DAQMAN’S 14-1 SECRET SHOOTS HIM INTO 25-15 VALUE LEAD: In the value challenge that’s made more than 1,000 points profit, Daqman leads Pricewise 657.05 to 406.08 (assessed at 10-point stakes) after Sunday winners took their score to 25-15, with Daqman leading by 10 on winners, 50% more on returns. His hits yesterday:
WON 14-1 SECRET INVESTOR (Newbury)
WON 15-8 BEACON EDGE (Boyne Hurdle, Navan)
DAQMAN TIGER ROLL VERDICT: HONOURABLE RETIREMENT NOW! Daqman reveals in a history of the 21st-century Grand National that only Tiger Roll compares with iron-horse Red Rum. More than that, it shows that only three of the 20 winners were able to show anything like their Aintree-winning skills and fitness after the toughest race in the world. That, and yesterday’s defeat of Tiger Roll, prompts Daqman to beg his connections: retire him! Quit while all concerned still have some dignity.
TIGER’S ROLE IS ALL PLAYED OUT
Too much weight this time? No, too many hard races: Tiger Roll should be retired. Like any vintage vehicle, he can still look immaculate – even give you a nice ride, for a while – but the engine has gone.
Too many revs and he finds nothing, as he did yesterday after flattering in the Boyne Hurdle, a race he used as a springboard to Cheltenham and his second National in 2019.
He’s done nothing since and and it’s wishful thinking that he will. My records (below) show that he is the best since Red Rum and L’Escargot.
But, more to the point, they reveal that only Tiger Roll, Many Clouds and Bindaree were able to do anything much at all after winning one National, never mind two.
The marathon race busts that engine! Only an exceptional animal can handle it physically. He was one. But I’m afraid that’s past tense, and he should now be given an honourable retirement.
* 1973, 1974, 1977 RED RUM Irish bred; 5f winner at Aintree; twice ridden Lester Piggott. Trained at Southport on sand and in the sea by taxi-driver Ginger McCain. Jockeys: Brian Fletcher, Tommy Stack.
* 1975 L’ESCARGOT Irish bred; winner, second and third in the National, beat Red Rum 15 lengths in his winning year. Won 1970, 1971 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Trainer: Dan Moore. Jockey: Tommy Carberry.
Story of the 21st-century
2000 PAPILLON After his National win, he managed to take a three-runner 2m 1f chase but was then beaten 10 times, fourth in the 2001 National.
2001 RED MARAUDER had just one run afterwards, in a hurdle race (fourth)
2002 BINDAREE had 16 more races, winning the Coral Welsh National but failed in three more consecutive Aintree versions.
2003 MONTY’S PASS 10 consecutive defeats, fourth in 2004 National, and finished way back the following year
2004 AMBERLEIGH HOUSE 12 consecutive defeats, the next two Nationals among them.
2005 HEDGEHUNTER was beaten 13 times; second, ninth and 13th in subsequent Grand Nationals.
2006 NUMBERSIXVALVERDE lost four times afterwards, including another try at the Grand National
2007 SILVER BIRCH Nine defeats afterwards including the Grand National but won a point-to-point.
2008 COMPLY OR DIE second the following year but never won again in 11 attempts.
2009 MON MOME never won again in 18 tries, including fell and pulled up in two more Grand Nationals
2010 DON’T PUSH IT had six more starts including third in the National the following year. No wins.
2011 BALLABRIGGS sixth and pulled up National in six races after his win. Also drew a blank.
2012 NEPTUNE COLLONGES never raced again
2013 AURORAS ENCORE was unplaced three times then quit.
2014 PINEAU DE RE won a hurdle race from 13 subsequent starts
2015 MANY CLOUDS The only winner to score again in a big chase over fences after Bindaree and before Tiger Roll; in fact three out of seven.
2016 RULE THE WORLD Unplaced at Punchestown three weeks later and retired.
2017 ONE FOR ARTHUR Best run after was sixth in the 2019 National.
2018 TIGER ROLL Massive year in 2019, winning Boyne Hurdle, Cheltenham cross-country and his second Grand National.
2019 TIGER ROLL Remote Cheltenham cross-country second among five defeats in a row so far in 2020-21.
SERGEANT COMMANDS ATTENTION
⭕ 4.10 Carlisle The going remains heavy at Carlisle and the final race, on cut up ground, will be a challenge for the 12 runners over 3m 1f.
At the time of writing any one of half a dozen could be sent off favourite on the BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE which shows how competitive it is.
Richard Johnson has partnered top weight Lugg River before but I think this trip/ground rule him out today. He was stepped up to a similar trip at Hereford last time out at Hereford but weakened away and was beaten 48 lengths. That was on soft so I don’t hold out much of a chance for him on worse ground.
The only course and distance winner in the race is Cairnshill but is far from reliable. The grey was pulled up twice in succession and whilst he has performed better in two starts since – he is only 3/46 overall and two of those wins came on good ground!
Bitasweetsymphony ran well at Doncaster despite losing a shoe but is another who hasn’t totally convinced in bog like conditions.
This might be best left to Sergeant Brody who has slipped a further 3lb down the weights. You can strike a line through his last run at Ffos Las which was over an unsuitably short two miles. Pin together his form on 3m+ and on heavy and the case is much stronger for him looking well handicapped here.
THE HOST WITH THE MOST
⭕ 7.10 Wolverhampton Ladbrokes-sponsored handicap over nine furlongs and the stand out bet of the night has to be Host.
The Richard Hannon trained runner justified favouritism in good style 12 days ago when quickening impressively and winning by two lengths. That was also a class 4 and he shouldn’t be troubled by the slight step up in trip. The 4lb rise looks fair but certainly not harsh.
It’s a small field so things could get competitive. Mark Johnston’s Coupe De Champagne won here two starts ago at class 5 level but struggled at Lingfield next time out when upped to today’s grade.
STARS OUT TONIGHT
⭕ 7.40 Wolverhampton The penalised Hector’s Here might be worth opposing with Starfighter.
This looks a tougher race than the one Hector’s Here won over course and distance last week and his four career wins to date has e all come at class 6 level.
On the other hand Starfighter lived up to his name when only going down by a head in a class 4 last time out at Newcastle
DAQMAN’S BETS (staked to win 10 points)
BET 1.9pts win SERGEANT BRODY (4.10 Carlisle)
BET 8.0pts win (nap) HOST (7.10 Wolverhampton)
BET 4.0pts win STARFIGHTER (7.40 Wolverhampton)
What are points? Points facilitate a staking plan, which is the secret to creating profit. One point is whatever you choose: a pound, a euro, or whatever ….
Start with a bank and decide how much you can afford to lose over a period of time, and determine the size of your bets accordingly. Daqman makes this variation every day.
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