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Drone wrote …….
What’s wrong with heavy going anyway? That Earth Summit-Suny Bay match in 1998 was a terrific spectacle
Absolutely nothing wrong with heavy Drone, I commented on the ground here and in the National
thread about a week ago, as it will have a bearing on what will turn up, or what will be suited
by the conditions. I think the Clerk Of The Course, and to an extent the COTC at Cheltenham prior
to the Festival, were perhaps being overly optimistic wishing for GS. From a personal punting
point of view, I hope it is properly heavy as it’s the only chance I have of getting Mysteree in.
Perhaps I’m doing a COTC in reverse, in being overly pessimistic that the ground will be heavy
From the Racing Post
Mildmay & Hurdle – Good To Soft (Soft in places) – Going Stick 4.2, 4.1
National – Soft – Going Stick 3.7Taunton today is heavy with Going stick 4.1
I understand the going stick readings may be from yesterday or the day before but how is a going stick reading of 4.1 Heavy at Taunton but Good to soft (soft in places) at Aintree?
In November it was Good to Soft at Aintree with readings of 6.4 and 6.5
Do they have a scale for readings which defines what the ground should be recorded as?
Ten years old but this is still of interest, particularly the points about going-stick readings only being comparable at the same course due to differing soil-types
Time-based going assessments are more objective/less subjective than a prod with a glorified walking stick so perhaps BluesBrother or someone will pop in later today with their analysis
I’d have thought that one of the main drawbacks in trying to interpret GS readings is being unaware/incapable of accounting for the weight/strength/enthusiasm of the clerk who’s using it.
Looks like the going is going to be testing.
As an aside it’s interesting to see John Hunt has chosen to be on the Gold Coast for the Commonwealth Games (can’t blame him 42 degrees in the sun as opposed to grey skies back here) all the more ironic the BBC have bought over an Aussie to be lead caller – do they not think any of the British callers good enough?
I’m amazed that John Hunt hasn’t come back to commentate at Aintree. I think its a bit of an insult but then again we know the disregard the BBC has to horse racing in general.
Darren Owen used to commentate for the BBC if Hunty wasn’t around, he would have been far better than the dull Aussie guy.
Seperate point not great logic when some of these aintree races were being named.
Committee: Right lads we want to name a race after Red Rum, the greatest 4.5 mile chaser ever – let’s name the 2mile race after him
Committee: Now lads, Big Bucks, greatest 3mile hurdler ever, and won the stayers hurdle here and at Cheltenham 4 times each. Will we name the 2miles 3 chase after him?
“all the more ironic the BBC have bought over an Aussie to be lead caller”
First time I heard Matt Hill was in the Melbourne Cup and I made a point of finding out quickly who had called the race. I thought he was superb. I’ll probably mute the telly on Saturday and listen to him on 5 Live.
Aintree 2018:
Going allowance -0.56s/f (soft)- the going was just on the verge of soft.
Aintree 12 Apr 2018
01:45 Finian’s Oscar 2m4f 93
02:20 We Have A Dream 2m1f 123
02:50 Might Bite 3m1f 108
03:25 L’Ami Serge 2m4f 118
04:05 Balnaslow 2m5f 95
04:40 Bentelimar 2m 110
05:15 Getaway Katie Mai 2m1f 57Aintree speed figures: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1NNYTvPBAhV9QRO4FILeYuC5xL46pppfJ
You can scroll the list…Mike.
Aintree 13 Apr 2018
01:45 Jester Jet 2m4f 104
02:20 Lalor 2m½f 116
02:50 Terrefort 3m1f 93
03:25 Politologue 2m4f 108
04:05 Ultragold 2m5f 102
04:40 Santini 3m½f 82
05:15 Portrush Ted 2m1f 60Going allowance -0.95s/f (soft) – bordering on heavy going.
Aintree speed figures: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1NNYTvPBAhV9QRO4FILeYuC5xL46pppfJ
You can scroll the list…Mike.
“First time I heard Matt Hill was in the Melbourne Cup and I made a point of finding out quickly who had called the race. I thought he was superb. I’ll probably mute the telly on Saturday and listen to him on 5 Live.”
Have to say I didn’t hear is Melbourne Cup call but based on what I heard from Aintree on Thursday afternoon I found him irritating.
Old Croc was criticised for his overuse of Aussieisms (I just made that word up) but I though Matt Hill was even worse.
I still don’t see why the BBC could not have used a home caller as lead commentator – Darren Owen would be more than capable from the ones they are using. I also think young Mr Topham would be more than capable of calling the big one.
Aintree 14 Apr 2018
01:45 Mr Big Shot 3m½f 118
02:25 Black Op 2m4f 114
03:00 Diego Du Charmil 2m 106
03:40 Thomas Patrick 3m1f 78
04:20 Identity Thief 3m½f 117
05:15 Tiger Roll 4m2½f 93
06:20 Havana Beat 2m½f 97Going allowance -0.75s/f (soft)
Aintree speed figures: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1NNYTvPBAhV9QRO4FILeYuC5xL46pppfJ
You can scroll the list…Mike.
Thanks, Mike. So for the National I would be inclined to say the going was Soft without Heavy places, the pace was average at best and the winning time below average/pretty poor. Would you agree?
Yes you are right, I found the no difference between the Mildmay and National courses going allowances, for all 3 days.
Mike.
“Have to say I didn’t hear is Melbourne Cup call but based on what I heard from Aintree on Thursday afternoon I found him irritating.”
Didn’t hear Thursday, Paul, but Matt Hill ballsed up the finish of the big one. Major embarrassment for him and the BBC, I thought, but I see the BBC are tweeting the link to the commentary.
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