Welsh National 2016

Gladiateur wrote:

Excellent performance from Native River but a bit excessive of Richard Hoiles (is he still a member here, by the way?) to nention him in the same breath as Carvills Hill.

Watch the 1991 Welsh National again, Richard, then reach for the old form books to see what Party Politics, Aquilifer, Bonanza Boy, Cool Ground, Twin Oaks, Kildimo, Boraceva et al had either already accomplished or were about to achieve and then you’ll see just how daft that comparison was.

Still, well done to all Native River backers; he’ll certainly head to the Gold Cup with place prospects, although I can’t see him troubling his more illustrious stablemates if they’re both on their game.

Carvills Hill’s form may be quite a bit better than Native River’s as it stands, Gladiateur. However, both carried 11-12 top weight, both front runners, both had the race won some way out and both won this on their way to a crack at the Gold Cup… And Carvills Hill won the Welsh National at the peak of his powers – at 9 years old. Native River is still only 6 years old – still improving – so there’s also a chance he’ll make up in to Carvill’s Hill’s class. All-in-all, imo a good analogy by Hoiles, I’d have been disappointed had it not been made.