Grand National Weights

Colonel Sanders

Published today

One horse leaps out at me and thats Butlers Cabin off 10st 5. Was still tanking when coming down at beechers the second time around last year (altho had maybe run abit free) and has won over 4m so has guaranteed stamina. Have been trying to get matched on Betfair at 26 for a while but no joy (was looking for 1000/40 but have got less than €3 matched at that price :rolleyes:). One run over fences this year was appalling but I'm sure connections aren't too bothered with that.

Another I like is My Will (10st 10). Has won off 150 and been competitive in handicaps off marks in the 160s. He has the stamina for this and can possibly give Nicholls the elusive win.

Two that may not get in but are very interesting are:

Character Building (9st 12). Stays all day and looks the ideal type for a test like this

And the last one that interest me speculatively in Conna Castle (also 9st 12) who's career over fences was always going to feature a spin around Aintree

Hear the Echo has been poorly treated compared to war of attrition (rated 143 v 163 in Irfeland, only 4lbs between them in the national handicap :eek:) and a few other Irish horses have been clobbered for no apparent reason. Altho its not just the Irish, a lot of the marks are very hard to fathom

EDIT: Forgot to mention a horse that was assumed to be out for the season but now looks a likely runner. Look at last years race and I'd argue I have never seen a horse take to Aintree and jump around as well. That horse is King Johns Castle. Maybe hard to fancy as he's been off a long time (even ignoring the injury scare) and didn't seem to quite get home last year (most of his Irish form was over a lot shorter)

finbarrk

King Johns Castle for me anyway. He is entered in a hurdle race on Sun. in Leopardstown. Around 25/1 at the moment for the big one. Hopefully he has recovered from whatever injury he had.

handsomecake

big fella thanks and character building for me

big fella thanks is an impeccable jumper.
character building is an impeccable stayer

finbarrk

I wouldn't think Character building would get in. However if you backed him now and he didn't make the cut you would get your money back.

Warper

finbarrk wrote: »

I wouldn't think Character building would get in. However if you backed him now and he didn't make the cut you would get your money back.

I have backed him e/w @ 25-1 antepost - which bookie is offering no-runner -no bet?

finbarrk

All of them have to give that concession for the Grand National because it's a handicap. If a horse doesn't make the cut as long as he is kept in at the different entry stages it's bets refunded. The only way you wouldn't be refunded if the horse didn't run is if the trainer didn't declare him at one of the entry stages.
If the weights go up a bit which is likely, as Exotic Dancer and a few more of the top ones might pull out, it would mean Character Building might have 10st 4lb which wouldn't get him in more than likely. 10st 7lb was bottom last year, Dun Doire.