Equinties - National weights

Gm Equinauts

Racing X has been thoroughly entertaining the last few days and we’ve simply sat back, grabbed the popcorn and soaked it all up: man-children shouting at each other over seemingly nothing at all, the emotional aftermath from Nicky Henderson updates blowing out thousands of punters’ dreams of ante-post glory and a big market move in both the Champion Hurdle and Mares.

Sometimes there is no better place to be a spectator than the playground of Racing x.

Let’s dive in.

HEADINE ROUND UP

GRAND NATIONAL WEIGHTS

It was the annual Liverpool gravy train piss-up yesterday. Yes, we’re talking about the Grand National weights lunch.

The great, and the good, were in Merseyside yesterday to get their first look at the handicap weights for some of their stable stars, though the event is mainly a day to see how much the British handicapper has slapped onto the Irish horses.

Right, who caught our eye, and who caught some of the trainers’ eyes?

Firstly, the handicapper gave DELTA WORK the big two fingers. He got six pounds to a mark of 157 (will he ever win another race?), so he will find the National a bit tough, especially at his age.

MINELLA COCOONER was given three, as was MINELLA CROONER, STUMPTOWN will have to lump 157 around in both the Cross Country and National, and VANILLIER’s mark of 147 is the same rating he had when he was second to CORACH RAMBLER in 2023.

Right, who are the Irish horses that we think got off lightly?

INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN is the obvious one. We’re not the first and we’re certainly not the last people to tell you this, but getting no pounds from the handicapper is nice.

He has shown promise behind GALOPIN DES CHAMPS twice this season, and he was a proper novice last year. Run him in the National, Gavin, do the right thing.

MONTY’S STAR got one pound. He’s not going to win a Cheltenham Gold Cup, but he could be interesting in a race like this off 160.

As for the Willie Mullins contingent, I AM MAXIMUS will find 167 tough, and even the boss of Closutton thinks this.

He has highlighted MEETINGOFTHEWATERS as the one he’s sweet on though, as he said: “He’s one I like. My eye was drawn to him when I saw his weight. Last year he was looking almost like the winner coming to the second-last, he was certainly going well within himself. He’s a year older and stronger and he has a lovely racing weight.”

As for the Brits, we think the BRAVEMANSGAME plan has worked. He has a rating of 155 now, and that has him well-treated on any form you look at.

Paul Nicholls has received his fair share of pelters this season. Some are even wondering if he still has the ability to train at this level!
Well, he could have everyone’s pants down by winning the big one with BMG, and his rating is workable.

IS IT ON?

BRIGHETRDAYSAHEAD and LOSSIEMOUTH have been the source of much debate in racing over the last few months mainly because they’re best mares in racing and every racing fan wants to see them race in the bet race possible - the Champion Hurdle.

We’re fairly sure LOSSIEMOUTH will line up. Her fall in the Irish Champion Hurdle, weird as it sounds, almost confirmed that she will head to the Champion Hurdle because she wasn’t truly beaten. No one knows if she would have beaten STATE MAN, so all connections can do is run her in the Champion Hurdle and find out!

As for BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD, well, she’s been a bit more complicated. Connections, for a while, were totally insistent that she would head to the Mares’ Hurdle, but cracks in that story have started to show.

Gordon Elliott has said that she could stick to hurdles if she won a Champion Hurdle, and a few Irish judges have said that they have no doubt she will line up alongside CONSTITUTION HILL in March.

Well, the Betfair Exchange had a bit of movement last night, and that movement was in favour of her running against the geldings.

God, it would be great if she ran in the Champion Hurdle. It would give Cheltenham the lift it really needs after SIR GINO, so let’s hope this market move is a sign that connections are coming around to the idea.

If they all show up, who wins – can the girls beat CONSTITUTION HILL!?

There’s only one way to find out…Do it, Gordo, Michael, and Eddie. Do it!

AT THE CROSS

GALOPIN DES CHAMPS is considered by many as a certainty at the Cheltenham Festival. Fair enough.

He’s beaten pretty much every horse who could take him on in the Gold Cup, and he’s done it plenty of times.

We say pretty much as there is a horse who he hasn’t beaten yet, and his trainer is preparing a British raid this weekend. Of course, we’re talking about CORBETTS CROSS.

He’s entered in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase over 2m5f this weekend where he could take on L’HOMME PRESSE and PIC D’ORHY, and he’s been the subject of a minor early gamble.

He’s been disappointing so far this season. He was well-beaten at Wexford and the same occurred in the King George.

Well, Emmet Mullins is hoping to see a different side of him soon, and hopefully, this will occur as the spring festivals come into view.

“I think we’re in a good position now. We didn’t really get a clear run of things; he wasn’t right for the Betfair Chase, and we kind of stumbled our way on to the King George.

“He was just flat in Kempton, he was never going and never travelled. You could put that down to inexperience or the big occasion, but I don’t think the horse was right when he didn’t finish off his race, as we know he’s got a high cruising speed and he can stay.

“I suppose we just put a line through it when he didn’t pick up in the home straight.

“I’ve had a few clean weeks, there’s plenty of work gone into him now and I’m very happy – I think we’re nearly there, which is just what I wanted, and it’s only a bit of maintenance now and keeping him ticking over, I think.”

Can he topple GALOPIN DES CHAMPS? Well, we don’t think so, but he is unexposed in that department and in racing, anything can happen.

RISK ON

A tough days racing today with no standout bet, especially at the two jumps meetings, therefore playing with lower than average stakes on:

13.30 COMMANDING PRINCE

A small bet on an unraced one here. This lad was bought out of Godolphin, so clearly has had issues but it beautifully bred. Small single at 5/2 as it’s a vote on pedigree only and Archie is struggling to hit the scoreboard.

18.00 MODERN DAY

Well bred in a weak race. Smashed up and short now so use to lever up another.

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