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The 2026 Grand National Trial Handicap Chase

Ian_Davies

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As even the slowest on the uptake will surely have realised by now, Your Favourite Uncle Smart Arse is forever thinking about those who will one day inherit Talking Horses and will trawl its archives - mainly to read what Your Favourite Uncle Smart Arse once had to say about life, the universe and everything, obviously - to acquire knowledge.

So, before someone jumps in with a "Haddock Race" thread, or some such nonsense, here's a trademark, immaculately-labelled, "thread title for the ages" on the impending 3m4f110yds feast at Haydock Park six days' hence.

As is the current temporary fashion, there is not only an accompanying ante-post link, but a scale of thread offence fines.

Moaning about how the fences at Haydock aren't the test they used to be in those big drop fences days of yore - a "monkey" (£500)

Calling the race "the Greenalls" - a grand (£1,000)

Referring to any horse by anything other than it's full registered name (suffixes unnecessary) - a "pony" (£25)

Dumping any material on this thread that's behind a paywall elsewhere - a million (£1,000,000)

22 entries - five-day confirmations tomorrow.

Enjoy!

Ante-Post Betting: https://www.oddschecker.com/horse-r...ll-grand-national-trial-handicap-chase/winner
 
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Myretown (7/1) really needs to win well to get up the ratings enough to be sure of making the cut for Aintree. That would make the price attractive were it not for the fact he is also engaged on Friday at Kelso in a race that will be much easier to win. The powder will need to remain in a cool, dry place for now.
 
Myretown (7/1) really needs to win well to get up the ratings enough to be sure of making the cut for Aintree. That would make the price attractive were it not for the fact he is also engaged on Friday at Kelso in a race that will be much easier to win. The powder will need to remain in a cool, dry place for now.
Is that a misprint D?don't you mean 7/2
 
Myretown (7/1) really needs to win well to get up the ratings enough to be sure of making the cut for Aintree. That would make the price attractive were it not for the fact he is also engaged on Friday at Kelso in a race that will be much easier to win. The powder will need to remain in a cool, dry place for now.
 
This race (which was once over 3m) used to be staged after the Grand National weights were published - it was once on the first Saturday in March, it's been February in more recent times, but always just after so trainers could reveal their hand (no penalties in the Grand National, of course - no claims allowed either, something that some seem unaware of every year) without consequences.

Throw in the fact the Grand National is now of generally higher quality and it's become arguably a contest some trainers want to win - and win decisively - to get the mark up prior to publication, rather than a "big reveal" post publication.

Funny old game.
 
Grand Albert 12/1
I have decided to add this to Holokea
Stayed on well last time out over 3 furlongs shorter and the extra distance here looks ideal.
Sean Bowen is booked to ride so hopefully a big run is forthcoming 👍🏻
 
Any running tomorrow who head to the Grand National in April, certainly look like a good bet in April :ROFLMAO:
 

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  • Haydock Grand National Runner who won or placed in the next Aintree Grand National 2.JPG
    Haydock Grand National Runner who won or placed in the next Aintree Grand National 2.JPG
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It could be a belter of a race.

Richmond Lake isn’t entered in the National but Top Of The Bill, Monbeg Genius, Myretown and Deafening Silence all are and there is the half-a-million bonus for winning both as a very considerable incentive.

If their ambitions with Deafening Silence are serious he will need to win this by a long way to go up enough to get a rating of more than 145 and have any chance of making the cut. I can’t see that happening but his current mark would see him comfortably in the field for either the Scottish or Irish versions or festival handicaps.

Myretown is still in the Gold Cup after last Tuesday’s forfeit stage and needs to go up a good few pounds to make the cut at Aintree. If they think he is up to running in the Gold Cup they must think he is a 160+ horse. I’m on him for the National at 33/1 and if he wins this those odds will plummet. Derek Fox may have won two Grand Nationals for the yard but I’m not a fan and he was the jockey for its last two falls plus the bad mistake here last time in the Peter Marsh. It was Patrick Wadge who rode him to his impressive win in the Ultima last season.

First-season novices Grand Geste and Grand Albert look to me the most likely dangers.
 
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