Grand National 2013

The Hennessy is a very good yardstick for the National but I think other events are pointing more and more at one horse.

Tidal Bay is an old goat that Paul Nicholls appears to have worked out to a degree, including the big win in Ireland over the holidays. You could argue he is in the form of his life, he is, I assume, likely to take his place at Aintree and will be near if not top weight - he gets a run guaranteed if sent. HOWEVER he is also still top class over timber.

Big Buck's is out for the season. The World Hurdle is therefore up for grabs and Nicholls has lost his banker runner in it for 2013. What odds (i) Tidal Bay ducks the Gold Cup for the more likely Stayers' (World) Hurdle as yard leading light (and also ducking the yard's rising middle distance chase stars) and therefore (ii) has an easier prep for Aintree.

25/1 the National. Yes, I'm on.

Injured and out for the season. I would imagine the yard are gutted because he was in with a cracking tilt this year

NotBert wrote:Injured and out for the season. I would imagine the yard are gutted because he was in with a cracking tilt this year

Was beaten into second by 3.5 lengths in the Hennessy, giving six pounds to the winner.

Winner has just gone on and won the fucking Gold Cup, level weights, by 7 lengths. He'd be fucking favourite to win this now if he were fit.

I fucking hate jump racing.

The Hennessy is a massive bell wether for the National and the best placed qualifier is Teaforthree.

Have no reason to go against that. Main bet at the moment, 16s about. If you use VCBet, they are going front 6 places EW 1/4

I don't care if it is 13, the horse sets its own agenda.

Tidal Bay again.

Still Tidal Bay, but the Hennessey stat is represented by Triolo D'Alene, Henderson/Geraghty had a stellar day yesterday as well.

FWIW, last year's Hennessy winner was Many Clouds.

Want to guess what won the National? Began with an M...? Yes, I had a small piece

This year, the third has caught my eye. Top class over timber and fences, tried in the highest company throughout and now at 10, rising 11, beginning to drop in the weights, First Lieutenant has been 3rd in this year's Hennessy and second in the Lexus in Ireland to a likely Gold Cup winner.

33s as it stands in places

First Lieutenant
Triolo D'Alene

My two against the field. Possibly the hardest renewal I've seen, cue a record winning distance...

So Mouse Morris has two in the same ownership. First Lieutenant, first string, falls at the second. Rule The World is the second string.

They really can fuck off this week. Jumps. Shit it.

Horse players