We had 40 to choose from. We used Age, Ratings, Weight, Runs, Form and Handicap marks. We chopped runners down like trees. We dispelled the myths about the favourites. We took it to the bookies. And now the day of reckoning is upon us. Ladies and gentlemen it is Grand National Day 2014. Our final 5 were Balthazar… Read More »
The Shortlist Finalised To make the final shortlist, our remaining competitors must now pass 5 tests. Firstly, they must have won over 3m. Secondly they must have won a handicap. Thirdly they must have won a race worth 30K. Fourthly, they must now be racing off a handicap mark within 10lbs of their last winning mark. Lastly, experience… Read More »
Don’t overdo it We start today with 31 of the top 40 in the handicap left in with a chance if we look at the race through a stats eye. Now obviously, this is very subjective to your own point of view and not everyone buys in to the stats angle. I think they have a tale to… Read More »
Stats run through for 6 day declarations The big day is drawing closer and closer, so I thought it would be apt to look at the stats to whittle down the remaining contenders. Over the next few days I’ll introduce different stats to help us end up with a shortlist on Saturday. We’ll start today with 2 stats… Read More »
Fancied horses to fail the test I took an e-mail from Generalite A. Jackson, asking me if he should follow his 2 favourite horses Triolo D’Alene and Katenko in next week’s Grand National. I told him to keep his money in his pocket. I think he was a bit taken aback, but after I showed him the table… Read More »
Billed as ‘The Greatest Show, The Greatest Drama’ – this year’s renewal of the Crabbie’s Grand National will once again pit 40 horses against the 30 most demanding National Hunt fences in racing. Watched by some 600 million people in over 140 countries around the world, this iconic handicap steeplechase is the ultimate test of a horses’ stamina… Read More »
Graham Wylie-owned gelding weighted to go well for champion Irish trainer With Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up On His Own sidestepping a crack at the Crabbie’s Grand National, Prince de Beauchene now looks the main hope of champion Irish trainer Willie Mullins in the Aintree marathon test. The 11-year-old, like On His Own, is owned by Graham Wylie and… Read More »
There has not been too much activity with our ante post selections other than an outing for Chance Du Roy, who ran well last week at Ascot. In hindsight, I think the jockey took up the running too soon, but so well was he jumping and travelling, he had no choice really. I know he faded slightly after… Read More »
When I start this process, I honestly have no idea which horses will be selected, that’s part of the charm of using commonalities of previous winners and also part of the fear factor with it. What if I don’t like what I have been left with? What if I had a fancy that isnt on the list? What… Read More »
It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Yes the reveal of the Grand National weights gets me more excited than TGL in suspenders and boy is that exciting! So with my mouth salivating at the prospect of trawling through the weights for an hour or two I’ll try to pass on the words of wisdom that generates… Read More »
