Hunt Ball rolls into town

[scanman]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Meanwhile, Henderson conceded that Hunt Ball's stamina would be severely tested by the National's four and a half miles but expected that his owners would be keen to try their luck in the race. "He's run a great race [to be fourth at the Festival] and an extra half-mile's going to help him. This is an extra two miles."

You see, therein lies the problem. The owners are grievously mismanaging this horse. If he ends up running (and failure is a foregone conclusion), I hope it won't ruin what I believe to be a very useful horse in the right spot.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by scanman

You see, therein lies the problem. The owners are grievously mismanaging this horse. If he ends up running (and failure is a foregone conclusion), I hope it won't ruin what I believe to be a very useful horse in the right spot.

I agree and yes I hope you're right about him not being ruined cause, at this late date, he is definitely going.

So who do you like?

In my heart of heart I hope either Long Run or Balthazar King wins. I am not familiar with too many in the race, to be honest, and will continue to look at the runners but would love to hear your opinion.

(... have to mention that I hope The Package doesn't fall again. He was my pick a few years ago. Not exactly a win machine but hope he does okay).

I know you really love this race and so hope you have a great time watching it and playing it. Stupidly (but honestly) it's the kind of race where I'd rather catch the replay after the fact. I have a hard time with the fallers so at least if I know what to expect... (I'm an idiot, I know).

As far as betting it I was totally going to sit it out but am having second thoughts. We shall see.

Best of luck to you, Scanman.

[scanman]

Thanks. Yes, the Grand National is my favorite race of the year (winning by a nose over the Cross-Country races at Cheltenham). Balthazar King is currently my favorite horse in training. He’s provided me with a couple of nice wins at Cheltenham, but I don’t see this as his race. While I hope he does well, I think sending him to a lucrative cross-country steeplechase in France would have been the move. But this is the Grand National and he’s in great form, so why not take a shot. Down the road, I’d like to see him line up in the Velka Pardubica at Pardubice in October.

My choice for the race is The Package. I really like the Pipe/Scudamore combination and it appears that he’s been laid out for the race. Lots of fantastic horses in the race, so he’ll need a bit of luck in running. He’s an easy bet for me, as he’ll be in the “Field” with Twinspires since their platform only provides 24 betting entities. So I will take the Field and get horses 24-40 (The Package is #33) and hope for the best. If he doesn’t come through, then maybe one of the other 15 will. If the odds are right, I may have a saver on Teaforthree and Prince De Beauchene.

Long Run could certainly be in the finish and his rider knows how to win on the National course taking the Fox Hunters’ Chase today on Warne for the same connections. I just don’t like the amount of weight he has to carry.

As for Hunt Ball, I just hope he comes out of the race okay.

[my miss storm cat]

Cannot wait to see who wins and how you did.

Had to post this (!).

103 year old who has bet this race for oh... the past 70 years (... without a winner).

http://www.independent.ie/world-news...-30151754.html

[my miss storm cat]

Congrats to the connections of Pineau De Re!

Scanman I was wondering your thoughts on the race which I obviously have not watched yet (although from what I hear everyone made it home just fine... is that right? Hope so).

Aintree

Crabbie's Grand National Chase (Grade 3 Handicap) 4m 3f 110y
(7yo+, 4m 3f 110y, Class 1, 40 runners)
Winner £561,300 2nd £211,100 3rd £105,500 4th £52,700 5th £26,500 6th £13,200 7th £6,800 8th £3,600 9th £2,000 10th £1,000
Going: Good (National Course: Good to Soft, Good in places)
Surface: Turf

1st 29 Pineau De Re (FR) Dr R D P Newland 11 10-6 L P Aspell 25/1
2nd 5 9 Balthazar King (IRE) P J Hobbs 10 10-13 R Johnson 14/1
SP 14/1 opened 16/1
3rd 1¼ 14 Double Seven (IRE) M Brassil 8 10-11 pt A P McCoy 10/1j
SP 10/1j £4900-£350 £4800-£400
4th 10 37 Alvarado (IRE) F M O'Brien 9 10-2 Paul Moloney 33/1
5th 2½ 5 Rocky Creek (IRE) P F Nicholls 8 11-5 N Fehily 16/1
6th s.h 26 Chance du Roy (FR) P J Hobbs 10 10-6 p T J O'Brien 33/1
7th 3 19 Monbeg Dude (IRE) M Scudamore 9 10-9 P Carberry 16/1
SP 16/1 opened 20/1
8th 16 34 Raz De Maree (FR) D T Hughes 9 10-3 v1 D J Condon 50/1
9th s.h 40 Swing Bill (FR) D Pipe 13 10-1 C O'Farrell 66/1
10th 4½ 28 Kruzhlinin (GER) D McCain Jnr 7 10-6 K Renwick 100/1
11th 2½ 16 Buckers Bridge (IRE) H De Bromhead 8 10-10 A E Lynch 66/1
12th 18 33 The Package D Pipe 11 10-4 pt T Scudamore 14/1
SP 14/1 opened 16/1
13th 6 32 Vesper Bell (IRE) W P Mullins 8 10-5 Ms K Walsh 40/1
SP 40/1 opened 50/1
14th 2 13 Across The Bay (IRE) D McCain Jnr 10 10-11 bt Henry Brooke 50/1
15th 7 11 Mr Moonshine (IRE) Mrs S J Smith 10 10-12 Ryan Mania 20/1
SP 20/1 opened 25/1
16th 37 18 Prince De Beauchene (FR) W P Mullins 11 10-10 P Townend 20/1
17th 33 3 Hunt Ball (IRE) N J Henderson 9 11-7 A Tinkler 50/1
18th 1 27 Hawkes Point P F Nicholls 9 10-6 Ryan Mahon 50/1

Also Ran

Tidal Bay (IRE), Long Run (FR), Triolo D'alene (FR), Quito De La Roque (FR), Colbert Station (IRE), Walkon (FR), Wayward Prince, Teaforthree (IRE), Battle Group, Lion Na Bearnai (IRE), Big Shu (IRE), Burton Port (IRE), Our Father (IRE), Mountainous (IRE), The Rainbow Hunter, Vintage Star (IRE), Golan Way, Twirling Magnet (IRE), Rose Of The Moon (IRE), Shakalakaboomboom (IRE), Last Time D'albain (FR), One In A Milan (IRE),

[scanman]

Fantastic race, as always. All made it back safe and sound from all reports.

The Package ran a game race, but flattened out. Betting-wise, it went well. The "Field's" odds were 3.30-1, so even though The Package didn't win Pineau De Re (#29) did save the day.

Balthazar King ran a fantastic race and I was thrilled to see him run 2nd. I hope they will find continued success with him throughout the year.

I was happy to see Hunt Ball complete the race, albeit 100+ lengths behind the winner. I hope he comes out of it okay and that they give him a try over the timber her in the US. He's earned a break and he could give the International Gold Cup and some other of the Fall timber races a try. Unfortunately, he's been hugely mismanaged thus far, so it's anyone guess where he will end up.

Another great National in the books. Never disappoints in the excitement category and has proven to be nicely profitable again.

I hope you enjoy the replay.

[my miss storm cat]

What a brave 2nd Balthazar King was and yes, just watched it and I am so happy that you did well and that Hunt Ball came home safe (that they all did). I hope his connections start doing right by him.

Thanks for your continued insight. I have much to learn and since it isn't terribly popular it keeps it interesting, fun and exciting when someone has the passion that you do and will share their thoughts!

Congrats on your very good day!

Replay for anyone interested...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfNpAewK4m4

Originally Posted by scanman

100+ lengths behind the winner.

Sounds like it could be the name of a book if his life story were ever written...

In a good way!

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by scanman

Thanks. Yes, the Grand National is my favorite race of the year (winning by a nose over the Cross-Country races at Cheltenham). Balthazar King is currently my favorite horse in training. He’s provided me with a couple of nice wins at Cheltenham, but I don’t see this as his race. While I hope he does well, I think sending him to a lucrative cross-country steeplechase in France would have been the move. But this is the Grand National and he’s in great form, so why not take a shot. Down the road, I’d like to see him line up in the Velka Pardubica at Pardubice in October..

Well I have not heard a thing about Hunt Ball but it was nice to see that Balthazar King won today.

[scanman]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Well I have not heard a thing about Hunt Ball but it was nice to see that Balthazar King won today.

I just checked Atlantic Equine's website, nothing new concerning Hunt Ball.

Balthazar King was fantastic today. Just watched the race. Hobbs/Johnson combination over cross-country courses is fantastic. Still would like to see him line up at Pardubice. Here a link to today's race https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3ziMmPnFeI .

Here's another Hobbs/Johnson success. This time it was the Glenfarclas Cross County during the Open Meeting in November 2010 and the horse was Lacdouldal. I can be seen with at the 6:36 mark standing in one of the observation stands. Enjoy, http://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/video...97748/12154494 .

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by scanman

I just checked Atlantic Equine's website, nothing new concerning Hunt Ball.

Balthazar King was fantastic today. Just watched the race. Hobbs/Johnson combination over cross-country courses is fantastic. Still would like to see him line up at Pardubice. Here a link to today's race https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3ziMmPnFeI .

Here's another Hobbs/Johnson success. This time it was the Glenfarclas Cross County during the Open Meeting in November 2010 and the horse was Lacdouldal. I can be seen with at the 6:36 mark standing in one of the observation stands. Enjoy, http://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/video...97748/12154494 .

To preface this, I watched both which is a kinda strange complement - I NEVER watch these things until I know what happened and how many fallers there were. I just cannot stomach it easily BUT do watch and enjoy following the occasional horse like Hunt Ball so there... I put my trust in you. (I figured you wouldn't post replays if they were too, well... if there were graphic and horrid injuries).

Okay with that out of the way... Thank you for the replay from today... what a brave horse he is. I had only seen the very end so appreciate it. He really is amazing.

(Was happy to hear that both Duke Of Lucca and Tom O'Brien are okay.)

Regarding Lacdoudal (and yes, I did see you standing on one of those observation posts )... that was nuts! Four and a half years without a win and then that? That was astonishing... so impressive, as was Garde Champetre (sp)!

Thanks for posting both! Sizing Australia was the only horse I had heard of in the one from 2010, I'm ashamed to say.

[scanman]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

To preface this, I watched both which is a kinda strange complement - I NEVER watch these things until I know what happened and how many fallers there were. I just cannot stomach it easily BUT do watch and enjoy following the occasional horse like Hunt Ball so there... I put my trust in you. (I figured you wouldn't post replays if they were too, well... if there were graphic and horrid injuries).

Okay with that out of the way... Thank you for the replay from today... what a brave horse he is. I had only seen the very end so appreciate it. He really is amazing.

(Was happy to hear that both Duke Of Lucca and Tom O'Brien are okay.)

Regarding Lacdoudal (and yes, I did see you standing on one of those observation posts )... that was nuts! Four and a half years without a win and then that? That was astonishing... so impressive, as was Garde Champetre (sp)!

Thanks for posting both! Sizing Australia was the only horse I had heard of in the one from 2010, I'm ashamed to say.

Glad you enjoyed the races. I appreciate the compliment and trust. Additionally, I will be careful not to post races with a lot of fallers in them. I do appreciate/admire your interest in the jumping game. Hopefully, some day you will be able to go to a few meets.

I LOVE cross country steeplechasing and the horses that compete in them. That is why I hold Balthazar King is such high regard. I enjoy flat racing, but the equine athletes that run and jump are so much more exciting to watch. I could only dream of owning a horse like Balthazar.

I had a press credential for the 2010 Cheltenham Open meet and had the opportunity to walk and photograph the cross country course prior to racing. Additionally, I had the great pleasure to meet and be accompanied by Mr. Richard Linley (jockey of Gaye Brief fame and now UK course inspector). It was awesome watching the race from the stand and enjoying Richard's expert insight.

When handicapping the cross country race, I always give Philip Hobbs' horses a second look and did have a nice bet on Lacdouldal, despite his long absence from the winner enclosure. Mr. Hobbs is the a true professional and I think a bit underrated. On the same trip, I was walking/photographing Taunton racecourse and I met up with him walking the other direction. He had a stick with him, checking the state of the ground. Just another detail that most trainers would take for granted. He was kind and greeted me, but I did not want to disrupt his walk and engage him in a chat.

The things I miss about living in the UK/Europe.