an animal as he clearly is. BRIDLE BELL 14/1 e.w (2.30 Lingfield) Really good filly who is the sort to have improved again as a 4 year old. Ran in a really hot Ascot race at the end of last season that has thrown up a lot of winners and a lot of classy performers. If Tylicki can get her a clear run tomorrow, she will be outstanding value. Will stay strongly and it might just fall into her lap if the two Johnston runners go all out war up front.
Evening Odddy . My dad pointed out Calgary Bay to me earlier - seemed keen for the same reasons as yourself. Any winners today ? Toppy - Thousand Stars will make the running this time imo
Mate I am cursing Alan ****ing King. Grumeti did me yesterday, today I had a big win double on Darlan and Fingal Bay and ****ing King did me again with Lovcen. I backed so many King horses at Cheltenham and he didn't have a single winner, and now he's done me twice in 2 days. Had a bad week, but hoping for better tomorrow. Done the Hendo teble in the first 3 - Simonsig, Sprinter Sacre and Oscar Whiskey (who would be world champ over 2m4f if such a thing existed). Am excited to see Australia Day out again, should be spectacular. Also backed Chapoturgeon, Gibb River and Population. Going to Derby v Boro tomorrow on "corporate hospitality" told em to make sure there's a ****ing telly to watch the racing cos I don't want to be bored to death by Danbo's lot
Odddy same. Fingal Bay cost me around 150 quid today - had him in a £1 lucky 15 with Darlan, Silvinaco Conti and Finians Rainbow. Even at the last I thought FB would find more. Lovcen was one of the first off the bridle. Good old Ipsos ran a blinder back in 4th. CHAPOTURGEON looks a good bet tmz. Look at Lingfield ROYAL PECULIAR 2.30. ****ing Boro will use my saying of I would rather iron my own balls than watch that lot play. Tell them fook off get yourself home watch aintree and get the beers in
Well we have a "corporate lounge" with complimentary food and drink, a big **** off telly and a gadgie from Ladbrokes coming round taking bets. So I don't think I'll see much of the match Some talent at Aintree yesterday though - after 1 pint I would have shagged 1 in 100 of em, but by 4.00 they all looked like supermodels
I'll spare everyone the lengthy explanations, selections are: 2.50 Thousand Stars At the price this is value at 6s, cracking race in store here. 3.25 Battle Group 15/2 Ran a cracker behind Hunt Ball at Cheltenham and he's proved this week he's not that far short of top class and Battle Group hacked up in the handicap hurdle at this meeting last year. 5.05 Redera 14/1 Been battling all evening on betfair taking any 17 and above I can get. There was a strong word for this in the County Hurdle and he ran very well despite missing the tapes up and getting baulked and crowded virtually the whole way round, this field I make considerably inferior to the County field, 14/1 I think is massive 5.35 The New One 13/2 Ran a belter in the Cheltenham bumper when he ran quite green (a 4yo) but got close to some decent horses that day as well as finishing ahead of some. This is a weaker event and 13/2 is outstanding each way value Grand National. Main fancies Cappa Bleu and Sunnyhillboy, small each ways on BecauseIcouldn'tsee and Killyglen, and I have pennies on Midnight Haze, Planet of Sound, Rare Bob, Quiscover Fortune, Deep Purple and Swing Bill - none of the latter group win but I don't mind having a few spare shekels at 350/1 in some cases. Good luck all, enjoy what should be a great day
Good to see a number of you in agreement with my three National selections. Chapoturgeon has been smashed up. Opening show he was 5/1 and now no bigger than 7/2, and 3s in most places. Looks very well treated. I got some 4s (BOG, just in case!)
