- This topic has 35 replies, 20 voices, and was last updated 19 years, 9 months ago by
.
- Posts
Korelo & Bounce Back should have been taken out while they were at it – to name just two.
Surely this reliable, genuine horse suited by 2m5f around Cheltenham doesn’t deserve to be flogged around 4 1/2 miles at Aintree again, where he palpably failed to stay last year- I’m guessing this must be an owner-led initiative as I can’t believe NH wants to put him at risk like this. There are several good races for him before season’s end including a G2 limited handicap over his favourite trip at Cheltenham’s April meeting- why not keep him for that?
- Total Posts 438
Quote: from carvillshill on 11:34 pm on Mar. 27, 2006[br]There are several good races for him before season’s end including a G2 limited handicap over his favourite trip at Cheltenham’s April meeting- why not keep him for that?
<br>Good point, that, and it’s certainly what I would do if it were my decision.
Having said that, those with a long enough memory will recall that there used to be a theory that 2 1/2 milers were the horses best suited to the Grand National (something to do with the field hacking the first circuit before the race begins in earnest) and the race isn’t as risky as it once was. Furthermore, Henderson’s horses generally ran below par at last year’s meeting, so it could be argued that the old warrior deserves another chance in the big one. Certainly, his jumping prowess and touch of class will stand him in good stead if connections decide to take the plunge.
Couldn’t agree more. Native Upmanship is another still in the race who deserves better. If you’re going to insist on still running the horse (who is currently 13) why not leave him run in 2m – 2m4f races as he always did. The horse has won almost €700K in prize money and Magnier hardly needs the extra cash.
those with a long enough memory will recall that there used to be a theory that 2 1/2 milers were the horses best suited to the Grand National
Please enlighten me as to the last two and a half miler that won the National (Red Marauder is not a valid answer)<br>
Yes, that bloody idea has been around for a long time but I would suggest a more telling statistic is that the vast majority of 2 and half milers have not stayed the distance. I suppose Crisp was the most famous to go close??
SHL
HJ, I’d suggest the answer to your question is Papillon. The last race he won before his National triumph was the Newlands Chase over 2m and his only subsequent success was in the Dial-A-Bet at Leopardstown over 2m 1f.
I’m pretty much in agreement though really and just needed an excuse to ask why you’ve changed your avatar!
Gay Trip is the answer to the last 2 1/2 miler to win the GN.
Nicky Henderson is probably the only racing professional who still believes that old wives tail, and trots it out every year only to see his representative run out of puff jumping the canal turn 2nd time round. Perhaps that’s why he’s never won the thing!
I personally would have sent him to the Betfair Bowl. But yeah, agreed about the distance thing – absolutely crazy IMO.
The thing about 2 milers/ 2 1/2 milers in the Grand National, is that they can hunt around the first course, then run the second course for real. Crisp got damn close in the 70s (74??)
Adrian – I fancied a change of image, the expression seems to sum up my post-Cheltenham mood.
I would go for Gay Trip too – Papillion may have been campaigned around the minimum trip the year he won the National but given that he had previously finished second to fellow Aintree winner Bobbyjo in an Irish National would hardly suggest that he was a pure two and a half miler. I wonder why they kept him to inadequate trips that season – surely not to keep his handicap mark down!
Sir Oj is interesting. I think we see him as a 2 mile 4 or 2-5 horse but in truth, he does stay out those trips well. I could certainly see him getting more …but how much, I know not.
SHL
I’m baffled by this too, I wouldn’t risk Fondmort if I owned him in the national. If he was ever going to be tested over a longer trip perhaps he should have run in the Gold Cup.
JohnJ.
- Total Posts 438
Quote: from Happy Jack on 9:56 am on Mar. 28, 2006[br]Please enlighten me as to the last two and a half miler that won the National (Red Marauder is not a valid answer)
<br>Why isn’t Red Marauder a valid answer? The horse’s best form was at about two and a half miles before his Aintree success. A number of other horses with form at that trip have finished in the frame in the last twenty or so years, including Classified and The Tsarevich (both trained by Henderson), as well as Simply Gifted and It Takes Time last year.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.