What have they got in common?

[KendalCavalier]

So what do the horses on this list have in common?

2009 Irish National Niche Market
2007 Welsh National Miko De Beauchene
2007 Sandown Gold Cup Hot Weld
2007 Scottish National Hot Weld
2007 Irish National Butlers Cabin
2007 Grand National Silver Birch
2006 Irish National Point Barrow
2005 Grand National Hedgehunter
2004 Welsh National Silver Birch
2003 Irish National Timbera
2001 Welsh National Supreme Glory

And on Saturday will Tricky Trickster, Coe, Nine De Sivola or Miko De Beauchene add to this impressive list, which does go far beyond 2001.

And to think that Edward Gillespie so publicly considered withdrawing it from the Festival. Shame on him. Doesn’t know a good thing when he has it, that one.

[Gerald]

KC, you gave it away by mentioning Edward Gillespie.

Gerald

[KendalCavalier]

I know! I wrote a very strongly worded email to him at the time and went a lot further back to prove my point. I’d like to think he took notice of it but knowing him he damned well didn’t but it’s still there and that’s the main thing.

[Gerald]

I haven’t had a bet on Russian Trigger, but I’d find it hilarious if the first two winners of the Kent National went on to win the Scottish National – though it is quite good already with a Scottish National and a Midlands National.

[graysonscolumn]

Well highlighted, KC. It’s a proper and important contest, and one or two (admittedly conspicuous and unpleasant) accidents in its more recent history don’t alter that fact one jot.

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.

[Aristo]

I take it we are talking about the 4 miler at Cheltenham?

There must have been 250 other horses ran in the same races over that period who never won a national. It would be interesting to know how many of those contested your list of races.

I noticed both the first and second have contested the the 4 miler and could find only one other.

Having said that the least likely of the National’s to conntain horse who ran at Chelters must be the Irish National, but it doesn’t alter the fact those following this trend could have made silly money with mixed forecasts or backing all 3.

[apracing]

I saw Bit Of A Skite win the 4 miler back in 1983 (for J P McManus, possibly his first festival winner?) and he went on to win the Irish National the following month – didn’t think much of it at the time, but with hindsight, that was a remarkable achievement to win two such competitive marathons in quick succession.

[bluechariot]

Could be wrong but I think Mister Donovan 1982 in the 2m5f novice hurdle was his first festival winner.

[Neil Watson]

Well highlighted, KC. It’s a proper and important contest, and one or two (admittedly conspicuous and unpleasant) accidents in its more recent history don’t alter that fact one jot.

gc

Bloody right on Jezza.

The 4 miler is one of the main races of the meeting, axing it is like getting rid of the Queen Alexandra at the Royal Meeting.

Im just glad Northern Racing dont run Cheltenham otherwise the 4m would become a 2m Selling Hurdle.

[Grasshopper]

Bloody right on Jezza.

The 4 miler is one of the main races of the meeting, axing it is like getting rid of the Queen Alexandra at the Royal Meeting.

I agree entirely. Retain the Queen Alexandra, and axe the rest of Royal Ascot.

[Neil Watson]

Forgot to mention the Ascot Stakes aswell.

[bbobbell]

Bloody right on Jezza.

The 4 miler is one of the main races of the meeting, axing it is like getting rid of the Queen Alexandra at the Royal Meeting.

I agree entirely. Retain the Queen Alexandra, and axe the rest of Royal Ascot.

Or hold it at Market Rasen as a summer jumping fixture. Incidentally the only horse to win the 4 miler and the Grand National is Quare Times (4 miler or by its proper title The National Hunt Chase in 1953 and the National under the great Pat Taffe in 1955 trained by the legendary Vincent O’Brien)

[Gerald]

Wow bbobbell, that is an interesting statistic, as I think the National Hunt Chase was the main trial, or prep race, for the Grand National in the 19th and early 20th century. Wasn’t it? (I know it was a top race in its own right . . . )

[KendalCavalier]

Er, add Hennessy to the list now! Never in doubt was it.

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