General / Graham Cunningham / 18 April 2008 / Leave a Comment

Graham Cunningham is determined to solve the puzzle that is the Scottish Grand National. Read his thoughts on that race, and plenty more, here.

Miko and Ossmoses the two to note in lop sided National

Robbie Burns felt there was no place like Ayr for producing "honest men and bonnie lasses." I'll be finding out whether his words still ring true this weekend, but the main task on my trek north is to try and crack the Scottish National.

This year's race is an odd puzzle, as the presence of Halcon Genelardais means only three of the 24 runners can race from their correct handicap mark.

In theory, those at the top of the weights should dominate. But in practice it might just pay to take Miko de Beauchene and Ossmoses against the field on Scotland's biggest jumping day of the season.

Granted, Halcon Genelardais has earned his big weight - and Young Kenny and Grey Abbey have both defied big weights in this race of late - but they were from official marks of 140 and 148 respectively.

Winning a major handicap off 169 is a different kettle of fish altogether and giving 16lb to Miko de Beauchene will be a very tough task given that Robert Alner's powerful gelding has progressed relentlessly this year and promises to relish this step up to four miles.

I must confess there is a fair slice of sentiment involved in putting up Ossmoses as an interesting contender. At first glance he has little chance from 11lb out of the handicap, and training troubles have dogged him recently; but go back two seasons and this freewheeling grey landed the very Haydock race which marked Miko de Beauchene as such a strong contender for this prize.

He caught the eye travelling sweetly for a long way at Newbury on his belated reappearance and, if nothing else, his bold jumping should give him mileage as a back to lay option in both the win and the place markets.

Plenty to mull over as the trials season gathers steam

Amid all the hoopla about the Classic trials this week it's well worth remembering that most Guineas winners in recent years have reappeared on the big day itself.

That said, there has been plenty to chew over. Natagora is a filly I have always had plenty of time for and she's plainly trained on based on her cosy Maisons-Laffitte success on Monday.

Will she truly stay a searching mile? I'm still not certain, but those who have backed her at big prices for the 1000 Guineas will almost certainly be able to trade out at much shorter in running on April 4.

Infallible is also unproven beyond seven furlongs - and the fillies she beat in Wednesday's Nell Gwyn are nothing special - but the way she brushed them aside on only her second start was highly impressive.

I've backed Savethisdanceforme at [21.0] for the Guineas, but I would be lying if I said my confidence has increased in the light of this week's events.

There isn't much doubt that the 2000 Guineas will have much greater depth than the 1000, and Twice Over and Raven's Pass are both towards the head of the market after fighting out a cracking finish to Thursday's Craven Stakes.

Twice Over has plainly thrived since last autumn, and there are definitely more good races in him, but I would rather lay him than back him for the Guineas at the moment. Indeed, if Confront wins Newbury's Greenham Stakes in the same Abdullah colours this weekend I suspect Twice Over will head to York for the Dante Stakes instead.

And there is a very good chance that Confront will win the Greenham. Granted, his form thus far is short of Classic standard, but he looked a colt with a very bright future when winning at Ascot last October and that performance was franked when the runner-up Stimulation won the Free Handicap in midweek.

Pipedreamer fans shouldn't lose faith as the dust settles on Craven week

Having nominated Prime Exhibit as a horse to follow for 2008 in last week's blog it's time to update his progress and add to the list.

Naturally, it was frustrating to see Prime Exhibit out of the money at Newmarket on Thursday, but he shaped like a miler and looks well worth another chance.

As always, finding potential improvers at Newmarket's Craven meeting was like shooting fish in a barrel. Jeremy Noseda's Checklow has a bright future based on the way he travelled in Wednesday's maiden, while the Barry Hills-trained Ouqba will also be hard to beat next time after staying on strongly for third behind the impressive Art Connoisseur.

It would be dangerous to assume that the hardy Fathsta hasn't got another handicap in him judged on his fine fifth in a hot sprint won by Prohibit, while Pipedreamer failed to justify strong support in a tactical Earl of Sefton Stakes on Thursday but did more than enough to suggest that he will be winning a Group race this season.

Ruby shines bright as McCoy's troubled spring continues

For over a decade, the issue of who is the greatest when it comes to jump jockeys has been a no brainer.

AP McCoy raised the bar to an unprecedented height during the 1990's - forcing his colleagues to adapt their lifestyles and attitudes accordingly - and has remained at the top of the tree with precious few threats to his supremacy.

But nothing lasts forever and, as the 2007-2008 jumps season draws to a close, it's time to ask if Ruby Walsh now deserves to be rated ahead of his great friend and rival.

Worthwhile comparisons between riders with such differing styles are never easy to draw - and Walsh is attached to a rampant Nicholls yard while McCoy remains tied to a Jonjo O'Neill stable which is worryingly light on stars - but Cheltenham on Wednesday provided the stage for a Walsh masterclass.

Granted, many seasoned riders would have won on Earth Planet, but it's very hard to think of any who would have coaxed the mercurial Le Duc to a short head success. Add in another thrilling last-gasp success aboard Oberon Moon and it's clear that Walsh is at the very peak of his powers.

Is Ruby now a more complete rider than AP? I think he just might be. His sense of timing is flawless and, given that he is also as sharp as they come out of the saddle, it's hard to think of anyone more likely to make up into a top trainer once his days in the saddle are over.

Morning Line needs to go back to basics

Few topics raise the collective hackles of the Betfair Forum attack dogs more than the Morning Line.

And, although Channel 4's Saturday morning blend of banter and betting has become a soft target for cynics, it's hard to escape the conclusion that the popular old veteran is on its last legs as far as serious news coverage is concerned.

Take last week, when the team addressed the hot topic of Michael McAlister's tender ride on Lord Samposin in Tony Dobbin's farewell race at Carlisle. John Francome and Mike Cattermole both seemed amazed that the stewards had disciplined McAlister, while Alastair Down hadn't even seen the race in question.

It goes against the grain to admit it, but my first thought was that the absence of John McCririck - whose role on Channel 4 has been cut back considerably - left the panel short of a dissenting voice to challenge the cosy club that has formed on the sofa.

No-one is saying that it was their job to slaughter a young rider like McAlister. And no-one would deny that when Channel 4 get it right - as they do on a regular basis at the big meetings - they capture the colour and passion of racing brilliantly.

But for a long while now the Morning Line has sacrificed meaningful assessment of worthwhile stories in favour of a toecurling light entertainment style which forces a host of people with decent racing brains to act like they have been forced into attending a Chuckle Brothers' convention.

We've reached the point at which it would need a hard decision for the Morning Line team to come back from the dark side. And I'm not holding my breath waiting for those involved to take it.

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