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Weights are now out for this, and as usual, a few classy types entered, with Quito De La Roque heading the weights. Race has the tendency to cut up these days, so any AP bets should be treated with caution.
Quito’s an old friend, but would take a leap of faith to see him run in this, let alone win it. He has, it has to be said, became extremely frustrating. I’d have to have small interest if he did line up though. The same applies to Call The Police. The phrase “follow over a cliff” is very apt for me when it comes to this horse. He’s been running over shorter distances this season, but I’ve always thought he needed a trip. Time will tell, but there’s always the niggling feeling that Willie Mullins might know better than me. Think it’d be unlikely he’d run at Sandown anyway, but I’d love to see him over the railway fences, as he’s an excellent jumper. I wouldn’t have a penny on him till his nose touches the tape, but if he did, I’d have a few quid on.
A more realistic prospect, at this stage anyway, would be Bradley. Like CTP, jumping was one of his main strengths, until recently, when he gave the impression that he had a physical problem. If that’s rectified, I’d consider him a leading player. Backed him when he won at Sandown last season (think he was my last winner), and thought of this race for him straight away.
Fruity O’Rooney gets an entry, and though he always seems to find a couple too good, he seems on a decent weight, and might appeal to some as a decent each way AP prospect, as more often than not you get a run for your money.
Recent big race winners, Opening Batsman, Same Difference, and Triolo D’Alene will be big dangers if lining up, and all 3 have potential to go on to bigger things. Triolo, in particular looks nicely treated after Friday.
I’m hoping that Ikorodu Road, Deal Done, Caduceus, and Galaxy Rock don’t turn up, as they would just confuse things for me, and I could do without it. The problem is, I’ve got all 4 of them down as having one of the big chases in them. They’re all getting expensive to follow, but on their day would be attractive ew options. If any of them won, and I wasn’t on, I’d end up chewing my own hand off.
A quick mention for Allthekingshorses, who, if he were to line up, could surprise, and I might have considered an Ante Post stab at him if it wasn’t for my idea of the winner……….
….Triggerman getting an entry. I had a few quid on him for Aintree, but realistically, when he returned to training this season, this was the race I had in mind for him. Placed in it 2 years ago, and looked like landing it for a moment. Was on him antepost then, and picked up a few quid. Could be heart ruling the head, an affliction that cripples me, but judged on his Welsh National run, I’ve got to take some encouragement. There’s a chance Richard Johnson was too confident on him that day, and possibly went too early, but still a decent performance. Was on him that days at 50’s and 66’s, and he did me proud. He flopped next time at Haydock, but that was after the slog at Chepstow, and he’ll have a longer break for this. Connections also tend to target this race, and all things considered, at 50’s, I think that’s a very generous price. As confident as I could possibly be, about a 50-1 shot anyway……cue taken out at next forfeit stage, it’s been like that for me this season.
GL
- Total Posts 764
Is this at Sandown on the 27th? Have tickets to that meeting and hope this race is on that day, think they give out the award for best Jump trainer/jockey too and have a couple of flat races.
Yes, Quinz has got another good race in him and [a bit like the National winner] his talent gets overlooked by his problems [although in this case his problem doesn’t seem to be falling all the time].
Did like Opening Batsman for this as I think he is just better going RH. However, he was running pretty well at Aintree before pulling up sharply. His trainer has since said that "Noel felt he was not the same horse as at Kempton. We are currently assessing him before making any further decisions."
Have many won this following a run in the National btw?
Decided to do my own research!
In 15 years, there have been 2 winners that ran in the National. Both unseated (at the 19th, oddly enough) and they were Puntal in 2004 and Ad Hoc in 2003.
The Scottish National, just a week before, seems to have been a little bit of a pointer with a couple of horses that have ran well in that going on to success.
Slightly surprising that the Ayr race being so close would still allow for a winning return just a week later, both over marathon trips in good company.
Not sure I would be looking at horses that ran well in the Aintree Grand National winning this though given how hard a race it seems to be?
Is this at Sandown on the 27th? Have tickets to that meeting and hope this race is on that day, think they give out the award for best Jump trainer/jockey too and have a couple of flat races.
Yes BHison, that’ll be the day.
Have been to Sandown numerous times but this’ll hopefully be my first visit to ‘Whitbread’ day.
Lee
- Total Posts 764
Is this at Sandown on the 27th? Have tickets to that meeting and hope this race is on that day, think they give out the award for best Jump trainer/jockey too and have a couple of flat races.
Yes BHison, that’ll be the day.
Have been to Sandown numerous times but this’ll hopefully be my first visit to ‘Whitbread’ day.
Lee
Nice, I’ve only been once before (last year when Nathaniel won the Eclipse) so really looking forward to it.
Only been to Whitbread day once; stood by the last fence [which is usually my favourite place to stand at any track] but obviously didn’t see the end of the race. Got home to find that the husband [now ex] hadn’t recorded it. You can’t forgive things like that…
I’ve backed one that makes plenty of jumping mistakes. Don’t ask me why, wasn’t my greatest idea ever.
Hadrians Approach – I thought could have gone closer in the RSA but for jumping errors. Just as many obstacles to be jumped in front of him here so I hope he’s been spending plenty of time in the schooling field.
I’m not even sure he’s going to go for it, he’s in a Novice Chase at Cheltenham this week and also got an entry at Punchestown.
I am looking closely at both of Fergal O’Brien’s runners in this race. Neither are certain to run or get in, but both have interest for me.
BRADLEY
would be my preferred runner, but he may go to Ayr instead as he is in Scottish National too.
He looks fairly handicapped from his first two runs of the seasons – he is now back down to 133, which was his mark when second to Monbeg Dude. He has shown form RH when winning a fair novice chase last year at the course. He also will stay the distance well and will act on the (hopefully!) better ground than he has had the last twice.
I am quite happy to put his last two runs down to running on soft/heavy ground that he would not like. The trainer has sensibly given him a nice break since his run at Warwick which will hopefully have got him back on track. I am sure he is well handicapped and will be interested in him whichever race he might run in!
CREEVYTENNANT
has slightly more concerns, but if he were to run here I would still be interested in him too.
A shrewd hunter chase judge thought him capable of pushing Salsify close, although really wanted it to be RH rather than at Cheltenham. The RH preference was clearly shown at Cheltenham with marked jumping the "wrong way". He then won, back RH, in a reasonable sort of race at Ascot.
I suspect he may be a bit better than that Ascot run as, whilst he got a free lead, I think his jockey may have over-done the tactics of getting a breather and let the others get too close. However, when they did the horse went away again.
Neither are Ante-Post punts for me given the number of runners above them in the race. Fergal kindly responded to my query about Creevytennant on Twitter and said that the race is a genuine possibility for him.
Always interested in any other opinions!
Was thinking about Balthazar King, but he had a hard race at Aintree and has plenty of weight on board. Perhaps best watched…
I’ve backed Duke of Lucca several times this season. I’ve really quite taken to him, however just seems to be finding one or two too good for him. I’ll probably have a small saver on him, just to air on the side of caution.
Horse i really quite fancy is The Rainbow Hunter. Trainer is convinced he’ll stay and i’d give him a shout at 20/1.
Sandown’s quite an idiosyncratic track so I’d be interesting in the course winners Hold on Julio and Bradley.
I like Bradley too, Rich. Rather worried about his confidence after Ayr though. Watch the replay – the faller totally wiped him out and gave Bradley a bone-juddering hit.
Does that concern you?
If connections are happy to run him then I’d be happy to back him, has loads of ability just is a bit unfortunate on occasions.
With the King yard having a good spell HOJ will be my main hope, has a big prize in him.
well i always back balthazar king and he didnt disgrace himself in the grand nationa up there for a long way though thought he went abit fast and keen, though he always front runs, just hope it hasn;t took too much from him but this if im right will only be his 3rd run this season?
i cant decide on another i wanted to back another but finding it difficult to choose
vf
Hold on Julio for me. Has stormed up the Sandown hill and won on the two occassions he’s run there. Hutcinson and King, Scottish National combo, and blinkers first time might just bring him alive at his favourite course. 12/1 will do me. I think they’ve been planning this one
Hold on Julio for me. Has stormed up the Sandown hill and won on the two occassions he’s run there. Hutcinson and King, Scottish National combo, and blinkers first time might just bring him alive at his favourite course. 12/1 will do me. I think they’ve been planning this one
might have back him to
vf
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