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Willie Mullins reports that 4 miler winner Back In Focus will take aim at the Grand National in his ATR stable tour.
That 4 miler form is looking quite good now with Highland Lodge, Buddy Bolero and Godsmejudge all very good 140+ staying chasers absolutely mullered by the winner and Tofino Bay.
Perhaps I’m biased by good memories as I backed him that day, but I’ve had a dabble with the 40/1 on Betfair. He’s an excellent jumper, goes on quickish ground and will never fail through lack of stamina. He just needs to be campaigned…passively…to protect that juicy mark of 149.
I love Back In Focus, I really do.
When he won that novice’s hurdle at Haydock, I became convinced he would win a really big race.
Frankly, I’m still a little bit disappointed he didn’t run in the RSA the year he won the four-miler, because he would have pissed that.
I’m also disappointed he was injured and didn’t run in the Gold Cup last year. He would have pissed that, too.
Forties is way too big.
Twitter=@PGHenn
So don't run, just like the others always do
Midnight Prayer – has a chance in the Hennessy but doubtful he can win both that and the National. Should win another top staying chase though as he’s still unexposed over fences.
Si C’etait Vrai – haven’t heard anything about him since early this year but has a National in him – might be the Irish version.
Many Clouds looked to stay pretty well in the Hennessey and surely has a touch of class and plenty of scope to make a good stayer.
If the Grand National were on tomorrow and he was in it, he’d be my pick at the same odds as Merry King, who doesn’t win often enough for my liking but who has been supported in for every race he’s in since Saturday.
Merry King for the 2000 Guineas anyone?
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
Hobbs’s horse will skip Cheltenham this year or so they say and I planted a few on him before he won the Cross Country. Do you think the yard can keep the great form up until April?…..
Blackbeard to conquer the World
Very pleasing comeback from Night In Milan the other day Steve, did you catch it? He definitely remains on the shortlist.
I didn’t see it yet Venture but on paper it looked a highly encouraging run. Seems like he nearly got up after looking unlikely at one stage. I’ll catch the replay on ATR when I have more time.
Hopefully he will be all about Aintree in April and it’s typically wide open and 50/1 remains better value to mind than the miserly 16/1 on everyone’s favourite "Dark horse" Merry King, who is about as dark as the Sun now.
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
My shortlist for this is far too big at this stage. And this is before the entries and my inevitable "Oooh, that’s an interesting entry!" selections!
Alfie Spinner
Any Currency
Balthazar King
Cape Tribulation
Duke Of Lucca
Harry Topper
Long Run
Medermit
Monbeg Dude
Roi Du MeAnd i’m sure there’s one or two i’m missing!
There are of course a couple who i would prefer to wait another season before a tilt at the race, but i would pay attention to the likes of Houblon Des Obeaux and Benvolio if they get an entry.
What’s happened to Double Seven? Has he ran since last years race? He finished very well considering he made a bad mistake part way round.
Not seen since moe, but he only went up 2 lbs for that, so I’m hoping they’re protecting his mark. Just need to hope the handicapper doesn’t unduly hammer him when the weights come out.
I’d be concerned that most National winners have had a run before Christmas. I’d actually forgotten about Double Seven until they showed the re run of the National on gogglebox the other night
; that’s when his jumping error had been pointed out.One horse I might consider if he goes,there again is Oscar Time. Only priced up by a few bookies, so unsure if he will. Oscar Time has demonstrated a liking for the course. At 14 though he’s got to be one of the oldest probable winners. (records show that a 15 [Peter Simple 1853 ] won in the early years of the race.)
I generally think the course caters to older horses these days. Okay the races over the shorter distances may be won by younger runners, where there is obviously a bigger emphasis on pace, but if you look at the winning ages of the last three/four Grand Nationals and Becher Chases (when the modifications came into affect) it tells it’s own story…
Becher ’11 – 9yo
National ’12 – 11yo
Becher ’12 – 14yo
National ’13 – 11yo
Becher ’13 – 9yo
National ’14 – 11yo
Becher ’14 – 13yoI rarely give anything younger than 9 any time of day in the National as it is, but when i look at them figures, it’s enough for me to drop them altogether, at least from a winning standpoint.
One horse I might consider if he goes,there again is Oscar Time. Only priced up by a few bookies, so unsure if he will. Oscar Time has demonstrated a liking for the course. At 14 though he’s got to be one of the oldest probable winners. (records show that a 15 [Peter Simple 1853 ] won in the early years of the race.)
Connections confirmed the week following the Becher Oscar Time not going for the Nash.
However much that means is up to you, but probably not time for a plunge mate.
Is there a good reason the classy Becher RU Mendip Express shouldn’t go close? Firmer than soft won’t suit?
Is there a good reason the classy Becher RU Mendip Express shouldn’t go close? Firmer than soft won’t suit?
I wouldn’t trust a horse with such little experience over fences in the National. 6 chase runs just doesn’t cut it, for me anyway.
Unioniste is penciled in for National, and Triolo D’ Arelne. Personally I thought that both ran excellent races yesterday. Unioniste might be a little young and it all depends on the weight he recieves, but should have a go if they think its right. However it was Triolo on ground too soft which I’d liked. Having ran in the race before, sbould be given a second chance.
Any news on Back In Focus? He was talked up nicely by Willie Mullins in his pre-season stable tour and given a glowing mention by Patrick Mullins in his Racing Post Twitter questions.
He still has no entries, no runs this season and is only priced up by a couple of firms for the National.
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