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It was a shame with the false start as battle group had gone with them, no wonder he didn’t go after that.
Felt sorry for Across the Bay, they are going to be re-naming him Across the Track.
I had 9 shortlisted but would never have picked the winner if I had another 19 pins. Well done those who pick Pineau du Re.
Charles Darwin to conquer the World
Messy race.
Shame hawkes point wasn’t more prominent second start after the false annoying!
Feel sorry for accross the bay backers.Thoughts on Pineau de Re? Currently got cash on Mountainous, Big Shu and Swing Bill.
Thankfully got on Pineau de Re @ 33/1, as well as Balthazar King at the last minute.
Hope you all did alright.
Well what can I say, firstly well done to Pineau De Re and all his connections, and a cracking ride by Leighton Aspell, but being truthful I’m pig sick that the two I had backed before the race, Tidal Bay and Across The Bay both had terrible luck. Tidal Bay was doing exactly as I expected, taking his time and staying towards the back on the outside, and I thought away from trouble by not being in the pack, creeping into midfield when that PIG of a horse Golan Way comes down in front of him and gives SWC no chance. It will never be know now, but I had such a belief that this could have been his year.
If that wasn’t enough, Across the Bay was riding a cracker, looking to be traveling really well and enjoying himself, when who would it be, but riderless Tidal Bay himself who takes ATB right across the track and finishes his race. I was completely gutted.
The only saving grace was, as I posted earlier, I put a couple of e/w’s on, on the day, Lion Na Bearnai (no idea what happened to him), and Alvarado, who thanks to the uncanny stewardship of Paul Maloney managed to run into 4th place. At 40/1 it meant I covered myself not too badly, but I did have a whack on Tidal Bay.
No point in saying, oh well maybe next year, as there’s no way he will return at 14 years of age. I’m sick for me but equally sick for the horse and it’s connections.
The big lesson that i’ve taken out of today’s race is that it’s foolish to dismiss any horse who has won over an extreme distance in last couple of years (as long as they’re not too long in the tooth).
Really any horse that fits that bill should be the first ones on any National shortlist – reads bleedin’ obvious now, i know!But so many horses are fancied, with question marks over whether they’ll get the distance. Oh yes, lesson learnt, for sure.
I to was on Across the Bay and was gutted when i saw what was happening.
Luckily one of my bets was e/w on Alvarado at 40s – saved the day and means i’m on ‘no loss’ from this year’s National.
Yes well done to connections and those who backed Pineau De Re. A horse which may not have stood up with the old National fences, but an ice cool ride from Leighton Aspell. Not surprised the NHS is in such a state if this is what GPs are up to nowadays
Balthazar King saved some of my bacon, as had Burton Port and Big Shu who both went early and then the totally reliable (unless I back it) T43
Would have even been more gutted for TB if I had backed it as it would have been my fault. But at least the nerves went when he unseated ST-D.
Great to see all horses and jocks OK, except the winner nearly been drowned at the end. I know they throw water on them to cool them down, but a swimming pool
Mind you horse didn’t seem to mind.It was a shame with the false start as battle group had gone with them, no wonder he didn’t go after that.
Felt sorry for Across the Bay, they are going to be re-naming him Across the Track.
I had 9 shortlisted but would never have picked the winner if I had another 19 pins. Well done those who pick Pineau du Re.
Why would you have discounted him Nathan? Just being curious I had some arbitrage money on him (on at 42 and out at couple points lower) and a few others.
Balthazar was the only horse I felt had no chance as I could produce lots of evidence to suggest he doesn’t get the distance. I informed a lot of my neighbours who told me they were having a few bob ew on him because they liked the name. At the moment, Ive drawn the currents and taken the phone off the hook. I live in a rough neighborhood
SHL
Nice essay on the winner, Ginger. Well done to you and all backers of PDR. That result will do more for bringing new owners into racing than a million marketing campaigns.
Need to rethink my betting strategy now, and, as mentioned before, I might leave it two or three years to see how things develop. On the basis of this and last year, stayers are high on the list.
Consideration for jumping should now be banished altogether, imo. Those who depart seem to do so more from complete misjudgement than a basic fence-hitting error. Teaforthree – saddled by many with the jinx title of best jumper in the field – pretty much landed on top of The Chair; I’ll need to take a closer look at Long Run as he came down very steeply. But the low camera angles showed many horses going through the fences – certainly with their back legs – at not much above the height of the take-off board. The winner ploughed through quite a few.
Still, it’s a price well worth paying for the long-term survival of the race. The most shameful aspect of it now is the behaviour of track bookies – 151% over-round today follows a 148% last year.
Well, plenty of incident and big name fallers, so the racecourse still has some teeth. Early report is that all horses are OK which is the main thing. Well done to those who found the winner, I didn’t fancy him. I was willing Rocky Creek to last it out but my main fear was realised as he didn’t get home, thus saving Steeple Chashing a trip down the street starkers. On second thoughts it’s just as well!
Was about the only thing I got right!
Why would you have discounted him Nathan?
Just purely fancied other runners, with it being the National never go in too heavy, some years I just like the one or two so can have a tenner each/way but this year too many old favourites were running and PDR is never one I’ve followed too closely.
Charles Darwin to conquer the World
I backed Pineau de Re yesterday. Has won over a trip and seems to stay on in his races. Although probably more aimed at a nice little hurdle race next week. Was a decent horse in his youth and I did say I’d follow the trainer this year. Other than that the race is still boggling my mind [and should be concentrating on Cheltenham].
You’d be very encouraged if they give him the go ahead after his efforts in the Pertemps. Looks a very interesting shout at 50’s…
I didn’t follow up on this… why!?
A terrific race and very relieved to see everyone come back safe and sound.
Consideration for jumping should now be banished altogether, imo. Those who depart seem to do so more from complete misjudgement than a basic fence-hitting error. Teaforthree – saddled by many with the jinx title of best jumper in the field – pretty much landed on top of The Chair; I’ll need to take a closer look at Long Run as he came down very steeply. But the low camera angles showed many horses going through the fences – certainly with their back legs – at not much above the height of the take-off board. The winner ploughed through quite a few.
Think that’s an accurate assessment, both the last two winners have been dodgy jumpers, you wouldn’t be worried about running any horse over these fences now.
I know jumping was one of his strong points but could you imagine Desert Orchid over these fences with a few pounds off his back c/o Phil Smith? They wouldn’t have seen which way he went.
absolutely thrilled for Balthazar king coming runner up, such a genuine little horse, well done to the winner, shame what happened to across the bay but that’s the thrills and spills of the national, thankfully all returned safe and sound as with other races on national course over last 3 days, although some still won’t be satisfied with that
vf
As usual it was a thrilling race.
I feel a bit gutted for big names like Tidal Bay, Long Run or Teaforthree who fell in the first circuit, but good jumping quality and luck are needed to win a GN. Pineau de Re almost unseated Leigthon Aspell midway through the race…Each Grand National renewal makes his own history. Last year Ryan Mania won his first GN for his first ride. This year Richard Newland did the same thing. The Grand National is really unique.
Consideration for jumping should now be banished altogether, imo. Those who depart seem to do so more from complete misjudgement than a basic fence-hitting error. Teaforthree – saddled by many with the jinx title of best jumper in the field – pretty much landed on top of The Chair; I’ll need to take a closer look at Long Run as he came down very steeply. But the low camera angles showed many horses going through the fences – certainly with their back legs – at not much above the height of the take-off board. The winner ploughed through quite a few.
Still, it’s a price well worth paying for the long-term survival of the race. The most shameful aspect of it now is the behaviour of track bookies – 151% over-round today follows a 148% last year.
I don’t think Pineau De Re jumped as badly as you make out Joe. Apart from going "through the tops" of fences (which most horses do/have done both before and after the latest changes) I only saw the winner make a couple of what I would call "mistakes". One of those more like a stumble. For sure he was lucky on one occasion. Yes, the fences are easier; but jumping is still an important part of the National. ie The probability of making errors (particularly major ones) needs to be taken in to account.
The difference is (imo): Where as it used to favour the good "safe" jumper, it now favours the good "bold" jumper.
This result shows just how much Pineau De Re had in reserve. Had he not made those mistkes could’ve won easier.
Just looking at the winners since these changes is just two horses; too small a sample. The second, Balthazar King was one of THE best jumpers going in to the race. Cappa Bleu and (then) Teaforthree, second and third last year also THE best two… and Auroras Encore’s round described by Timeform (Eddie take note) as "jumped well in the main"… Yes, it is possible to make a mistake and still win, but most who make mistakes still finish nowhere. THE best jumpers in the Grand National were also beaten in previous years – before changes; but is still an important attribute.
As far as Teaforthree goes – May be (as often the case) the jockey over-compensated for criticism of "going too soon" last year. I was disappointed Schofield did not remain prominent. Stands to reason – with so many of that type of horse – sometimes it is impossible to get a prominemt posi’. However, when this is the case jockeys are wise to give away a bit of ground by taking their mount wider, for an unobstructed view, somewhere on the front of the arrowhead. Balthazar King is a similar type, Johnson just as far back as Schofield but ran wider and had nothing in the way. Schofield asked Teaforthree to race in a position he’s not used to, even switching to the inner, in behind horses. Never jumping with the boldness we know he posesses.
Agree with you about Aintree bookmakers. "Come racing".
Value Is Everything‘Bookies Prices’
Never mind that, I cant believe that in this day and age they only pay 4 places, no wonder the once a year punter only punts once a year.
Charles Darwin to conquer the World
‘Bookies Prices’
Never mind that, I cant believe that in this day and age they only pay 4 places, no wonder the once a year punter only punts once a year.
I wish all betting was Win Only myself Nathan, the place part of each way betting means bookies need to reduce win odds to pay for it.
I’d rather see two markets, one a win market and one place market. Then those choosing to bet win only would get bigger odds, and those wanting "each way" can choose to half stakes and invest in both markets.
Value Is Everything
Mind you horse didn’t seem to mind.
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