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Thread: The road to the REAL Grand National 2018 (ie the Scottish one)

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    Senior Member Euronymous's Avatar
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    The road to the REAL Grand National 2018 (ie the Scottish one)

    Any thoughts on the Scottish? I'm drawn a bit to Ballyoptic. Novices have a good record and he ran better than I thought he would in the RSA.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Euronymous View Post
    Any thoughts on the Scottish? I'm drawn a bit to Ballyoptic. Novices have a good record and he ran better than I thought he would in the RSA.
    I've just had a speculative punt on Guitar Pete Euro thoughts are on the Long shot thread.
    Man who catch fly with chopstick .... accomplish anything.

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    Senior Member Desert Orchid's Avatar
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    The road to the REAL Grand National 2018 (ie the Scottish one)



    Only kidding, obviously...

    Anyway, in response to Euro's question on the Aintree one thread I've started this one for folk to express their ideas.

    Danny reckons Guitar Pete.

    I haven't looked yet but surely Vicente must be a serious contender.

    We're due a lot of rain in the area tomorrow but not much after that so it might be approaching good ground by Saturday, which would help Vicente enormously.
    Last edited by Desert Orchid; 16th April 2018 at 2:20 PM.
    Illegitimi non carborundum


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    This race is going to be a nightmare for me.

    - I fancied Gold Present for the National all season only to see the ground go against him with him being scratched. Ground could be in his favour by Saturday though.

    - The changing of the ground left me desperate for Vintage Clouds to get into the race but alas it wasn't to be. Unlike Gold Present, the ground could scupper his chances this time but I cannot let him go unbacked now.

    - I added a tracker note on 2nd December saying Beware the Bear will win either the Welsh or Scottish Grand Nationals this season. He performed badly at Chepstow but wouldn't be the first horse to do so and it's easy to forgive IMHO, especially with him performing much better in the Ultima.

    - Vicente has to be at the top of any shortlist given his record in the race and Merigo (and Vicent himself) demonstrate how horses that have performed well in the race before do so again.

    and I haven't even looked at the rest of the runners yet
    Last edited by wilsonl; 16th April 2018 at 2:47 PM.
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    Senior Member tiggers1972's Avatar
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    Agree with you Wilson regarding Gold Present.
    Really hope we finally get some decent ground, about sodding time!
    I've just backed Verdana Blue for the Scottish Champion Hurdle as she travelled like the best horse in the race for a long way in the Betfair Hurdle on ground totally against her.
    Last edited by tiggers1972; 16th April 2018 at 2:54 PM.

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    Daklondike if he runs, Go Conquer if he runs, and both if both run.
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    Senior Member Desert Orchid's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tiggers1972 View Post
    Really hope we finally get some decent ground, about sodding time!
    Almost the best oxymoron I've read in yonks
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    Label Des Obeaux- King Terry Warner horse - Just catching eye as one dropped to a fair rating.

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    I think already some of the one's mentioned are exactly the shortlist I would have drawn up in truth.

    Vicente
    Gold Present (ground permitting)
    Label Des Obeaux
    Beware of the bear
    And my sheer guess Guitar Pete.

    Lee's Vintage clouds is another but I'd have the same reservations about good ground and I'd have to have a closer look.
    Last edited by Danny; 16th April 2018 at 5:24 PM.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Euronymous View Post
    Any thoughts on the Scottish? I'm drawn a bit to Ballyoptic. Novices have a good record and he ran better than I thought he would in the RSA.
    A knowledgeable friend of mine goes for Ballyoptic.16s bet 365 12s most.

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    If gold present runs although vicente has risen from 146 to 150 he will carry 9lb less this year.
    He actually will be 3lb better off with vintage clouds who was 7th.

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    Danny (17th April 2018)

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    Since the scottish national mved to ayr there has been no 13yr old winners and only 1 12 yr old.
    Only 5 11yr olds but 3 of those were in the last 8 yrs.
    9 tr old 15
    8 yr olds 13
    7 yrs olds 10
    6yr old 1
    10yr olds 6

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    Danny (17th April 2018)

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    Quote Originally Posted by Marble View Post
    Label Des Obeaux- King Terry Warner horse - Just catching eye as one dropped to a fair rating.
    Did 40 pound each way on this last night. See how it goes.

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    Super Moderator Diamond Geezer's Avatar
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    AYR...Going:Soft, Good to Soft In Places Weather:0.5mm Rain past 24hrs Rain started 6.45am Tues: Rain Till Midday (<5mm) Windy Wed: Overcast and windy Max 14c Thur: Sunny spells Max 16c Fri: Dry day Max 16c Sat: Chance of light showers Max 16c

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    edgt (18th April 2018)

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    Senior Member Desert Orchid's Avatar
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    Ayr dries very quickly. A couple of warm dry days will have a significant effect.
    Illegitimi non carborundum


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    Looks like guitar Pete is going to be a nr judging by the exchanges so I've already done my dough but thought I'd warn anyone else who fancied a go.
    Man who catch fly with chopstick .... accomplish anything.

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    Super Moderator Diamond Geezer's Avatar
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    Full field of 30 runners, bottom weight Fact Of The Matter.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Danny View Post
    Looks like guitar Pete is going to be a nr judging by the exchanges so I've already done my dough but thought I'd warn anyone else who fancied a go.
    Goes in the 20f handicap chase tomorrow instead.
    "Beat the price and lose. It's what we do".

    SlimChance, March 2018

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    Senior Member Euronymous's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Outsider View Post
    A knowledgeable friend of mine goes for Ballyoptic.16s bet 365 12s most.
    Ground is putting me off now, but have missed the 16s anyway.

    Elsewhere I'm fully involved on Barney Dwan in the novice handicap. Ran a smasher at Cheltenham considering ground
    was against him

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    Only thing on PN's mind all season for Vicente is this......form means nothing and a 4lb rise wont stop him being the 4th horse in history to win the race 3 times.
    Formely Fist of Fury

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