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Thread: The Road to the Grand National 2011

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    Senior Member Bar the Bull's Avatar
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    The Road to the Grand National 2011

    So this race is just over two months away. There has been a bit of news on the race over the past few days.

    The Package will miss the race. Ppe's 8yo, who had been 33-1 has suffered a setback, and is out for the season.

    Black Apalachi is also out of the race, having been a best priced 25-1. He had finished second last season, having previously won the Becher Chase.

    Current favourite Ballabriggs, who is 16-1 with Paddy Power, continued his preparation with an Ayr novice hurdle win on Monday. McCain's 10yo was last seen over fences when winning the Kim Muir off 140 (he is rated 150 now).

    Paul Nicholls' Neptune Collonges showed his hand as a possible National horse with an all-the-way win at Cheltenham in the Argento chase on Saturday. Apparently a tilt at the National depends on his weight.

    Entries for the race are announced on Wednesday, with the weights announced in (I think) two weeks.
    Welsh and Proud.

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    Senior Member imagine's Avatar
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    Apparently State Of Play goes there without a run sine last year's race - not sure if that's a good thing or not.

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    Senior Member Euronymous's Avatar
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    He'd have a chance if they reduced the distance by half a mile. Hope Notre Pere gets an entry and it comes up bottomless. Not bothered about his weight.

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    Quote Originally Posted by imagine View Post
    Apparently State Of Play goes there without a run sine last year's race - not sure if that's a good thing or not.
    Did the same last year I thought? Or was he pulled up in the Hennessy?

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    Senior Member Bar the Bull's Avatar
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    Yes about him being pulled up in the Hennessy.

    State of Play has only run three times in over two years.
    Welsh and Proud.

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    Senior Member krizon's Avatar
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    Now that's what I call tenderly handled!
    Power is good. Control is better. (Lenin)

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    If Midnight Chase is aimed for the race, he has every chance.

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    Senior Member Bar the Bull's Avatar
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    CHAMPION trainer Paul Nicholls has made no fewer than ten entries for the John Smith's Grand National, the one big chase whichcontinues to elude him.

    http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...al/814556/top/
    Welsh and Proud.

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    No Mon Mome and Notre Pere has changed stables.

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    Senior Member Grey's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by moehat View Post
    Notre Pere has changed stables.
    Where did you see that, Moe?

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    It's on sportinglife.com. [he's gone to Barry Potts..who?...]
    Last edited by moehat; 2nd February 2011 at 5:07 PM.

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    Senior Member Grey's Avatar
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    Thanks. I've never heard of him either.

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    Super Moderator Irish Stamp's Avatar
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    Apparently trained Notre Pere before he moved to Dreaper's Grey.

    A few French raiders in there - Quolibet and Or Noir De Somoza both have jumping concerns IMO but the Francois Cbottin trained Quezac De La Roque is of interest to me, won a XC Chase on his debut in that discipline last time out over 3 1/4m+ and likely to have the benefit of Phillip Carberry for the big one (providing he gets a run).

    Like most Nationals it's a case of course form and wait and see about the weights
    Hurricane Fly - whatever he runs in he wins

    Twitter: @Quevega

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    Senior Member imagine's Avatar
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    Have heard that Choc Thornton's very sweet on West End Rocker. Never heard of it myself but then I'm not a big jumps follower. Anybody got any thoughts on it?

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    Senior Member G-G's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bar the Bull View Post
    Yes about him being pulled up in the Hennessy.

    State of Play has only run three times in over two years.
    Wasn't he quite badly injured when he won the Hennessy?
    Vote Alfie!!!!

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    Never thought of Alan King as a 'Grand National trainer'; always seems loathe to run his horses in the race, so if he's keen to run this one he must be a bit special. Must say, he's a horse that seemed to appear from nowhere this year [to me, that is] although he did run in the Scottish National, I believe. Seemed to be going for that bonus race, the second leg of which was cancelled due to the weather.

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    Quote Originally Posted by moehat View Post
    Notre Pere has changed stables.
    Have Conways moved all their horses from Dreaper or is it just Notre Pere?

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    Gone But Not Forgotten
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    Quote Originally Posted by imagine View Post
    Have heard that Choc Thornton's very sweet on West End Rocker. Never heard of it myself but then I'm not a big jumps follower. Anybody got any thoughts on it?
    Won the Classic Chase at Warwick a couple of weeks ago in fairly good style.
    ... unicorns are busiest at three o'clock in the morning.

    [COLOR=blue][I]"It is one of life's tragedies that men become what they oppose."[/I] Dr A Guirdham

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    Senior Member Simon's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chroniclandlord View Post
    Have Conways moved all their horses from Dreaper or is it just Notre Pere?
    About half moved, half remain.

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    Senior Member Bar the Bull's Avatar
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    Intriguingly, Or Noir de Somosa has rejoined David Pipe for a tilt at the Grand National.

    He finished 4th of 5 behind Master Minded in the 2009 VC Chase in his only previous run in England, when he was last under the care of Pipe. Irish Stamp will be able to give a better perspective on his form, but he looks like a solid graded chaser, who has run well in some of the better French chases. When he ran in the Victor Chandler, he was rated 168 by the handicapper. Not sure how well he would stay, how well he will be treated or how good a jumper he is.
    Welsh and Proud.

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