Grand National Winner Disappointing On Return
November 15th, 20082008 Grand National winner Comply Or Die returned to the track today in the Servo Computers Services Trophy Handicap Chase at Cheltenham but never really looked like getting competitive and was pulled up after the sixteenth fence.
Excuses For Poor Performance?
Obviously connections will be much more concerned about getting the horse back to Aintree to defend his title but this has to be seen as as a disappointing return. Excuses will no doubt be given concerning the soft ground, extra weight, lack of blinkers and the poor form of the stable but Comply Or Die was one of the first horses beaten.
Tear Up Your Ante-Post Bet For 2009?
Anyone who has taken a price about David Pipe’s chaser becoming the first horse since Red Rum to win back to back Grand Nationals would struggle to glean too many positives from this comeback but it must be remembered that once a horse has won the National their season tends to be completely geared to Aintree and all other races seem to just become stepping stones.
Bookmakers seemed unfazed by Comply Or Die’s performance and mostly left the 2008 Grand National winner unmoved in the market although Bet365 pushed the David Johnson owned gelding out to 20/1 from 16/1.
Your Views?
What did you think of Comply Or Die’s performance today? Was it disappointing or was it the first of a few average runs that will be needed to try and drop some of the extra fifteen pounds handicapped for winning last year’s race?
Pav Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 10:20 am
I don’t think the handicapper will take much notice of this run and nor should we. The horse has just one target this season.
SILVER BIRCH Says:
November 16th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
I reckon COD without blinkers on yest shoulda been an alarm signal to all . without these on he just doesnt want to know…
Daniel Says:
November 17th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Beecher Chase this weekend. Whilst I wouldnt want to back the winner in the national in the same season, it would be interesting to know who people think will win, as that horses price for the national will half after the race, so there’s money to be made for those who trade on betfair.
Any ideas? What stats should we follow in the Beecher?
SILVER BIRCH Says:
November 17th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Theres some prime candidates daniel in there for the nat in april … hear the echo,himalayan trail , irish raptor , parsons legacy … to be honest, u wouldnt want any of then to be winning would you .wouldscrew their handicap marks - a second third or fourth would be nice….maybe of more interest is to watch closely at how they jump their fences … should be easy to spot those that travel anfd jump well and those that look abit more laboured .. cant wait for sunday
Daniel Says:
November 18th, 2008 at 11:40 am
Yeah defo dont want them winning. BUT the bookies dont seem to realise that. Mr Pointment went 16/1 JF for the national after his Becher win last year. If you can back the Becher winner at, say, 100/1 for the national now and then lay him off at 16/1 on Sunday….you do the Maths!!
Any picks? I havent looked at the card yet
kj Says:
November 23rd, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I would ignore this run as like Birchy said he doesn’t want to know without blinkers.
Also I think he found the course/challenge boring after the fun he had in the national. He started the race well and just lost interest. Only the weight will stop him!