Comments on: War Of Attrition: Another Gold Cup Winner to run in the Grand National?

By: SportyGirl

SportyGirl — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:20:17 +0000

In light of the publication of the weights I will hastily withdraw my previous conclusion !Hopefully WOA will not be top weight on the day, but definitely has to be very tempting now for connections. I think it will run, and go close.

By: SportyGirl

SportyGirl — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:57:21 +0000

I agree, I think WOA will line up as top weight on the day, however, this is a Gold Cup winner, and even with top weight I think a performance good enough to make the frame is very possible.

By: Brian

Brian — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 00:07:13 +0000

Firstly Denman will not run in the national.

WoA is a different kettle of fish tho. He will be top weight if he runs and Hear the echo will have a good winning weight. Very tempting for trainer and owner to let WoA have a run at aintree for this sole reason.

also WoA would have a good chance at the national with a good weight but it is very unlikely he will ever be given a winning weight so this year could be the closest he ever gets to a winning weight as the top weight has been reduced 2lb and it cant be guaranteed this will happen next year.

For me it all points to WoA running at aintree barring any injury. But it also points to WoA not winning the national but instead it will be his stable mate who will have the best chance of passing the post first.

By: SportyGirl

SportyGirl — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:44:55 +0000

With Denman being handicapped and sure to be given 11-10 and with the onus to get as many horses into the handicap as possible even if it means one or two being a couple of pounds well in, I just think it may work in WOA’s favour, and if it does I can see it being very tempting for connections.

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:51:35 +0000

Brody Says:
January 30th, 2009 at 5:41 pm

Hedgehunter did as well and won I believe so not impossible, but I can’t help thinking WoA will not go to Aintree and if he does whenever I’ve seen him run recently he’s looked a shadow of his former self.

No he didnt he came 2nd in the national when he finished 2nd in the gold cup in 2006.

The issue with the likes of War of Attrition is that although a very good horse it will still be at the top of the weights and as the stats go it wont win.

By: Brody

Brody — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:41:45 +0000

By: SportyGirl

SportyGirl — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:37:51 +0000

A number of horses in the past have used the Gold Cup as a final prep for Aintree. One that springs to mind is West Tip. Always used to run at Cheltenham before a tilt at the National, it’s certainly not impossible and I wouldn’t be surprised if War Of Attrition lines up in both.

By: Gammers

Gammers — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:35:40 +0000

I think this is the same situation as Denman. Entered in the GN to cover a potential early exit from the GC, but unlikely to actually run.

Of the 123 entered the top 7 by OR all have entries in the Gold Cup. Top rated without a GC entry is Afistfullofdollars on 161, then Cloudy Lane on 159.

Unless one of the GC entries intend to double up, perhaps one of the above will be top weight. And if Phil Smith compresses the handicap to let them run off, say 158, then we are back in ‘usual’ territory regards the OR of top weight.

By: SportyGirl

SportyGirl — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:30:13 +0000

The more I think about it the more sense it makes for War Of Attrition to run at Aintree from top weight. Most now agree that it is very unlikely that Denman will go to post and that the weights will rise accordingly. Could still be in with a very competitive weight, and would have to be seriously considered.