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The 2025 Grand National

Worth noting that the Ascot meeting on Sunday, that was the subject of an earlier watering debate, has attracted 34 declarations in 6 races (chase 6.7, hurdle 7.8, watering).

It's forecast high teens by the middle of next week so little and often should be the watering mantra for the next few days, preferably late in the day to allow the water in to the ground before evaporating.
 
Ian_Davies said:
The only accurate info you will ever get off a CoC is a going stick reading and getting to know what a stick reading actually means at a particular track (it varies) is key in this game.

Btw, I'm very happy with this scenario - I don't want lazybones punters and bookies' traders spoon fed the reality - the harder it is to find out the truth the better the reward for the few who put the work in.
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Yes, and a going stick reading of 4.1 as reported on the Mildmay track - the GN course is often softer - points to proper soft ground rather than the 'official' G/S.
 
It's only its age that worries me.

I actually lost sleep during the week because I kept waking up after dreaming that it didn't win because of its age.
 
At the risk of sounding like a broken record....

IMO the modern Grand National is no tougher a test than the Irish equivalent at Fairyhouse.

Intense Raffles won that at the age of SIX.

Everything that took him on in the Bobbyjo has two hopes of beating him over the longer trip at Aintree at the revised weights - one of those hopes answers to the name of "Bob" and the other one to the name of "No."

Intense Raffles will lead home my tricast combo ahead of Iroko (serving the owner right for withdrawing the moral certainty I had 25s about) and Stumptown, thus funding my impending purchase of a particularly minty mint chocolate ice cream factory.
 
Ian_Davies said:
At the risk of sounding like a broken record....

IMO the modern Grand National is no tougher a test than the Irish equivalent at Fairyhouse.

Intense Raffles won that at the age of SIX.

Everything that took him on in the Bobbyjo has two hopes of beating him over the longer trip at Aintree at the revised weights - one of those hopes answers to the name of "Bob" and the other one to the name of "No."

Intense Raffles will lead home my tricast combo ahead of Iroko (serving the owner right for withdrawing the moral certainty I had 25s about) and Stumptown, thus funding my impending purchase of a particularly minty mint chocolate ice cream factory.
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If you are correct and get the tricast combo up, I will be impressed. There is a chance of course, especially now they are the first 3 in the betting, well done for getting on at bigger prices 👏.
 
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Ian_Davies said:
At the risk of sounding like a broken record....

IMO the modern Grand National is no tougher a test than the Irish equivalent at Fairyhouse.

Intense Raffles won that at the age of SIX.

Everything that took him on in the Bobbyjo has two hopes of beating him over the longer trip at Aintree at the revised weights - one of those hopes answers to the name of "Bob" and the other one to the name of "No."

Intense Raffles will lead home my tricast combo ahead of Iroko (serving the owner right for withdrawing the moral certainty I had 25s about) and Stumptown, thus funding my impending purchase of a particularly minty mint chocolate ice cream factory.
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Burrows Saint won the Irish National as a 6yo and waited two years to run at Aintree where it looked like hacking up before folding like a house of cards after two out.

I think the stamina needed for Aintree is massively more than for Fairyhouse.

Yes the fences look smaller and easier than before but the majority of runners still tend to treat them like big fences. Slevin will need to be as cool as your mint chocolate chip ice cream to keep Raffles jumping efficiently.

Obviously I hope it wins at it will be my big winner in the race but I have genuine concerns about its physicality for the race.
 
Ian_Davies said:
At the risk of sounding like a broken record....

IMO the modern Grand National is no tougher a test than the Irish equivalent at Fairyhouse.

Intense Raffles won that at the age of SIX.

Everything that took him on in the Bobbyjo has two hopes of beating him over the longer trip at Aintree at the revised weights - one of those hopes answers to the name of "Bob" and the other one to the name of "No."

Intense Raffles will lead home my tricast combo ahead of Iroko (serving the owner right for withdrawing the moral certainty I had 25s about) and Stumptown, thus funding my impending purchase of a particularly minty mint chocolate ice cream factory.
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No tougher a test?
I guess you're making a rhetorical point, but...
3m 5f vs 4m 2f
24 fences vs 30 fences
20 runners vs 34
5yo+ vs 7yo+
16,000 spectators vs 150,000
 
I have just looked at the fields for the opening day, if they all turn up, it should be some show. On the back of it, I have purchased a ticket, for what is now called the Festival Zone (very polite 😀).
 
Hewick all the way for me, surprisingly .
What amazes me about the horse has been his ability to get up after heavy falls at the end of top 3 mile chases (Gold Cup/ Kerry National) and trot away as if nothing has happened.
It is a story the National needs to ensure future survival of NH racing in these islands.
 
Generous1991 said:
I've been interested in Stay Away Fay too, but I see he's out to 130 on the exchange. A sign he's unlikely to run? Or perhaps just a total lack of money for the time being in a small market. Anyway, no sign of confidence, yet, from the yard, for a horse that is yet to come right.

That said, a poor run in the Ultima is no reason to give up hope. A well-travelled route, isn't it?
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Ooh, interesting: having taken a few 150s I've just had some 95s taken off me on the exchange. Interest stirring?
 
LUKE said:
Must be true if Nicky says it.
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He is absolutely adamant that nothing will change his mind and will stick to the plan no matter what
As far as Constitution Hill goes when asked about the opposition he replied without hesitation the more the merrier
Personally I thought he looked slightly vulnerable at 2m4f last time while Lossiemouth looks far better at the longer trip which makes for a very interesting race.
 
Len Madeiros said:
Anyone have any info on Royale Pagaille - is he definitely running? He’s 125/1.
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Run him with 11st12lbs on his back and totally out of form would have the rspca at Venetia door. The Horse can be backed st 350/1 which would tell anyone with half a brain he won't be running plus her only other entry Fontaine Collonges won't get in
 
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Tanlic said:
Run him with 11st12lbs on his back and totally out of form would have the rspca at Venetia door. The Horse can be backed st 350/1 which would tell anyone with half a brain he won't be running plus her only other entry Fontaine Collonges won't get in
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Exchange price never worries me, after all I had a 470 winner at Cheltenham, but I do take your point regarding his weight. I also think he requires soft ground.
 
Tanlic said:
Run him with 11st12lbs on his back and totally out of form would have the rspca at Venetia door. The Horse can be backed st 350/1 which would tell anyone with half a brain he won't be running plus her only other entry Fontaine Collonges won't get in
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The stable won the race with Mon Mome at 100/1, which was probably some way longer on the exchange.

RP is a Grade 1 winning horse and handicapped to have a chance.
 
You guys must have missed the Gold Cup
He couldn't raise a gallop jumped like a stuffed pig and got further and further behind as they quickened

With no chance of rain this is going to be run at a very fast pace and of they do have the audacity to run him they need shooting.
Ricci won't object he loves the limelight but thankfully Charlie Deutsch knows to run him will be a total waste of time and will look after the horse like he did at Cheltenham.
 
Mon Mome was beaten 99 lengths in its two runs immediately before winning the GN.

The following year it it was beaten 75L in two races, inc the GC, but was just moving into contention when it fell five out.

If RP runs in the GN it's because it's been trained for it all year.
 
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