Grand National 2017

He was my first horse bet for this last April Sheriff, and although you never want to be too confident about your selections in this, I’m just a little surprised he isn’t favourite.

Although number 19 on the current list, I strongly suspect that at his peak, he’s the best horse in the race, along with More of That, and it’s testament to his connections that he comes here off of only 150. It doesn’t sit well with many, the way these horses are campaigned, and I get that, but Elliot has been pretty transparent the last few years with what he is doing with him, yet he’s still consistently underrated.

It’s hard to forget that ride given to him in The 2015 National, when Carberry decided to make his move as Many Clouds was already crossing the line, and although I doubt he would have beaten Clouds that day, he should have made the frame with ease, and what it did show, was that a win over 4 Miles, 3 weeks earlier at Cheltenham, was no barrier to his chances at Aintree. It’s easier to forget though, that he should actually be coming here off of a 4 timer at The Cheltenham Festival, having got the last fence wrong in The 2014 Kim Muir, and going down narrowly to Spring Heeled. What a feat that would have been, and having went down by the narrowest margins in that seasons Paddy Power at Leapordstown as well, then it becomes clear that when they want him ready, they get him ready.

He also has a best Topspeed over Hurdles of 132, and though I couldn’t claim to be an expert on such matters as those, a good TS figure looks as if it might just be becoming, more of an asset here.

Connections were caught out last year, when they had him too well handicapped, and they got stung by the absurdly low number of defectors. No such problems this time, and at this moment, I think one of the biggest stats against him is that he’s ran in the race before, as I always prefer to be with a horse who hasn’t ran in it before, but for my favourite horse in training, I’ll gladly (and conveniently lol) overlook that stat. As Peterh rightly states, his preferred running style might not be ideal either, but it’s all about timing with these horses, and with the right jock on board, I wouldn’t be too worried, and it was encouraging to see him more prominent throughout The Cross Country.

It might be the heart ruling the head, but I just love the horse to bits, and think he has a massive chance.

Good luck with him Sheriff

Cheers Sheriff. Just need some luck in running now hopefully.

I like your other one as well, Pleasant Company, and I’m on him at decent odds, I’d be fairly hopeful he’d give you proper run as well. I’m very happy with his win over Thunder and Roses, as I think the runner up has had plenty of strong runs in the last 12 months, and is a player as well for this race.

Rummy, Big fan of Drop Out Joe, and have bet him on 2 or 3 occasions, including a good few quid on him at Sandown last year. He led the field for a good way, only to weaken out of things by the railway fences.

I think he’s a Spring/Summer horse, is a very reliable jumper, and his win at Uttoxeter earlier in the season is very hard to crab. On that run, he is ridiculously overpriced, and having bet him before, I’ve been considering adding him to my book, but there’s just a few things have put me off……..

As impressive as that Uttoxeter win was, he’s really paid for it, and will be very high in the weights heading here, and also has to contend with this being his first run since picking up an injury after Uttoxeter. Trainer proved at Cheltenham that he can get them ready, but he just looks high enough in the weights for me, and though he clearly stays the trip, as seen at Ayr, there’s just the worry that he doesn’t stay fast enough, and won’t have much up his sleeve at the end.

Despite the sound jumping, I can see him being an Eric’s Charm type, and being an early casualty, I don’t know why, just a feeling I have. I am (obviously) very hopeful that I’m wrong about that particular theory, and if he can clear those first few then he could be some sight in the front rank.

The cons just outweigh the pros for me, but no question, if ready to go, he is overpriced, and if I can’t have the winner myself, I’d love to see him do it.

Good luck if you’re betting him

Yup, BetVic is essential for those big priced runners, though I think Skybet will follow suit this year and go 6 places.

Good luck with Joe, and I’m increasingly confident that Bless The Wings, and Ballynagour are the 2 outsiders to side with here. Hopefully some of us can get some nice ew returns next week

Both solid chances Buckers at prices, Maggio will have had this as his only target all year, while the form of Stellar Notion in handicaps this year is rock solid, particularly his second to Tiger Roll.

I’ve decided to let my National “book” run red for the 2nd season in a row (didn’t work out too badly last year), and though I could go green right now from More of That, I just can’t do it, and all in now. Don’t like adding to that book as late in the day, but after adding Ballynagour the other day, Stellar Notion is close to being added as well.