He was 8th in the Foxhunters so he must have coped with the fences ok I guess. 148 seems high enough for what he has achieved in his career – he’s got no real Class 1 or graded form to speak of. 148 this year would have him If carrying 2lbs less than State Of Play, the same as Mon Mome and 1b more than Butlers Cabin. Is he as good as those horses? Not on what we have seen so far.

Currently has a mark of 148, having gone up 11lb for this Ffos Las win, so assuming that doesn’t change, should have a nice weight. BUt as Activa says, too inexperienced for me this year.

Clearly the horse has some talent (14 chase & point-to-point starts, 7 wins and 4 placed runs) and jockey rode him with supreme confidence

Got the trip really well and is by Passing Sale (Mon Mome’s sire)

Trainer has won the National before

However I think that the horse lacks the big race experience of most National winners (no 3m+ Class 1 or key race experience)

And the handicapper will clobber him in all likelihood

Not for me for 2010, but certainly worth keeping an eye on for future races

Church Island should be dropped a pound or two – still not convinced that he can win at the GN trip from the front – maybe they’ll go for Irish GN again;. All the best!!

Church Island didn’t really get into the race, I heard he made some headway but it came to nothing as he finished last. It’s early days yet but I want to see something more,(perhaps we were expecting too much).

Snoopy Loopy had just too much weight and Fire and Rain seemed to run out of stamina but he was up there from the off until approaching 4 out. In time he could strengthen and also might be best if they could hold him up or just keep him off the leaders. To be honest he’s only six and time is on his side.

Backstage the winner won by 10 lengths he’s seven, (eight when the national comes around), I would like him to run in the Hennessy on a Official Rating of 137 he already in my stats for winning OR (157-136), but I would like it if by feb he was at 140 minimum. Says in Racing Post that he needed a trip off a fast gallop and got it. Ran well at Aintree in the past and the trainer (Gordon Elliott) seems keen on the Grand National. Next trip might be the Kerry National.

Backstage jockey was Tom Scudsmore and I just being silly here but Michael Scudamore won on Oxo so maybe skipping a generation his grandson could win on Backstage.

I think that given time future grand national winners might run on here. If one hasn’t ran on here already.

Clearly the horse has some talent (14 chase & point-to-point starts, 7 wins and 4 placed runs) and jockey rode him with supreme confidence

Got the trip really well and is by Passing Sale (Mon Mome’s sire)

Trainer has won the National before

However I think that the horse lacks the big race experience of most National winners (no 3m+ Class 1 or key race experience)

And the handicapper will clobber him in all likelihood

Not for me for 2010, but certainly worth keeping an eye on for future races

Church Island should be dropped a pound or two – still not convinced that he can win at the GN trip from the front – maybe they’ll go for Irish GN again

Should be an interesting race

I’ve never been convinced by Hoo La Baloo at this sort of distance and I think I’d be prepared to take on Boychuk (not sure his last win was that competitive) and Nostringsattached (possibly too high in the handicap now?)
I’d imagine that Snoopy Loopy would still have too much on his plate after last season’s successes and I can’t really see why Backstage is the price he is.
No doubt Church Island will have his supporters (from these pages?) but I’m not a big fan and the trainer’s record in this country in the last five years is abysmal (1 win in 61 runs). I would imagine that Out The Black might need the run but it’s very interesting to see that there has been money for the former decent hurdler Hold Em. He warrants a second look.
I was impressed with Fire and Rain in the Summer National and I’d fancy him to follow up, although his stable has been a bit quiet which tempers things and some of the outsiders are interesting particularly Coq Hardi. Peter Bowen has made no secret of his keenness to win this race and I just wonder if this horse is still to show his best in handicap company. Ontheotherhand and Justpourit would be much more interesting if they could run nearer their correct weight but I wouldn’t be surprised by decent runs, especially from the latter who has the first time visor.