2023 Grand National

Went ahead with Recite a Prayer (win only) and Cape Gentleman ew, both 100-1 as wanted to bet something for PP free bet this coming week. No idea if Cape Gentleman will stay but he has a bit of class and is an intended runner, and Recite a Prayer has no other entries. He went pretty well on his last couple of runs till he hit the wall so I’m hoping he’s had a wind op since his last start.

It could be that less than 40 runners could line up for the Grand National.

This article from Racing Post

The Grand National is in danger of not attracting a full field
The latest scratching stage for the Grand National took place last Monday, with a worryingly low number of horses left in given there was still the best part of three weeks away to go at the time.

Sixteen horses were scratched, leaving 57 remaining in contention. At the corresponding stage last year, 78 horses were still vying for their spot at Aintree.

Since then the field has decreased, with the Willie Mullins-trained Captain Kangaroo and Venetia Williams-trained Quick Wave also taken out. With several runners left in far from certain to line-up – we are looking at you, Envoi Allen – and any number of things that could go wrong as trainers step up their preparations closer to the day, could we be left in a position where the maximum field size of 40 is not even met?

Connections of those at the lower end of the handicap, such as the 132-rated Captain Cattistock, Secret Reprieve and Fantastikas, may be encouraged to leave their runners in contention until much closer to the time when in many years they would have little hope of lining up in the big race. Let’s hope they do, or else we may be left with a rather fitting end to another season blighted by declining field sizes.

I thought this when I saw 85 horses from early February.

ROUGH QUEST’S YEAR (1996) the was only 27 lined up.

More could follow, as some are entered in the Irish Version on Easter Monday. (Watch this space) as they say

I would say a smaller field for the Grand National might mean less harm to racing’s image – it reduces the chances of equine injury.

True enough, but surely the smaller the field the lower the risk, generally speaking?

Quick Wave being scratched leaves me with four in Corach Rambler, Le Milos, Vanillier and Royale Pagaille.

This leaves room for a couple more, however I shall wait until the day. The Big Dog and Our Power are the two I’ve been going to and from with, but I’ll wait for the enhanced place terms. I can’t see either getting much shorter than they are now.

Captain Cottistock would be miles out of the weights if he does get a run. Fairly certain the top weight is an intended runner as it would have been the aim all season. Anyone below Gabbys Cross carries 10 stone 2 as its the minimum weight. Regards safety, the field might be smaller but there could be a lot ridden by claimers to negate the weight issue and claimers equal inexperience generally.

In the olden days I used to avoid those in the long handicap, as they forced to run on 10 stone, even though they should really be on 9 stone something. Might have to go back to that rule.