[HistoricWarwick]

Comeonyouirons, on 24 February 2016 - 04:36 PM, said:

Desperately trying to convince myself Holywell isn't a Spring Horse and I shouldn't be thinking of backing him for The Grand National

Holywell isn't very big.

However, Johnjo has to be the luckiest trainer in history.

Considering his facilities, any other trainer without the backing of JP would be history by now. His strike rate is appalling.

You back anything of his with a wealth warning albeit you can guarantee he'll have at least one winner at the Festival.

I recall going to the last day's racing at Hereford and he had two novices from irish point to points entered with a combined value of over £200k.

I can't remember the owners but it was someone's wife and they ran in red colours.

I think he got a 5th place and the fields were more than average.

He also runs a few at Stratford and regularly turns up in a large helicopter which is a bit lavish considering it is about 30 miles from where he trains.

Rant over...

[Comeonyouirons]

HistoricWarwick, on 25 February 2016 - 11:30 AM, said:

Holywell isn't very big.

However, Johnjo has to be the luckiest trainer in history.

Considering his facilities, any other trainer without the backing of JP would be history by now. His strike rate is appalling.

You back anything of his with a wealth warning albeit you can guarantee he'll have at least one winner at the Festival.

I recall going to the last day's racing at Hereford and he had two novices from irish point to points entered with a combined value of over £200k.

I can't remember the owners but it was someone's wife and they ran in red colours.

I think he got a 5th place and the fields were more than average.

He also runs a few at Stratford and regularly turns up in a large helicopter which is a bit lavish considering it is about 30 miles from where he trains.

Rant over...

A friend of mine who is much bigger NH fan than me also mentioned Holywell's size , must be something in it then


As for JJO I can see you are not sure about him ..Do you prefer him , or Paul Nicholls

[Nassau_board]

The fences aren't that big these days either mind. I couldn't have Holywell as he doesn't look like he is enjoying his races, that and he throws in quite a few errors.

[HistoricWarwick]

Comeonyouirons, on 25 February 2016 - 01:34 PM, said:

A friend of mine who is much bigger NH fan than me also mentioned Holywell's size , must be something in it then


As for JJO I can see you are not sure about him ..Do you prefer him , or Paul Nicholls

Johnjo was a better trainer when he was based up in Cumbria. His strike rate was excellent when he was training for other owners.

Choosing between him and old pumpkin head is akin to asking if you want a cough or a cold.

I have heard and read nothing but negative comments about PJN. He goes on about not being bothered about the winning the championship but, his comment when Neptune Collonges won the National summed him up. The first words that he spoke were "Well that's blown the Henderson camp out of the water".

I hear from the antics of his protégé Skelton tapping up other owners, that some of his tact was rubbed off...

[silver surfer]

HistoricWarwick, on 24 February 2016 - 02:40 PM, said:

Surely if you don't fancy anything to beat her then price is almost irrelevant as long s it isn't odds on?

I am sticking with Hargam ew as long as it stays dry - although the way the field is going it will start in single figures...

For a race like that though I was stalling at 2-1 because as far as I know it`s not even entered yet. To go in heavy, the now 6-4 touted is not a price that appeals at all I would say unless your a pro gambler, of which I certainly am not. If it runs I may couple it with others to boost the winnings ( I hope)), or may just spectate depending on price,

[The Peoples Champion]

silver surfer, on 28 February 2016 - 09:19 PM, said:

For a race like that though I was stalling at 2-1 because as far as I know it`s not even entered yet. To go in heavy, the now 6-4 touted is not a price that appeals at all I would say unless your a pro gambler, of which I certainly am not. If it runs I may couple it with others to boost the winnings ( I hope)), or may just spectate depending on price,

Backed the winner of the Eider Chase on Saturday I know he is 11 but if he runs on the National he could win doing handsprings.

Big horse jumps really well and is just in the form of his life. 8-1 Saturday wherever he runs next time back him again

The Peoples Champion, on 29 February 2016 - 10:34 PM, said:

Backed the winner of the Eider Chase on Saturday I know he is 11 but if he runs on the National he could win doing handsprings.

Big horse jumps really well and is just in the form of his life. 8-1 Saturday wherever he runs next time back him again

4miles and could have gone round again

[HistoricWarwick]

The Peoples Champion, on 29 February 2016 - 10:34 PM, said:

Backed the winner of the Eider Chase on Saturday I know he is 11 but if he runs on the National he could win doing handsprings.

Big horse jumps really well and is just in the form of his life. 8-1 Saturday wherever he runs next time back him again



4miles and could have gone round again

He did win well, as he did at Kelso. About time Dobbin got some winners as hers are on the whole well handicapped.

I think they would be better saving him for Ayr for the Scottish National as the Eider does take some time to get over.

Also, not sure the young rider could claim his allowance in the National? If not, that would put another 10lb on his back plus the weight rise post Eider. he would be the best part of 20lb higher which is too much.

[silver surfer]

HistoricWarwick, on 01 March 2016 - 10:17 AM, said:

He did win well, as he did at Kelso. About time Dobbin got some winners as hers are on the whole well handicapped.

I think they would be better saving him for Ayr for the Scottish National as the Eider does take some time to get over.

Also, not sure the young rider could claim his allowance in the National? If not, that would put another 10lb on his back plus the weight rise post Eider. he would be the best part of 20lb higher which is too much.

It`s weird though with the National. It`s completely different to any course or especially fences horses have ever experienced and some horses definitely think " ...ck this for a game of soldiers" . Or they just fall cos they are bigger fences. Experience over them is a big plus in my opinion.

[Nassau_board]

I wouldn't agree with that these days, the fences don't take as much jumping as they did in the past and you see some rogues winning races over them these days. I mean, Monbeg Dude finished 3rd in the big race last year and he doesn't jump a fence.

No allowances in the National as HW says, throw in the gruelling nature of the Eider and i'd be surprised to see Dobbins horse win the National. I also think the National is full of classier horses these days, rather than the boats you see in the Eider.

Top of the handicap for me, unless it comes up heavy and then weight stops trains.

[HistoricWarwick]

Many Clouds ran an odd race last time in the Cotswold Chase.

He looked the winner coming down the hill and blew up turning for home which on the new course is a bit odd - especially against a horse that isn't exactly a Cheltenham specialist.

I'm not sure he is the same horse this year.

It is interesting though in terms of quality now because go back to when Earth Summit won in 1998 - there were 39 runners and only 7 in the handicap - the other 32 were out of the handicap courtesy of Suny Bay carrying 12 stone and finishing second. The following year Sun Bay ran again when Bobbyjo won in 1999 - then more than half the field was out of the handicap.

Now less than 20 years later the bottom weight will be carrying 10 stone 6lb at worst, so it is almost harder to predict now than ever it was before with only 20lb between top and bottom weight.

[silver surfer]

Nassau_board, on 03 March 2016 - 07:51 AM, said:

I wouldn't agree with that these days, the fences don't take as much jumping as they did in the past and you see some rogues winning races over them these days. I mean, Monbeg Dude finished 3rd in the big race last year and he doesn't jump a fence.

No allowances in the National as HW says, throw in the gruelling nature of the Eider and i'd be surprised to see Dobbins horse win the National. I also think the National is full of classier horses these days, rather than the boats you see in the Eider.

Top of the handicap for me, unless it comes up heavy and then weight stops trains.

Yeh some of the horses at the top look classy but wouldn`t bet against a little well handicapped Irish horse that has generally been running over wrong distance , hurdling or whatever to keep off the radar winning it!