- This topic has 366 replies, 54 voices, and was last updated 10 years ago by
.
- Posts
I blame the trainer 60% and the handicapper 40%. I think he’s put two fingers up to Elliott by dropping the horse when running over inadequate trips. 146 – his mark last year – would have seen him make the cut
I’ll be putting money on him for 2017. He’ll be only 9
Ballycasey – i’ve had some of that at big odds. bred for a National.
Sad for those punters who’ve backed C of C, but as far as the runners go – am glad he is not going to run. Connections “playing the game” don’t deserve a run.
Any punter backing the horse ante-post should’ve known he was/is unlikely to make the cut and therefore likely to race elsewhere. The seemingly tempting ante-post price punters got allowed for that. Getting a seemingly big price about something that does not run might appear unlucky, but often bookies know what they’re doing.
Value Is EverythingWhen was the last time “playing the game” actually worked? Looking at the winners from the last few years they all had full, purposeful seasons. I never understood why trainers “protect” their runners with inadequate trips and hurdle races? It’s hardly tried and tested. It’s tried and failed. Look at the last 5 winners…
Many Clouds – Given a Gold Cup season in big fields and graded company.
Pineau De Re – Big field handicaps most of the season over trips he excelled at.
Auroras Encore – See above. Him not being able to be competitive off his high mark led to it being lowered to guess what? A National winning mark!
Neptune Collonges – Again, tough handicaps over 3 miles plus
Ballabriggs – Perhaps the nearest example to “protecting” their runner and it working. Do trainers just try to replicate this?When looking for a National winner I always want them to be running in National style races; decent sized fields, handicaps and most importantly competitive races! These are the races that prepare them for a race like the National! Winning a 5 runner handicap over 2 miles 6 just doesn’t do it for me.
When was the last time “playing the game” actually worked? Looking at the winners from the last few years they all had full, purposeful seasons. I never understood why trainers “protect” their runners with inadequate trips and hurdle races? It’s hardly tried and tested. It’s tried and failed. Look at the last 5 winners…
Many Clouds – Given a Gold Cup season in big fields and graded company.
Pineau De Re – Big field handicaps most of the season over trips he excelled at.
Auroras Encore – See above. Him not being able to be competitive off his high mark led to it being lowered to guess what? A National winning mark!
Neptune Collonges – Again, tough handicaps over 3 miles plus
Ballabriggs – Perhaps the nearest example to “protecting” their runner and it working. Do trainers just try to replicate this?When looking for a National winner I always want them to be running in National style races; decent sized fields, handicaps and most importantly competitive races! These are the races that prepare them for a race like the National! Winning a 5 runner handicap over 2 miles 6 just doesn’t do it for me.
I agree Peter, and it’s good “playing the game” doesn’t often work in the Grand National, at least as far as winning goes. Doesn’t stop people trying though. Don’t Push It was down the field in a hurdle race prior to his win, but that was in part because he wasn’t that good a jumper away from Aintree.
Value Is EverythingMaybe there are hidden benefits to going through a tough season of competitive handicap chases. Most of the horses in your little list were in the routine of pinging fences at top gear at Grade 1 tracks in big fields.
Many of the snidey horses who failed had long stretches of time off/hurdling and might have been a bit rusty in their jumping technique. Schooling doesn’t simulate the pressure of a race after all.
Wasn’t Pineau de Re mostly campaigned over hurdles in his GN winning season – it was his fast finish in the Pertemps Final that persuaded me to cover him.
Wasn’t Pineau de Re mostly campaigned over hurdles in his GN winning season – it was his fast finish in the Pertemps Final that persuaded me to cover him.
He ran in several handicap chases throughout the summer aswell as the Becher Chase and a Veterans Chase in the winter in the build up to his National win. Granted he did run in several hurdles, however i wouldn’t put him down as having a “protected” campaign.
I seem to recall Amberleigh House running in some hurdle races before his win. I remember watching one and being impressed he eventually weakened and finished at the back, but he did remain competitive for most of the race.
Running true run races over chases of 3 miles plus is why I like this year’s favourite MANY CLOUDS
You've got to accentuate the positive.
Eliminate the negative.
Latch on to the affirmative.
Don't mess with mister in between.Cause of Causes a NR today in the Irish National. What do you think lads do you think any chance he gets in here?
He would have been run down the field. and been pulled up at Fairyhouse anyway, all part of the game. He’ll be getting kept back now for next season.
I would write him off for this now Sprinter, and hope that you can get your money back when/if he gets balloted out. If he happens to make it, as unlikely as it looks, then it’s a pleasant surprise.
I’ve certainly written him off. As much as he’s my main fancy, and as much as I’d love to see him in there, he wouldn’t be close to my biggest winner. Just below him is one of my 2 big winners, Midnight Prayer, so it’s a double kicking for me lol.
It’s not as simple as “playing the game” with a horse of Cause of Causes ability. You have to understand the full rules of the “game”. You just bide your time with horses like Cause of Causes. Here, we have a 160+ horse, too low in the weights to get in The National. That takes some doing. I can wait, I know how to wait. He’ll win at Cheltenham again next year, either Gold Cup, Cross Country, or Coral Cup. I’ll catch him then.
Looking at other potential withdrawals Sprinter, the bad news is there doesn’t appear to be too many.
JP could certainly pull Carlingford or Gilgamboa, but I’ve a feeling one of those 2 will go. I’d be surprised if he pulled Shutthefrontdoor or Gallant Oscar.
Living Next Door runs today at Fairyhouse, but I’ve seen horses take in The National, after The Irish National five days earlier, so no guarantee that he won’t head to Aintree after the best part of a fortnight to recover.
WPM says Turban more likely to go for Topham…………….so National it is.
A few runners in same ownership……
The Romford Pele & Ofaolains Boy……….could Ofaolains go for The Bowl?
Katkeau & Vieux Lion Rouge (roughly same ownership), both Pipe trained, with Katkeau disappointing and having a hard race at Uttoxeter) and one of his other entries, Ballynagour, who, despite looking like a very interesting outsider for this, could he also go to Bowl?
Giggs, who don’t normally swamp the race, have Sir Des Champs, who looks like going, along with Roi Du Mee, Rule The World, and First Lieutenant.
Even allowing for 1, maybe 2, ground withdrawls, and a couple who will no doubt get injured, it just looks grim at the moment for Cause of Causes.
I hope I’m wrong, so good luck
Thanks VTC that gives a clearer picture. What is the situation now though – how many more does he need to come out?
GOONYELLA‘s chances will be highlighted if stablemate VENITIEN DE MAI can win or even come close to winning the Irish Version.
You've got to accentuate the positive.
Eliminate the negative.
Latch on to the affirmative.
Don't mess with mister in between.He needs 16 to come out
It’s the week before the Irish National, a couple of weeks before Aintree. You hear from a few trainers with whom you have horses and it’s possible several entries with other owners, all above your main National runner, will be scratched at the next declaration stage.
Do you allow Cause Of Causes to line up at Fairyhouse ?
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.