vegyjones
25th March 2010, 01:28
Not long now, offices and pubs everywhere will soon be be preparing their sweepstakes, the bookines will be preparing for one of their biggest betting day of the year.
The handicapper has had his say...
BHA HEAD of handicapping Phil Smith is pleased that all the field for this year's John Smith's Grand National should be running in the handicap, but said that he would raise several leading contenders based on recent performances since the weights were announced on February 16.
Speaking at Aintree's Northern Media Lunch on Tuesday, Smith said: "I'd expect the bottom weight to be 10st 4lb or 10st 5lb judging by what has happened in previous years, so from a handicapping point of view, it's good that everything looks like being in the handicap.
"Big Fella Thanks's performance in the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury promoted the Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old to general 8-1 favouritism, and Smith would raise the runner in the weights if he could. He said: "I think Big Fella Thanks is interesting on 10st 12lb as I'd have him 5lb higher."
William Hill Trophy second The Package, and Bobbyjo Chase one-two Vic Venturi and Black Apalachi would also be raised, Smith added.
"There have been several horses that have done well since we did the weights and among those I'd have higher now are Black Apalachi and Vic Venturi, who I'd both raise by 4lb," he said.
"The Package ran a fantastic race at Cheltenham and I'd have him 6lb higher."
James Moffat's Chief Dan George has won twice since the weights were unveiled, and as a consequence would be nearly a stone higher than his weight of 10st 2lb, according to Smith.
He said: "The horse that is technically best in is Chief Dan George, who has won twice since the weights and would be 12lb higher but the flaw is that he is less than 50-50 to get into the race."
Big Fella Thanks form has been undeniably good in the run up to the big race, and Chief Dan George was impressive at Cheltenham.
Black Apalache, going so well in last years event run welll on his reappearance this year but was beaten by stablemate Vic Ventura.
Comply or Die, last years second, hasn't had the best of preparations, whilst Mon Mome, last years winner, ran ominously well in the Gold Cup.
My personal preference at this stage, due to his defeat of Black Apalache is Vic Ventura.
Anyone else any thoughts leading up to the National Meeting?
The handicapper has had his say...
BHA HEAD of handicapping Phil Smith is pleased that all the field for this year's John Smith's Grand National should be running in the handicap, but said that he would raise several leading contenders based on recent performances since the weights were announced on February 16.
Speaking at Aintree's Northern Media Lunch on Tuesday, Smith said: "I'd expect the bottom weight to be 10st 4lb or 10st 5lb judging by what has happened in previous years, so from a handicapping point of view, it's good that everything looks like being in the handicap.
"Big Fella Thanks's performance in the Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury promoted the Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old to general 8-1 favouritism, and Smith would raise the runner in the weights if he could. He said: "I think Big Fella Thanks is interesting on 10st 12lb as I'd have him 5lb higher."
William Hill Trophy second The Package, and Bobbyjo Chase one-two Vic Venturi and Black Apalachi would also be raised, Smith added.
"There have been several horses that have done well since we did the weights and among those I'd have higher now are Black Apalachi and Vic Venturi, who I'd both raise by 4lb," he said.
"The Package ran a fantastic race at Cheltenham and I'd have him 6lb higher."
James Moffat's Chief Dan George has won twice since the weights were unveiled, and as a consequence would be nearly a stone higher than his weight of 10st 2lb, according to Smith.
He said: "The horse that is technically best in is Chief Dan George, who has won twice since the weights and would be 12lb higher but the flaw is that he is less than 50-50 to get into the race."
Big Fella Thanks form has been undeniably good in the run up to the big race, and Chief Dan George was impressive at Cheltenham.
Black Apalache, going so well in last years event run welll on his reappearance this year but was beaten by stablemate Vic Ventura.
Comply or Die, last years second, hasn't had the best of preparations, whilst Mon Mome, last years winner, ran ominously well in the Gold Cup.
My personal preference at this stage, due to his defeat of Black Apalache is Vic Ventura.
Anyone else any thoughts leading up to the National Meeting?