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Whilst I’m sure old favourite Merigo is indeed looking forward to another Scottish National, well he probably is, he has been put away so many times this season even he has probably forgot the time of day, although I suspect the step up in his training regime must have realising the time is almost now.
Anyway, since Merigo’s first Scottish National win in 2010 he has only finished in the first half of a race once in 11 attempts (one of which he fell) excluding the big ones, which he won, he was on 129 so had enough in hand to win and go out again for the big one, no worries. He has been beaten a staggering combined distance of 715 lengths according the racing post, mind boggling.
We get used to the constant indignation of today is not the day etc, but please Mr Parker have some subtlety at least.
Whilst I am sure connections use Merigo’s preference for better ground to their advantage through the winter, his ineffectiveness on a soft surface must be remembered. The Scottish National invariably takes place on good or quicker ground.
It is no surprise to see a long-distance and fast-ground specialist showing nothing through the year until this race. What else is there that would suit him apart from Whitbread, The Grand National or Irish National?
Mr Parker doesn’t need to send Merigo out half-fit on soft ground. The horse wouldn’t win on it even if he was in top condition.
Merigo has won on heavy ground, twice, at Ayr, it does not get more testing. He also won an eider that came in over a minute above standard on heavy going, soft ground at Donny also. In fact he has won more races on ground given as soft or heavy than good, he achieved an RPR for eider win as high as that of his 2nd Scottish National.
There is no question Merigo is capable of winning races on softer going later into his career as proving when winning his prep race for the SGN last year at Ayr (off a 2lb higher OR than that of which he won the SGN for the 1st time)
I rest my case.
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