General Chat

[Kautostar]

Racing Post just deleted a tweet saying Grand National field to be reduced to 34 runners. If correct, then it may have a knock on effect for how horses are campaigned with the qualifying mark likely to be higher now.

Confirmed now

[Istabraq]

Racing Post just deleted a tweet saying Grand National field to be reduced to 34 runners. If correct, then it may have a knock on effect for how horses are campaigned with the qualifying mark likely to be higher now.

Good spot that EE.
Personally I'm surprised they didn't go down to 28 when the course changes were made a few years ago.
And good point about qualifying, could end up with a condensed race separated by a stone or so so trainers less likely to play games with their improvers...

[The hill]

Confirmed: MAJBOROUGH has been registered to JP McManus and is in training with Willie Mullins

[archie]

Last season, only one horse from 35 to 40 in the National finished in the first ten home. and every horse below 32 was out of the handicap. Most of the changes in recent years have been with the aim of attracting better horses and, while they've emphasised the safety aspects of these latest changes, it will also make the race more attractive to horses just below G1 level.

[Istabraq]

Last season, only one horse from 35 to 40 in the National finished in the first ten home. and every horse below 32 was out of the handicap. Most of the changes in recent years have been with the aim of attracting better horses and, while they've emphasised the safety aspects of these latest changes, it will also make the race more attractive to horses just below G1 level.

Was last year not an exception though archie ?
I have it in my mind that 10:6ish has been the par cut off...

[archie]

I think that it goes hand in hand with attracting better horses. If top weight is 167, anything below 143 will be out of the handicap proper.

[ComplyOrDie]

Last season, only one horse from 35 to 40 in the National finished in the first ten home. and every horse below 32 was out of the handicap. Most of the changes in recent years have been with the aim of attracting better horses and, while they've emphasised the safety aspects of these latest changes, it will also make the race more attractive to horses just below G1 level.

2021 Minella Times won it, he was number 35.

There have also been some placed efforts the past few seasons too, for horses 35 and higher.

[Lobos]

Last season, only one horse from 35 to 40 in the National finished in the first ten home. and every horse below 32 was out of the handicap. Most of the changes in recent years have been with the aim of attracting better horses and, while they've emphasised the safety aspects of these latest changes, it will also make the race more attractive to horses just below G1 level.

And much less attractive for the smaller stables, owners and punter. Becoming more and more like a 4m Gold Cup now over a much easier course. Graded horses, with Gordon and Willie's making up at least a third of the field. Nothing like what it was first intended to be. IMO the race is no longer exciting and will probably be dropped within a few years. It's been completely spoilt.

[Istabraq]

And much less attractive for the smaller stables, owners and punter. Becoming more and more like a 4m Gold Cup now over a much easier course. Graded horses, with Gordon and Willie's making up at least a third of the field. Nothing like what it was first intended to be. IMO the race is no longer exciting and will probably be dropped within a few years. It's been completely spoilt.

Some valid points there lobos but it certainly won't be dropped.
The irony of course with making the obstacles easier is that it allows horses to go faster and the race becomes a bigger test of stamina, it may be this was in the thinking with the drop to 34 runners but in all honesty all the time there are more than a dozen runners the potential exists for a true/brutal pace...

[ComplyOrDie]

And much less attractive for the smaller stables, owners and punter. Becoming more and more like a 4m Gold Cup now over a much easier course. Graded horses, with Gordon and Willie's making up at least a third of the field. Nothing like what it was first intended to be. IMO the race is no longer exciting and will probably be dropped within a few years. It's been completely spoilt.

I agree with the majority of this. I appreciate the welfare of the animals comes first etc... but this was the one big test left, and every other year it seems to be adapted to suit the 'animal rights activists' please and quite frankly it's boring now.

I can't see the race being dropped and of course, I'll no doubt have a few bets on the race as always, but as you point out Lobos at this rate we could end up with Willie & Gordon having a large chunk of the field

[nortonscoin200]

2021 Minella Times won it, he was number 35.

There have also been some placed efforts the past few seasons too, for horses 35 and higher.

Minella Times was number 35 when he won as was auroras Encore in 2013.

Shame that wasn’t taken into consideration.

But changes needed to be made - it’s not just animal rights activists who’ve found it uncomfortable viewing.

I remember several FJs voicing their concerns in no uncertain terms back in April.

It’s still going to be a great spectacle - and if the changes make it safer more people will enjoy watching it.

And the good news is next year’s winner Mr Incredible (or 147) is virtually guaranteed to get in with a weight around 10st 7lbs.

And he was still 40-1 last time I looked.

[FinalFurlong91]

The grand national has always been massively overrated

Wouldn't feature in my top 20 races of the season

But then I do have ptsd about the day from when i used to work at ladbrokes

[Odin]

Just caught the tail end of an interview with Christian Williams on atr where he's said he's gonna have to change plans for kitty's light as he won't get into the grand national. It's a shame when an eider winner and bet365 gold cup winner and Scottish national 2nd is being aimed elsewhere as the trainer thinks won't get into the premier staying event (or won't get in at a weight where he has a chance of winning)

[nortonscoin200]

Just caught the tail end of an interview with Christian Williams on atr where he's said he's gonna have to change plans for kitty's light as he won't get into the grand national. It's a shame when an eider winner and bet365 gold cup winner and Scottish national 2nd is being aimed elsewhere as the trainer thinks won't get into the premier staying event (or won't get in at a weight where he has a chance of winning)

Oh dear, I hope someone puts Christian right - he’s talking nonsense.

Kitty’s Light has a 147or which will almost guarantee he gets a run in the National.

Mr Incredible ran off a mark of 245 in April and was number 28.

The previous year Noble Yeats won off a mark of 247 and he too was number 28.

Kitty’s Light is on a perfect mark for the National.

[Big Bucks]

Anyone able to get out on Goodland? Pp on the ball ffs!