My super-duper-mega-confident NAP of the millennium "Elusive Hawk" duly BOLTED up under R Fitz (7) just a short while ago, if I was the jock, i'd be STRAIGHT off to the doc's to have my arms inspected, 'cos the strain they took in pulling up this thriving 9yo after the line looked severe....
It was all pretty straight forward, punch the old boy outta the gates, keep him handy, get neck ache between 2 out and 1 out by continually looking left at "Ace Master" to see when the eventual runner up was well and truly cooked , then shake him up...BOOM!!!...11/8 NEVER looked SOOOOO good!!!! He is all entered up next Tuesday in an identical handicap, Class 5, 6 furlongs, he raced of 71 today, but with Fitz's claim he was technically running off 64, which is a single pound lower than his highest ever all weather winning mark of 65, which he achieved over course and distance, in a maiden in Feb 2008, he then duly followed up, again over course and distance off the same mark in handicap 4 months later. So, assuming the handicapper will raise him 3lbs or so (it would be harsh to raise him more) he would be racing off 74, so, what would you do, stick A Kirby (The undisputed All Weather KING, and he of the hampered ride two starts back) technically giving the Hawk a 10lb penalty, or stick with Fitzy?!?!?!?! For me it's simple, stick with the young lad and keep the weight off, I mean, seriously, it was the epitome of an armchair ride today, so jockeyship didn't really enter the equation.
I envisage him going off a shade of odds against, but with Kirby up and an unhelpful wide draw next Tuesday we may get a bit of 2/1, and he should STILL sluice up!!!!
In other news, Andrea & Graham Wylie were dealt YET ANOTHER cruel blow when firstly their enigmatic (understatement of the century!!!) Tidal Bay, then fav, was ruled out of the National, now the new Fav, Prince De Beauchene, is also ruled out with a recurring hip injury, leaving them with there 3rd fav in as many months, "On His Own" who will be partnered by Ruby Walsh, if he stays sound I fully expect a MAAAAASIIIVE plunge on the nag, resulting him going off a stupidly short 5/1 or so on the day....
My 3 against the National field are:
12/1 Cappa Bleu (Stays longer than the mother-in-law)
20/1 Sunnyhillboy (Well, just watch the replay of last years race, I aint seen a mugging like that since I lived in Blackbird Leys!!!)
25/1 Ballabriggs (Been there, or thereabouts last 3 years, and has best CD form in the field by a COUNTRY MILE!!!)
Just enough time to say I quietly fancy "Mcbirney" tomorrow over the extended 2m 110y slog at Wolves tomorrow, Foster Road should be fav, around 9/4, and my boy is around 3/1, and I expect them to flip-flop, my lad won pulling up trees over 1m4f no too long back, and is WELL worth another try up in trip, he looked like the perennial non-stayer at his last crack over C&D fading into 11th of the 12 runners, but victories breed confidence, and add into the equation Fosters Road, albeit a useful tool, has been on the go hurdling all winter, and Capellanus finds it tough winning on the AW, at 3/1, i'm fully prepared to chance my arm.
And Finally......
Sad to hear "The Voice" Peter O'Sullivan has had a stroke and is in hospital, but he HAS been going round telling "everyone with ears" on the ward that Cappa Bleu will win the National, great minds and all that.....
Be Lucky!!!
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