Good effort that jono.
I've always been a believer that the cross country, despite it's distance, is not as testing as regulation chases as the configuration of the course doesn't allow them to go normal racing speed until they come out into the racecourse proper 3f from home so the race wouldn't bottom them out.
Opposing National horses who had a hard race at Cheltenham might be a sound strategy but to win a National you have to be fit and a XC run looks to be the ideal prep.
As for where Tiger Roll goes next year I'd be shocked if they change the schedule.
We had the same discussion on Cause of Causes last year, winner of the 4 miler and XC I thought he should aim his sights a little higher at Cheltenham, but with the National netting the winner £500k why tackle a harder race and risk your National chance ?
As for his mark, the 'capper will push him up 8 or 9lb I reckon but of course he does have licence to apply flexibility in Nationals so could find himself with a mark of around 156 for a repeat next year....
I've always been a believer that the cross country, despite it's distance, is not as testing as regulation chases as the configuration of the course doesn't allow them to go normal racing speed until they come out into the racecourse proper 3f from home so the race wouldn't bottom them out.
Opposing National horses who had a hard race at Cheltenham might be a sound strategy but to win a National you have to be fit and a XC run looks to be the ideal prep.
As for where Tiger Roll goes next year I'd be shocked if they change the schedule.
We had the same discussion on Cause of Causes last year, winner of the 4 miler and XC I thought he should aim his sights a little higher at Cheltenham, but with the National netting the winner £500k why tackle a harder race and risk your National chance ?
As for his mark, the 'capper will push him up 8 or 9lb I reckon but of course he does have licence to apply flexibility in Nationals so could find himself with a mark of around 156 for a repeat next year....
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