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Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’m continuing my look ahead to Saturday’s big race action at Newbury.
2024 Randox Grand National Entries: Irish Dominance and Low British Numbers
The entries for the 2024 Randox Grand National were published on Tuesday.
There were 94 entries for this year’ race which will have a cap of 34 runners. Of the 94 entries, 61 are trained in Ireland of which 26 are trained by Gordon Elliott (28%) and 13 by Willie Mullins.
There are just 33 British trained entries which is a shocking figure. It’s not a good look for NH racing in this country and you must wonder if that will affect the popularity of the race.
It’s worth noting that quite a few on the list aren’t currently eligible to run but have a chance to change that. There are a few entries that need to have qualifying runs done by 26th March. Some haven’t had the required six starts over fences, there are others have yet to race in a chase under rules this season and a few yet to finish in fourth place or higher in a chase over 2m 7 ½ f. All runners in the race also have to have an Official rating of 130.
The final weights are due out on February 18th. However, we do know that Percussion, who has such an excellent record over the National fences, doesn’t qualify for the race due to his official rating being 129.
You Don’t See Many Derby Favourites Run at Sedgefield
You don’t get many former Derby favourites run at Sedgefield, but we saw one Wednesday. Reach For the Moon a winner of the Solario Stakes as a juvenile and one time ante post favourite for the 2022 Derby made his debut for Jeremy Snowden in the maiden hurdle at Sedgefield yesterday.
Not unsurprisingly he looked like a non-stayer, especially on soft ground, on a track which has a stiff uphill finish. Evidently, he finished lame having finished a 22 ½ length 4th to Schmilsson.
He was talented but lacked resolution when trained by the Gosden’s on the flat. If he ever does win over hurdles, it will be at a much sharper track.
Ironically the race winner Schmilsson had been beaten into second by the 2022 Derby winner Desert Crown as a juvenile.
Looking Ahead to the Weekend – Part 2
I looked at Newbury’s Betfair Hurdle in Wednesday’s column. There are three other races on ITV on Saturday from the Berkshire track.
Just five were entered in the Grade 2 Betfair Denman Chase (2:05). Not only does the race lack numbers but it lacks depth too and it’s a match between Shishkin and Protektorat.
Newbury: Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase
The other Grade 2, the Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase (2:40), only has six entries but is more competitive.
Edwardstone and Boothill head the ante post betting. The former failed to stay 2m 4 f last time and is quicky dropped back in distance. He’s probably not the Grade 1 chaser he used to be but even a reproduction of his best form this season would give him a chance.
Boothill came down in a Grade 2 won by Editeur Du Gite at Kempton over Christmas. He would likely have gone close there with a clear round. Prior to that mishap he had won both this season’s starts and could well emerge as a Champion Chase contender if he was to win here.
Amarillo Sky hasn’t been seen since finishing lame in the in the Clarence House Chase 378 days ago. Prior to that the 8-year-old had been on the upgrade winning his previous two starts. You must take on trust that he’s over what has kept him off the track for a year. It would be a good training performance to win this after such a long layoff, but the 8-year-old did win first time up last season.
As you can see below, he doesn’t have much to find on Racing Post Ratings.
His best form has come on a sound surface so hopefully the rain stays away.
He was 16/1 with Ladbrokes a couple of days ago but is now 5/1. The 8/1 available with Paddy Power looks fair because if he is fit enough, I could see him going off half those odds-on Saturday.
Thursday Preview
The Listed Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle (2:50) at Huntingdon is Thursday’s feature race.
Jango Baie is 2-2 over hurdles including a Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at Aintree last time. He must give weight to his three rivals but should be capable of doing so. Should he win he'll try emulating stablemate Shishkin who won this in 2020 before following up in the Supreme.
Good luck with your Thursday bets.
John