Long Run Tops!

Following his great success in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, unsurprisingly it is Long Run that now appears at the head of the order in the BHA handicappers ratings for staying chasers.  His new mark has gone up by 3lbs to 182, putting him ahead of the likes of Denman, Kauto Star and last year's winner Imperial Commander.  Indeed, Imperial Commander has been dropped by 15lbs to a new mark of 170 - that is quite a hefty decrease and maybe now we will see him in something like the Hennessy at Newbury next season?

I was interested to see that Sir Alex Ferguson's Gold Cup fourth What A Friend is now a likely starter in the Grand National.  The horse is due to be raised 15lbs by the official assessor, so he would be very "well in" in the John Smiths Grand National at Aintree in 2 1/2 weeks.  I am sure that Fergie would love to get a win at Liverpool this season!  The only problem I can envisage is that Manchester Utd have a home game against Fulham on National day - maybe they will beam the race onto the big screen so that Sir Alex can watch it?  What A Friend is currently around the 16/1 mark for the big race.

Our Cheltenham Festival winner Junior will be 19lbs ahead of the hadicapper and is a stand out 20/1 with Corals - what an incredible treble that would be Royal Ascot, Cheltenham Festival and Grand National winner!  Do dreams like these really come true?...before punters go steaming in though, it is worth remembering that Junior needs plenty of horses above him to come out of the Aintree showpiece before he even has a chance of getting in the race.