WHY the secrecy about the Grand National weights? It’s an odd one.
Wondering what I am talking about?
Well for a start, Any Second Now put up one of the all time great weight carrying performances in the Aintree Grand National.
The runner-up to fairytale Sam Waley-Cohen hero Noble Yeats humped 12st to second place.
Ante-post gamble Minella Times – the 2021 victor – would have had to carry 12st 2lb to success if he had scored.
Of course he was brought down under Rachael Blackmore.
As it is, most thought Any Second Now carried 11st 8lb and Minella Times 11st 10lb. That, though, is not the truth.
I did a talk in a box before the National.
I said to the people: “Look most people will talk about Minella Times, Any Second Now and Delta Work today. Indeed, I’m going to Nap Any Second Now.
“But history dictates the National winner is most likely to carry 10st something. So look in that range.
“Added to that, Minella Times has to hump 12st 2lb due to rules few know about. I would be staggered if he can win and he is the ante-post favourite.”
The truth is all the National horses carried 6lb more than published.
That’s a 3lb safety allowance and 3lb Covid allowance. The latter will disappear from May.
Why is all this important? After all, you might say it’s all relative.
PUNTERS WERE STITCHED UP
Well why this is crucial is that weight stops anything – just watch the story of Australian champion Phar Lap.
The talk before the National should have been about Minella Times trying to do what no horse has done since 1956, when the topweight was lowered to 12st. It then went down to 11st 12lb in 2002 and 11st 10lb in 2009.
Only four horses have ever carried 12st 7lb to victory, with the last being Poethlyn in 1919.
Punters were totally stitched up over the National weights.
All weights carried should have been published.
The secrecy is very odd. And benefitted no-one.
Everyone should insist on weights actually carried being published. Or, all the weights should have been lowered by 6lb.
Yeeehaaa!
Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.sportingexcitement.com/horse-racing/jockey-major-charlie-oshea-under-sedation-in-intensive-care-with-serious-chest-injuries-after-horror-wincanton-fall/
