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Confirmed he will be retired at the end of this season. What a horse he has been
Vf x
Great to see this former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner potentially running off 166 and shouldering 11st12lb in the Welsh National.
It’s like the good old days.
Only 12 of his possible rivals will be in the Handicap Proper.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"One of my favourite horses, however…
Although Native River is a genuine front / prominent runner – is less genuine when unable to get that early position.
Seems as though an early position on the front end (either leading or upsides) is increasingly important to Native River. That’s not easy to get in the Welsh National – with a bend just after the start more runners than you’d expect over a National distance wanting a fast start.
Do think connections are missing a trick though. Why do they invariably line up towards the inner? This seems to me foolhardy with a horse that wants to lead and yet is often too slowly away. Being boxed in / surrounded and therefore less enthusiastic than when leading / upsides. Why not line up on the outside so that if finding himself with four or five in front after 30 yards can be pushed along to come around the outer?
Possibly a better betting proposition in running – shortly after the first 100 yards.
Value Is EverythingShame the Tizzards didn’t enlist your expertise Ginge. Native River has only won double-figure Graded Races, including a Welsh National and a Gold Cup. If only they hadn’t “missed a trick”, they would have been alright.
BUY THE SUN
Be interesting to see where Native River lines up.
The only sure thing for me is that the horse will again relish every inch of the trip.
I would imagine he will be jumped off at a sound pace for the conditions and, if no one is going the pace he wants and that takes him into the lead, so be it.
I remember after The Derby in 1985 Steve Cauthen being asked if it was always the plan to lead: “No. I jumped out the gates, no one was going my pace, so I went on.”
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"As I said TTC, “increasingly”, as in take a look at his more recent performances.
Value Is EverythingI just hope that the horse arrives at the finishing line in good health. When a horse is announced to be having its final run I get that horrible feeling.
He,ll not having any issues getting to the front here Ginger , the same comment can be placed at Frodon door , in fact he spat the dummy behind Native early last season , I’ve said elsewhere I think he,s a silly price for the Welsh , the sad thing is he,s unlikely to go to Cheltenham or Aintree as they won’t run him on good ground now so he won’t get the send off he deserves , the biggest compliment you make him his the GC breaks loads of horses , he,s ran in 4 , come back from 2 tendons and is still on his ground a top class horse , and there,s never been a tougher horse set foot on a course
“When a horse is announced to be having its final run I get that horrible feeling.”
Like this?
He was flat out all the way , didn’t jump well either , there,s no really for him to go now , absolute legend and along with grey Abbey my fav ever horse
Sort of a ‘Diet Denman’, which I mean as a compliment. Time to bow out I think.
BUY THE SUN
I was whole heartedly behind running him in today’s race as I thought it would be right up his alley but this warrior has clearly gone to the well one too many times, the fact that he couldn’t keep pace with handicappers in hock deep ground over 3m 6f was telling and rather sad if I am honest.
Hopefully connections will do the sensible thing and not chalk it up to an off day or some other excuse and announce his retirement with immediate effect – he owes nothing and deserves a long and honourable retirement.
Like I said before the race, these days Native River needs to get into a position where he’s either leading or diputing it. Otherwise Won’t jump or travel anything like as well and once surrounded gives up.
Today was no different to recent runs.
In another race where he can lead or dispute it from the start may yet do better even at a shorter distance. That said, given his age is probably on the downgrade.
Small field 3m+ very soft going condition race without any other front / prominent runner and he’ll probably be a price worth taking a chance on.
Value Is Everything
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