Denman to be entered for National

Oh no, don't like the sound of that.
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Not sure about this. Hes definiely the type for it, but I reckon its a step too soon, especially as hes light of a run. Have already had a punt on him though - bfore he was confirmed!!
 
OMG, now he is an extremely special horse and I will feel very very sick watching him go round, however if there is one horse who could jump round beautifully, then it would be him. It's being hampered by all the others that worries me
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Eeek, big mistake if you ask me
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WOW, would have thought he was far to special for the National
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The type to be saved for the Gold Cup and maybe a few others.
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I was thinking that too.............
 
My thoughts the same. I knwo all races are potentially dangerous, I just think the National's carnage and too high risk. I wish they'd just half the amount allowed to run, the horses hardly get chance to see the fences to start with.

No doubt Denman's certainly but i don't think l he's done enough since being off so i thonk it's a bit of a foolish idea.
 
I'll be happy to be wrong, but I think it's too risky. He may not get the trip, he'll be the first horse since Red Rum to carry top weight to win, and very few horses have carried weight to win in softer ground, or heavier, which is when Denman comes into his own.
I also think the way he lands after a jump might count against him over some of the bigger fences. He's a heavy topped horse and takes a stride to lighten. (for want of a better description....)
If it was a given he'd find the trip easy, then I'd say he's worth a squeak.
Brave move if they do run him, I hope it pays off if that happens.............
 
Have to say I agree. I wouldn't have expected to see him entered for the National this year - definitely thought he would have been saved for the likes of the Gold Cup.
I think Harry Findlay has always had the National in mind for him - not sure Paul Nicholls is totally in agreement that this is the right route for the horse - I remember reading a couple of weeks ago that Nicholls had said if the owners wanted it to run in the National then it would run.
I am not saying he should NEVER run in the race but if he were mine I would have kept him for the high class chases for at least another year or two!
"If he were mine" - IF ONLY!!!
 
personally i think he will be eentered if this is true tokeep everyone happy but i bet he doesnt run. lets face it ven if he doesnt have asingle outing between now and then he is going to be top weight surely and what will the others get.
i am not really worried about the national as a race anymore. yes accidents happen he should be able to cruise round out of trouble and pick up the leaders when there are less er, distractions if you see what i mean. if he doesnt act or dosnt stay he will get pulled up. anyway the national after this layoff will be a big ask especially if he has just taken on kauto at cheltenham.
 
Phil Smith has allotted a top weight of 11-10 if he runs, and they reckon about ten horses will scrape in on the 10-0 mark or thereabouts.
Remember Hedgehunter taking a horrific fall when he was legless at the second last.........if he's up there, even if he's knackered, there's no chance he'll be pulled up.
Harry Findlay has always wanted him to run, I have not a shadow of doubt that if he's fit he'll run. Otherwise the weights will be a joke for everyone else, including PN's other runners.
They should make it level weights again, now that would be interesting...
 
I read in the Sunday Times yesterday that he was being entered, with the plan that he would be the first horse since Golden Miller (I think!) to win the Gold Cup/National double?

No idea if this is true or not, just what the paper said
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I was thinking much the same, yes fine he is to be entered but will he actually run, I'm not sure.
I'd love to see him tackle the national fences it would be great viewing to watch him (even if I'm trying to watch from behind a cushion). I'm just not sure it should be this year, will he run before the national does anyone know? If not I'd say it was a big ask!!
 
I personally think that if he wins a 2nd Gold Cup they won't risk him in the Grand National.

But if he doesn't win the Gold Cup - lack of preparation, fitness, Kauto to good on maybe better ground, then I think they would run him in the National. It is a huge prize pool this year and Denman will carry 11st 10 instead of what was top weight in the past - 11st 12.
 
Admittedly I know nothing about racing, but attempting the double, Gold Cup then National 22 days later, with a horse with a previous heart irregularity, sounds like asking rather a lot......
 
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Admittedly I know nothing about racing, but attempting the double, Gold Cup then National 22 days later, with a horse with a previous heart irregularity, sounds like asking rather a lot......

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Absolutely.
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I cannot see this horse running in the National.

The priority for him has to be the Gold Cup, and he has not run since last year's race. If he does win that race, and goes on to run in the National, my feeling is that it is the short space of time between the two races which is the downfall of many horse proclaimed to be the "next Golden Miller"

If he doesn't get placed in the Gold Cup, possibly much more likely to run in the National, but then, will he be fit enough?
 
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