Aintree

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JamesRB

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thought we could use this thread for general aintree races besides the big one

Aintree Hurdle declarations: The New One, Zarkandar, Grandouet, Oscar Whisky, Thousand Stars, Raya Star, Prospect Wells, Countrywide Flame, Saphir River. Tony McCoy booked for Oscar Whisky.
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interesting to see barry choosing grandouet over oscar whisky
 
McCoy is on Oscar Whisky

Interesting jockey booking in Sam Waley-Cohen for Cottage Oak in the Foxhunters. Amateurs riders being the first to trial the revamped Grand National course. hope they take their brains out there with them.
 
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Will be interesting to see how they get on DG - last year pretty much all the amateurs got a ban for the farcical start to the Foxhunters yet a similar (and arguably worse situation) situation in the National itself resulted in letters sent out to jockeys when bans should have been issued.

Warne will win the Foxhunters btw.
 
Grandouet might just be one of the best e/w bets of all time. I see no reason why he won't stay 2m4, and the flat track and likely ground will suit him well.

The New One is too short, there can't be any strong claims yet about how good his form is. Zarkander is a little under the top class (a pound or 2) needed, and Countrywide Flame the same, admirable as his run in the CH was.

For the sake of avoiding an argument with Grasshopper, I'll just say I thought Grandouet was looking nailed on to be in the first 2 in the Champion. 9/2 e/w is a cracking bet, and even if he were not to stay the full 2m4, and I don't see why not in these conditions, I can't see 3 being ahead of him.
 
yeah the new one looked good at cheltenham but there was an element of him outfooting a load of future chasers off a mediocre looking pace.

he could continue improvement and win this but looks a tad short to me.
 
Hamm said:
Grandouet might just be one of the best e/w bets of all time. I see no reason why he won't stay 2m4, and the flat track and likely ground will suit him well.

The New One is too short, there can't be any strong claims yet about how good his form is. Zarkander is a little under the top class (a pound or 2) needed, and Countrywide Flame the same, admirable as his run in the CH was.

For the sake of avoiding an argument with Grasshopper, I'll just say I thought Grandouet was looking nailed on to be in the first 2 in the Champion. 9/2 e/w is a cracking bet, and even if he were not to stay the full 2m4, and I don't see why not in these conditions, I can't see 3 being ahead of him.
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I would be concerned about this being a sharp test, even over the trip..which may put G's jumping to the test..they don't hang about round here. Will he stay on his feet do you think?
 
Yes, I think so. I know he's fallen twice but he looks a very slick jumper to me.
 
Are you pretty positive on Warne, IS. Respect your judgement and don't have any strong view in the race. Since I'm going on Thursday I'm trying to put a betting plan together.
 
Hamm said:
Grandouet might just be one of the best e/w bets of all time. I see no reason why he won't stay 2m4, and the flat track and likely ground will suit him well.
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When you think of how negative they were about the horse before the Champion (Nicky saying he'd have liked another fortnight to get him right) Barry choosing him is a big plus. If OW had been in the shorter race at Cheltenham no way would Barry have been on Grandouet. Each way at these prices isn't my style but yeah, if he stays on his feet he goes close.
 
I'd be fairly confident that Warne hasn't lost any of the ability that made him a very decent Novice Hurdler back in 2008/9 and that he's unbeaten in the two p2p's he's contested against useful types in Nedzer's Return and Mandy Caroll with the former being a regular in the winners enclosure in that sphere under a useless jockey speaks volumes. He traveled as well as Salsify at Leopardstown but the 3m trip really stretches his stamina and saw off Tammys Hill (just won easily at Fairyhouse) easily at Fairyhouse back in Feb and has been targeted at this race all season.

Martin
 
Grandouet will be treading water 2-out, and be swamped by much stronger stayers (of which there are at least four in the field who are similar in class).

Stone-cold place-lay material.

Hamm, we have forthright variances in opinion - never arguments. :D
 
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Grasshopper said:
Grandouet will be treading water 2-out, and be swamped by much stronger stayers (of which there are at least four in the field who are similar in class).

Stone-cold place-lay material.

Hamm, we have forthright variances in opinion - never arguments. :D
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He stayed on like a train up the hill in the 2011 International off of a good pace set by Overturn. Three furlongs more on a greyhound track in comparison - nae bother. He's a lot fresher than The New One and Countywide Flame as well.
 
Hamm said:
Yes, I think so. I know he's fallen twice but he looks a very slick jumper to me.
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Bit too slick for me. Seems to get found out when going too quick and taking a chance at his hurdles. Surprised Geraghty has gone for him as I'd expect OW to beat him over this trip.
 
High Rate said:
Will probably go for Quito in the Bowl unless someone wants to persuade me otherwise.!
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needs 8 miles #slowboat

tbh the bowl has been notorious for some odd results. it's usually a bad race for horses who raced at the festival. and i think he's the only one in the market who didn't run there.

even with all considered the front 3 in the market should have too much for him if anywhere near their true form.
 
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OW only beat Thousand Stars a neck last year. More needed this time around and his run at the Festival was worse if anything than last season.
 
Euronymous said:
He stayed on like a train up the hill in the 2011 International off of a good pace set by Overturn. Three furlongs more on a greyhound track in comparison - nae bother. He's a lot fresher than The New One and Countywide Flame as well.
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In my hole he did.

He quickly went clear, and put no more daylight between himself and Overturn from not-even halfway up the run-in (and he was in receipt of 4lbs too).

I'll put a marker on that race for you. Brampour.

There you are. Pick the bones out of that one. :D

I'm not disputing the fact that Grandouet isn't capable of high-class form on his day. But not only is he a dubious stayer, he gets turned-over every time he meets good horses. He's the biggest prime-time mincer since Larry Grayson was running The Generation Game (note to trackside: Barkchibald excepted ;) :D)

I'd take him on in this company, over this trip, any day of the week.
 
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Euronymous said:
OW only beat Thousand Stars a neck last year. More needed this time around and his run at the Festival was worse if anything than last season.
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Thousand Stars, the G1-winning hurdler, and twice beaten under a neck in the Aintree Hurdle?

That one? ;)
 
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