Grand National Runners 2010: Character Building
Character Building has inspired quite a lot of interest in the last couple of Grand Nationals but unfortunately niggling injuries meant the horse has been unable to make the race in either year.
John Quinn’s gelding had attracted plenty of ante post interest in both of those years after finishing third in the Hennessy in 07/08 and winning the Kim Muir in 08/09.
Previous year’s readers will know that this is a horse we have discussed before on other threads, the most detailed thread is linked below :
http://blog.grand-national-guide.co.uk/grand-national-2009/grand-national-2009-character-building/
I think Character Building’s high profile placing in the ante-post market again for 09/10 means we should open a page for this year so that you can tell us if you’ve had your fingers burnt in the last two years but are still prepared to try again with the horse in 2010?
Is this horse just not a safe option for backing in the Grand National? Or do you believe it will be third time lucky for Character Building and 2010 will be his year?
This post has 3 comments
#1
September 7th, 2009 08:23
I guess the good news for CB fans is that his current rating (145) is his highest ever and would almost certainly mean he gets in – the last couple of years he has looked close to missing the cut. Whether he’s an attractive AP betting opportunity given what has happened the last two years is another question though.
If I am being honest I have never been the greatest fan of this horse, and i’m not talking through my pocket. I do have a few doubts. Firstly, i’m not too sure if his overall level of form is good enough. Ok he won at the Festival last time out, and under 11-12 too, but the Kim Muir is only a class 2 and 9 of the first 10 horses home were aged 9 or over – exposed chasers that have been around the block a few times. Ok so the form book says that he’s finished 3rd in a Hennessy, but he was beaten 19l by the winner. That’s easy enough to overlook as The Tank put up an awesome display that day but he was also beaten 8l by the second (Dream Alliance) and only finished just in front of exposed older horses liked Knowhere, Juveigneur and Sir Rembrandt, with the latter two being horses on the downgrade. Outside of Denman, Madison Du Berlais (who has improved since) and Snowy Morning (who unseated) I don’t think it was a partcicularly good renewal of the Hennessy.
I also have my doubts about the horse’s mettle when push comes to shove at the end of the race. He likes to come from behind and challenge late and was given a great waiting ride in the Kim Muir. The way the race panned out very much suited him as the top 8 were covered by as many lengths so he had horses to run at and pass up the run in without his jockey getting too serious with him. That’s unlikley to happen up the long National run-in as at some point his jockey will have to resort to the stick as the horse gets tired. He’s been outbattled before and I don’t know if I would want my money on him in a tight or all-out finish.
#2
September 7th, 2009 11:15
Quite an in depth article Stayer. Although I did back him last year because he passed the stats scratch a little deeper and probably your assessment is correct.
He didn’t make the line-up although it was “touch and go” and to be honest my staking plan on him would be minimal given Stayer’s report. That is assuming he passes the stats this year.
On a personal note I like a grey to win and love to have backed it, but they do have to qualify on the stats first.For example Kings John Castle surprised me on the statima ability and so was not backed by me.
#3
September 18th, 2009 10:33
I just have a hunch it might be his year next year – A National winner always has a story, and all his last minute withdrawals would be his!