Assessing The Front Runners In The Grand National Ante-Post Market

The Grand National may still be six months away, but with the National Hunt season officially underway, gamblers will soon start to look ahead to the biggest race of the season. The Grand National will be back in 2021 after being cancelled in 2020 for the first time since the Second World War due to the coronavirus. 

Instead of the unpredictable race that fans have come to love, gamblers were given a virtual race-day experience, which showed what could have happened should the race have been run. 

Regardless of the circumstances next year, it would appear as though plans to hold the Grand National will press ahead, and it will happen with or without fans. But, is there already value in the ante-post market for some of the horses that could be leading contenders in the Grand National in 2021? 

Tiger Roll 

As expected, the two-time winner of the Grand National is at the front of the betting, and the ante-post market does give gamblers an opportunity to get a huge price on Tiger Roll. 

The price of the legendary horse will certainly drop before the big day if trainer Gordon Elliott reveals that the ten-year-old is targeting history. Only Red Rum has won three Grand Nationals, and Tiger Roll’s place in the history books will be there forever with a success in 2021. 

Depending on who you ask, it would also make Tiger Roll the first horse to win the race in three consecutive running’s of the race. However, there are now questions surrounding this due to the fact that is was cancelled in 2020. 

The 2019-20 season wasn’t the best for Tiger Roll as he didn’t win a single race and also lost his Cross Country crown after finishing second. However, there is still o doubting that he is one of the leading contenders for the Grand National with Davy Russell on board. 

Burrows Saint 

Willie Mullins has only won one Grand National throughout his esteemed career, with that success coming in the form of Hedgehunter in 2005. However, he has an exceptional chance in the 2021 National with Burrows Saint, who is looking like a horse that could excel over the Aintree fences. 

The seven-year-old enjoyed a progressive season in 2019-20, but didn’t run for the second half of the season. Its last run came back on New Year’s Eve in 2019, as he won the Punchestown Hurdle over two miles and three furlongs. 

Burrows Saint won that race by three and quarter lengths from Saglawy, and the Grand National could be the target in 2021. 

There could also be history on the cards as Rachel Blackmore has rode the horse in the past, and victory would mean that she would become the first woman jockey to win the Grand National. However, there is still a long season ahead with a lot to be proven.  

Potters Corner 

The pick of the ante-post market in terms of value would have to be Potters Corner, who looked best placed to challenge for Tiger Roll’s crown in 2020. Instead, the ten-year-old needed to settle for success in the Virtual Grand National. 

Potters Corner still has all the credentials to be one of the leading chances in the race next year and shown that with success in the Welsh Grand National back in December 2019. 

The Corner became the first Welsh-trained winner of that race for 54 years and winning jockey Jack Tudor could have been on course to be the youngest winning jockey of the Grand National in over 70 years. But, Potters Corner will still have an excellent chance in the Grand National in 2021. 

There you have it, the top picks for the Grand National. Make sure to check the odds online in BetAmerica.com, where you can also bet on college football and many other sports.

How High Does Enable Rank Now She Has Retired?

Unfortunately, there was no fairytale ending for Enable earlier this month. John Gosden’s mare was unable to win a record third Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in what was the final start of her career. 

Enable struggled on the heavy ground at the Paris course and had to settle for sixth place in the race, which was won by Sottsass. It was clear with 3f to go that Frankie Dettori’s mount was not going to be able to pick up the leaders in the field. 

Some of her supporters will have wanted to see Enable go out on a high with a win. Before her retirement was confirmed, there were rumours she could line up in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland. This would have set up another clash with Ghaiyyath and Magical. The former is now the 6/4 favourite in the horse racing betting for the US contest as the task is much easier without Enable in the race. 

Now the dust has settled, it is a good chance to reflect on the super mare’s career to see how high she ranks as one of the best middle-distance horses we have seen over the course of history.

In terms of the straight facts, Enable won 15 of her 19 races. 11 of those victories came at Group One level. Her highest official rating was 128, something she achieved after winning the Arc for the first time in 2017. 

It’s rare in racing to see such a talented horse or mare continue racing as a six-year-old. Her connections deserve a lot of respect for allowing fans of the sport to see her continue training for as long as she did. 

Wins in Four Different Countries 

Although her rating does not rank as high as the likes of Sea The Stars and Frankel, two horses who were the best of their generation, Enable has ducked none of her rivals. She has featured in four different countries, with victories coming at the Breeders’ Cup meeting and an Irish Classic. Enable became just the eighth horse in history to win the Arc twice when she defended her crown in 2018. A year later her hat-trick bid was denied by Waldgeist at Longchamp as she finished just under two lengths behind the French-trained horse.

One record Enable does hold outright is that she is the only horse to win the Arc and Breeders’ Cup Turf in the same year. Given how close they are to each other on the calendar, and the distance between the two races, few have even attempted the feat. 

The daughter of Nathaniel will not head into a new career at stud as a broodmare. There are already plans for her to be covered by Juddmonte stallion Kingman in 2021. If all goes to plan, Enable’s first foals could begin racing by 2024. 

Very few have touched the hearts of racing fans like Enable did. Although she didn’t quite reach the lofty heights of some of the greats in the ratings, there is no doubt she is was an outstanding horse whose record speaks for itself.

The famous name who can continue to make a big impact in horse racing

There are a few names that instantly command respect in the racing world, and there’s no doubt that Paul Nicholls is one of those. 

The 58-year-old enjoyed a relatively successful career as a jockey, but it’s working with horses that have enhanced his reputation. Nicholls is widely regarded as a top trainer, having produced winners for the past few decades, with many coming on the biggest stages of all.

Two-time Gold Cup winner Kauto Star is undoubtedly one of the best horses Nicholls has worked with, but there is a whole host that have achieved great things under his guidance. It’s why he has collected millions of pounds in prize money since he started out as a trainer.

He's trained some stars alright! Happy birthday Paul Nicholls 🎂 pic.twitter.com/fU2PjpDlOk

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 17, 2020

However, he may not be the only Nicholls to leave a legacy in horse racing, with daughter Megan making her own impact on the sport. 

The 23-year-old is already known as a successful jockey despite her young age. That was evident by the fact she won the Silk Series, which brings together the best women in horse racing, for a third consecutive time in September last year. And, she has backed that up when competing against men as well, having ridden many winners in the past. 

Clearly, given her talent, Megan has the potential to taste success as a jockey for a long time if that’s the path she wants to take. She will have learnt from the best having grown up with her dad around the stables, and picking up tips from some of the biggest names in the game could prove to be invaluable. 

Yet, again following a journey similar to her father, Megan’s impact on horse racing doesn’t have to be restricted to what she achieves as a jockey. 

There are examples of individuals who have a profile that goes beyond horse racing. Frankie Dettori is the obvious one, with the likeable Italian landing prime media roles and becoming a recognisable figure away from the game. You can even check the offers discussed by Robert McLauchlan, senior editor at BonusFinder UK to play a casino game that is centred on Dettori. There aren’t many figures you can say that about! 

Whilst he might not be everyone’s cup of tea, having someone with that public appeal has actually worked wonders for racing as it raises the profile of the sport. AP McCoy is another who has remained in the spotlight after his racing days have finished, and there’s no reason why Megan Nicholls can’t do similar. 

Title hat-trick: Megan Nicholls takes Silk Series by storm once more https://t.co/vSBzeB31Mu pic.twitter.com/41fEr41Olp

— Racing Post (@RacingPost) September 1, 2019

Of course, it may be a long way away, but with sports rightly looking to encourage more women to get involved, she could quickly become someone who inspires women in horse racing and in general. Whether that’s as a jockey, in the media or as a trainer remains to be seen, but there will clearly be options. 

Coming from a well-respected family, with talent and a passion for horse racing, Megan Nicholls is a name that could be around the sport in various capacities over the next few decades – extending the legacy that her dad will leave.

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Gas Monkey

Harraton Stud. Laceys Lane. Exning. Suffolk. CB8 7HW

email: juliafeilden@gmail.com

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NEWMARKET EQUINE TOURS RACING CLUB

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• Newmarket Equine Tours Racing Club has 4 quality horses to enjoy throughout the season. Go to the races in style with your owner/trainer race badge, with a fantastic group people. 

• This year's horses include:

Gas Money: This bay gelding proved a popular and talented winner in 2019 showing his class with four wins and a class horse. 

See Gas Monkey's Race Results

Julia said: ''He has been enjoying a much-deserved winter holiday after his fantastic year with four wins at some prestigious racetracks. He will come back into work in the new year and should be fit again to run by late March. Life will be tough for him in 2020 off a career-high handicap mark but he is a horse who keeps on surprising us so hopefully, there is some more improvement to come still.''

Sea Shack: 'has been finding it hard to get into a race recently with most races over-subscribed but he remains in good heart and will be ready to run when he gets an opportunity, most likely on the all-weather. He has some good form at the likes of Wolverhampton and Chelmsford so he should be in for an exciting autumn/winter.

See Sea Shack's Race Results

Ducky & Dilly Rosa: Both DUCKY and DILLY ROSA were given a short break over the summer to strengthen and develop as they looked like they still had some growing to do. They are both only two-years old so have their whole careers ahead of them. Hopefully Dilly Rosa will be ready to run first with an eye to getting some experience into her on the all-weather.

See Dilly Rosa Race Results

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12-month membership to the N.E.T. Racing Club with Julia Feilden. You will be a member of an enthusiastic and successful racing club with the opportunity to watch your horses race as well as stable visits. Includes ballot for complimentary race day badges (including race day hospitality) unlimited stable visits, email updates and invites to special owners' days.

Testimonial:

''It's great being part of Newmarket Equine Tours Racing Club. My only disappointment is not joining years ago. It's exceptional value! With four talented horses running for you, it's a perfect time to make this new Flat turf season something out of the ordinary. There will be plenty of opportunities to go racing this year. The correspondence is great. Julia keeps you informed of the horses and their chances on the day. Go racing in style: Collecting your Owners/Trainers badge(s);  gaining entry to all those parts of the racecourse which once seemed the province of the rich and famous. You will be that VIP. Rub shoulders with the great and good: meeting Julia and the team in the paddock, shake hands with the jockey, listen to the pre-race talk, then watching your horse run like the wind. With four lovely horses, you're odds-on to make the winner's enclosure in 2021.''    

Thanks for a wonderful club and brilliant days' racing. Fantastic. Fully recommended by Horse Trainer Directory. (Owner, Jason Coote) 

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Rae Guest - California Chrome Progeny at Chestnut Tree Stables

If you look to your left, you will see our selection of Daily Trainer Blogs. It updates automatically and a great way to learn about the latest news from thorough bred horse trainers big and small. 

In fact, reading one of the updates inspired this post. 

It relates to the exceptional California Chrome, who I'm sure you will know is one of the best race horses to ever set foot on course. 

If you are unfamiliar with California Chrome (pictured), take a look at Wikipedia and learn about this amazing horse. It's probably easier to detail which races he didn't win! 

Anyway, a very brief review saw this son of Lucky Pulpit race 27 times and achieve 16 win, 4 seconds and 1 third place racing from April 2013 - January 2017. He raced predominantly in the United States, although very much a globe trotter heading to Meydan, United Arab Emirates three times, winning huge prize money along the way.

He won almost £10M in total prize earnings. 

He achieved an official rating of 133. 

Since 2017, he has been standing at Taylor Made Farm, Kentucky as a stallion. His stud fee is set at $30,000. 

Readers may remember he was sent to the UK back in 2015 to contest the Prince Of Wales Stakes (Group 1) but withdrawn as a non runner with a self certificate. 

As it happened, former owners of California Chrome, Perry & Denise Martin, are sending one of his progeny to be trained by Rae Guest at Chestnut Tree Stables, Hamilton Road, Newmarket. 

California Chrome stayed at the stables on his build-up for the Prince Of Wales Stakes. 

The mare, called Berryessa, was trained by Guest back in 2017/18. She was part of a three-horse syndicate Rae Guest and the Martins joined, with Berryessa, one of the three horses. 

Berryessa ran 13 times and tasted success twice, runner-up on three occasions. 

The 2020 filly is being brought over by the Martins. 

Guest said: ''It will be great to see them again.''

Take a look at the unnamed filly here. 

Good luck to connections. 

These Flat Racehorse Trainers Have Had A Fine 2020

🙌🏻 Creative Force stays on well to win the 3.00 at Newmarket for Charlie Appleby and William Buick pic.twitter.com/4zjhD1mSWK

— Racing Post (@RacingPost) June 4, 2020

While there is nothing unusual in John Gosden and Aidan O’Brien leading the British Flat trainers’ championship, their annual battle for the most prize money masks other handlers having fine seasons. The usual suspects sit atop the standings, but even in early September there are eight racehorse trainers with more than £1,000,000 in earnings. Who are the best of the rest outside the big two? Let’s take a look.

Mark Johnston 

If the Flat trainers’ championship was awarded on most wins, then Middleham maestro Mark Johnston would be leading the way. He has sent horses out to victory over 100 times yet again from his Yorkshire Dales stables, including Royal Hunt Cup winner Dark Vision during Royal Ascot. Johnston has also had by far the most runners with over 800 going to racecourses right across Britain. The yard has enjoyed a number of Group 3 success thanks to the likes of Sagaro Stakes scorer Nayef Road, Musidora heroine Rose Of Kildare, Acomb victor Gear Up and March Stakes winner Subjectivist. He also won the Group 2 Dante at York with Thunderous.

Andrew Balding 

A Classic winner came out of Andrew Balding’s Park Hill Stables at Highclere earlier in the season when Kameko stormed to 2000 Guineas glory on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket. The way in which this yard started the campaign was impressive with Berlin Tango also winning at Group 3 level on the all-weather at Kempton Park. Dashing Willoughby and recent recruit Spanish Mission have both gained wins in black type races for Flat stayers too. There was success for Queen Elizabeth II at Royal Ascot and the July Festival with Tactical, while Happy Power took the Supreme Stakes at Goodwood.

Richard Hannon 

While there have been one or two disappointments for Richard Hannon, most notably Threat, he is still having a good campaign. His reputation for getting the most out of juvenile horses is entirely justified after saddling a third winner in four seasons of the Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes at Salisbury in Happy Romance. There was a big handicap winner in the Bunbury Cup courtesy of Motakhayyel. Hannon also laned the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown Park with Etonian. As an expert horse racing betting guide will tell you, follow trainer form carefully as they purple patches just like this one is having or Balding enjoyed in early June.

Roger Varian 

Happy Birthday to 2014 #StLeger winning trainer Roger Varian! pic.twitter.com/rUZ1FctOiQ

— Doncaster Racecourse (@DoncasterRaces) March 14, 2017

The association with major racehorse owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid continues to pay dividends for Newmarket handler Roger Varian. He has saddled Fujaira Prince to two big handicap wins in the famous yellow and black spotted silks, including the Ebor at York. Although the Varian yard sadly lost popular grey Defoe this season, there were also big Royal Ascot wins in the Jersey Stakes for Hamdan Al Makotum’s Molatham and the Wolferton Stakes with Mountain Angel. Expect this stable to continue adding to its 80 winners in the autumn.

Charlie Appleby 

As Godolphin’s retained trainer in Britain, Charlie Appleby always gets sent good horses. While Pinatubo was the great hope for this season, he has only won one of his four starts and that came over in France. Space Blues has been the undoubted success in the stable after making fine progress. Ghaiyyath has also finally become the finished article, notching a Group 1 hat-trick with wins in the Coronation Cup, Eclipse and Juddmonte International. Exciting juvenile Master Of The Seas also look another top prospect for Appleby and backer Sheikh Mohammed.