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It’s now (imo unbelievably – how time flies!!!) half a century since Nicolaus Silver and it’s time a grey won the National … some have come SO close but now surely Silver By Nature CAN win – it would be most appropriate this year in particular.
Usually when it comes to the Grand National, I have a bit of a hedge. Have my main hope & a couple of others for good measure (although somehow last year, I ended up with betting slips for 14 horses, none of who came even placed!)
Not this year.
This year it’s Silver By Nature straight down the line. Although even though the trainer is saying the ground isn’t all that much of an issue, I do wish it would rain a bit more.
since Nicolaus Silver and it’s time a grey won the National … some have come SO close but now surely Silver By Nature CAN win – it would be most appropriate this year in particular.
I am now feeling old . . . . that win is my first National memory and I think I have only missed the race once, either on TV or live, since.
Join the club!!! He was my first National memory too – I remember sitting on my grey rocking horse and "racing" as I watched … I missed Well To Do’s race as I was in France – took a radio so I could at least listen to it, was on a train during the race which got held up in a tunnel at the vital moment so I didn’t hear a thing and didn’t know who had won until I got home!!! Other than that I’ve watched every race on TV or been there … my last actual visit was Last Suspect’s win. I’ve made an effort to get these tickets with a week to go and I’m hoping Silver will oblige!!!
I had a little bet on character building it would be great to see Nena win the national on the grey.
However my main hope is Ballabriggs. Usually I have four e/w bets so my others will be AP McCoy to go in again and also Dermott Welds horse Majestic concorde that won the paddy power chase. Hoping for another good result, had the winner and 2 placed horses last year!!
In case of interest, I wrote about greys in the Grand National on the Guardian’s website a week ago:
Very interesting – thanks for the link!
Another grey which I thought might have done it was Dark Ivy – but sadly his hiddeously horrible fall at Bechers ended his life. Also Grey Sombrero was leading the field a merry dance until his fatal fall at the Chair.
Four greys in this years field is more than usual – at least they will be easy to pick out!It would be good to see a grey win, hopefully the 4 of them will get there in one piece. The most I can remember was 5 in 2002, with What’s Up Boys (good to see him featured cooknail), and Kingsmark making the frame. Could have been 4 last year, but obviously King Johns Castle had other ideas.
Character Building is a real old favourite of mine, and I’m hoping he runs a big race. I think he’s got a decent chance as well, but their perseverance with Nina Carberry is nuts. Why can’t they stay stick with Jamie Codd?
Of all the greys to run in The National, the one I looked forward to seeing the most was Senor El Betrutti in 2000, sadly it didn’t last long, getting no further than the first. Another one I really looked forward to was Pukka Major in 1990. I remember the "will he, wont he" hype before the race as he had been planting himself at the start in earlier races, but he was on his best behaviour, and ran a good race before unseating 4 out.
Can’t let Loving Words go without a mention either, finishing 3rd after remounting.
Enjoyable article, cooknet. Thanks for the link. As a backer of What’s Up Boys, the pang of regret I’ve just experienced thanks you too.
Also Grey Sombrero was leading the field a merry dance until his fatal fall at the Chair.
Grey Sombrero may have been leading the field, but was a good 15 lengths behind Crisp at the time on that day. I know this because I was there that day and backed Grey Sombrero!
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I crawled on six crooked highways
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