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Grand National

Oxford said:
I've been looking at JPs novice chaser Oscars Brother (@ 33/1) but has only run over fences four times and entries for Grand National need a minimum of six. Looks like they could be serious about entering him because he is entered on Sunday at Navan 15:50 and then if he does ok in Brown Advisory Novice Chase.
Maybe he is a little too inexperienced for the GN but I might be tempted to have an e/way bet if he does well at Navan.
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I must admit I'd never heard of OB before your post but I totally see where you're coming from.

Its debut over fences was over a qualifying trip before going back over shorter. It would have needed to win last time to go up enough to make the cut and it did both. By the time the UK handicapper adds on his chunk it will be safe.

As you say, it needs two more runs but doesn't need to win either of them.

Worth watching but because it doesn't need to win I won't be backing it for Aintree for the time being. A couple of superficially disappointing runs might see those odds lengthen a wee bit.
 
Johneen Joe said:
Impaire Et Passe worked after racing at Punchestown today. The fact he’s starting so late. He is by fair the most interesting horse in that market.
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Any idea where he's expected to start? I can't understand the logic of ducking Cheltenham with a Turners winner, especially with the Ryanair looking so thin. Pretty sure he was vying for favouritism in the Champion Hurdle at one stage, would be some going ending up in the National.
 
Desert Orchid said:
I must admit I'd never heard of OB before your post but I totally see where you're coming from.

Its debut over fences was over a qualifying trip before going back over shorter. It would have needed to win last time to go up enough to make the cut and it did both. By the time the UK handicapper adds on his chunk it will be safe.

As you say, it needs two more runs but doesn't need to win either of them.

Worth watching but because it doesn't need to win I won't be backing it for Aintree for the time being. A couple of superficially disappointing runs might see those odds lengthen a wee bit.
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Oscars Brother is in the Grade 2 Ten Up Novices Chase at Navan on Sunday, and his other run could be in the Brown Advisory in March. I hadn't heard of the horse either or his trainer, Connor King. He's still in his 20s and his training record over jumps is 4/16 with Oscars Brother providing three of those wins. Looks like the horse was purchased privately in December following his win at Punchestown.

 
Connor King was a double apprentice champion jockey in Ireland. Oscars Brother is a horse you'd miss if you don't follow Irish racing daily. He's a very nice horse.

QUOTES:

We've always liked OSCARS BROTHER. He did well over hurdles, but we always hoped he'd be a better chaser. I've been keeping my eye on this race for a long time. I remember watching this race last year just before I rode him out and I thought it'd be a nice race to aim for. It's disappointing for us that they have got rid of the three-mile novice chase at Leopardstown as that would have been ideal. Limerick [the Faugheen Novice Chase] is two mile five and it will probably be heavy ground so that might suit him, and we could travel as well - Connor King, trainer.

He's a dream to ride and to train. OSCARS BROTHER was good and tough today, he's improving away. He's such a good attitude, jumps for fun so a nice horse to look forward with - Daniel King, jockey.

www.theirishfield.ie

HEART OF RACING: Connor King - starting out as a trainer

This week John O'Riordan catches up with Conor King, a former champion apprentice who is starting his journey as a trainer
www.theirishfield.ie www.theirishfield.ie
 
Apparently last year's winner Nick Rockett hasn't been seen out this season yet as he suffered an overdose reach, they aren't in any rush to qualify him and he may go Cheltenham Gold cup to qualify after a hurdle race beforehand

VF x
 
Slim said:
Connor King was a double apprentice champion jockey in Ireland. Oscars Brother is a horse you'd miss if you don't follow Irish racing daily. He's a very nice horse.

QUOTES:

We've always liked OSCARS BROTHER. He did well over hurdles, but we always hoped he'd be a better chaser. I've been keeping my eye on this race for a long time. I remember watching this race last year just before I rode him out and I thought it'd be a nice race to aim for. It's disappointing for us that they have got rid of the three-mile novice chase at Leopardstown as that would have been ideal. Limerick [the Faugheen Novice Chase] is two mile five and it will probably be heavy ground so that might suit him, and we could travel as well - Connor King, trainer.

He's a dream to ride and to train. OSCARS BROTHER was good and tough today, he's improving away. He's such a good attitude, jumps for fun so a nice horse to look forward with - Daniel King, jockey.

www.theirishfield.ie

HEART OF RACING: Connor King - starting out as a trainer

This week John O'Riordan catches up with Conor King, a former champion apprentice who is starting his journey as a trainer
www.theirishfield.ie www.theirishfield.ie
Click to expand...

Slim said:
Connor King was a double apprentice champion jockey in Ireland. Oscars Brother is a horse you'd miss if you don't follow Irish racing daily. He's a very nice horse.

QUOTES:

We've always liked OSCARS BROTHER. He did well over hurdles, but we always hoped he'd be a better chaser. I've been keeping my eye on this race for a long time. I remember watching this race last year just before I rode him out and I thought it'd be a nice race to aim for. It's disappointing for us that they have got rid of the three-mile novice chase at Leopardstown as that would have been ideal. Limerick [the Faugheen Novice Chase] is two mile five and it will probably be heavy ground so that might suit him, and we could travel as well - Connor King, trainer.

He's a dream to ride and to train. OSCARS BROTHER was good and tough today, he's improving away. He's such a good attitude, jumps for fun so a nice horse to look forward with - Daniel King, jockey.

www.theirishfield.ie

HEART OF RACING: Connor King - starting out as a trainer

This week John O'Riordan catches up with Conor King, a former champion apprentice who is starting his journey as a trainer
www.theirishfield.ie www.theirishfield.ie
Click to expand...
Ever since Oxford mentioned this horse, I have been trying to remember where I heard the name before. Wherever it was the gist was have it in your note book. I have just had a look at it's GN price. If you have a paddy account you might want to get on it's 50/1 everywhere else 33/1. I have just had a nibble ew not enough to change it's price 😊
 
The Fortune Teller said:
What is Anthony Honeyball doing entering Leave Of Absense in the Denman Chase on Saturday?

He's an improving novice who likes good ground.

He's also entered up in the 3M handicap at Kempton on Feb 21st.

Hes got to keep him in handicaps for now, surely?
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We'll see how this experiment goes tomorrow. I've had a rethink about this.

I like his handicap form a lot. He receives a few pounds in weight too.

Haiti put in a stinker in the Betfair Chase and his best form is in big fields. Venetia's horse returns after a very short break. It wouldn't be the strangest thing in the world if both horses underperformed tomorrow. They are both priced as if defeat is out of the question.

Which leaves one wondering whether, in actual fact, Leave Of Absense is too big a price to let go unbacked. Perhaps he is too big because there's only four runners. Should he be discounted because of one bad run on soft ground?
Why is Honeyball running him on it, if he doesn't think he'll handle it?

Let's see how he does.
 
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The race is a barge pole job for me.

Both L’Homme Pressé and Haiti Couleurs hold Gold Cup and Grand National entries but the win here for HC might see its rating go up to 164 and that would be ten lengths in the National. Would connections want that or are they happy not to run at Aintree? I certainly wouldn’t touch it here at the price.

L’HP can afford to win – it is entitled to on the ratings – without worrying about its mark going up. They might, however, want a few pounds shaved off it ahead of the GN weights coming out next week.

Leave Of Absence is also in the National and he might be in danger of missing the cut off 146. This race might be all about trying to get him up to 148/149; 150 would almost guarantee him a place in the big one.

Riskintheground doesn’t have any forthcoming entries but they probably don’t want to risk his mark either. If they think he’s up to running in this they probably have a handicap at the spring Festivals in mind for him and he’ll pick up not far off five grand for getting round safely here, decent enough money for a public gallop.

This could be the equine equivalent of a slow bicycle race. Under the circumstances, L’HP might not be a bad bet at 2/1. Probably if the stable was in better form he’d be a bit shorter.
 
"Does no one ever think of the children?"

What are you on about, Ian?

"The children who shall inherit the Earth - and TH, of which we are but mere custodians."

They will read the archives, keen to learn from those who went before, and what will they find?"

"Lazily-labelled threads - 'Grand National?' Which year are they discussing?"

"Postings submitted without first being proof read - 'what are these overdoses they speak of'?"

I repeat, will no one think of the children??!!
 
The Fortune Teller said:
We'll see how this experiment goes tomorrow. I've had a rethink about this.

I like his handicap form a lot. He receives a few pounds in weight too.

Haiti put in a stinker in the Betfair Chase and his best form is in big fields. Venetia's horse returns after a very short break. It wouldn't be the strangest thing in the world if both horses underperformed tomorrow. They are both priced as if defeat is out of the question.

Which leaves one wondering whether, in actual fact, Leave Of Absense is too big a price to let go unbacked. Perhaps he is too big because there's only four runners. Should he be discounted because of one bad run on soft ground?
Why is Honeyball running him on it, if he doesn't think he'll handle it?

Let's see how he does.
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The betting market agrees with me today.

Leave Of Absense into 11/2 now from 16/1 last night.
 
Jayhawk said:
Oscars Brother is in the Grade 2 Ten Up Novices Chase at Navan on Sunday, and his other run could be in the Brown Advisory in March.
Click to expand...

I see OB (maybe that should be ICOB) won this afternoon so I took a wee look at its form.

I hadn't realised it had run at Aintree last spring but back then it was off 155 as a novice hurdler.

That will be its bare minimum UK chase mark and I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up starting at 160+ when its UK mark is allotted.
 
Desert Orchid said:
I see OB (maybe that should be ICOB) won this afternoon so I took a wee look at its form.

I hadn't realised it had run at Aintree last spring but back then it was off 155 as a novice hurdler.

That will be its bare minimum UK chase mark and I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up starting at 160+ when its UK mark is allotted.
Click to expand...

Do you realise how bad that race was today?
 
Desert Orchid said:
I see OB (maybe that should be ICOB) won this afternoon so I took a wee look at its form.

I hadn't realised it had run at Aintree last spring but back then it was off 155 as a novice hurdler.
Click to expand...
Since I mentioned Oscar Brothers you seem to have taken an interest but I'm kind of puzzled by your reference to Aintree last spring.
21st April = Fairyhouse, 8th May Tipperary, then 25th Sept Listowel then Galway in Oct
Can't see Aintree before that in 2024 .... so I'm puzzled.
 
Oxford said:
Since I mentioned Oscar Brothers you seem to have taken an interest but I'm kind of puzzled by your reference to Aintree last spring.
21st April = Fairyhouse, 8th May Tipperary, then 25th Sept Listowel then Galway in Oct
Can't see Aintree before that in 2024 .... so I'm puzzled.
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My bad, Oxford. I clicked on the wrong horse. I clicked on The Wallpark by mistake. He's the one rated 155 at Aintree.

All the same, if OB is some way better than him....
 
Haiti Couleurs is up to 166 with both BHA and TF.

He’d need to be a genuine potential Gold Cup winner to defy that mark but he might well be.
 

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