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I usually respect the decisions made by trainers and owners when it comes to placing horses in races, but as a Denman fan and a racing fan i can’t help but feel that entering Denman in next years Grand National at the age of eleven would be a really big mistake.
Granted he jumps well, and he stays well, but 4m4f around Aintree carrying more than likely top weight, i’m not so sure, not after his heart problems.
I know a lot can and will happen between now and the 2011 National, and at the moment it is only speculation about Denmans entry, but i personally think Harry Findley is keen on Denman running as i believe he mentioned the National as a possible target last year. I for one would not be able to watch if Paul Barber and Harry Findley did decide to enter Denman.
Do any other posters have similar concerns, or are my concerns unfounded???
I’m a bit in the middle at the moment.
On the one hand I’d love to see him in the National & I’m pretty sure he could win it even off top weight.
On the other hand, I do have health concerns & for a horse who doesn’t owe anyone anything, it would be a crying shame for him to come a cropper at Beechers or something like that.
EDIT Just been thinking, one of the owners said he’d like to see Denman in the Grand National but I reckon Nicholls would put his foot down if he didn’t think Denman was up to it.
My understanding of Denmans heart condition is that the operation was done to ENABLE the horse to continue racing in safety. I have no concerns about seeing denman enter the grand national but it would be highly unlikely that a declining horse could carry top weight to victory in such a race. You can of course argue Denman is not in fact in decline but something has prompted Harry to target the national in favour of the gold cup next year. All things going well next year I think he could be a very short priced favourate if he does line up but around 8/1 would be fair to me.
An exciting thought, the prize money is so good you’d have to be tempted with any good horse who’s suitable.
Wouldn’t it be great if AP could bring down the curtain on his career by winning The National on Denman.I agree. I wouldn’t like to see him in the national at the age of 11 for the first time most likely lumping round top weight. I absolutely love the horse and feel he owes nobody anything and think it may be too much a big ask.
Harry’s comments are (imo) a realisation that Denman is unlikely to be at his very best as an 11 year old. If he is on the downgrade, the favouring of top weights in the Grand National by the handicapper will help him be competitive.
It is a logical step.
Why is it wrong to race under top weight? If it is wrong for Denman it is wrong for any horse. If there was no top weight no horse will run.
Value Is EverythingGood idea IMO – the horse is built to carry weight, his best performance this season has been when giving weight away to inferior horses, arguably 2 of his top 3 performances have been in this situation.
Anyone know if the Becher Chase has an upper rating limit or not? Might be a good start for him and get some valuable experience in over the big fences.
Good idea IMO – the horse is built to carry weight, his best performance this season has been when giving weight away to inferior horses, arguably 2 of his top 3 performances have been in this situation.
Anyone know if the Becher Chase has an upper rating limit or not? Might be a good start for him and get some valuable experience in over the big fences.
I personally think if they were serious about a national….this shouldve been the year.
I dont necessarily think that having experience of the national fences is a good thing before you go there.In fact dont many trainers say even schooling horses over the aintree type fences some build at home is a waste of time?Id maybe have a run or 2 over timber….maybe take in the AON then go to aintree that way.
I’m fairly sure the Becher doesn’t have a top limit, so Denman could run there. Just think though, if he ran, then there’d be a whole host of 150 and 160 rated horses running as well.
I dont necessarily think that having experience of the national fences is a good thing before you go there.In fact dont many trainers say even schooling horses over the aintree type fences some build at home is a waste of time?
On Ruby’s recommendation, Nicholls got rid of his Aintree fence this season.
I dont necessarily think that having experience of the national fences is a good thing before you go there.In fact dont many trainers say even schooling horses over the aintree type fences some build at home is a waste of time?
On Ruby’s recommendation, Nicholls got rid of his Aintree fence this season.
Id say if you had an aintree fence at home and schooled over it then it could make a horse complacent.
Schooling pace and full on racing pace is 2 different things….for instance 2 examples i found of this are Punchestowns and Captain Cee Bee last week.
They must have shown plenty schooling at home or hacking round in low grade races….but put them into a "real" race and their jumping wasnt there.
If i was training one for aintree i wouldnt want it to see a fence until the day.
Denman looked utterly knackered yesterday (again). He only has one way of going and that will not get him round Aintree.
In addition, he now clearly has some confidence issues with jumping – he stuttered into several fences yesterday – and when he does jump well, he’s too bold.
Denman has twice done the weight carrying thing at Newbury – and may even do it a third time. There’s no reason other than greed to send him to a National.
There are some who view Crisp’s mighty effort against Red Rum as epic and heroic. I see it as a heartbreaking and unnecessary.
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If Denman runs in the National I really do fear for his life, I hope Harry Findly isn’t trying to do things with the wrong horse before he bows out of the sport.
Just a thought…what if Big Fella Thanks wins this year? Do we think that might change Findlay’s mind?
Twitter=@PGHenn
So don't run, just like the others always do
Just a thought…what if Big Fella Thanks wins this year? Do we think that might change Findlay’s mind?
I would hope so, but Hedgehunter didn’t stop Hemmings throwing unsuitable horses at the race.
I don’t understand why with BFT to go for the race he even feels the need to mention it for Denman.
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