Irish National - handicap marks?

Avalon

Hello, I was wondering if anyone can help.

According to the Irish Turf club, the handicap mark of No Half Session is 126. In the next column it says 'Date last run on chase', in this case 28.4.05 where Meade's charge bolted up by 9l lengths at the Punchestown festival.

Question 1: Is the new mark of No Half Session 126 then? Or did he run off 126 at Punchestown?

Q2: Dun Doire is 127. So DD would be giving weight to No Half Session?

Q3: If anyone has the stats bulit up, what sort of weight will No Half Session have in the Irish National?

Thanks in advance if you can help.

Crumbs

1) No Half Session won off 111 at Punchestown and was then raised to his current mark of 126.

2) Yes, Dun Doire would carry a pound more.

3) I don't have any long-term stats but it would be a low weight. Last year, Numbersixvalverde won off 126 carrying 10-1. The previous year, a rating of 126 would have carried 10-5. In 2003, 10-8 but in 2002, he'd be on 10-0, 10lbs out of the handicap, so it could vary a bit but almost certainly below 11st, probably well below.

Now my question to you...

1) Do you have any tips for the Irish National?

fade2black

I remember last year RTE interviewed the handicapper for the National and he said he thought it would probably be between Numbersixvalverde and Jack High. I think I'll try and track down that man...

The jock

I think coolnahilla but thats just my view on the race

Avalon

My tip? No Half Session! Loves soft ground, kept to hurdles both starts to protect chase mark, shown up well in both. He is crying out for the National trip now and Noel Meade did nominate the race in his stable tour (RP) back in November. I seriously think he will take some stopping. Look at the Grand National entries - Sir Oj and Harbour Pilot. Where is No Half Session? Exactly. Fairyhouse on Easter Monday. How far will he win by?

Crumbs

Just bumping this thread to re-highlight Avalon's Irish National tip, No Half Session.

Final decs for the race are out and Meade has three in it - Star Clipper and Harbour Pilot who I think are pretty exposed now and also the aforementioned No Half Session, who'll be ridden by Aintree National winner, Niall Madden, and who'll carry 10-9. (Did Paul Carberry pick up an injury when he fell from Sir OJ in the Aintree race? I didn't hear anything but he's not declared for any rides in the coming days. Edit: An ankle ligament injury for Carberry apparently)

Since this thread started, No Half Session had a run in the William Hill Chase at the Festival and even though he started at a price of 8/1, he was never [strike]put[/strike] in the race.

This has all the hallmarks of a good plot.

jimmyboy

I remember when Paul went into the race he said he was having problems with his elbowfrom a recent fall of Beef or Salmon and he got a lot of physio and after falling off sir OJ I couldnt see how that helped it anyway

chump

Avalon wrote:

No Half Session! Loves soft ground, kept to hurdles both starts to protect chase mark, shown up well in both.

So will you be giving it a miss tomorrow now?

kc66

Donn McClean tipped GVAIreland on Thursday and I got him at 14/1. I see he is 8/1 now.