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Despite the circus that it has become, I would still like to see Constitution Hill run well. But his price is not attractive at all when there are so many unknowns, and for what is very much an experiment.
I can’t see why the Hill’s connections are pinning so many hopes on the Southwell race unless there are still underlying plans that a good performance will lead to him running at the imminent spring jumps festivals. There will be plenty of other Flat races he could contest in a couple of months if they are serious about an attempt at a Flat career.
Allmankind and Spyglass Hill also among the latest additions to the non-racing agreements list. Amazing to think the former is still only 9, he seems to have been around for such a long time.
Wishing all the recent retirees long and happy retirements.
In some ways it’s a shame that Frost was not the first female jockey to ride the National winner. She’s a strong communicator with the media and seemed popular with the public even before the bullying case. I suspect she would have helped engender more long-term interest in the sport than Rachael Blackmore.
This is in no way a criticism of Blackmore who is a consummate professional and brilliant jockey, and who thoroughly deserved her success. But I do not think she was at ease in the limelight that the National victory brought.
“There is still a place in the race for “Just So” types, but we need to give them a chance to qualify.”
In addition to Yeats’ observation that Just So would not be allowed to run nowadays as he was too far out of the handicap, he wouldn’t even be able to run if he was in the handicap. Based on the rating he had for his National second, he would fall foul of the minimum rating now being 130. This minimum has been gradually creeping up for some time, though it is largely irrelevant for modern Nationals.
I’ve long thought the Becher Chase is a bit of a missed opportunity. Considering it is the closest thing there is to a second National, and has very decent prizemoney, it should be a bigger deal than it is. But it seems to get a bit lost among all the other big races around that time of year.
I totally appreciate where you are coming from Dubacilla; the race has indeed lost some of its charm in recent times.
There has been another thread on here today talking about the 1977 National. Putting aside Red Rum, the names and images of the supporting cast such as Andy Pandy, Boom Docker and Sage Merlin are hugely evocative. I doubt that memories of recent Nationals will stir the hearts of racing fans in the same way in the 2070s.
It’s almost reached the point now where I’d like to see a consolation race for horses rated over 110 who can’t get into the main field. My hope would be that this contained more of the old staying handicapper types who used to make the event so appealing.
But who am I kidding? These days such a race would likely be full of Mullins and Elliott’s lesser lights, as well as loads of novices trying their luck. The Becher Chase is probably as close to an old-style National as we are going to get nowadays.
I reluctantly accept the changes that have been made to the National, and on the whole think it fairest that the highest rated horses should be those who get to run. I’m not a big fan of the winners of certain races getting automatic entry, but think rules could be tightened further e.g. the horse must have won a chase over at least three miles.
The magic of the National has faded, but it hasn’t died for me. The race has had to evolve to survive, and I think what we have now is about as good as we can continue to have.
Thanks for those updates vf, much appreciated.
Astralcharmer, I know exactly what you mean that National day used to be more exciting than Christmas Day. I can’t see the modern version of the race getting such a hold on people, or attracting newcomers to the sport in the same way.
We are never going to get the race back as it was though and, with reluctance, I think most of the changes made over the years have been necessary. Although quite a lot of the magic has gone, I am glad it is still around, and it still manages to make my pulse quicken as the runners line up.
Quelle Farce: “Which horses are we surprised by not being entered?”
I’d have liked to see The Changing Man go for this, and thought that was the plan. Haven’t seen mention of him in the media for a while, so perhaps he is injured. The Tizzard stable often don’t seem to be the most communicative about their stars.
Inothewayurthinkin would probably have been favourite had he lined up last year, but does not even get an entry this year. I know he has not been performing well recently, but think he is a spring horse, and his victory at Aintree in April 2024 was impressive.
Possibly just as well this will not be coming to to fruition, but I’d have been interested to see how Ahoy Senor fared in a National. Obviously jumping would be a concern, but he seems to love Aintree, and has the necessary class.
And does anyone know what has become of Kitty’s Light? He seems to have vanished after finishing fifth at Ascot in January 2025. He would still only be 10 now, despite having been a regular in long-distance chases for several years.
Coko Beach somehow managed four attempts (where’s he gone this year?!), but maintaining a handicap mark high enough for more than two attempts is a rarity now as you say GAG.
I used to find the announcement of the National entries quite exciting. It was good to check which of my old favourites might be back for another go, which long-absent names might be reappearing, and which were this year’s more quirky entries.
That is of a time past though, and there is no longer any point entering the type of old faithful handicapper who made up much of the field back then. I accept that changes needed to be made, but am sad nevertheless that the race has lost some of its romance as a consequence.
Thanks for highlighting this Gladiateur. It is indeed refreshing to see a positive news story about racing, especially on the BBC. Wishing Aamilah further success.
Agree with befair, had Galopin won a fourth Irish Gold Cup today that would have been an amazing achievement. The race isn’t merely a prep race for Cheltenham.
The comments earlier in the thread about his owners being greedy are not supported by the facts in my view. The horse has never had more than five races in the same season.
The reason he isn’t showing quite as good form now is nothing to do with him being overraced in the past. It’s because he is 10, and age is starting to catch up with him. He’s still achieving a very high level of form though, and I believe that’s because he has been looked after.
