posted Apr 4, 2009

Offshore account for next year for me.

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posted Apr 4, 2009

Seriously, I know it was on soft ground, but you could not expect anyone to back Mon Mome after such a weak finish in the Midlands at Uttoxeter. If Handicapped well I think that Irish Raptor could suprise, Aintree brings out a completely different side of him.

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posted Apr 4, 2009

yes Black Appalachi was in my shortlist of 5 along with Mon Mome and he set the race alight for the first 19 fences...if the old handicappers pull a few pounds off this years weight for next then i'd back him again no qualms about it whatsoever...the radio 5 commentator put the jinx on him if anyone was listening because just as he literally said 'Black Appalachi is jumping these fences for fun' he unshipped his rider!
Following on the horses with weight issue i would say its not as major a problem if the horse is coming back for a second or third go having done well in the national previously as the trends suggest..Papillon was another that springs to mind when Ruby valiantly remounted him in the quagmire race when only 4 finished...retrospectively, i reckon he would've won had it been good ground!!
I think some people make the mistake of jumping on the bandwagon of horses who haven't run at Aintree but ran a big race at Cheltenham which is a completely different test of course and jumps, so the handicapper adds an extra pound or three which tends to put me off a bit.....if Comply or Die runs again next year then he'll still have a big weight to carry but i'd trust him to get round and bag a place again over a horse new to Aintree but with weight and good form from elsewhere simply because of his stats!

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posted Apr 4, 2009

Horses are so awesome. They are way better then rabbits.

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posted Apr 5, 2009

"Ok, i know it's French bred however if you look at the other keys trends then you could not rule out the winner -"

What a world, what a world...

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posted Apr 5, 2009

Oliver Brett - BBC Sport (U1779520)

Agree with the raptor theory,have done for over two years now

This in between 10st and 11st thing oliver,which as been a predominant factor for a few years now in the national!

Was nobody aware that the handicapper had compressed the weights this year ?

This effectivly meant that people should have been looking at horses between 10st 5lb and 11 st 5lb for the winner

I posted this fact on the Grand National thread 3 days ago !

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posted Apr 5, 2009

Oliver Brett - BBC Sport (U1779520)

Well essentially I agree with what you say Oliver,providing the horse remains in the handicap then yes why not,the important thing to remember is the higher weight extention gives more horses a chance and hopefully like you say it will be done again next year.

No luck this year "Black Apalachi" I think the jockey riding toe rather than heel cost him for just the one mistake,this technique was something Dunwoody had touched on in a prior broadcast.

Irish Raptor is a definite National horse providing he can make the cut.

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posted Apr 6, 2009

Great tipping Graham, i noticed you put that up as a selection on my thread last week. Hope you had a dabble on the winner

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