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It will be very interesting to see if Anibale Fly traps here (fly trap, get it?) given he’ll now be shouldering top weight. There’s no denying he’s JP’s best chance, but I wonder if they perhaps have one eye on the Punchestown Gold Cup?
Is he quick enough for the Punchy GC Peter? Needed further than the 3m 2 at cheltenham, can’t see the 3 1/2F on a sharper punchestown suiting.
Surely JP lets him take his chance here, although i bet the bookies would prefer him to swerve and give the Tiger even more weight to carry.11-00 on Rathvinden now, perfection some would say
I backed a few and Vintage Clouds was my no 1. However having analysed things a bit lately he is my no 2.
My no 1 is….WALK IN THE MILL
I will tell you why.
(i) He’s had the perfect prep. At least 3 runs mixing chases and hurdles.
(ii) He has missed Cheltenham. This may be important this year as its 3 weeks recovery instead of 4.
(iii) Has won over the National fences so should hold him in good stead on the jumping front.
(iv) James Best probably rides. Like the name. Has a grand national winning jockey kinda name.
(v) I wondered whether he would be classy enough carrying just 10 stone 4 as it stands. Then I looked at a race at Ascot last season on goodish ground. Have a look at who finished 2nd in that race and how far behind this horse was to him.When he wins people not on will think “it was so obvious why wasn’t I on?!”
In the off chance anyone was considering Daklondike, he’s been scratched, but still in most lists.
Bristol De Mai was going to be my selection here, so back to square one for me.
Tiger Roll is an admirable horse but I think he will do well to land this back to back.
I like the two Willie Mullins runners, Rathvindin at 12-1, and Pleasant Company at 22-1. Tea For Two is also a big price and I don’t know whether to bet him just now at 80-1 or not. I don’t know if they will all run, but that’s my trio just now.
Alpha Des Obeaux out with Mala Beach and Shattered Love doubtful runners makes things a little clearer with regards to where the cut off point will be. Got everything crossed Walk In The Mill is able to squeeze in. The only others who look doubtful to me are Ultragold unfortunately and Warriors Tale…
At the moment with 5 out those being Bristol De Mai, Alpha Des Obeaux, Mala Beach, Shattered Love & Daklondine we’ve presently have at the bottom of the handicap on Grand National OR of 144.
40 VINTAGE CLOUDS
RESERVE 1 OR 2 GENERAL PRINCIPLE
RESERVE 1 OR 2 FOLSOM BLUE
RESERVE 3 LIVELOVELAUGH
RESERVE 4 WALK IN THE MILLGeneral Principle & Folsom Blue current rating is 144 so will draw lots for that place.
Vintage Clouds current rating is 149 so gets in
Livelovelaugh is 143 & Walk In The Mill is 142You've got to accentuate the positive.
Eliminate the negative.
Latch on to the affirmative.
Don't mess with mister in between.According to the Racecard in the racing post…
40 Vintage Clouds
R1 General Principle
R2 Livelovelaugh
R3 Walk In The Mill
R4 Folsom BlueIf the cut off is indeed at those on 10:00 then by my reckoning there only 6 horses coming back from last year’s race which surely has to be a recent record? It’s almost always around 12/14 reappearing faces from the previous year. It is a very curious race this year.
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