Grand National Weights

David is present at the unveiling of the Grand National weights in London today and was not too surprised by senior handicapper Phil Smith’s framing of the weights for the 2011 renewal. “We know that Phil is going to try to encourage the high class horses to run by compressing the handicap a little. Even so, five of our six entries are in the handicap proper at this stage and three of them are in the top 40 guaranteeing them a run if we so decide. I am pleased with the weight that Comply Or Die has (10-8) as he won the 2008 Grand National carrying 10-9” said the master of Pond House.

Phil Smith has certainly “dangled the carrot” so to speak to Paul Nicholls whose joint top-weight Neptune Collonges has been allotted a weight of 11-10 which makes him effectively 8lbs “well-in”. Others towards the top end of the weights to be well treated by the assessor are Tidal Bay (7lbs well-in), Midnight Chase (5lbs) and last year’s winner Don’t Push It (4lbs).

For further reaction to the weights from London click here to listen to David discuss his runners with Mike Vince (who has kindly allowed us to reproduce this interview)…

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I see that Newbury have managed to salvage the big races from Saturday and plan to hold the meeting this Friday.  The Totesport Trophy will obviously be the highlight of the meeting and I was wondering about the ante-post rules...I think that the customer should be able to decide whether they want their original ante-post wagers to stand on the rescheduled meeting or not.  Maybe I am just talking thought my pocket - I backed one early for the race and it has doubled in price, there is nothing I would like more than to have my bet voided!

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I put up Lexi's Boy on the Pipeline yesterday afternoon and I must admit that I was breathing a sigh of relief afterwards and I owe Hayley Turner a big thank you.  She was aboard the well-backed favourite Elvira Delight and in my opinion it should have won, but Miss Turner gave it a terrible ride.  I praise jockey's when they win, so I feel I am entitled to express my opinion when they don't exactly cover themselves in glory.  Elvira Delight looks like a winner waiting to happen - I just wonder how much the handicapper will put the three year old up for this effort?

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There's some great football on the television this week - it starts tonight with A C Milan v Tottenham Hotspur live on Sky Sports at 7.45pm.  However, the one that I am really looking forward to is Arsenal v Barcelona - two of the best football teams in the world...all you need to say to sell this match is Lionel Messi, I can't wait.  I nearly forgot - there is also Torquay v Burton tonight!  I normally go to Plainmoor once a year, and I might even bump into Jonothan Lower - he's a Torquay supporter!