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| Aintree Grand National Meeting 2010 |
Newbury 'Also-Rans' Hoping for Better Luck at Aintree
09/03/10
Connections of Can't Buy Time and Our Vic, who finished sixth and eighth respectively behind the impressive Big Fella Thanks in Newbury's Greatwood Gold Cup, will likely have mixed feelings about their horse's performances, writes Elliot Slater.
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The market signals were ominous for Jonjo O'Neill's Can't Buy Time, the JP McManus-owned gelding drifting badly from 3/1 out to 4/1 on course pre-race. There was always the chance that the two-and-a-half miles on drying ground might be a little on the sharp side for the eight-year-old, and although Tony McCoy's mount shaped well until the home turn, the moment the principals quickened he was in trouble and couldn't raise his game.
A mistake four out quickly sealed his fate and Can't Buy Time eventually trailed home in sixth position beaten 29 lengths. It might well prove to be a very different story over the marathon trip at Aintree where McCoy could once again be in the saddle as he bids to break his Aintree Grand National hoodoo. The Supreme Leader gelding now has an ideal five week break until the big day itself.
For his part Our Vic was always going to find the Newbury race an insufficient test of stamina having proven his wellbeing last time out when runner-up to Silver By Nature in atrocious ground in Haydock's Blue Square Gold Cup over three-and-half miles. The quicker ground and shorter trip soon had the David Johnson-owned veteran off the bridle and he faded fast after half-way. This outing will at least have given him a good workout, but unless it comes up very testing at Aintree on April 10 he is likely to once again find himself struggling for pace when the race starts in earnest.
Can't Buy Time is generally on offer for the Grand National at 40/1, whilst Our Vic is a 66/1 chance with most 2010 aintree grand national runners and prices.
