Cloudy Lane Set For Grand National 2009
October 13th, 2008Connections of Cloudy Lane have given the go ahead for the gelding to be aimed at the Grand National once again in 2009.
Donald McCain’s charge was 20lb well-in on official figures for the 2008 race and as such will have a much harder task at the weights in 2009 but his owner and trainer believe his sixth place finishing position in last year’s race is not as bad as first thought and the eight year old deserves another shot at the race.
Disappointing in 2008 Grand National
Cloudy Lane competed in the 2008 National of a mark of 141 but begins the 2008/09 season off of 159. The McCain yard has stated an early campaign of the Old Roan Chase at Aintree and possibly the Hennessy at Newbury. It would seem likely that if the horse’s season is going to be geared towards the Grand National then races such as those will be used to try and gain fitness and to get the horse’s handicap mark dropped.
Tough Task At The Weights?
However, even if he was back down to a mark of, say, 150 by the time the weights were published it would be hard for me to be enthusiastic about his chances. Connections believe he jumped well at Aintree and they would know best, of course, but I wasn’t that impressed and I didn’t think he looked comfortable over the Aintree fences and was surprised he managed to finish as close as he did.
More McCain and Hemmings Glory?
It is understandable given connections of McCain and Hemmings that the horse is being aimed at the National again but at eight years old he could perhaps have been given a year of other targets and then given another look at the race when he was ten or eleven.
No doubt the current quote of 33/1 will appeal to some ante post punters but it doesn’t make me want to raid the piggy bank. How about you? Do you feel Cloudy Lane will be a genuine contender for the 2009 Grand National or will he be weighted out of it this year?
Cloudy Lane is currently a 33/1 chance with Paddy Power.
Pav Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 7:58 am
As I’ve said previously, I think 9 and 10 is the ideal age for the National so perhaps Cloudy Lane should have been aimed for it this season rather than last. I suppose the weight last year made it too tempting.
I haven’t discounted him yet for next time especially if Denman runs and a lot of the runners are out of the handicap.
wacky Says:
October 14th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Hi Pav,Denman will not be running in next years national according to his owner.Don’t be surprised if its left in to keep the weights down for a stablemate.Denman won’t be back before the new year so won’t get enough runs in to win the big race or the gold cup.If you have enough money in a betfair account lay DENMAN now to lose the grand national.
Jimmy Boy Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Although a year older, and potenitally having more in the tank stamina-wise, I can’t see Cloudy Lane improving on 2008’s National with the weight he will be given for the 2009 meet.
Cloudy Lane looked to have a great chance going into this year’s race, but he’s now going to be a victim of his own success, I think.
It’d be interesting to know what the potenital weight of Comply Or Die would be in comparison to Cloudy Lane in next year’s race.
SILVER BIRCH Says:
October 16th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
With the greatest deal of respect I dont think cloudy lanes the right type for a national based on what i saw last year - he couldnt win it this year and cant see why next year should bring about any improvement . very open race this year and ill be sticking to the stats that unearthed COD to find the winner…! .. only six months to go…..
Dan Says:
October 19th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Hi Admin - great work on the site. I know you have a few other horses to profile but what do you think about Parsons Legacy. Almost had ticks in all the right boxes last year but didnt end up running - won at chelenham on friday and was wondering if this horse is worth a mention.
admin Says:
October 20th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Hi Dan,
I will defintely add Parsons Legacy to the profile list (which currently stands at Hot Weld, Surface To Air, Old Benny and now Parsons Legacy)
I’ll try and get at least one of those on the site this week.
Very interested in Parsons Legacy myself as I had him in my original list last year (as did quite a few others) so it will be good to look to see how this win will affect his mark etc. If there are no objections to those requests that have been waiting longer I will bump Parsons up to the top of the list as he is due to run again quite quickly and the others are all some way off a run.
Dan Says:
October 20th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Yes I too backed him ante-post for the 2008 National and was subject to some support if I remember and I recall a lot of people were mentioning Parsons on this site. Will be interesting to hear your views/stats.
admin Says:
October 27th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Cloudy Lane kicked off his new campaign in the ultra competitive 2 and half mile Old Roan Chase yesterday at Aintree and, not surprisingly, finished a well beaten last of the nine finishers.
I think connections have indicated their intentions this season by going for a race like that and, I suppose, its not a big surprise as they will want to try and get the horse’s handicap mark down before the weights come out for Aintree.
The horse did ok but he was hardly likely to be involved in the finish over that trip (its just over two years since he last attempted this distance).
As much as I love the National (obviously!) I do wonder about committing a good horses whole season into one race. Wouldn’t it be better to try and be constructive with his handicap mark and aim at races where he can be competitive now/soon rather than focus purely on the National where, in all honesty, his chances don’t look great. He’s a good, young horse and if he was mine I think I’d want to try something else.
Any thoughts? What would you do if you had a share in a horse in the position of Cloudy Lane (or any other horse campaigned solely with a Grand National agenda).
Let us know what you think.
jenny flex Says:
November 10th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Just read your pages and wish i hadnt,i cant wait to aintree and reading these pages has made me wish the next 5 months away. Oh and cloudy lane wont win he cant get the trip way too far for him and what a poor run by butlers cabin the weekend very lacklustre.