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Well, the BIG one’s here!
It’s been drizzling this morning in the West of Scotland. @emmaj marley tweeted that she expects the rain will soften the going. By how much is anyone’s guess but I wouldn’t expect it to be enough to be very soft, as we’ve only had light rain. Weather due to clear up between 10-11am and be good until another few showers around 3pm, before the National.
I note Tom Segal has tipped up Roalco De Farges. His price has shortened in the last day or so. The bookies up here are not known for their generosity and will probably shorten up the prices on course. I’ve put my SGC selections early on account of this.
Hope this helps and good luck to all.
Hi BigG,
I checked a few sites and the forecast varies from light showers to heavy rain in the morning. Hopefully whatever happens it won’t inconvenience too many runners and we’ll get a great race. As you say it’s all in the hands of the racing gods.
Glad to see a thread on the "real" National
I love this meeting and go every year, as within 1 hour of the track. l will be there again on Saturday trying my luck in the big one, which I must admit I’ve had a few places but not many winners over the years.
Had a look at this years field and like the look of Roalco de Farges, although not totally convinced he’ll stay and Lackamon who won the Durham National and should go well.
I’ve read the comments about the ground but i’m almost certain Ayr has a sandy base and dries out well so would be surprised if the going is that testing. I think it’ll be gd/soft with soft places or soft with gd/soft places depending on the amount of rain on Saturday morning.
Good luck to all and looking forward to an exciting days racing where i’m also hoping Alan King’s runners will go well.
Thanks for running the competition VTC! Well done to Mark and THM for getting into profit. I agree with Steeplechasing that it was a really difficult week for punters. I feel like i’m recovering from 10 rounds with Mike Tyson
Hi VTC,
Diamond King’s injury was advised in a recent ATR interview with Donald McCain. Stated the horse got a knock and will miss Cheltenham and will be aimed at Aintree. It’s also on Mark Howard racing diary 17th February, where Mark says he spoke to McCain and it was unlikely DK would go to the festival.
That’s where i learned my Ante Post voucher was sailing down the Swannee
Hope this helps
Neptune – I was a big Diamond King fan but it looks like he’s now being aimed at Aintree after knocking a joint (according to McCain on ATR). I’ll take a chance on Lieutenant Colonel 1pt E/W @ 25/1 generally.
Hi Rich,
Not sure if your tongue is in your cheek re West Wizard. If not, here’s the latest "We’re going to leave him alone," Henderson. "He has just had issues. You could bring him back and win a novice in March somewhere, but there’s no point in that." So from that unfortunately he’ll not be going to Cheltenham.
Hi Shack & Ben,
I think Regal Encore may also have an entry in the Imperial Cup at Sandown the week before Cheltenham. I read Honeyball wasn’t sure he’d get into the handicap at Cheltenham off 130. I expect a big run from him wherever he goes. I think the way he has been ridden this season (educating him to settle off the pace) was geared to running in the decent handicaps for JP.
Diamond King:
I’ve long been a fan of this horse, but was disappointed to learn (from Mark Howard Diary 17th Feb) that Mark had spoken with Donald McCain and was advised that DK banged a joint at Doncaster and was unlikely to make it in time for the festival. However, i’ve just been reading McCain’s stable tour in the Weekender and he says it’s all systems go for the Neptune. I appreciate that the Weekender visit could have been prior to Mark’s phone call, but i don’t understand how, if the horse banged a joint at Doncaster on 8th January, there are mixed messages now coming from DM
Anyone heard anything about the horse’s wellfare?
I fell for the "Peddlars Cross work is good, it’s always good" before he completely bombed in the Jewson and don’t wish to fall for this again!
Any news would be appreciated.
As a holder of an ante post voucher on Champagne Fever I hope he can buck the trends. What gives me hope is that he seems to throw in a bad one ( beaten at 4/5 on 26/12 /11 before winning the bumper and beaten at 1/4 on 6/01/13 before winning the supreme). Hopefully CF will be spot on again for Cheltenham and they’ll not see which way he went
I’m a big TNO fan and despite the stats feel he’s the up and coming Champion. IMO would have beaten MTOY LTO in a race not run to suit him. Big player and can’t wait for the CH.
I note McCoy seems to be leaning towards MTOY over Jezki, citing Jezki needs to be ridden more positively. I mentioned this previously that I felt McCoy gave Jezki a strange ride last time (as he did Goodwood Mirage)and wonder why he didn’t ride Jezki more positively LTO if that’s what he felt he needed. Surely Jessica didn’t say lets ride him out the back and try to beat HF for speed Think McCoy clutching at straws and don’t think MTOY or Jezki will beat HF. For me it’s between the Champion HF and the young pretender NTO. Bring it on!!After Goodwood Mirage’s run on Saturday i think Jonjo can give up on him for the triumph. Thought McCoy gave him a strange ride though, out the back, ran free and not jump well. Tactics similar to Jezki on Sunday
Had another look and may plump for Plinth. After Ivan Grozny’s performance the other day the form looks quite strong. Aidan’s horses normally come on for the run so with likely improvement 20/1 looks tasty!