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I do think the first fix is to move the weights reveal to after Cheltenham. I am a supporter of win and you’re in races, but there are far less complications to simply moving the weights lunch (if such a thing is truly required).
With a three week gap you could have a neat build up to the big race with the weights revealed three weeks ahead, the last withdrawal stage two weeks ahead, then the five day decs the week of the race. Cheltenham takes media precedence from October to March, so rather than let something as significant as the weight reveal be lost in the shuffle; make it the statement event post-Cheltenham.
Thanks for the engaging replies.
In response to mike007 (who knows miles more than I do about ante post betting etc)…
So a fancy dinner that cannot be changed means the biggest race of the calendar race is inherently an unfair one? Just because some poshos want a fancy meal out? Do you actually believe what you are saying?
That’s not really much of a convincing argument, is it?
The fairness of the race should mean that every horse runs on his handicap mark as at the day of the race. Not the handicap mark from two runs and two months ago!
I’m not saying ‘win and you are in’. I am saying ‘do the handicap after Cheltenham when we know every horse is rated correctly on the day’.
Early Feb is so arbitrary for the weights day. It’s archaic and typical of the lack of modern thinking. They can change the number of horses, fence structure, distance of the race etc but oh no, they cannot change the date of a fancy meal so we’re stuck with it!
Of course, the racing media enjoy their fancy meal, which is why you’ve never heard anyone mentioning it in the racing media.
“So a fancy dinner that cannot be changed means the biggest race of the calendar race is inherently an unfair one? Just because some poshos want a fancy meal out? Do you actually believe what you are saying?”
I wasn’t dismissing your suggestion out of hand regarding the weights announcement the Monday after the Festival. All I was saying was that if the ‘get together’ remains, the date you suggested would be difficult to implement. They would have to announce the weights like they would any other race without the ‘get together’.
“I am saying ‘do the handicap after Cheltenham when we know every horse is rated correctly on the day’.”
Are you saying that what they do at Cheltenham gets taken into account as well? I think ratings changes happens on the Tuesday after not the Monday. And if that happens, trainers will be reluctant to send some of their horses to Cheltenham as it might screw up their marks for the National.
Rewards4racing have allocated me Kandoo Kid in their sweepstake as I also added him to my Tote TRF 10 to follow during the sub period, I must have a punt at 25s.
I’ve had two fairly big bets my standard this year with Hewick + Perceval Legallois. I think that both of these will run huge races
Can’t help but think that Minella Indo should place at a good price. Trainer said he enjoyed jumping round last year and he seems to have been campaigned round the race. Was a bit worried seeing Hewick jumping a couple of Aintree type fences on Facebook. Didn’t get very high at them.
L’Homme Presse, who was forced to miss the Cheltenham Gold Cup following a training setback, will not run at Aintree.
Disappointing, I was looking forward to seeing him in this. I really thought he had a shout.
I have added Royale Pagaille while the big price remains, but I’ll likely wait until the day now if I want to add anything else or top up with better each way terms.
Hitman, Twig and Minella Indo continue to catch the eye, but I’ll wait.
Looking like it’ll be dry week.
Really hoping Hewick gets at least Good to Soft.
My final 4 :
Hewick 16/1
Hyland 40/1
Minella Cocooner 28/1
Three Card Brag 33/1QF,
It’s not just the early setting of the weights, it’s also the fact that the race conditions exclude any penalties for subsequent wins.
If Mr Vango had a 5lb penalty for his Uttoxeter win, he’d be running at Aintree.
Your use of the word ‘archaic’ is spot on. The practice dates back to the 19th century, when the Spring Double was a huge betting event, not just here, but throughout the colonies of the then British Empire.
“Are you saying that what they do at Cheltenham gets taken into account as well? I think ratings changes happens on the Tuesday after not the Monday. And if that happens, trainers will be reluctant to send some of their horses to Cheltenham as it might screw up their marks for the National.”
Not a factor for me, how many horses who ran at Cheltenham and will run at Aintree increased their handicap mark rather than decreased it?
Think the weights should be done after Cheltenham rather than before. Why should a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner be more than a stone better in with every other horse in a completely different race? Horses are meant to have an equal chance in a handicap.Bar the odd shower in next couple of days the forecast for next week, and incl the 3 days, looks predominately dry.
Even with the inevitable watering, by race time it’s likely to be good or even good to firm, me thinks.
I wonder how many horses will be pulled out on the GN day itself?They’ll water it big time Wilts i reckon. Uttoxeter 4 miler Mr Vango ring a bell? ;o)
Those rising temperatures are concerning me. If Saturday is anything like Thursday (18’C and sunny), I would hope that the ITV lot take the time to reiterate to viewers the possibility of jockeys dismounting immediately after the line so it doesn’t come as an unsightly shock as it has in previous years (2011, 2015, 2017).
I really can’t get my head around the calls for the Grand National to take place later in April (as a season closer no less) when the weather is naturally going to be warmer and the ground quicker. I always think seeing jockeys dismounting because their horses have gotten too warm to be a much worse look than heavy ground finishes.
I personally would be cementing the first Saturday of April as National day every year (Easter or not) and if trainers insist that their best horses can’t possibly do both then so be it. One finds these horses have remarkable recovery times when the prize money is right anyway.
Yes Mike, but Aintree is a huge, open expanse and if temps do touch near to 20c then the ground will dry out v quickly up to race time.
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