Friday, April 09, 2010

Aintree 2010 - Grand National

For those who like to make their own selections, my Twitter Guide to the National may be of some interest. For everyone else, here's how I see this year's race...

1. Snowy Morning: Third in 2008 and ninth last year; had a good preparation

2. Comply Or Die: Won in 2008 and second last year; Timmy Murphy's chosen ride

3. Mon Mome: Last year's winner is on a seven pound higher mark; trained specifically for the race

4. Big Fella Thanks: Every chance after finishing sixth last year; Ruby Walsh's chosen ride but no value in the market

5. Maljimar: Interesting outsider trained for the race

6. Cloudy Lane: Overpriced at around 50/1; ran out of petrol two from home in 2008 and there's just a suspicion he won't quite last home.

Two of the reserves will be of interest at a big price should they get a run - Cerium finished fifth last year while Howard Johnson was keen earlier in the week on Royal Rosa.

Good luck everyone!

5 comments:

Sandracer said...

So who are you on old boy?

GeeDee said...

Sandracer,

Took a chance with Cerium at 66/1 - completed the course to finish 11th but a distance behind the principals.

No plans to give up the day job ;)

GeeDee said...

The 163rd Grand National will henceforth be known quite simply as 'McCoy's National' and rightly so. The champion jockey rode Don't Push It (10/1 jf) to victory and in the process hit the bookmaking industry for roughly £10 million.

I'll write a de-brief in due course but here's how the selections fared...

Snowy Morning (14/1) - sixth. Never able to get to the leaders

Comply Or Die (12/1) - twelfth. Lost place after Foinavon on second circuit

Mon Mome (14/1) - terrible looking fall at the 26th fence when down the field in ninth

Big Fella Thanks (10/1 jf) - fourth. Every chance two out but ran out of petrol up the long run-in

Maljimar (33/1) - running a big race when coming to grief at Becher's on the second circuit

Cloudy Lane (25/1) - eighth. Never able to lie up with leaders

Cerium (50/1) - eleventh. Hampered at the 20th fence and struggling thereafter

Royal Rosa - unseated rider 14th.

Sandracer said...

I was on the Joe Lively. A bit high in the weights, but I was on a 33/1 shot with a 100/1 ticket.

Never got into the race. Finished about 8th or so.

No cigar.

GeeDee said...

Good price, Sandracer! Agree, weighted to his best and, like many, would have preferred a bit more cut to slow the speedsters down. My readng of the race was that, with Conna Castle and Black Apalcahi going lickety-split from the off, and with the ground drying out, several runners struggled and failed to get competitive.