THE Grand National has had a lot of obstacles to overcome in recent years, not least in its actual obstacles being adjusted and a tentative balance being maintained around its traditional image and modern welfare issues, while still keeping the older National ‘groupies’ on side.
There are many who claim to be losing interest in the ‘new’ National, while the anti-racing protesters emerge a few times a year, hoping to put the boot in if any injuries occur.
In recent years, I’ve often found it hard to have a strong bet, finding it difficult to put much faith in anything in a field devoid of classy, in form, or ‘National’ horses.
Last year was quite an uninspiring field of many older, out of form horses. Nine of the 34 who ran last year, and four of that first nine home, have never ran since, while Nick Rockett made one low-key return and three more, Ida’s Boy, Royale Pagaille and Appreciate It are now retired, while Fil d’Or stayed in America. Those ‘National’ horses you’d follow back for a few years are simply gone and they took some of the charisma with them.
But this year, happily, it is looking a bit different. Three of the first four from last year are back.
And there’s classy horses, experienced horses, good novices, and some decent cross-country horses, and many coming from the top handicaps of the season like Newbury’s Coral Gold Cup or the Ultima at Cheltenham.
Less experienced
There are stats to beat the band on occasions like this and the modern trends are that younger, less experienced horses are to the top of the pile. Favourites do well, they are regularly placed.
It’s odd nowadays but the stats indicate that, while horses do run well a second time in the race, 14 of the last 15 were first-timers in the National. The 11st 9lb carried by Many Clouds (2015) is the biggest weight carried to victory.
I dismiss I Am Maximus as just having too much weight and, while Noble Yeats was seven, that was an Emmet special at 50/1, and I can’t have another well-fancied runner of that age - Jagwar.His jumping is often poor and he has only one run over three miles plus.
My group against the field are the classy Monty’s Star, the stayers Haiti Couleurs and Stellar Story, the novice Oscars Brother, and the cross-county runner Final Orders. With the Gavin Cromwell horses in better form, Perceval Legallois (10/1 last year) is worth a look and I had already backed Lecky Watson ante-post, but his form this season is poor.
I felt Champ Kiely was very much over-priced at 80/1 in places early this week. He has had a messy season since he ran well first time out. But he had Grade 1 form as a novice hurdler, third in the Ballymore Novices’, won a three-mile, one furlong Grade 1 novice chase, jumps well and has had just nine runs over fences.
Yes, he’s older than recent winners but he is only a second season novice and Willie Mullins defies trends. He also spreads his big race winning owners out expertly.
And from the weights reveal, the Patrick Mullins comments on Champ Kiely was: “He was unlucky at Christmas and then we maybe ran him back a bit quick at Tramore. He caught my eye at the DRF (when seventh in the Irish Gold Cup). I thought he was the only one to travel deep into the race behind all the big boys and I’d be quite sweet on his weight. I think he’ll jump and travel, he stays well and I’m very sweet on him.”
The addition of Danny Mullins is certainly no negative, so I’m hoping my ante-post Champ Kiely bets get me out of here for a few days!
National selections: Champ Kiely, Stellar Story and Monty’s Star.
DRIVING along the N2 on Monday, it was easy realising what holiday it was. Slane village becomes the Meetingofthewaters on Easter Monday, as busloads of lads need a toilet stop on the banks of the Boyne on the way to Fairyhouse races! The Irish Grand National meeting had increased attendances, and Easter Monday is a massive ‘young person’s’ day at the races.
In one sense, it was great to see so many young people dressed up and enjoying themselves. There was a good buzz down by the final fence marquee and on the open stands, even if the commentary could not be heard in the open.
But it was not all good. Seeing many of those young racegoers the worse for wear an hour into the day’s racing was not so good. Outside the racecourse, traffic control was also a major negative. It took me two and a half hours to get there for what is normally a 55-minute journey. A sign on the N2 directing northern traffic to head to the N3 is ignored, as there is no garda activity or traffic control going into Ratoath. Compared to how seamless it is to access Punchestown, on the edge of a large town, this was poor, and not for the first time. Yes, it’s only one day a year this happens, but it should be better.
Even with that long delay, when I finally got to the track, 40 minutes later than planned, I was still able to drive to a spot close to the main entrance, which should have been filled. Leaving after the National, there were lots of empty spaces over the rows. The parking control appeared non-existent and, again, Punchestown get it done so well.
From other reports, the WiFi was bad. I was lucky in not eating or drinking at the track, but seeing online comments, this was again not the best.
And the indoor toilets were in no way sufficient to cope with the crowd. The main stand corridor was permanently packed. The Portaloo toilet section is far removed from the main areas and not sufficiently signposted.
It’s tradition to go to Fairyhouse on Easter Monday, but traditions need to cater for present demands. There needs to be more control over some of the basic elements of having a lot of people moving through tight spaces.
Gewan’s departure
IT won’t make headlines on Grand National week, but the loss of the top two-year-old at home on the gallops was a reminder of the every day accidents that befall horses doing the most natural of things, galloping at less pressure in working out conditions.