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One of my horses on the Grand National shortlist puts his credentials on the line in this race, West End Rocker.
Any opinions on this race from anyone?
west end rockers one of mine on national shortlist too, first top 5 weight published and my other midnight chase has 11st 8lb soo doubt i’ll have him now
hope they are kind on weights with west end rocker
he’s favourite for the national haydock trail, which silver by nature is top weight and a decent horse too
ive backed west end rocker for both national trail and g.nat
vf
Was on West End Rocker at Warwick, and although very tired at the end, he looked the winner all the way round. Can’t say anything negative about him, either for this or the Grand National, good luck with him.
I bet King Fontaine a couple of weeks ago for this. He’s going the right way, and I think he’s going to go very close. Clearly likes Haydock, and I think up and coming horses are always worthy of note in these kind of races.
West End Rocker has been allotted 10st 5lbs.My other fancy Merigo has 10st 1lbs.Don’t Push It up 4lbs to 11st 10lbs which is by no means insurmountable compared to past winners rises.
I think the best bet for this race is a horse which almost certainly won’t run in the National – I’moncloudnine.
12s with Coral’s is great e/w material.
BlueSky @pghenn.bsky.social
So don't run, just like the others always do
Le Beau Bai.
Brilliantly weighted when looking at it’s runs 12-15 months ago.
All over it.
I think the best bet for this race is a horse which almost certainly won’t run in the National – I’moncloudnine.
12s with Coral’s is great e/w material.
Backed him at Ffos Las last time out.Agreed a good E/W bet but can’t quite see him getting his nose in front.
Mobaasher
ran a highly respectable race behind Grand Crus at Cheltenham last time. He landed a competitive handicap at Warwick the time before on heavy ground and his only previous effort under such testing conditions came when chasing home future Welsh National runner-up, Giles Cross, at Chepstow.
Made a sound start over the bigger obstacles before reverting back to timber, stays forever and comes into this race in good form, running off a 9lb lower mark in this sphere.
Weather is meant t be fairly dry for the next few days.
Not anymore I don’t think! Big rain cloud over the North-West currently!
Twisters has some right sloggers in this (e.g. Jaunty Journey) and I’m willing to give the enigma that is
Ballyfitz
another chance.
On the same mark (133) when put in his place by the excellent Blazing Bailey at Ffos Las, but was still very much in contention when making a mistake 3 out, a feature that has plagued his chasing career. However, his course form is pretty decent – 4th behind Grands Crus in Nov, 4th in this race (BSQ Gold Cup Chase) last February, and won in this card in 2008. Also, seems to come to hand in late Winter/Spring so I’m hoping he can shine here, 20/1 looks generous to me.
Weather is meant t be fairly dry for the next few days.
Not anymore I don’t think! Big rain cloud over the North-West currently!
Twisters has some right sloggers in this (e.g. Jaunty Journey) and I’m willing to give the enigma that is
Ballyfitz
another chance.
On the same mark (133) when put in his place by the excellent Blazing Bailey at Ffos Las, but was still very much in contention when making a mistake 3 out, a feature that has plagued his chasing career. However, his course form is pretty decent – 4th behind Grands Crus in Nov, 4th in this race (BSQ Gold Cup Chase) last February, and won in this card in 2008. Also, seems to come to hand in late Winter/Spring so I’m hoping he can shine here, 20/1 looks generous to me.
In the absence of I’moncloudnine, I think you may well be on to something. It’s certainly my e/w pick right now.
BlueSky @pghenn.bsky.social
So don't run, just like the others always do
It’s a very competitive race but I think there could be some value in looking towards the bottom of the weights, especially on heavy ground, but of course old Bally comes with risks (i.e. prone to blunders!) – that said, course form is always a plus and prefer him to the likes of WER, who is up in weight after scrambling home last time. Mobaasher would be my other choice as the stable is in cracking form.
3:20 Haydock
Agree with Tom Segal here.
Silver By Nature
‘s trainer is now in good form where as when he was last seen it was the opposite. Looked to be travelling quite well for a long way there before finding surprisingly little in the straight (as if not quite 100%). Goes well under these conditions and won this last year.
Carruthers
has been dropped to a good mark and stamina has looked his forte, now upped in trip. Slower pace will also help his jumping. Hopefully will be able to race prominently.
Saved onWest End Rocker
, improving and again suited by conditions. Convinced he’s better than what he’s shown, idles in the closing stages.
Mobaasher is interesting from his in form yard, easy to see him play a part back over fences. However he’s got a poor recent win to run record. Sometimes does not find much and may be suited by courses with a short run-in (like Wetherby).
Le Beau Bai is a fixture in these events, but does not seem to be running well enough at the moment. Will look for a positive market move.
King Fontaine is improving, but stamina is a major doubt under these conditions upped in trip. Not many horses by Kings Theatre stay extreme distances. Not run for some time.
Twister is in poor form so am against his three. Kim Bailey is also not in the same form as he was.
Nicto De Beauchene won what looked to me a poor race last time.
Looks as if Madison Du Berlais has lost his enthusiasm under any trip. David Pipe says he will be held up today, but I am convinced he’s best from the front. What do I know?
Lucinda Russell’s second string does not look good enough and Sound Accord has a lot on for his first run in ages.Value Is EverythingWouldn’t necessarily agree that Twiston-Davies is in poor form, he came up with a 50/1 winner last weekend and had 4 winners in the space of 3 days couple of weeks ago. I wouldn’t therefore rule out neither of his 3 runners in this race, albeit JJ looks the weaker of the three, MM is improving and is my choice in the 4 miler at the festival. I feel Ballyfitz has the course form, the stamina and likes the soft so if his jumping holds up has a live chance in this. Agree that Mobaasher comes with risks too, Coleman will need to time it to perfection in this sort of race.
Fiercely competitive though in what looks a cracking race.
Surely now the weights are out, we will start to see some new and surprising form! West End Rocker is a great each way bet, I cannot see it not being inolved today – It is chasing this quarter of a million bonus and that has to be a decent sign.
At a decent price I like Major Malarkey who I think will be one of those showing significant improvements over marathon trips.
I also like Le Beau Bai who is coming down the weights yet young enough to still show some form – That one will like the mud too.
Carruthers has been a favourite of mine for a while and i hope he puts in a great run to get him nicely prepped for the National.
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