Friday Fun: Some More Creature Comforts

Having done it in, dear reader, today I am seeking my creature comforts once more (Guinness predominantly and my comfy sofa)... though I did back the winner in the last at 40, because Carole is my girlfriend's name... (would have won more if the 2nd or 3rd won, both Alan King's!)

I have also finalised my Aintree set for tomorrow's National, not that I am especially confident, especially after the reverses of the last two days...

Finally, you'll have noticed a link at the top of this post wantonly hawking my flat statistics guide, TrainerFlatStats. There's a few potential qualifiers at Newcastle tomorrow.

Incidentally, on the subject of TrainerFlatStats, thanks to Kev for another, simpler way of identifying the sex of runners.

1. Go to the race meeting of choice at www.racingpost.co.uk
2. Click the 'Colours' box at the top of the page (under 'View')
3. The sex is now displayed



So, in this - rather lame - example, all four runners are g(eldings).

Two other clarifications:

1. When the guide refers to, for instance, Class 4 or lower, this means Race Class 4, 5, 6 or 7. Class 4 or higher is therefore obviously Race Class 4, 3, 2 or 1.

2. Where there are multiple qualifiers in a race (as there will likely be tomorrow), the approach is level stakes on all qualifiers.

Easy as that!

*************

To the Grand National...


The final qualifying shortlist (which is not that short) is:

McKelvey
Point Barrow
Baily Breeze
Naunton Brook
Comply Or Die
Idle Talk
Dun Doire

Our (Magnificent?) Seven.

If you don't want to bet seven, with a good chance that you still won't back the winner, then I would narrow them down by looking for the horses that race handily.

These are:

McKelvey
Point Barrow (sometimes, fell at the 1st last year!)
Baily Breeze (guaranteed to be front rank)
Naunton Brook (went ok til pulled up last year, and a possible doubtful stayer)
Comply Or Die (has done his winning when leading or prominent)
Idle Talk (sloppy jumper, with 'alphabet soup' form figures, but got a long way last year)

So basically, Dun Doire is a hold up horse and the rest like to race prominently. Please note that although they like to race prominently, there is inevitably a mad melee over the first two or three fences before the rhythm of the race settles down.

Lots of horses don't get their own way and sulk as a consequence.

If pressed for my fancies from the list, I'd side with Comply Or Die and Point Barrow. But I seem to be on half the field!

Before I close, one last piece of advice:

DO NOT BACK EACH WAY IN THE GRAND NATIONAL.

Your horse is far more likely to fall or pull up or be brought down or refuse or unseat its jockey than it is to finish 2nd, 3rd or 4th. So, if you want to bet each way, find two horses and back them both to win.

[And please, please, please, don't cry to me when they finish 2nd and 3rd!!!]

Best of luck with your fancies.

Now, as promised, those creature comforts:



Happy Friday!
Matt