Comments on: Grand National Form: Point Barrow

By: Neil

Neil — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 17:39:41 +0000

9 bets, 3 winners and a cracking profit!!

By: Miinnehoma

Miinnehoma — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:00:33 +0000

How did I miss Bobby Jo and Papillon.

‘98 Bobby Jo/A’99 1st. and A’00 11th.

‘98 2nd.Papillon/A’00 1st. and A’01 4th.

Thats it.

By: Miinnehoma

Miinnehoma — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:44:21 +0000

Irish National Winners/Aintree.

‘06 Point Barrow/A’07 Fell.
‘05 Number6val./A’06 1st.
‘04 Granit D’est./A. NR.
‘03 Timbera/A. NR.
‘02 The Bunny Boiler/A’03 PU
and A’04 10th.
‘01 Davids Lad/A’02 Fell and A’04 11th.
‘00 Commanche Court/A. NR.
‘99 Glebe Lad/A. NR.
‘97 Mudahim/A’99 UR.
‘96 Feathered Gale/A’97 PU.

By: Miinnehoma

Miinnehoma — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 18:33:17 +0000

Papillon - 875493

Point Barrow - 0080403

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:06:14 +0000

I do agree that he is more likely to come into his own on the softer surface. However, his Irish National win was on ground that was officially Good.

I am, and have always been, a huge Point Barrow fan. He has ran in all the top class Irish long distance races and is a dour stayer. I do feel that this is his last chance for Aintree glory, and that connections will be looking to do well after last year’s disappointment when he was sent off the heavily backed joint favourite.

What will be interesting for me is the jockey booking. Pat Hughes wanted Timmy Murphy, but he will obviously be riding for Pipe/Johnson. The horse is clearly the star of the stable and for me still warrants huge respect in the National.

If he pops over the first four fences in a nice rhythm then he could well play a role at the end of the race.

If he fails once again this year then I fear Aintree glory will have passed him by.

By: admin

admin — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:11:46 +0000

Hi Silver,
I have the fingers crossed that its not a breathing problem and I agree he could have a few pounds to play with if this has been a Papillon like plot up. Let’s hope so!
I’m hoping to do something on the Irish National -Grand National stats comparison, just not sure if it will be before the big race this year but I’ll do my best!
If anyone else has any figures, stats on other National winners that would be a very interesting read.

By: Russell

Russell — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:11:04 +0000

Point Barrow is one that fits most of the trends and admittedly i backed the horse last year.

However, this one is certainly not for me. Backers will point to his Irish National win in 2006 as a v good sign for Aintree glory in 2008 but on closer inspection, this is not awe inspiring form. Who did he beat? Oulart (1 length),A new story, American Jennie? Hmm…a much better run in the Pierse however under top weight on soft-heavy ground made for confidence. This horse is very easy to understand, it is a stamina loving horse who has a top speed that is frankly pathetic. In races where the ground is not soft, or the opposition is quality or the trip is not extreme he struggles.

The National will NOT be run on heavy ground (he may get soft ground at best). The quality of the opposition will NOT be as bad as his Irish success. The trip WILL be extreme though.

So overall, Point Barrow in my opinion will not be in the top 4 on good ground. If it turns very soft he has a chance but i would be shocked to see him win it in anything but a mud bath.

By: SILVER BIRCH

SILVER BIRCH — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:03:15 +0000

Hi All - point barrow is one of my main bets and in racing parlance in terms of confidence i was travelling nicely throughout October - February convinced this horse was nailed on for Aintree Glory in 2008 . However my confidence began to come under heavy pressure in deepest february after a very puzzling run by old pb at haydock . He went from from travelling sublimely to being scrubbed along in a matter of strides . i thought he ran much better at down royal but seemed to be tapped for toe a bit when the race started in earnest . i agree admin that if this is related to his breathing then we have a problem houston… however i prefer to believe that over the past two years this horse has been plotted up for aintree to the detriment of evthing else and thats why his form figures are not truly inspiring . if anyone cares to look,his form figures for this year are almost a carbon copy of papillons in the year that he won.
i still think that this horse is about 6-7lbs better than his current mark and if he stays on his feet i cannot imagine that he will be out of the first four. time will tell !! :-)(does anyone have stats for irish national winners performances at aintree over the past 10 years or welsh national winners ??.