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Grand National 2017



Feb 23, 2009
22,839
Brighton factually.....
Well I am off to Dubrovnik at 6am Saturday morning for two weeks of hell.

So with the National on Saturday I popped into the Bookies and asked the gentleman behind the counter if the runners and riders & form were up, to which he replied no however he did have just the runners, riders and colours. So I picked a horse by number and colours No5 Saphir Du Rheu with no idea of form or price £5 e/w

Anyone else picked a horse like this and has it ever come in ?

I figured it is a lottery anyway so it has as good a chance as any...

I have since seen the horse is not a bad shout but here is a copy and paste of the runners and riders...

Who do you fancy ?

Horse, age, weight, trainer & rating

1. THE LAST SAMURI (IRE), 9, 11-10, Kim Bailey (161) **** 14/1
Excellent second a year ago and looks even better this year; looks sure to make another bold bid.

2. MORE OF THAT (IRE), 9, 11-6, Jonjo O'Neill (157) ** 12/1
Fair sixth in Cheltenham Gold Cup last time and has touch of class; better since fitted with cheekpieces.

3. SHANTOU FLYER (IRE), 7, 11-5, Rebecca Curtis (156) *** 50/1
Stays 3m but yet to tackle extreme distances; likes good ground or softer.

4. PERFECT CANDIDATE (IRE), 10, 11-5, Fergal O'Brien (156) ** 50/1
Often front runs; stays and jumps well and acts on any going.

5. SAPHIR DU RHEU (FR), 8, 11-5, Paul Nicholls (156) **** 16/1
In good form this season and ran his best race for years when fifth in Gold Cup; has not fallen since 2014.

6. ROI DES FRANCS (FR), 8, 11-3, Gordon Elliott (154) * 50/1
Stays well and showed benefit of blinkers first time when winning comfortably on latest outing.

7. WOUNDED WARRIOR (IRE), 8, 11-2, Noel Meade (153) * 50/1
Consistent and capable stayer but not a prolific winner; good jumper and should get around.

8. WONDERFUL CHARM (FR), 9, 11-2, Paul Nicholls (153) ** 40/1
Has had his enthusiasm rekindled in hunter chases; ran right up to best when second at Cheltenham last time; best on good ground.

9. TENOR NIVERNAIS (FR), 10, 11-1, Venetia Williams (152) * 40/1
Useful on his day and likes to race up with pace, which could well add to his stamina issues.

10. BLAKLION, 8, 11-1, Nigel Twiston-Davies (152) **** 12/1
Classy and holds his form well. Ran a fine race when second in Haydock’s Grand National Trial. Likes fast ground.

11. DROP OUT JOE, 9, 11-1, Charlie Longsdon (152) *** 50/1
Has only run 12 times in past 3 years so has had injury issues but definitely has ability; good ground is best.

12. LE MERCUREY (FR), 7, 11-0, Paul Nicholls (151) * 40/1
Fair performer but does not win often and stamina has to be taken on trust.

13. THE YOUNG MASTER, 8, 10-13, Neil Mulholland (150) ** 16/1
Won Bet365 Gold Cup last spring so stamina not an issue. Out of form since, including when falling 2 out here in December; showed a bit more last time.

14. CAUSE OF CAUSES (USA), 9, 10-13, Gordon Elliott (150) *** 14/1
Looks a likely type and won nicely over Cheltenham’s Cross Country track last time; stamina not an issue and ground should suit.

15. REGAL ENCORE (IRE), 9, 10-13, Anthony Honeyball (150) ** 50/1
Inconsistent but capable on a going day; best form on fast ground.

16. VIEUX LION ROUGE (FR), 8, 10-12, David Pipe (149) **** 10/1
Proven over the fences and this tough stayer, who appears to act on most types on gound, must be respected.

17. DEFINITLY RED (IRE), 8, 10-12, Brian Ellison (149) *** 10/1
Generally progressive and we have probably yet to see the best of him; impressive when beating The Last Samuri at Doncaster; strong player.

18. UCELLO CONTI (FR), (27), 9, 10-12, Gordon Elliott (149) ** 16/1
Fair performer but has not won since moving to Ireland and not since 2014 in France; 6th a year ago and aimed at this since.

19. DOUBLE SHUFFLE (IRE), 7, 10-12, Tom George (149) ** 40/1
On the upgrade and a likeable sort; acts on any ground; looks capable of playing his part.

20. HOUBLON DES OBEAUX (FR), 10, 10-12, Venetia Williams (149) * 40/1
Smart chaser once but age is catching up with him; fourth in last year’s Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter.

21. PLEASANT COMPANY (IRE), 9, 10-12, W. P. Mullins (149) *** 16/1
Improving and looks to have been targeted at this race; a solid jumper who seems to go on any ground.

22. ONE FOR ARTHUR (IRE), 8, 10-11, Lucinda Russell (148) *** 14/1
Third to Vieux Lion Rouge here in December and then won over 3m 5f at Warwick when wearing a tongue tie for the first time.

23. BALLYNAGOUR (IRE), (70), 11, 10-11, David Pipe (148) * 66/1
Was once smart but is hard to predict these days. Unseated rider at 19th fence last year.

24. O'FAOLAINS BOY (IRE), 10, 10-11, Rebecca Curtis (148) * 66/1
Appears to have lost his way this season and has in fact not won since December 2015; hard to fancy.

25. HIGHLAND LODGE (IRE), 11, 10-11, James Moffatt (148) *** 25/1
Has a good record over the fences in three attempts with form figures of 812 and this has been his target all season; bold show expected.

26. BISHOPS ROAD (IRE), 9, 10-10, Kerry Lee (147) * 50/1
Fair performer but has become prone to jumping mistakes and came down at the first over these fences at last year’s meeting.

27. LORD WINDERMERE (IRE), 11, 10-10, Jim Culloty (147) * 50/1
Won 2014 Cheltenham Gold Cup but is on the downgrade these days. Got as far as the 24th fence two years ago before pulling up.

28. SAINT ARE (FR), 11, 10-10, Tom George (147) ** 33/1
Finished second two years ago but has failed to finish on past two attempts over the fences. Looked close to best when second last time.

29. VICENTE (FR), (49), 8, 10-10, Paul Nicholls (147) *** 20/1
Won 2016 Scottish Grand National but disappointing since. However, his record suggests he is a spring horse and he could easily bounce back.

30. JUST A PAR (IRE), 10, 10-9, Paul Nicholls (146) ** 33/1
Finished 15th when a 40/1 chance in last year’s race. Returned to form at Newbury recently; good jumper.

31. MEASUREOFMYDREAMS (IRE), 9, 10-9, Noel Meade (146) ** 40/1
Favourite when an early faller in 2016 Scottish Grand National; lightly-raced this season and ran with some promise at Cheltenham last time.

32. RAZ DE MAREE (FR), 12, 10-9, Gavin Patrick Cromwell (146) *** 33/1
Finished 8th in 2014 National but improved since; has twice won Cork Grand National and finished second in Welsh National last December; solid stayer.

33. STELLAR NOTION (IRE), 9, 10-9, Henry de Bromhead (146) * 50/1
Normally races at short of 3m and has yet to prove he has the stamina for a contest such as this.Best on decent ground.

34. ROGUE ANGEL (IRE), 9, 10-8, M. F. Morris (145) ** 33/1
A brave winner of 2016 Irish Grand National; well behind Vieux Lion Rouge here in December and might need softer ground.

35. COCKTAILS AT DAWN, 9, 10-8, Nicky Henderson (145) * 100/1
Has a very patchy profile and fell in last year’s Topham (2m 5f) over the fences; unproven in stamina department.

36. THUNDER AND ROSES (IRE), 9, 10-7, M. F. Morris (144) ** 33/1
Has not won since landing the 2015 Irish Grand National although has run some fair races. Best with some give in the ground.

37. GAS LINE BOY (IRE), 11, 10-7, Ian Williams (144) * 66/1
Fell at the first when a 66/1 chance in 2015. Relatively consistent and stays well enough. Enjoys decent going.

38. GOODTOKNOW, 9, 10-7, Kerry Lee (144) ** 66/1
Stays well but is an in-an-out-perofmer who tends to throw in a really poor run from time to time. Seems to act on any going.

39. LA VATICANE (FR), 8, 10-6, David Pipe (143) * 100/1
Has twice got around over these fences but in much shorter races and stamina has to be an issue.

40. DOCTOR HARPER (IRE), 9, 10-6, David Pipe (143) ** 66/1
Capable handicapper but a rare winner these days. All types of ground seem to suit..
 








Mtoto

Well-known member
Sep 28, 2003
1,839
Well there's obviously just one in there to chose . Number 29

I'm sitting about 100 yards away from the winning post at Aintree, and 30 seconds after reading this post, I got offered a draw in a National sweepstake ... and pulled out Vicente. Make of that what you will.
 




Iggle Piggle

Well-known member
Sep 3, 2010
5,281
The National is getting harder and harder to pick the winner year on year so good luck to all. There are numerous reasons for this including the handicapper making allowances for Aintree form making it harder to pick a good thing, the quality of horse increasing as the fences get easier and more trainers getting cuter at planning a route to the National. Last years winner, Rule the World, had never won a Chase (alright he had won one Point to Point) before Aintree and pops in at 33-1. Would never have picked it in a million years. FWIW I've backed Cause of Causes (sometimes doesn't look the best in running so don't panic if he is going badly), Saint Are (needs good ground, 2nd to Many Clouds) and of course Vicente.

The only guarantee is everyone aftertiming the winner at 5.30 tomorrow and being told I know nothing about National hunt racing as I fail to pick the winner of an open 40 runner race.
 








The Wizard

Well-known member
Jul 2, 2009
18,383
Ah the national horse killing that the nation loves.

May the binfest commence.
 


CHAPPERS

DISCO SPENG
Jul 5, 2003
44,757
Head to Cavtat on the boat for lunch at Bugenvila, washed down with a bottle of Rose. Lovely spot, it's #1 on Tripdadvisor but don't let that put you off.
 






Nathan

Well-known member
Jan 8, 2010
3,749
My losers for this year are;
Blaklion 16/1
Ucello Conti 20/1
Saphir Du Rheu 20/1
Rogue Angel 33/1
 














Bring back Bryan wade!!

I wanna caravan for me ma
Jun 28, 2010
4,315
Hassocks
Vieux Lion Rouge - £50 on the nose
 




Tom Hark Preston Park

Will Post For Cash
Jul 6, 2003
69,880
BLAKLION runs a lot of very big races, fully expecting the National to be another of those. Gotta have a bit on VICENTE also, for obvious reasons.
 


Mackenzie

Old Brightonian
Nov 7, 2003
33,508
East Wales
Pleasant Company for me, half way down the handicap and the best trainer.
 



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