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Tizaards, might be that they weren’t trying too hard as they have one eye on the National…
Congrats to all the winners.
I kind of see Djelo as a slight quicker version of Royal Pagaille, he has a similar jumping style in that he has very little margin for error over his fences as he doesn’t get very high and all wins have come with soft in the description. Williams said afterwards that the Gold Cup was never an option (he is in QMCC & Ryanair although I am not sure Cheltenham would be his ideal track – won more on flatter tracks) but that the King George would be under consideration.
I do think that BMG is really done at G1 level now as he really should have put this lot to the sword at G2 level (not a great G2 renewal either) and yet he has only beaten the admirable (but glorified handicapper) in 13 yr old Sam Brown 5½L off of level weights. I don’t think he has ever really been the same horse since that 2023 Gold Cup where he literally ran himself to almost a standstill in trying to beat GDC and that was followed up with another hard race in the Punchestown Gold Cup when 3rd to Fastorslow and GDC.
Whilst he has been placed in 6 of his 9 subsequent races since Punchestown to me he hasn’t looked like winning any of those races and I whilst I have heard talk of the Grand National, I think they would be bonkers to try it as he has no chance of staying that far especially as he would likely be one of (if not the) top weight.
Bravemansgame has already come down quite a lot in the handicap, LD. Already on 157 and may well go down a bit more for today. I Am Maximus is on 167. The Gold Cup second to GDC was probably as good as his King George victory. So although he hasn’t won at much beyond 3m has proven he stays 3m2f70yrds. Unless it’s really soft Aintree Grand Nationals tend to be won by those who (do or would) “stay 3m2f”… Rather than the usual out and out stayers of Welsh National or Eider winners, which oddly enough (despite their shorter distance) usually require greater stamina. So can understand connections having a go at the National. I do believe Bravemansgame is better on true Good or good-soft than softer; but the biggest problem these days is imo temperament. Just does not want to put everything in – has become a weak finisher. So although I can see him in contention across the Melling Road, I’d expect him to fade badly from there.
Value Is EverythingGinge – re a National bid, my mind goes to the last 75-100 yards of that 2023 Gold Cup where he was literally walking up and down on the same spot, to me that said he went way into the red zone and that has left its mark….even at 3m now as soon as he comes off the bridle there seems to be nothing extra he can (or maybe wants) to give.
Personally, I would have more interest (relatively speaking) in him dropping back in trip (for say the Ryanair or the Melling Chase) than going up in trip for the National – even if he comes down in the weights the ground will most likely be far too soft for him, he needs to be ridden handy if not leading which means he is going to have to use up plenty of petrol to get a position in the rush to the first.
That being said, he will most likely turn up as they now have very limited options of where to go with him……then again I guess there is always the Cross Country race(s) that a horse of similar ability to him (Delta Work (also currently on 157 and was as high as 171 at his best) has taken well to it and BMG is a naturally far better jumper than him……
So just one question left before we leave the 2025 Denman Chase:
Which horse will follow on from Zanza, Shishkin and Djelo to beat Hitman into second a year from now?
Hitman doesn’t like leading, but why?
I know thoroughbreds can have the same instincts as wild horses, in that some don’t want to be leaders, just followers… And that, for me is the most likely reason.
However, is it possible he’s hearing the crowd and doesn’t want to head the pack going towards it?
I do think a hood with ear plugs is worth a try with Hitman.Has he ever worn ear plugs without a hood?
Value Is EverythingHitman would struggle to win with blinkers , hood , tongue tie , ear plugs …. furlong start …. He just doesn’t want to put in it , he’s a 70s football maverick such as Worthigton , Bowles , Friday and McKenzie
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