Horse Racing Podcast: Grand National Tips

Our team preview the Randox Grand National and have best bets for the rest of Aintree and Meydan.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is Sporting Life.

Speaker 2 (00:05):
Well, welcome along to the Sporting Live Racing Podcast Grand
National Special. We're looking a head to the great races,
the Run Docks sponsored Great Race, So the company of
Live from Angry Itself Ed Chamberlain, David Johnson and Billy
Nash Green Conigan, we'll be joining us for part two
to look ahead to the Chief supporting races to the
Big One. But Chamblain, I've completed my preparations last night.

(00:26):
The best two pounds I spent during my lockdown breakdown
was Champions on DVD, the Bob Champion film. John what
a rollercoaster story as we all now, I'm Grand National already, Chamblain,
are you?

Speaker 3 (00:39):
I am Grand National ready?

Speaker 1 (00:41):
And Grand National Day will have wall to wall Grand
National coverage, Memory Lane, the opening show, James Martin cooking
from ten or ten thirty. I think Prawn's were outstanding
AUDI and talking Grand National. And I've done so many
bits and bobs this week trying to get.

Speaker 3 (00:59):
The word out about the Grand National.

Speaker 1 (01:01):
And publicize what's going to be a spectacular three days. Honestly,
here the Sunshine Place looks amazing. That a lot of
water on and yes, the Grand National isn't.

Speaker 3 (01:12):
What it used to be.

Speaker 1 (01:13):
It is different these days. Two years ago it was
uncomfortable to watch, wasn't it Last year? You could argue
it's too comfortable to watch. Who knows what's going to
happen this year and really really looking forward to it?

Speaker 2 (01:23):
Udie, I wait, we're going to look at the big
rates itself now and Billy I was sat there after
Chatleman with me in about I thought we were like
one Irish superpower shot in the jumps game, and thank
goodness we pound another in Gavin Fromwell. He has such
a strong hand in the Vandocks Grand National. The markets
say stunt Town is the pick of his team. Billy

(01:46):
and Ash, what say you would be in agreement?

Speaker 4 (01:49):
Which you're a very good self on this particular topic,
Dea or because I think for you know, Stumptown has
a very obvious chance, don't get me wrong. And he's
potentially thrown in because let's not forget he won the
Chicken and cross Country off a mark of one to
five to seven. He gets to run off one four
to nine here. He's not a role. He's won his
last four so he's got loads in his favor. But
I'm like you, Dave. I think that Gavin Cromwell's best

(02:09):
chance in the race could well be Percy Valle Galois,
who's a horse that I think has been absolutely prime
for this race. He won the Paddy Power Chase at
Leperdsown off a mark of one four to two. They
run him back over hurdles after that, which he won
as well off one three five. Okay, he's running off
the mark of one hundred and fifty three, but I
don't think that's excessive.

Speaker 2 (02:27):
He stays really well.

Speaker 4 (02:28):
He has loads of big field handicap experience and the
drier ground the drying ground won't inconvenience him, so I
think he's got a huge chance. Plenty will make cases
for Vanidier, who of course finished second in this race
two years ago and is now three pounds lower. That's
principally because his farm has been pretty patchy in the interim,
but he has returned to a bit of he's found

(02:49):
a bit of spark again this year. They put blinkers
on him the last couple of times. He was unlucky
in the cross country at Cheltenham, where Sean Flinagan briefly
took the wrong course finished third. You could certainly make
a case from one hundred and forty four, but himself
and Stumptone. You've got to remember it's sunny in the
three old weeks in choten them, but they had pretty
hard racist so that would be a slight concern for
me as well. And the other two Cromwell horses. Yeah, man,

(03:12):
probably not good enough from Lena GIRLI making to get in.
So he's got a couple of really like chances. Percalvangan
possibly the best one for me.

Speaker 2 (03:22):
Now I can't finounce it, David, I've failed dismally every time,
but that there's two volts for Percival there. How do
you see team Coromwell?

Speaker 3 (03:30):
Yeah, I think Percival Legal is the most interesting one
as well. You know he's got that what has become
the right profile for this new race, isn't it? The
progressive second season chaser and is jumping hasn't always looked faultless,
but as we know, that is far less of an
issue nowadays than what it once was. Stumped down and

(03:52):
just slightly concerned about whether coming back to this kind
of the course as opposed to the cross country will
definitely see him be able to fully reach produced that,
but obviously against that the cross country was a route
used by Tiger Roll, Delta work and Minolta indow to
run well so and that that's a clear counter argument.

(04:12):
But you can, I said a couple of weeks ago,
you can see why he didn't feel the need to
keep I know the way you're thinking in there, because
he's got a real strong hand with him on the
subs bench as well. I think Vanillier he'd be the
first horse since Amberley House to win the horse sorry,
to win the race on his third outing in the race,
so that would be an interesting bit of trivia. And

(04:33):
I think he's he's down to the mark that he
finished second two a couple of years ago, as in
he again now. So we'll we'll see. But for me,
I think Perceval has plenty going for him.

Speaker 2 (04:48):
Than the ice ice baby. He's been a more nationalsn't you.
I don't you have the soft spot for a couple
of a couple of years ago. Can you see him
sparking back into life?

Speaker 3 (04:56):
Yeah? I can. Yeah.

Speaker 1 (04:56):
I backed him in the cross country and I wasn't
best pleased, as you probably saw, and itv the way
it played out all Cromwell's three. I think i'd have
them in order of PERCEVALA shoul we just call him
Perceval or it's easiest.

Speaker 2 (05:07):
Stick it to Perceval.

Speaker 1 (05:09):
Yeah, yeah, and probably having read your excellent Runner by
Runner Guide, I've probably had Persival number.

Speaker 3 (05:13):
Millions to the nearly A two.

Speaker 1 (05:15):
Would actually have stump Down, even though he's the shortest
price of them and Himan third. Actually I don't like
the price, and I didn't like in the cross country itself.
If you watch it back, he was under real pressure
long way from home stump down and he's not going
to be able to do that on this ground on Saturday,
and it sort of fell into his lap with the
pace collapse at the front. So I think Stumptown is

(05:36):
short enough for me. I think Perceval will be the
number one. But Cromwell holds a seriously strong hand.

Speaker 2 (05:42):
As you say, no, it's good to see Willie Willins
just scramble together a small team for the for the Nassal. Again,
I'm going to start with you, Ed, I am Maximus
is defending champion. We're all expecting Paul Town and to
keep the right. It's all Seeds has been geared around Sassay,
but he did miss the Bobby Joe the intended will
that be concerned?

Speaker 3 (06:00):
Not really, not really. The confidence is oozing from the camp.
They think they've got him back to where he was
last year.

Speaker 1 (06:06):
I won't be backing him Audi, but I wouldn't want
to be taking him on either. He won so easily
last year, didn't he What will be interesting tactically is
the way town End went down the inside last year.
You know, they did fan across the course. What's going
to happen this time? It's going to be really interesting
to see.

Speaker 4 (06:19):
You know.

Speaker 1 (06:19):
Everyone says it's it's much easier than it was, and
so on and so forth, but I just sense it
might just be a bit difficult. Different on Saturday.

Speaker 3 (06:28):
I'm not going to bat Maximus, but I am fearful
of him.

Speaker 2 (06:32):
Maybe there's plenty of whispers who had the time Pom's Party,
Life Office, Buckle Bank, sweet On and now the cocoona
others have in Grege Claire West, can you say anything else?
Wanted a big grace for Morlins.

Speaker 3 (06:42):
Yeah. I think Grange Claire West is one that looks
really interesting when you see he's still around thirty three
and so on, and you just look at that leopards
Town form and I'm going to have to back him
at that kind of price because I just hate for
him to win the race. And then you look back,
oh yeah, look at that he's finished there behind the
Gold Cup runner up factor five or just in front

(07:04):
the Gold Cup winner, just behind, and he was saying, well,
it was there for us all to see. So you know, again,
he's another one that's arguably still got his best days
in front of him. He's still early his second season chaser.
Yere he beat, He's got graded novice form as in
he from last year that reads pretty well where he
beat Corbett's Cross and so that kind of form is

(07:27):
good enough to suggest to me that the Leopardstown run
in February doesn't flash him. And I was soon half
expecting him to turn up and be a sports and
runner in the Gold Cup. So I think it's interesting
that they decided to obviously save the Gold Cup, comes
stay here, keep him fresh for this. They obviously think
he's got a pretty decent chance even off the mark

(07:48):
of one hundred and sixty three.

Speaker 2 (07:50):
Yeah, I know Willy was king to anyway. The Gold Cup.
It wasn't his plan to go where he did the
last day, right, Really, there's some of the Mullings team.
I've got only got meeting of the waters who Without that,
Danny Mullins is going to tag the mane on Nick Rockett,
who's on a Thai Stays and a Bobby Joe. What's
the pick of w PM for you?

Speaker 3 (08:07):
Only?

Speaker 4 (08:07):
Is I am maximus?

Speaker 2 (08:09):
I was blown away by him last year.

Speaker 4 (08:11):
I can't remember a national winner winning as easily as
he did, and clearly the old season has been geared
around this again. I know he's higher on the weights,
but he'd have won with a bit of extra weight
on his back last year. So I'm certainly not going
to oppose him, but yeah, Will He's got a very
strong team, Nick Rocket, like you say, one of tiniestas
he's nine pounds higher year, he's one of Bobby.

Speaker 2 (08:28):
Joe in the interim.

Speaker 4 (08:30):
On that form you shouldn't beat intense raffles. More about
that later, but he is an arsenal and upward curve.

Speaker 2 (08:34):
He does stay, he will.

Speaker 4 (08:35):
Handle the ground, so he's got plenty going from Grange
Claire West. As John All said, class act on his day.
People will say oh, but he ran very poorly the
last day. I put a big line through that. Already
he needed that run to qualify for the race because
with his six over offenses, so I think that was
a means to an end. Put a line through it.
And if you ignore that one, he's got massive claims.
He Willie also has appreciated who very good arse on

(08:58):
his day. But he's one past two and a half
miles and he's never tried past three and I couldn't
see him staying Menelaka Kooner is one I really like
for the race, and I've been on him for a
long time. He's He's tightened up quite a bit in
the betting this week, which I'm not surprised at because
I think he's a spring horse. I think he loves
this art of the ground. He will stay. He's a
hardly divilated expecting to go well and meeting of the waters.

(09:20):
Like you said, the fact that Danny's on him is
a plus. I backed him for the race last year.
Daddy rode him in the race last year, so he
knows him well. Looked for a long time like he
was going to get involved in the shakeup last year.
Maybe didn't quite stay I think very much. They've been
working back from the National this year with him, so
this has been plenty all season. His runs have been okay,

(09:41):
but you know, I would expect an improved effort of
the weekend. Whether he'll get the trip though, is the
massive question. He didn't see it out last year, but
they might rid him a bit differently this year. So yeah,
you know again, I.

Speaker 2 (09:51):
Think Willie's got to really start and end now.

Speaker 3 (09:54):
I stain this year as well when sit far in,
which might help in that regard. H He didn't quite
get home last year, so we'll see if he has
a better fist of it on the slightly quicker conditions.

Speaker 2 (10:08):
I must have met. I was expecting Danny to be
on another kakuda. That was much of the other thing
going in there. It was that meeting in the waters
that same silk said, be a different colored cup eroco
here I I, me and James Martin going to be
holding aloft a giant hide and jack as it comes
back in coming back a British trainer with a Grand National.

Speaker 3 (10:29):
He's definitely got a chance. He's definitely got a chance.
This is one very clever, shrewd outfit.

Speaker 1 (10:35):
Nice story as well, with the trainer and his links
to Entry and his dad being chairman here for twenty
five years.

Speaker 3 (10:41):
The horse, and they've made no secret was targeted at
this race.

Speaker 1 (10:44):
On the bare form and the bare evidence of this season,
he's quite hard to fancy, particularly as he's jumping could
be a little bit deliberate at times, but I've got
so much faith in this training operation. You look at
Jaguar at the Festival when they targeted something they don't
often missed these guys, and this has been the aim
since day one this season with the Roco, and I've

(11:05):
seen no reason why he's not going to put up
a huge performance.

Speaker 2 (11:09):
Yeah, it's fascinating, isn't it, David. I mean, let's let's
phrase it this way. It does look like his entire
campaign has been geared around one day.

Speaker 3 (11:17):
It does, and I'll be honest, for that reason, I
rather hope he doesn't went because.

Speaker 2 (11:22):
I think it's it's for Britain, David loos for Britain.

Speaker 3 (11:25):
Well that may be, so, it's obviously bad for the
sports throughout the whole season if everybody campaign there staying
chasers in the way that this horse has been. You know,
I think it was as obvious as far back as
hate up the way that he was ridden there that
that they signposted it. I mean, you look down this list,
there's a load of them have done similar.

Speaker 1 (11:46):
Look at Percival, what's it. He's been targeted this since
Christmas and no one's talked about it. I think the
mistake they made was signposting it rather than the way
it's played out.

Speaker 3 (11:56):
Well yeah, I mean it wasn't just a signposting obviously,
it was the way that he was ridden as well Cheltenham,
wasn't it when he was Clearly they wanted to keep
that mark of one hundred and fifty two. So yeah,
you know it is to a certain accent, it's for progressive,
but I just don't think it's healthy for the whole
sport if all horses were campaigned in the way that
this source has been.

Speaker 2 (12:18):
Because in from David Billy, I know you'll be having
sleepless takes looking at this British team. They looking at
this thing. It's a newly Design trophy and new Boodle's
design trophy. If it be heading they're staying on these shows.
We've got we've got iroll cope Billy. We've got hand
do Kid for Paul Nichols Highland and again. And I
don't know if you knew this, but he's never won
the Grand National. There's a there's a fat favorite Billy
that what's the best of British for Billy and Ash.

Speaker 4 (12:41):
They did not that actually did because they did write
your or read your excellent horseplays Gay during the week.

Speaker 2 (12:46):
Thanks very much. No, thank you, Billy, thank you can
do kid for me already.

Speaker 4 (12:51):
I know Europe has got an obvious chance, but I
just like the way cand Do Kid has been campaigned.
He won obviously was I still consider it to be
the Hennessy back early in the season, and that's traditionally
been a really good trial for the National. Nicholas has
made no bones about the fact that he's all roads
led to entry. After that, he's only had the one run.
It was maybe slightly underwhelming, but I don't I wouldn't

(13:12):
read too much into it. I think, you know very
much being trained for one day and if anyone's going
to get him spot on in the day, it's Paul Nichols.
So I could certainly see him running a big race Highland.
I just wondered if he lacks the experience for a
race of this nature. He's only a novice. It might
come a bit quick for him. The likes of Broadway Boy,
you could see giving a bowl show for the Twist
and Davis team. Whether he quite lasted out, I don't know.

(13:34):
But if I had to back an English one to
probably be can't do Kid.

Speaker 2 (13:38):
What's the fact was? If I have to back an
English one but that you can't do a kid? So
Billy and We've got We've got others in there, We've
got bow pot, few people and putting out what what
else is on the British ride after?

Speaker 1 (13:48):
You must be Boupa, do not open out policies or
you'll get in tropility. Pronounce to play Jersey until the
Corby Air Colors would be fantastic, wouldn't it. Brian and
Philippo Burrow, which would be a nice story. I think
I prefer both or of the two. I was really
disappointed with Broadway Bob Bye sorry in the ultimate I
thought he was. He went out very tamely that day,

(14:10):
so I couldn't fancy him of the Nichols team. I
much prefer can Do Kid. I'm with you on that,
Billy I like the profile of that three miles at Newbury.
I think he's open to bags of improvement over this
trip and in the great Wood Gold Cup that was
just a spin ahead of Saturday, so I think can do.
Kid Narrooco are the two standout Brits. I'd love three
hundred through five to run well for Max.

Speaker 3 (14:31):
McNeil Johntree House.

Speaker 1 (14:33):
I wouldn't give a hope to Hitman hasn't won for
a very long time, but it's some team already.

Speaker 3 (14:38):
We are all guns blazing. I think we're seven to
four favorites to have the winner British train come on.

Speaker 2 (14:46):
What I'll probably do with is you'll greet the winner
the only jux lad the second and third, just so
it shares a lot as they've come back into the
winner's enclosure. David, you're not it will cover your heart
saying no to what do you think is a best
of the British or will you be cheering on from
the home tow.

Speaker 3 (15:00):
I'll be cheering on Highland to set back to him
anti Poster when the weights came out, and I think
the way that he shaped at Kempton was fairly encouraging
with regards and stepping up in Trippman coming for a
race like this. I acknowledge of Billy's point that he
does like a little bit in experience and being a novice,
but that has sort of been the kind of prep

(15:22):
that has gone down quite well in recent years, hasn't it.
He's a horse that arguably still got his best days
ahead of him. A mark of one hundred and forty
seven was just enough to see him creep in. And
he's going to be one of those that you would
think and they'll return to more prominent tactics. I certainly
hope they would return to the more prominent tactics given
the way that recent nationals have gone. So yeah, I'll

(15:45):
be hoping for Highland and obviously be nice if that
Nicki Anderson could win that first Grand National.

Speaker 2 (15:52):
It would now Devil Jacob and he's on TV more
than you at the minute. Every time we look up,
there's Adell Jacob interview around he was he came back
from injury to ride intense uffles in the vantage actually
thought he was the perfect Oh the devil hasn't made
it to him, true, but in somebody else, but not
as a jacket. Intense raffles has he's a leading player.
What do you make of his chances?

Speaker 3 (16:13):
Ed Chamberlain, Yes, what's our Grand National Day feature is
on South.

Speaker 2 (16:18):
It's not double Jacob, it is Darren Jacob did cook
him with James Martin because I WoT.

Speaker 1 (16:27):
That emotion running high, or that he'll get you going
with a championship. I thought this horse would have a
massive chance. But on softer ground, if I'm honest, I've
been out there this morning and it is warm, it's sunny.
It's also windy to dry things out, so you can
imagine how much water they're having to put on. But
I'm afraid it's not really going to be intense raffles ground.

(16:51):
He's got a chance, he's got the right profile, he's
waited to reverse it, Nick Rocket. For me, it's just
the ground that puts me off.

Speaker 2 (17:00):
Is that a big concept? Yeah?

Speaker 4 (17:03):
Now he does have a little bit of quick ground
form in France, but I don't know if if quick
ground form in France relates to what we get over here.
And that was very early in his career, but all
his best performances since he'd come to Ireland have been
on softer, heavy ground. And he did run a Cracker
from the Bobby Joe last time out. Strictly speaking on
a line, you know, on that form he should definitely
beat Nick Rocket. He's waited to reverse that form. He's

(17:25):
got a lot going for him, but the ground is
a massive worry. Look, he's a he's a great he'll
be towards the head of affairs. He's a touch wood,
he's a spectacular jumper, so it should be great to
watch around the injury. But you'd just be worried on
this ground whether he'd be whether he'd be quick enough.

Speaker 2 (17:39):
You know, I've got a little thing for you filter
our Grand nasill go out time forward something. I think
that's six or seven grays in the race is year
that which must be a record number of grave runners
in the Grand National.

Speaker 3 (17:52):
I think there's six I counted.

Speaker 2 (17:54):
Just yeah, there's one. We'll get balloced out, isn't there
there's one that make six? Must be that must be
a record, isn't it.

Speaker 3 (18:00):
It's a lot, isn't it.

Speaker 1 (18:01):
My grand my late grandfather used to back Gray's every year,
number thirteen in Scottish horses, and I don't think he's
backed the winner in the twenty years or so.

Speaker 3 (18:09):
I had with him in the Grand Max.

Speaker 2 (18:11):
But good about a good rule afterwards as well, wouldn't it?

Speaker 3 (18:14):
I know, next you to launch. There's only been three eever,
haven't they?

Speaker 2 (18:17):
Yeah?

Speaker 3 (18:19):
But I for an id audience. These the things that
that resonator.

Speaker 1 (18:22):
I know it winds people up, but you know, I'll
go through the stories for Saturday and a gray winner
is of interest, red colors on Merseyside, that type of thing,
so no thoughts will be back.

Speaker 3 (18:33):
I could see the big money.

Speaker 1 (18:34):
For Highlands DJ on the day in the race with
Nicky Henderson's forty six years of and so on, and
can do Kid would be in my top four as well,
so it might be a great day on Saturday.

Speaker 2 (18:45):
Audience excited that David one of the stores it was
going to be Yue. He only cost eight hundred quid,
didn't I your? Yeah, yeah that was that. But as
well to Scott together a Venture, got together a Ventures
he's here ewick David. I mean it's a remarks and
there's just been another chapter in his remarkable story. Wouldn't it?

Speaker 3 (19:04):
It would yet you know sort of you look at
what he's won and you know, I mean it didn't
fancy him at all for the King George, and it's
sort of struggled a little bit in the very best
company since then. Obviously coming back to a handicap, but
you know, we talked about obviously handicaps you need to
either be improving or well handicapped, and I think it's

(19:27):
very hard to make a case for Hewick necessarily being
either of those. So I was a little bit surprised
that when he was confirmed for the race that his
price has sort of tumbled from twenties twenty fives down
to disputing single figures. In some places, it'd be a
good story. I get that obviously, and obviously a shark

(19:47):
handlon is a great value in front of a camera,
so it should be a good result for ITV. But
I'd be surprised if he could do it.

Speaker 1 (19:54):
To be honest, it'll be a difficult one to explain
for me though, Yes, but I can't hide from the
truth of what happened, so it would take a bit
of explaining as well, that story or not.

Speaker 4 (20:05):
Yeah, exactly.

Speaker 2 (20:07):
Now, there's some glorious chapters in the Star in one
or two. Not so glad he's happen in that particular
one believe it's not the biggest city is in thinking
about okay around a modern National.

Speaker 4 (20:16):
He's going a huge chance already. Don't be surprised at
Chamberlain if you do have to interview the Shark afterwards,
because this often has a serious chance.

Speaker 2 (20:24):
You know he is a class act.

Speaker 4 (20:26):
John's pointing about him being well handicapped, Well, I'd make
a contra argument that he's running off one six two,
But he would have won a Kerry National of one
six three a couple of years ago and he unseated
at the last. He was coming there to win the race,
so I don't think he's that badly handicapped. And he
is back in form, as he showed a turnle sauber
Hortons recently. That was a good win by him. And

(20:47):
the stable is going well. Since the Shark has got
his license back, he's had a couple of winners. They
are running well, the winner the other day, so the
ground has come right for him. He's he's absolutely at
his best on top of the ground. He's one about
three six five, so we know he's is really well
and he's got lords in his favor and he's not
the biggest arse in the world, but he does seem
to jump. Well, I think he's you know, I fancied
him for the race last year and the groan went

(21:08):
against him and they obviously didn't run him. But yeah,
I certainly wouldn't put anyone off, and I think he's
got a huge chance. He ticks a lot of the
right boxes, I reckon.

Speaker 2 (21:17):
Or you might be to ask the question Zadra Shiver
State cheared obviously on Saturday for that one, like tried
to go out the box has a chamber. The best
outside that in the twenty twenty five vand up squad
national is.

Speaker 3 (21:30):
Yeah, who Rachel's riding yet no one, no not.

Speaker 1 (21:34):
Confirmed shortener could be Senior Chief. I went back and
watched the Coral Gold Cup Billy which can do kid
won and he was pretty eye catching that day and
it's clearly been trained for one day, a little bit
like a Roker. Look at Henry Bromheads done here with
Senior Chief. I think this is the day for this horse,
and we know what he can be like any targets one.

(21:55):
So Senior Chief could be a Shawna, particularly when we
find out who Rachel's riding could be half interesting.

Speaker 2 (22:02):
Interesting Senior Chief for Ed David for you a lively outsider.

Speaker 3 (22:06):
Yeah, and the comments that I've made before, I did
have to go with Grange player West. I think there's
still some thirty three to one knocking about to think
he could outrun those odds.

Speaker 2 (22:17):
And Billy you were nodding along to Edward Senior Chief,
are you in the same boat?

Speaker 4 (22:21):
Well, I agree with both of the lads. To be honest,
I think both Senior Chief and Glinchter was the huge chances.
Greenchter was the thirty three to one for a Grade
one winner. That was that run really win a Nurse
Score Cup that could look a massive price comes outurday evening.

Speaker 2 (22:34):
You all there you are, there's some of the bigger
prices to consider what I changed it right now? The
spotlight you're there with the microphone? Who those are your
trusting it under? After the Grand Natural on Saturday? Who
wins the Great Race?

Speaker 1 (22:47):
Gavin Cromwell and I hope it withers about ligan On.
Financially it could be Vinillier as well. I think he's
got a massive chance. And for the brick, I do
like Cando kid each way and Seenior Chief to finish
off the.

Speaker 2 (23:03):
Girl one two or thay far David sake question to you.

Speaker 3 (23:07):
Yeah, I'm probably not quite as worried about the ground
for Intense Raffles as what the other two lads are.
I think, you know, running on soft and heavy ground
that's as much a feature of being campaigned in Ireland
throughout the winter as though that It's not like there's
a poor run on good or quicker that you can
worry about. And I get the point that you know,

(23:30):
he needs a real test of stamina, and I'm hoping
that obviously the longer trip will compensate to the quicker ground.
I don't think it's going to be any quicker than
good to soft, and I'm hoping that the way he
goes through his races are allowing to get away with that.
So I think Intense Raffles is the most interesting of
those towards the head of the betting.

Speaker 2 (23:49):
Thanks DJ and Blast, not least Billy.

Speaker 4 (23:51):
Let's think Chamberlin can possibly take a couple of minutes
off at the end of this year's National and just
rerun last year's winning in of You with Paul tonand
and Willie Mullins, because I think they might do it again.
William Maximus, I certainly won't go against him, I'd give
you a big chance, but I am Maximus is the
number one for me already.

Speaker 2 (24:11):
How far down were they won? Two, three, far five, six, seven,
eight nineteen. How far down do we need to get
for the first British hoarse home in the billion nation
national predictions.

Speaker 4 (24:20):
I haven't worked it out just yet, but I could
certainly see them a Britige running in the frame. I
mean it's it's there's a couple of life content ers.
So yeah, I'm not going to say that there's no chance,
because certainly a couple of them do.

Speaker 1 (24:32):
I think I think what the race needs on Saturday,
and there's a lot of talk about it. All the
interviews I've done have been about it's not the race
it was, and so on and so forth. I think
the one result the race needs forgetting all the drama
of the race itself is a bit of romance back
in it. It could really do with an Eider's boy
or a Nicky Henderson or a couple of the maning sources.

(24:54):
Great Player West with David Thompson having purchased that horse
before he died, and the nick Rocket story could really
do with a bit of romance. If I had one
wish for Saturday's race just needs a bit of that
magic back, which I'm afraid your I am Maximus is
and a few others won't give because that's what the
Grand National.

Speaker 2 (25:11):
The minute for me.

Speaker 3 (25:11):
I don't know what you think, Alredy, that's what it
is crying out for in the big picture.

Speaker 2 (25:15):
Yeah, I definitely get that. I do think it's a
shame that the Gold Cup winners not there. I think
that would have been a huge story of having I
know you the way I know you the way think it.
Caven pronounced that one that alone Percival, but had him
chasing that that, I mean, that would just be a
remarkable spoting for it, wouldn't it. I that straight after
they finish it, that would be good.

Speaker 1 (25:36):
But I've got a really good idea yesterday with Gabby
Logan and Mark Chapman talking about the Grand National, that
there the top level sports presenters. Their take on the
Grand National these days is the underdog can't win or
won't win, and the Grand National needs.

Speaker 3 (25:50):
To have that magic, which it might still do. We
learn from chelt them anything could happen that that would
be my one wish Saturday. It almost makes it a
bit even bigger shame for our mister Vandal is going
to be so close to making the book. He would
have been an ideal one wouldn't hear or anything the
story behind him, And.

Speaker 1 (26:04):
If we'd had forty runners, he'd have got in there.
All the changes, I think the changes are really good.
Some of them, I know the changes need.

Speaker 3 (26:10):
To be made.

Speaker 1 (26:11):
The one I'm not sure about the reduction Number'd love
to still have those forty And if we had those forty.

Speaker 2 (26:16):
He'd be running. It's typically it's the right year for
him to run and everything, But I don't think they'd
have run it. But they given them the ground. Mister Ango.
It's such a shame that he can't get in there,
but it just it would have been been even bigger shame.
But they've got in there and then the ground's good
to soft and they've decided to keep him a home.
But there we are. There are our thoughts on the
twenty twenty five Landog's Grand National, But we got part

(26:39):
two GC. He's got to join us. We're going to
go through the rest of the action over the three days.
Attaint welcome back to Part two and by the magic
of television or zoom. GC has joined us for part two. GC,
you're mister rollicking Grand National. They're not my words. Other
words of YouTube people, I'm sure of underneath on the
program Rundo's Grand National View that the inside gossip from it.

Speaker 5 (27:02):
I do I need the reduced Shakespeare version. I've got
the personal record book and I just need one name
from each you. I'm going to go on my zoom
screen the right to left, Billy Nash. If this is
anything other than an Irish horse, I will.

Speaker 2 (27:18):
Be absolutely steady.

Speaker 4 (27:21):
Well have you for me to disappoint your GC Iron
Maximus is going to do it again?

Speaker 5 (27:27):
A right, okay, right, that's in the book. I've heard
of that one. David Johnson, come on, you can't tap
the flatwors.

Speaker 3 (27:33):
That's the shame. Intense raffles and these days intense raffles
and it is.

Speaker 5 (27:43):
Yeah, come on, ed you. I can see you're already
an entry. There are You're in the media center.

Speaker 1 (27:48):
I'm in the Dave board seat, the Adonis seat. Yeah,
I'm going to say GC, Gavin Cromwell. I'm just not
sure which one the Nillier or Percival legalis.

Speaker 3 (28:00):
No, I don't fancy.

Speaker 5 (28:00):
Sometimes okay, so the split steaks Perceval and Vanillier.

Speaker 2 (28:05):
Yeah, that's the word.

Speaker 3 (28:06):
That's the way for me.

Speaker 2 (28:07):
What's yours to get the split stakes? GCSEs that time
for Perceval, I can't say the second words. I just
called him Percival, all right, No, men should have a
British course. GC. Sorry, I haven't got any. I haven't
got any.

Speaker 5 (28:23):
I've got yours. I'm I'm working on the tri cast.
I am maximus intense raffles Vanillier.

Speaker 2 (28:33):
What's the other one? And go on, Dave, it was
Percival as well. I do fit the try cast about a.

Speaker 5 (28:42):
Mixed forecasts and tried tasks. But you won't be seeing
me for a few months.

Speaker 2 (28:46):
The roots out the great game we will be seeing
yetfully ain't on Thursday.

Speaker 5 (28:50):
GC canfield tonight if you're there, and I'll be there
and field.

Speaker 2 (28:56):
Yeah, I'll be.

Speaker 3 (28:58):
Your field connection, one of your best in the game,
he is.

Speaker 5 (29:02):
Yeah, I'll be in among the LFC fans, but quite
quietly cheering any event goals that make.

Speaker 3 (29:08):
Willie Mallins is going, Ruby Walsh is going.

Speaker 1 (29:11):
All these Man United fan and City fans are all
going to all the.

Speaker 5 (29:14):
Plastic scousers, including the.

Speaker 2 (29:19):
Enjoy that expected Jay. How about they're going to enjoy
seeing on Thursday Constitution he'll be lost in Mouth looking
arms again.

Speaker 5 (29:26):
Yeah, a shame we won't have brighter days ahead. It
was still no near and knowing who the best hurdler
around is, but this should shed some light on it.
And because we didn't learn a right lot at Entry,
I can't be confident. I think he should be a
hell of a good race if they both turn up
with their a game. I've heard it said that Constitution

(29:48):
Hill didn't really impress when he won this race the
Liverpool Entry Hurdle a couple of years ago, but that
was on the back of slamming Statement nine lengths in
the Champion Hurdle. So an absolutely peak con Institution will win,
but I suspect that lossy Mouth might be about to
give him a pretty decent race. Tactics could be important.
It's it's going to be cat and mouse, I think,

(30:09):
because the others look to be playing for places, don't we.

Speaker 2 (30:13):
It's a it's a cracker jat way to start the meeting.
How what are you expected? How are you expecting to unfold?

Speaker 3 (30:22):
Well, it's a cracker jack start for us.

Speaker 1 (30:23):
Because we haven't shown that first race before the manifesto
Novices Chase, so we're showing six races this year and
it's always been a bit strange coming on air after
you've missed Grade one. So delighted ready to show that
absolute hung dinner of a start with the art or
winner against Impire Pass and Co. But listen, it's all
about that clash. We've got the class we wanted to Cheltenham.
We've had to wait.

Speaker 3 (30:44):
And it's funny, isn't it. We've got that clash tomorrow.
If this was a Cheltener, We've been talking about it
for weeks and weeks and it's.

Speaker 1 (30:49):
Sort of emerging upon us from nowhere. It's Constitution Hill
against lost in Mouth. Everybody, this is the big clash.
I'm with GC on that performance a couple of years
ago when he scrambled home running on fume.

Speaker 3 (31:00):
Put that down to that month's to performance at Cheltenham.

Speaker 2 (31:02):
But I wouldn't be.

Speaker 3 (31:04):
As confident as I was.

Speaker 2 (31:05):
I was.

Speaker 3 (31:05):
I was so confident about him at Sheltenham. I really
had brought into the hype.

Speaker 1 (31:09):
If you like that, Constitution Hill was back to his
original self and I don't have that confidence he up tomorrow.
It's just going to be a race to kick back,
watching and savor between the two of them. I think
it's going to be absolutely I mean, just part of
a brilliant, brilliant first day at this meeting.

Speaker 3 (31:24):
It is jack of the card, it really is.

Speaker 5 (31:28):
It wouldn't show me if we do, you know, run
those two relatively closer. I believe she needs another ten
or twelve pounds, but she is still on tapped, still unbeaten,
and she's improving fast based on what we saw.

Speaker 2 (31:41):
At Cheldham fast.

Speaker 4 (31:43):
Yeah, and the fact that she the step up to
two and a half. Michaels really seems to have improved
significantly this year because there are two best performances have
come at the distance. She was very good at Cheltenham
at the mart and point, but she did with off
one undred and forty one or something like that. So
this is a massive jump up into grade one company
against proper grade one urses. So I can see your point.

(32:03):
I could see her running well, but let's face that
she's no brother is a head, you know, so whether
she's good enough to win, I'd have my doubts. But
she yeah, she should run well, but it promises to
be a cracking race. I'm very much with ed. It's
one to sit and watch. I think we're still in
the dark with Constitution Hill. His best performance is now
three years ago in the Supreme on time Farm ratings.

(32:25):
He hasn't run to a work in the one seventies
for over two years now. He's probably still capable of it,
but we don't know. And we do know that last
month is fitting firing and she was very good at
Chelt and she comes here in Blude health and two
and a half miles around the entry should really suit her.
So it sets up beautifully for what should be a
fascinating spectacle.

Speaker 5 (32:44):
Rich Ritchie Willia Villens and has have a very good
memory of this race. Remember it can't it can't be.
But it is nine years ago tomorrow since Annie Power
had a final run. Her main rival was a Henderson
host and she absolutely banjoled my tent oils. Remember she
beaten by about eighteen or nineteen lengths.

Speaker 2 (33:04):
I think maybe just probably the race constitution. It was
an on characteristic fall obviously in the Champion heard what
the time before his lot Old Johnny had a hunting
of a mistake at the last that day. Does he
have quick fresh questions to answer for you?

Speaker 3 (33:20):
I think there are concerns, particularly because the fall was
such a similar mistake to what he did at the
last in the International, wasn't it where he sort of
stood off it and not given the obstacle the respect
obviously needed. And it's the race. I'm not desperate to
get involved given the price. I think losty Mouse is

(33:40):
about thirteen to eight. Constitution Hill relatively easy to backfires
to flow on. But I think if I was going
to have a bet, and I may well do, it'll
probably be losty Mouth. In the fact that you know
that two and a half miles round Entree is probably
close to being her optimum conditions, given what we saw
how she struggled around Kempton and then how she obviously

(34:04):
won very easily at the Chaunting of Festival, whereas even
the Constitution Hill at his best might not be as
quite as effective over two and a half. So yeah,
I think Constitution Hill he does have a couple of
question marks. And Lost in Mouth this is her home game,
isn't it, So I would probably be siding with her.

Speaker 5 (34:24):
It's really strange, isn't it, losty Mouth. We were all
questioning whether she'd be all right after a very heavy
fall at the dr She came out fresh as pink
at Cheltenham, and Constitution Hill has to do the same.
I agree it's one to save her, but if Constitution
Hill touched even money or eleventh to ten, I think
I'd have to have a few sovereigns on because you know,

(34:45):
we know that at his best he's the best around.

Speaker 2 (34:48):
Film a fantastic race and so an intriguing contest, But
I'm going to get the raat title Qui Chamberlain, the
Brooklyn's Golden Miller Coolograph Bowl, Chast. We've got Gregg doning
in here, best of British staying Chase has missed chel
Let it be a fantastics happen. There's loads of pay
so loads of competitions are really interesting renewal.

Speaker 1 (35:10):
It's a cracking race with lots of household names in it.
When you think you've got the leaden footed Hoisi Newle
trying to bounce back and falling in the gold Cup Jello.
Everyone knows the two Willi Muddens horses. Who'd have thought
that started the season that Paul Townon would pass up
the right on Gaylic Warrior, and he's on Embassy Gardens,
Great Dawning, the galloping gray that people have takes their
hearts a proper terrestrial television horse Pillans Tower for Jimmy

(35:33):
mangan and Monteese Pass Fame, Stage Star and the Real Whacker.
I mean it's a that's a that's a really good
race that I mean this it's just a non stop
on on day one. I think Stage Star is going
to run a big race in this. For me, Paul
Nichols has obviously targeted this meeting big time this year.
I thought he ran really well last time. They'll ping
around these fences and I think he's the each way

(35:54):
better in the race.

Speaker 2 (35:56):
So it's a long triguing conscous and practically there's plenty
of God want to go followed in it as well.

Speaker 5 (36:01):
Yeah, althok, the cement footed formerly some men footed, actually
still cement footed after what happened in the Gold Cup.
I've always saying you, we'll touched on his record at
this meeting, which is this is the one venue and
time of year when he's shown high class consistency. Embassy
Gardens goes forward, Great Dawning can go forward and only

(36:22):
you will stage star and the whacker is the whacker.
As we know, he goes forward, so on ratings it
looks a tiger in it race. I'm a big great
Dawning fan. I'd one bigger than two to one, and
I think I might get it. It was effectively a
match that he won a Kelso in his bounce back race.

(36:42):
But he was giving year Oco, who was prepping for
the National, a few pounds and he beat him with
a real swagger. And I think he's a high quality
horse he'll need to be. I want to ask Billy
about Speralance Tower because we know how good he can be.
But nearly all of his best spom has been produced
with the logs of cutting the ground Billy, and he

(37:03):
just never got in a rhythm when favorite on good
ground for the King George.

Speaker 2 (37:07):
So what do you think?

Speaker 5 (37:08):
They have done a lot of water in an a tree,
but I think they'll need to have if Spillan's towers
to be at his very best.

Speaker 4 (37:13):
What do you think? Yeah now' he'd win at the
conscious Own Festival last season and good to soft grown,
so it's probably not a massive negative, but you'd have
to say it's it's in danger becoming a bit of
a wasted season for Spillan's tower.

Speaker 2 (37:25):
You know, he runs so well in.

Speaker 4 (37:26):
The John Darkan the King George didn't go to plan
and then he's missed Cheltenham. You know they could have
run Himo the Internim he's missed Cheltenham. He's come here instead.
The ground is is like I said, it's it's not
a massive negative, but it's definitely not ideal. You'd like
to see it a bit softer for him. So he
comes here fresh and I'm sure they'll have done a
lot of work on this jumping at Kempton. But like

(37:47):
u GC, I was disappointed with the way that he
just never really got into rhythm at Kempon. He always
seemed to be.

Speaker 2 (37:53):
Wasn't it.

Speaker 5 (37:54):
It was untidy all the way around.

Speaker 4 (37:55):
Yeah, he just seemed to be able to with comfort
zone of all time. You know, he looked like a
arstter was going trid too quick to my OI, and
that shouldn't have been the case for one that had
run so well over two and a half the time
before the John Drkans. So it's a bit of a
retrieval mission if he comes back to his early season form.
He's got a real chance, but there has to be
a little bit of a negative about him after the

(38:18):
Kempton and like you said, I would prefer to see
more caught on the ground. He might bounce back, but
he deals without carrying my money anyway.

Speaker 5 (38:29):
You know his record here, let's splash it out the
last four years at this meeting. He won the Sefton
Grade one hurdle sixty six to one. He won the
Grade one three miles Novice in twenty twenty two.

Speaker 2 (38:41):
I think he beat Fury.

Speaker 5 (38:42):
Road and long Press that day, second to peak form
Shishkin this in twenty twenty three, and he gave Jerry
DeLong Gold Cup runner up all the trouble he could
handle when beaten half of length last year. So this
is the one situation where we can generally rely on
him to excel. But I think Connections will be hoping
that there's not as much pressure on the front enders

(39:03):
as they could be here because he will be going forward,
but he won't be the only one.

Speaker 2 (39:10):
Boldly coss But David Twade, you see you going.

Speaker 3 (39:13):
Yeah, I think it's going to set up really well
for Gray Dawning, even if around two to one doesn't
really get me desperate to start digging deep into the pockets.
But I think the Skeltons will look at what happened
in the Gold Cup and the Ryan Air and I
think they'll be pretty content with the decision that they
made to miss that rate those races to come here,

(39:35):
and it does look a really good spot. I'm not
quite as keen as ed on Stage Star. I'm just
not sure that that Cotswold chase ends up looking like
it's a very strong piece of form, and he obviously
had the run of things that day. The Venetia horse
has let the form down a little bit, I think
since so I'd be slightly worried about him, particularly with

(39:58):
the horse in or likely to take him on, and
I'd just ech out the comments about Skillan's tower. Obviously
it's a small yard, isn't it. So it's very difficult
to ever get a handle.

Speaker 2 (40:09):
On how they might be going.

Speaker 3 (40:10):
But when you've got a horse that you haven't seen
for such a long time coming off the back of
a poor run, it's just really quite a negative thing,
I think. And he may well come back, but he's
got it to prove at the prices.

Speaker 2 (40:23):
For me a bit of a theme this week.

Speaker 5 (40:25):
Five of the eight I think miss Cheldenham, so they
should be pretty fresh, and I suspect nobody knows what
to expect from Gaelic Warrior, but Patrick Mullins Billy gets
a chance to shine on him again.

Speaker 4 (40:37):
If I would think GC, the fact that Paul Townland
has has overlooked him, assuming that he had the choice.
He generally does so he assume he had the choice again,
and the fact that he's decided not to ride him.
Could have thought six months ago that Gaelic Quarrior would
have been in this race, not favorite and you know,
potential second string for Willie Mullen. So yeah, that would

(40:58):
that would really put me off him. And let's based
that his run at the d RF was very flat,
so he's got a lot to prove. I reckon and
Embassy garvons the horses polotone and does ride. He's a
likable type, but he really shouldn't be good enough. I
would have thought to me, he's a Grade two, Grade
three horses. I'd be surprised if he was good enough
to win a Grade one against these horses.

Speaker 5 (41:16):
Yeah, I know it's three miles, but the rhythmoth a
tree chases flat spring conditions. Gaelic Warrior cannot afford to
start that jumping right malarkey in a race like this,
he'll be in big trouble if he does.

Speaker 2 (41:30):
Before we leave thirty year. You've got the full opening
races time the Grade one. You looking for the janggo
bay again. A pronunciation is perfect, Jacal. Remember this I
said in the media center, chelten them three out he
was winning the Arkle and no everybody laughed. But Matt
Mayan running sexuals are pervabsolutely spot on. Again, it seems
the most obvious thing to do with him was stepping
back up in trip.

Speaker 1 (41:50):
Yeah, definitely, and I'm surprised he's the prices. I looked
at the market this morning. I probably might be a
bit shorter coming here as the Arkle winner. Looks like
the extra half a mile should definitely suit him, so
I think he'll take a bit of beating as long
as has come out of the race. But as GC says,
this is the week when you just don't know how
these horses are going to react to their races at
the festival, and he had a hard race that day
and an aurally brilliant article. But I do think he's

(42:12):
a back of up price in this because he's he
should be suited by the trip. I wouldn't know what
to expect from Pere past though he's again not quite
as mystery as Gaelic Warrior. But I'm not sure what
to make it him over fences.

Speaker 2 (42:24):
Gig pieces tomorrow.

Speaker 5 (42:25):
Billy that he can't have been at his very best
at the DRF because he was just never particularly comfortable
for us who's won multiple grade ones over hurdles.

Speaker 2 (42:35):
He should have been traveling better than that early on,
I would think.

Speaker 4 (42:38):
So, and I think the addition to cheap pieces could
make a massive difference to this horse. He has looked
on a couple of occasions over hortons that they were
doing good and you know, at his very best, like
his heart's farmers, head and shoulders above anything else in
this way is let's not forget he won the jury
horble here last year. I think dryer groaned as well
is a key to him. I think he's better when

(42:59):
when the ground dryer is out, and I think cheek
pieces will make a massive difference.

Speaker 2 (43:02):
So I think he's to me.

Speaker 4 (43:03):
I think he's possibly the larst to beat in this
race if he can reproduce his horrible's form and his
first two runs over offences would suggest that he was
certainly capable of getting very close to it yesterday or
if it was disappointing. But I think this race has
been the target of all the year. I think dry
ground and the additional cheap pieces could make a massive difference.
Jangle Bay obviously has to be massively respected, but he

(43:26):
shaped fourth less than an Arklet you know, I know
you want it, but he was. He was the fourth
best art of the day in my opinion, and I'd
be more concerned about Gidley Park than Jango Bay, to
be honest, I think Gidley Park's wins or win. He
looked very good on the day and the farm has
been massively boosted by Coldwell Potter, so too and a
half around the injury will suit him and I think
he's the big danger. No love for Krug part really

(43:48):
not at not at the trip. Elliott is on record
is saying he thinks he's a two and a half miler.
I think he's a stare. He won over three miles
of Christmas at Leopardstown. If you look at him, his
pedigree and everything's suggests that he wants to go a trip,
and I think possibly a step up to three miles
is what he needs. I thought he was, you know,

(44:09):
readily and awful pointed the Leberals on Theelaster and I
think impairly possible torna on that farm, especially on this ground.

Speaker 3 (44:15):
I'm with Gordon rather than Billy on Crop Park. I
think two and a half miles ull suits him. I
think he essentially got outstayed by bally Burn. I don't
briefly look like he might even have bally Burn's measure
that day, and I think he traded it back twos
on and running. I think he's a sound jump player.
He will be ridden pretty prominently and I think he'll
make a lot of these go in this. So I

(44:36):
was going to backcrow Park to be honest against these.

Speaker 5 (44:39):
This of course is the manifesto. Novice has chased EBC
group manifesto manifesto in.

Speaker 2 (44:46):
Eight Grand Nationals. Eight counter he wanted to, and he
was in the frame in four others. So a long
long time ago. But what all seems to be they
blame for Legend livestock. John Bond tried, I didn't didn't
aim GC two and a half. He's proved it won
this way. So when I get to a tree, what

(45:08):
you expected? It seemed a shame we didn't win a child.
It felt like it was his year to claim that tag.

Speaker 5 (45:13):
Yeah, well we have this theme of you know, horses
who've had pretty heavy falls trying to bounce back. His
is even more of a conundrum because even though he
didn't fall, he made a.

Speaker 2 (45:24):
Really jarring, jarring blunder halfway.

Speaker 5 (45:28):
Then he jumped the next two or three really really cautiously,
and he ended up having a pretty gruelly and experience.

Speaker 2 (45:34):
There's no question about it. So the question is.

Speaker 5 (45:39):
Has he recovered from that quickly enough to win a
race that he ought to be winning. It's a very
isn't a.

Speaker 2 (45:44):
Small field day all runners?

Speaker 5 (45:48):
So we put another cement foot in William Ullens's horse
l Fabiol.

Speaker 2 (45:55):
The other two it's Protector at Bitata. Well I wouldn't.

Speaker 5 (46:01):
I wouldn't put a line through Protect Protector in a
small field because he ran really well in this race
last year after his Ryanair win, and he was only
a length and a half or so behind John Bond
in this race. Now he didn't fire his best shot
in the Ryanair this time around. Nothing could get near
Factor File. But he's a rugged horse and he's good
enough to give him, give him all the shaker at

(46:23):
a at a reasonable price. If John bonn Is is
feeding theffcts. What a week A big week for Nico
de Boyneville, isn't it? Because it all went wrong on
the big ones apart from Jango Bay at the Charlton
Festival and he's got to try and make amends on
Constitution Hill and John Bond in the space of twenty
four hours.

Speaker 2 (46:41):
Now. Yeah, it's really interesting. David just talking of Devineville
and had the Si La Lamba swerves the four year
old hurdle. I want to step him up to two
and a half in open company on Saturday, Henderson said
it was a logical choice. Would it be the logical
choice for you.

Speaker 3 (46:57):
Have? Not necessarily? I mean it's not often that you
see juveniles taking on horses in open novice company, is it.
When they've obviously got the option of the four year
old race and the four year old race hasn't really
attracted anything that they would have had to run scared
of obviously, But even so, I mean, I don't think

(47:17):
this looks particularly strong running of the Grade one, does it.
It looks like with Romeo Culio being declared for the
two mile race, I think he's going to have about
a stone to play with. On that triumph form he
gets a slightly advantageous weight for age and allowance according
to the time for numbers. I think we suggest that
he gets three or four pounds that he's probably not

(47:39):
entitled to, So I don't know whether that was anything
of a factor, but yeah, in terms of the ability
that he's shown in the Triumph, it looks like he
should be winning this and winning it pretty comfortably, I
would imagine.

Speaker 2 (47:53):
Yeah, interesting, but he did it before the indigc predocular
man in the Supreme I think is a year four
year oldn't Yeah, absolutely up a move that Nick is not. No,
So let's tell Tapoo now the status on Saturday Billy.
It didn't happen to him at Shelton this year. It
ran well, But what did you make that prob to
the fact that for the howshoers wraps up in cotton

(48:13):
Wall well, but a way for the entire winter that
in him same only twice, especially three weeks.

Speaker 4 (48:19):
Mixed mockery of the campaign doesn't this last year and
this year, I mean we can't. He can't run possibly
from November to Cheltenham, and all of a sudden he's
back out three weeks later, having got beaten the Cheltenham.
So yeah, he got beaten the Cheltenham. I wouldn't be
surprised to be get beaten again already. I think three
miles on quick ground around the injury is not really
what he wants. I think the ground was a big
factor in getting beaten this year and this is potentially

(48:41):
a tricky assignment for him. You know, he's up against
the LEAs at home by the Lee. Obviously he got
knocked out of the race at Cheltenham. Hopefully clearly he's
none the worse for that. But he's got the legs
that Jimmy decide the wallpark strung leader, all of them
I think will be suited by three miles around the entry.
I'm kind of hoping they decide to put headgear on
the wallpark because I've been hoping for a long time

(49:01):
to do it. I just think he's arth that tends
to hit a flat spot and cheek pieces or something
might just help him through his race.

Speaker 2 (49:08):
But I think quick round run.

Speaker 4 (49:09):
The injury would suit him obviously strong leader won the
race last year and his back again. Jimmy decided was
so impressed in the Carling Cup and when he has
thrown another spanning in the works by declaring or by
at least entering kids boogle. I don't know if he's
gonna run him or not, but he's very impressive in
two races over two miles in Ireland.

Speaker 2 (49:26):
The trip is a complete unknown.

Speaker 4 (49:27):
He shaped like Arthur that will definitely get two and
a half. But if he stayed three minds he'd be
a big player. So all in all, there's enough there
against Tahupo for me to be happy to take him
on again.

Speaker 2 (49:39):
Jay say, would you be looking at that guys looking
for some potential punching angles?

Speaker 5 (49:42):
You think, yeah, I've had a look at it. I've
destroying points out Tapu. I don't think he has masses
in hand of home by the league if he's right again.
Another Hoots who who didn't get a chance to show
where he could do at the Childing Festival, departed before
half way in the stairs hurdle. Kids are like to
suspected he It would seem unusual to love a five

(50:03):
year old into this race, going up straight from two
miles to three miles. But his entry is interesting, like
Billy and I thought Jimmy Dessoy was. It was a
bit of a revelation in the Coral Cup back from
a long break and made a very very competitive handicup
look pretty one sided. Gwenny may Boy was really good
at Haydock, so that it's not just one or two

(50:24):
possible springers or dangers to tea Pho in that race.

Speaker 2 (50:28):
Romeo and Culio.

Speaker 5 (50:30):
Is that on Saturday or is it Friday? That two
mile Lovers hurdle? He looks potentially for a banker of
the week, I think, doesn't he? If there's a horse
who can beat him with no copeck aboard in the road,
I'll be very surprised. So he's a very short price, Billy,
I don't want to spring this on ye. Have you
looked at that juvenile hurdle tomorrow, a Grade one perhaps

(50:54):
in name only the Birdles race. I have had a
good look and it's amazing that we had lulambas hot favorite.
We had Lady Vega Allen from the Triumph third looking
a big runner, and we had Hello name, but none
of them run. So now we have the Boodle's favorite,
the Boodles winner, Fred Winter winner put Your Hands Together

(51:15):
as favorite and Fred Winter winners don't have a good
record in that race. But this is not what we
would normally expect from it Grade one Juve and Al
hurdlerd Entry is it absolutely not?

Speaker 1 (51:26):
No?

Speaker 4 (51:26):
I agree, it's a great one in name only none
of the major players in the torn up here, which
is unusual in itself. And I suppose to put Your
Hands Together was so impressive at Cheltenham that it's not
surprising that he's favored for the race. He's top on
time from ratings as well. But yeah, it's it's a
It's a very open looking Grade one to me just
having a quick look at it. I think his his

(51:48):
stable companion could give him plenty to do here. Naturally
nimble whose Arsenal I was fancying for the Fred Winter
didn't run on us, but quick ground will really suit him.
You know, he's a grid too winner from earlier in
the season. It's there's a couple of unknown quantities that
Dan skeltonhars Live Conty has a time farm large p
as has Philibustering of Harry Durham. So they're opened to

(52:08):
plenty of improvements, but as grade ones go, it doesn't
look a particularly strong one.

Speaker 5 (52:12):
Yeah, I worked to put in a decent word for
two horses in that.

Speaker 2 (52:16):
Race of prices. Murcia is running, isn't she She's yeah,
she's sorry. Yes's Chilsen to add it.

Speaker 5 (52:25):
It's I think it's slip slightly. Another radar that she
has a thirteen pound poll with put your hands together
compared to the Fred Winter she was giving.

Speaker 2 (52:34):
Him six that day.

Speaker 5 (52:36):
She finished no excuses beaten, you know, seven or eight links.
But she has a big, big pull and Willie has
a really good record with Phillies in that race.

Speaker 2 (52:46):
She's no apples Jade who won it before.

Speaker 5 (52:48):
She went on to great things for a different yard, but.

Speaker 2 (52:51):
She, you know, she's pretty useful.

Speaker 5 (52:53):
Center also won it a couple of years ago thirteen
pound pool and Philip Bustering. He beat second raiders Kell
so he was a handy middle distance stayer for tim
Easter be but I am sucker for horses who jump
really well, and for a horse having his first run
over hurdles, his technique and his aggression were tremendous, So
keep an eye on those two. Zenta and philibustering in

(53:17):
a grade one heard a long day one that's not
really a flash grade one at all.

Speaker 4 (53:22):
Yeah, Lily long because another one who was a bit
of a pull with put your hands together, gave him
six pounds and the Fred Winter was doing all his
best work of the finish so he could get involved
in the shake up as well.

Speaker 2 (53:34):
I should have pointed out this had changed it left
as earlier and I've actually mentioned that. But he had
TVV equipments given away. It pubbs up as he departed.
But it's not about for the Maydan talks with with
that' saying three, we now need to talk may down
because it's World Cup night and some fascinating racing in
Star There. Just like to change to those race times

(53:54):
again as well, so it stails neatly. With Agent David,
I want to start with you in Calandergan, because I
know he's a ass that you're immensely fond of. Are
you expecting to see Calandergan deliver a big performance in
Maydan on Saturday?

Speaker 3 (54:08):
Certainly?

Speaker 4 (54:08):
Hope so.

Speaker 3 (54:09):
And I think he should be able to as well.
I mean he comes up against some pretty good rivals.
Rebels Romance obviously has an excellent CV around the globe,
but I don't think in terms of natural ability is
quite capable of the performances of what calandergan is. And
think back to Calandigan where he conceded first run in

(54:31):
the York Race to City of Troy. I think that
was a real good performance. And looking at the way
that this race is going to set up, I'm hoping
it's going to be run to suit him. Shin Emperor
is in there, who seems suited by aggressive tactics last time,
so hopefully he'll go on. Rebel's Romance is usually prominent,
so that should stop him getting his own way out

(54:53):
in front. And if it's a decent gallupon their caland
again hopefully his class will come through. So yeah, hoping
it sets him up for a real good season back
in Europe where all these races around mil and and
fourts a mile and a half to the older horses
there should be well within his compass.

Speaker 2 (55:11):
That's to Seamer classic duty. We need to talk about
the turf Romantic Warrior. Plenty of coverage on social media,
I you would expect in the build up to his run.
What are you expecting from him this time around.

Speaker 5 (55:22):
Well, the numbers tell you that it should be a
win and a decisive win. And it's impossible to knock
this horse in any way in terms of his glow
trotting record, his consistency, his ruggedness, his racing style, his.

Speaker 2 (55:38):
Heart full of great ones.

Speaker 5 (55:41):
But he did have to dig extremely deep, really really
deep in that tremendous tussle with for every young more
of him in a minute in the Saudi Cup a
few weeks ago. Now it's a six week cushion, so
it's not like he's coming.

Speaker 2 (55:56):
Back after three weeks. You really would be worried if
he was.

Speaker 5 (55:59):
And James McDonnell just said it's all guns blazing, that
he seems absolutely, you know, firing in the mornings. But
it's worth bearing in mind that he's he's two to
one horn in a couple of places. He's probably going
to jump at around four to seven two to one.
And I think I think Liberty Island is one of
the better value bets of the weekend. She's an old
rival of Romantic Warriors. He was too quick for her

(56:22):
in a steadily run Hong Kong Cup in December she
not for the first time, was left in a fairly
difficult tactical position, but she came home strongly the second.

Speaker 4 (56:32):
She hasn't run.

Speaker 2 (56:33):
Since then, so she'll be as fresh as pain.

Speaker 5 (56:35):
She got a double moderate ride from Yahagi in the
Shema Classic last year.

Speaker 4 (56:40):
He was in an awful.

Speaker 5 (56:41):
Tactical position, so he needs to he needs to be
alert to the tactical situation. You cannot be giving good
horses like Romantic Warrior an easy start. But if if
Romantic Warrior dips a bit below that very high peak,
and he might after that slog on dirt, then Liberty Island,
who I think is around to one, I'd be keeping

(57:01):
a pretty close eye on her. I think I think
she's a She's lost the last four, but there have
been excuses. One of them was against Equinox in the
Japan Cup. Two have been in fairly tactical contests, and
she's a proper group one. Philly getting the weight from
the boys here, and I'll be surprised if she doesn't
go really well.

Speaker 2 (57:21):
Now, now, Billy, let's talk cool, well nothing, but some
of them more would in the first run in their colors,
believing who were so often the Bridesmaid last season came
out and won the sprint.

Speaker 4 (57:32):
Yeah, I mean this is the start of things to come. More,
the Earlyish sprinters are back on the up. You know,
not only do cool more no one believing. They've also
got this rocket from Australia called is it storm by
the day so.

Speaker 2 (57:47):
Ship.

Speaker 4 (57:48):
Look, she's she's rock solid. I mean she she certainly
deserves a deal of the sun. I can't say a
massively strong opinion on this race because I don't know
much about some of those overseas sprinters, but believe a
short to drown up, she's sure to give a good
a cult and she'll be there if there volt.

Speaker 3 (58:02):
You imagine she might still got a little bit unhelpful drawer,
hasn't she stall One? I don't think they'd have picked
that book point against that. You could say that to
quinn Old Regional. She's pretty close to them and are
likely to go forward. But I don't think that a
chosen store one for her. And I think it's a
similar issue with one of the other Brits, west Acre,

(58:24):
who's out on the other wings, who has been an
absolute revelation. He has set out there three year old
that's looked really fast. Whether he can be quite as
effective over six as what he has been showing over
five songs. It'll be interesting in this race, but no,
it really does whet the appetite for races like the
Kings Stand and the Diamond Jubilee later in the season.

Speaker 5 (58:47):
Definitely, speaking of which, last year's King Stand runner up
Regional deserves a good word. I know we haven't seen
him for quite a while. He missed a nun thought
must have had a little setback, didn't run after us,
but his best worn and royal asked got and he's
a Haydock sprint cogman, and I think, isn't he We'd
give it a really good chance in a race like
this and long break, but ed Bethel seems to think

(59:09):
he's in fantastic commission. There's another Hong Kong radar here.
How Deep Is Your Love is a good quality horse.
He's got an international rating of one one five and
California Spangle won this race for Hong Kong twelve months ago,
so he deserves respect. He'll be played late, but if
he was to win or go close, it's yet another
yet another tip of the hat of this krying rising.

(59:30):
He's been beaten six times by Krying Rising and generally
beaten pretty emphatically. So if how Deep is Your Love
can go close in the al cause, I think it's
probably concrete proof that Caying Rising is now the world's
best sprinter. But originally I think at a price he's
drawn too, but he's quick, he should get a good position.

Speaker 3 (59:52):
Is there any chance we'll get to see this Kaying
Rising outside of Hong Kong? Do you know?

Speaker 4 (59:55):
Yeah?

Speaker 2 (59:56):
The Everest? Is it in November? The Everest? I think yeah.

Speaker 5 (01:00:00):
David Hayes's trainer obviously is a true blue was he
and would love to win that race. They haven't got
a slot at the moment, but there's at least one
slot up for grabs. I think one of the slots
you have to buy a ticket to run in that race.
I think one of them is owned by a casino
operator who, how shall we say, isn't going so well

(01:00:22):
at the moment, so they might have to have a
bit of a fire sale. So no, if we see
Kaying Rising, it definitely won't be in Europe, sadly, but
it could be in Australia.

Speaker 2 (01:00:31):
In the bag back.

Speaker 4 (01:00:32):
He's not in the Golden Shadeen because I'd love to
see him take on straight no chase or yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:00:37):
Yeah, oh well the to this tours.

Speaker 5 (01:00:40):
He's about twenty seven years of age now when he's
eight or nine. It seems like he's been running at
fifteen carnivals in a row.

Speaker 2 (01:00:47):
But he bolted up in the Golden.

Speaker 5 (01:00:48):
Saghen last year. But he faces a different kettle of fish,
I think in straight no Chasing Billy this time.

Speaker 3 (01:00:54):
Oh, I think.

Speaker 4 (01:00:54):
So he was hugely impressive on SELDI. I don't know
how deeper least it was, but he went off like
a rocket. They just couldn't couldn't catch him. And obviously
he's a Britos Corp sprint winner as well, so yeah,
he looks the really deal straight not chase or so.

Speaker 5 (01:01:07):
Really Dan black Gap, yeah, englishman of broad in California.

Speaker 2 (01:01:14):
It struck me, I mean, what was that would be
if Epic Poet was to win the Gold Cup? They
Dubai Gold Cup for david O Marba is in there
with Tralla mad and it was only one on that die,
isn't it? Is it continuous that goes over there for
baladorilas there that's the re center for the card but
let's talk to our World Cup then, JC the big
rings on the card, we've touched upon the turnaround, We've

(01:01:34):
got Forever Young. Their favorite is an odds on favorite.
Is there any depth to this? Rays are the many
dangers like and the old thing?

Speaker 5 (01:01:41):
There is a really gold thing there is if you
look down the this you're generally looking for, you know,
high quality American raiders and Brad Cox as a runner,
but Hit Show is rated one to eleven on the
International scale, which puts him seventeen pounds behind Forever Young,
who again it's that Romantic Warrior. For the two of
them pulled miles clear pretty good horses in the Saudi Cup.

(01:02:04):
So Forever Young looks like he's the type of horse
who's gonna make a massive name for himself this year.
And if he's in the same condition that he was
six weeks ago, then he's going to be extremely hard
to beat. He did have a hard race Soldid Romantic Warrior,
but if you have a look at the ratings one
twenty eight, he's now rated on the back of the
Saudi win. The next highest horse in the races one

(01:02:28):
one seven Walk of Stars and Wilson Tosoro and they
were both in a different postcode. Forever Young in the
Saudi Cup six days ago, six weeks ago, and.

Speaker 2 (01:02:39):
The word on the made that card to you, David,
what are you most looking over to?

Speaker 3 (01:02:44):
And just sort of the whole card in total. Really, Yes,
seeing some of these top quality Group one horses that
were going to be seen in Europe later in the season,
and like I said, hopefully it's going to be climbed again,
setting things up nicely for the rest of the year.

Speaker 5 (01:03:00):
On last weekend, David, what did you make of the
Donny Action and Roger Teal dancing?

Speaker 2 (01:03:04):
What's he called that? Dancing dancing Gemini?

Speaker 5 (01:03:07):
Dancing Gemini?

Speaker 2 (01:03:08):
Pretty smart, wasn't he?

Speaker 3 (01:03:09):
Yeah, it was just great to obviously have it back.
I think some of the races a little bit tactical,
weren't they. With the wind element and getting a great
deal of cover was a certain advantage and arguably that
favored dancing Gemini a bit. But no, I mean people
have made that comparison with Charring and you can see
where they're coming from. You just sort of bending his

(01:03:30):
head against the brick wall quite often in those top
races last year, and obviously appreciated coming down in class
here and hopefully onwards and upwards for him. You know,
the sand down route and then onto the lockings is
the obvious route and then we will see how body is.
But he certainly looked really good at the weekend.

Speaker 4 (01:03:47):
Is de Lacroi Derby Cold Billy Well certainly make the
lineup GC. He's certainly running us, but he might be
second retards swing from Buddy. He's a hard knocking called.
He seems to be getting better racing. We'll steer wide
and half no problem, but I wouldn't be surprised if
Buddy Doyle have at least one and maybe too better
than them come to Deer.

Speaker 5 (01:04:06):
I'm looking forward to seeing that horse Wuit who shaded
De Laquire of Leopards down last September. Jesse Harrington's green Impact. Yeah,
really good looking horseim and I think he might be
fine and one of two radars this year.

Speaker 2 (01:04:17):
Could be there. You go, night time of your so
much to look forward to. We've looked ahead to entry
and made down there. Looking forward today three day the
van Docks Grand Nasal. That's what we'll be about next week,
looking ahead to Oh it's another gun national the Scottish
Grand Massal. I don't worry, David. There is the green
of it Debri as well.

Speaker 1 (01:04:35):
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