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I think a big part of Paul Nicholls’ immediate post race reaction had more to do with finally seeing off the challenge of Nicky Henderson in the trainers’ championship than it did with winning the National.
Does anyone else think the race ended in a dead-heat ? It certainly looked that way to me. My conspiracy theory is that a DH was last thing the Aintree stewards or officials wanted or needed – especially in such a world wide public spectacle as the Grand National.
They needed an outright winner, and that’s what we got.
Sunnyhillboy is so small Neptunes ass was behind his but his nose was also in front. They simply do not get these things wrong.
He won by what you would call a long nose, it wasn’t even close to a DH.
I have nothing to base this on but my own eyes and intuition – but when O’Neill was shouting his horse and jockey, my interpretation was he was thinking "The National".
When Nicholls was celebrating after the photo, he was thinking "prize money, trainers title, Henderson blown out the water".
You could see that when they showed him before the result was announced. He was desperately trying to work out the prize money and where Shakalaka had finished – he even started looking at his programme.
Thoroughly dislikeable response to what was a superb ride from Jacob.
Has anyone seen the photo ?
It’s here http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=Neptun … 40&bih=724
Sunnyhillboy is so small Neptunes ass was behind his but his nose was also in front. They simply do not get these things wrong.
He won by what you would call a long nose, it wasn’t even close to a DH.
Have you seen the official print ? Oh I see you have. Fair enough. I wouldn’t for a moment suggest any jiggery-pokery.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Gone down in my estimation in recent years but that comment about Henderson was cheap
I hope Nicky smashes his big fat head out of the yard next season
So do I, and with the horses that NH has (Sprinter Sacre, Bobs Worth, Simonsig and a good few others) and all going well with no tragedies he most likely will. I’ll be delighted.
Love Neptune Collonges though, carrying around a stone more than Sunnyhillboy and finishing sronger, he’s always been a great horse for me and lovely to see him winning a huge race. Glad to see that Mr Hales is retiring him though. Joy short lived when the bad news came in though.
Probably a reaction to all the Henderson big guns going in on the day to that point. I`m sure it does mean a lot to him.
May well struggle next season though Henderson has a poor record of establishing classy novice chasers as seasoned performersProbably a reaction to all the Henderson big guns going in on the day to that point. I`m sure it does mean a lot to him.
May well struggle next season though Henderson has a poor record of establishing classy novice chasers as seasoned performersFor a few years that may have been true, but in the past couple of years has won the Gold Cup, King George, Ryanair and Champion Chase
What holds Nicky back is race management. Too many big handicaps where Nicholls has 2 or 3 runners to his 1 or none. Nicholls mops up easy prize money at Wincanton, Exeter and other courses.
Exeter – Nicholls has 39 winners to Nickys 7
Wincanton – 60 to 10.Henderson should send more of his Huntingdon runners to Wincanton.
The tide is turning though.
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