- This topic has 66 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 18 years, 2 months ago by
.
- Posts
3/6
NAUNTON BROOK: Perhaps the forgotten horse of the race. Much like CHELSEA HARBOUR this year, Naunton Brook had had eight races before last year’s renewal, mainly on bad ground, and his performance clearly showed they had taken their toll. This year he has had four runs thus far and looks set to go again at Haydock on Saturday. I’m not too concerned with how he performs at the weekend but I hope that this year he will bypass Cheltenham and go straight for the National. If he does, then he’s a player.
His wonderful sire, Alderbrook, was himself by the that great stayer on the level of the late 70’s/early 80’s Ardross who has produced some top staying hurdlers & chasers such as Young Kenny, Ackzo, Anzum, Sir Talbot and Scotton Green. It was inevitable that Ardoss’ influence would stamp itself all over Alderbrook’s progeny and that is certainly the case with both Naunton Brook and Baron Windrush both having won over four miles and Petite Margot going close at Kelso.
NB’s damsire True Song was by 1963 Derby hero Relko who is actually a significant source of stamina, still to the fore in some horses pedigrees (he can be found in Kauto Star) and he was the damsire of 2005 surprise third Simply Gifted and 4m NH Chase winner Sudden Shock. He was also the sire of Avocat who was the sire of The Last Fling and damsire of Grey Abbey. Finally also in his pedigree is Spartan General, the sire of 1981 runner up Spartan Missile and Scottish National winner Hardy Lad.
If he gets there fresh NB is this year’s Philson Run.
I’m not a huge fan of Cloudy Lane but wouldn’t dispute that Parson Legacy must have a fair chance of running a good race plus he’s a good price.
Still wouldn’t have Kings horse on my mind……..takes more than blinkers to make a horse who wasn’t a national horse into a national horse. They are famed for working for so long then the horse goes back to his old ways……..also needs ground to be right, just too many if’s and buts for me.
Naunton Brook needs an early lead, sulking when unable to dominate and gives up. His chance will depend on the pace in the race, if others decide to take him on in front, the pace is likely to be too strong so will be beaten by hold up horses. Not impossible to lead all the way but there are similar types in this years race race.
Value Is EverythingOh shut up! I have never come across anyone who belittle’s someone else’s opinions so much without actually putting forward a reasonable alternative. You are so negative. You have NOTHING to say and you say it far too loud.
KC,
I wouldn’t presume to know what has gone on between you and Gingertipster hitherto, but I think he’s called Naunton Brook’s prospects pretty accurately.
I’m pretty sure Lord Gyllene was the last horse to make all or nearly all in the National, and to me Naunton Brook doesn’t quite have the same profile as an unexposed front-running marathon chaser as that horse, much less a Plan B if something does take him on for the lead.
Only one of his seven career wins has been gained despite having been headed at any point on the second circuit, and even then that was briefly, between fences 10 and 12 in a 19-fence 3m1f contest at Exeter with a long way still to go.
Then again, if it did turn out to be a complete bog at Aintree, that may not be quite such an issue – one pace is better than no pace, after all, and his Northumberland National win 15 months ago indicates that grinding out 4m+ from the front on very deep ground is not beyond him.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Like I keep saying, it pays not to forgive a previous poor performance in this race.
Oh shut up! I have never come across anyone who belittle’s someone else’s opinions so much without actually putting forward a reasonable alternative. You are so negative. You have NOTHING to say and you say it far too loud.
What did I say to deserve that Cavalier attitude. Sorry if you feel belittled, did not intend to do any such thing I assure you. Do you expect everyone to agreee with your tips? You go through the breeding very well Kendal, can not fault you for that. But there is very little on form, temperament and jumping ability. Surely form has something to do with it? I could turn it around and say why are you so positive about such a rogue (Naunton Brook). As for not putting up alternatives, have done so on other threads. There are negatives as well as positives for every horse.
Anyway, there are how many entered in this race, 60 with a chance of getting in. And out of three tips so far I have agreed with you on one. Not a bad ratio.What have I said that is so bad Kendal? Please explain.
Thanks Grayson for sticking up for me, don’t think anything has gone on between us before. Shall we just forget about it Kendal?
Value Is EverythingBe assured I wasn’t attempting to take sides on the matter; rather, there were simply examples about Naunton Brook’s shortcomings with which I wholeheartedly agreed.
By way of redress, however, I don’t think I’d label the gelding a "rogue" at all – one-trick pony, almost certainly, but not doggy with it. Not yet, at least!
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Point taken Grayson, may be "rogue" is a little harsh. Retract rogue, however,
in the National it is notoriously difficult to ensure getting away in front. If he does not do so I can see a possibility of either refusing to start or being reluctant if unable to get a prominent early position. To be fair he has done nothing wrong if able to dominate, stays and jumps fairly well (when in front).Ginge
Value Is EverythingWell, he’s gone off ahead again today, as well he might over a trip short of his preferred – in the words of Thommo, "let’s see what happens".
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Avid reader of the posts within TRF for years now but first time I have felt compelled to post.
First the preamble then a question for Kendal if he can help
.
Roselier is the reason I follow NH and IMHO seeing one of his greys make all head down in the mud, whatever level, was one of the greatest sights in racing. Sadly, they will not performing for much longer for those who only follow rules but least you pointer fans out there have a few more years to enjoy!My adoration of his progeny came from a girlfriend, who gained an interest in racing though me one summer. At the time I was a flat purist only coming out of hibernation for “the festivalâ€
Welcome to The Racing Forum, Jason.
You have been saving yourself up for that post, haven’t you?
Colin
HYPER
How fantastic to have met a like minded individual. It was a sibling who first made me sit up and take notice of Roselier, mainly because of Carvill’s and for me he has provided some of the most fantastic moments in racing as well as some huge profits down the years. I was lucky enough to visit him at Knockhouse the year Royal Athlete won the National and he was a fine handsome beast I must say and very laid back for a stallion.
My favourite is of course Kendal Cavalier. Followed him from day one and I was there for most of his races including at Chepstow where all the faith I had put in him came to fruition. I was v.emotional to say the least but it was sad that Nigel Hawke will always be credited with training him for that win when it was the very kind Rod Millman who had prepared him only for the owner to move him a week before the race (the owner has quite a decent horse at the moment in the shape of Bertie May). I visted Kendal at Rod’s stable after his New Year’s Day win at Cheltenham, what a day.
It is sad to see his progeny reaching the end of their racing lives but as you say he will live on for a long time yet as a damsire. Weatherby’s is your best bet although I haven’t purchased any information from them for a long time but they would nonetheless be my first port of call.
I always thought it was a shame that his two Aintree winners were chestnuts as opposed to the their usual grey but hey at ante post prices of 66/1 on Royal Athlete and 40’s on Bindy who’s complaining!
My main gripe lay with Mary Reveley. She didn’t care much for the National and in 1997 Lord Gyllene romped home, the easiest winner we have seen for many a year but who was he trounced by earlier in the season and yet never received a National entry? Seven Towers that’s who and with that they lost their chance of National glory. Seven Towers in my opinion was one of racing’s greatest ever four mile chasers and his record prior to his injury speaks for itself.
I suspect because of the Roselier connection I will be on Character Building too but only a small wager as his own sire is a little bit quirky to say the least and I’m not convinced that four miles really suits them. Of course he is in Newbay Prop too remember.
I like the P.Nicholls/T.Hemmings horse Gansey as a future chaser. By McKelvey’s sire Anshan out of Irish National winning Roselier mare Ebony Jane. Defintely a staying chaser for the future and no doubt will turn up in a National of some description.
Some very good Roselier’s have been taken away from us too soon aswell especially the likes of Best Mate’s half brother Inexorable and Jim Lewis’ Rosslea and indeed Take Control. But we still have a couple of seasons left with some real decent ones and looking forward to seeing Monet’s at Aintree again and let us hope The Listener performs well at the Festival (and Sonnyanjoe for that matter) and that d’Argent takes his chance in the big one.
Oh dear! Some very fancied bubbles have been well and truly burst with D’argent, Knight Legend and Naunton Brook running much the best National trials on Saturday.
At least now I hope people will, once and for all, cease to think of Idle Talk as National material, the influence of Strong Gale always meant he would never be suited by marathon trips. Let’s hope he lines up nonetheless as it’s always useful to have horses running that can be totally written off with some certainty.
Point Barrow? I think Tom Segal reiterated a point that has been made many times already this week and that is PB doesn’t seem to care much for his trips to the mainland. That’s got to be a HUGE negative now. I’d be interested to hear what his supporters now think and what crumbs of comfort they are now clinging to.
Philson Run was extremely unlucky but had made some uncharacteristic mistakes before he was brought down.
As for Irish Raptor he didn’t get home so 4m 4f must now be a huge worry for his supporters. But Bewley’s Berry and Blue Splash were nothing short of woeful although it must be said that BB’s park course form has been just that since 2005.
Joe Lively (another with Strong Gale) didn’t jump as fluently as he can but Over The Creek didn’t run as badly as his finishing place might suggest. Couldn’t totally write him off just yet but if he goes for the Festival 4 miler (not 3m 6f as the RP states in the analysis) then I think I will write him off as that is a tough race too close to Liverpool.
Hi Cloy? Not a snowflakes on today’s evidence but then I didn’t think he had one before today anyway.
Butler’s Cabin didn’t look fit to me and far be it from me to imply that he has been run to perhaps cause the huge drift in the market but I suspect we will see a much different Butler’s Cabin come 5 April.
All in all quite an informative day I would say!
Hi KC I made a point of watching D’Argent run yesterday.
While he ran a decent race he got into the bottom of his fences more than once. He was clever enough to get away with it but I just can’t see him jumping round Aintree at speed.
Having no doubt you watched the race too. Do you still believe he’s a good enough jumper now he’s blinkered, who would be a safe bet in the National?.
I honestly think there must be a huge doubt he”ll get beyond the first cicuit.
At least now I hope people will, once and for all, cease to think of Idle Talk as National material,
I’ve not thought of him as such a thing for a long time – anything that’s got more "U"s to its name than a randy ram simply doesn’t want touching for the National!
Philson Run was extremely unlucky but had made some uncharacteristic mistakes before he was brought down.
As for Irish Raptor he didn’t get home so 4m 4f must now be a huge worry for his supporters. But Bewley’s Berry and Blue Splash were nothing short of woeful although it must be said that BB’s park course form has been just that since 2005.
I’d temper judgment on both Philson Run and Bewleys Berry until such time as either (a) come good over Haydock’s pseudo-fences, or (b) come unstuck around Aintree. I’m happier to maintain that neither enjoy the former but both enjoy the latter.
Over The Creek didn’t run as badly as his finishing place might suggest. Couldn’t totally write him off just yet but if he goes for the Festival 4 miler (not 3m 6f as the RP states in the analysis) then I think I will write him off as that is a tough race too close to Liverpool.
Mmm, I’d concur. It’s not a race with a fabulous recent record for finding same-season Aintree aspirants, is it!
Butler’s Cabin didn’t look fit to me and far be it from me to imply that he has been run to perhaps cause the huge drift in the market but I suspect we will see a much different Butler’s Cabin come 5 April.
I’m really not sure of that. He looks the equine equivalent of a slow puncture to me at the moment, and last year’s – literally – oxygen-sapping runs don’t look to have been got over in full.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.