Wednesday 3 April 2013

National Nibbles - Simon Holt

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National Nibbles - Simon Holt.

Continuing the Channel 4 racing theme after Rishi yesterday, it's the turn of Simon Holt today. Simon is C4 Racing's top commentator and although this will be his first terrestrial National he has covered the race before which I am sure will help with 40 runners cruising around the 2 1/4m long Aintree course. Along with Darren Owen earlier in the week, he is our second National commentator of the week and is the man who will call them home after 9 minutes or so of the stamina sapping National test.



So here's are Simon's answers:

What are your earliest National memories ?
I can remember watching Specify win in 1971, aged 6! But my most vivid early memory is Red Rum's first win in 1973 when he caught Crisp on the run-in. It was the race that hooked me.

Which has been your favourite National so far ?
As above. Red Rum/Crisp remains one of the greatest horse races I have ever seen. It was a spectacle all the way with Crisp jumping superbly, building a massive lead and then succumbing to exhaustion on the run-in as Red Rum relentlessly and pitilessly wore him down. It still brings a lump to my throat just thinking about it. Amazing to think that no horse since Red Rum has won two Nationals, let alone three. What an absolute legend and he lived to be 30.


Which 2 horses would you put up against the field in this years renewal and why ?
The two horses I like are both very sound jumpers. I feel Cappa Bleu ran a super trial at Ascot in February and could well improve on his fourth last year. Previous course experience is so important and his trainer Evan Williams knows what it takes to get a horse to Aintree in top form having sent out State Of Play to make the frame three times. The other horse I fancy is Teaforthree who is a terrific jumper (hope that's not famous last words!) and, as we saw in the Cheltenham 4-miler and the Welsh National, he stays well too.

What effect do you think the new modifications to the start and the fences will have ?
Well, it remains to be seen but I think they are positive steps, if not guaranteed to produce a cleaner, safer race. By its very nature, the National is a dangerous race and it is that element which makes it such a spectacle. The fences will still take some jumping and the jockeys will probably go too fast as usual in the first mile.

Aintree have started watering this week. Do you think this is a step too far as fast ground horses like Always Waining now have their chances dented by this ?
No, I think they should - as a matter of course - water every year to produce a softer, slower surface. It is the best safety tool the course has at its disposal. Tough on the fast ground horses I know but a slower race is more than likely to be a safer race.

Bearing in mind the new changes, how many finishers do you predict this year ( given good to soft ground) ?
Well, hopefully most of the non-finishers will be pulled up and not fallers though that is unlikely. My guess would be about 12.

Grand National or Gold Cup ?
The Gold Cup for me every time! It is the most prestigious race in jump racing, contested by the best staying chasers in training whereas the National is just a very good handicap.

Who would you consider to be a lively outsider in this years field ?
I am sure Balthazar King can put up a bold show; he's a super jumper. And, a few seasons ago, I was very keen on a horse called Ninetieth Minute. Things don't seem to have worked out as well as might have been expected but I have learned to my cost in the past that disloyalty comes back to bite you one day.

What instructions would you give to a jockey riding in the National ?
Stay away from the other horses if at all possible. I loved the famous instructions of the late Captain Tim Forster - a renowned pessimist - to either Charlie Fenwick (Ben Nevis) or Hywel Davies (Last Suspect) to "keep remounting!"

How do you manage to keep up with the commentary particularly over those first few fences ?
Well, I won't have to as I am in the grandstand and will call them over The Chair and then at the finish. Richard Hoiles will have that job over the first few fences and good luck to him.

If you weren't working, who would you most like to spend a day at the Grand National with and why ?
I have never watched the race other than in the Grandstand and so I would join all those folk on the embankment shouting drunken abuse at the jockeys!

If you owned a horse running in the National and it won, how would you celebrate ?
Well, it would certainly involve a good deal of red wine though, on most evenings, it doesn't require ownership of a Grand National winner to provide inspiration to open a bottle. Seriously, it could have happened to me as I was offered (along with BBC football commentator John Motson I found out later) a sixth share in Earth Summit when he was a young horse - and turned down the opportunity. Drat and double drat!!
 
 
Thanks very much to Simon for his insight and we hope he gets his chance to call home one of the great Nationals of recent times following a few years tinged with controversy. Keep an eye out tomorrow as we complete the Channel 4 Hat-trick with the lovely Gina Bryce.
 
 
If like Simon, you fancy Cappa Bleu, Teaforthree, Balthazar King or Ninetieth Minute then BetVictor are paying an amazing 6 (SIX) places each way, to open an account AND get a free bonus just click here www.freeaintreebets.com

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