I think i've missed something.
Junior can't travel? You think because he's off the bridle that isn't travelling? I've ridden before so maybe I look at it differently, but a horse being off the bit doesn't mean he isn't travelling. It's about the length of the reign and how he responds to it. There is also the pace of the race to consider, as was the case yesterday. He was on the bridle until Pentiffic was sent on, Scu let him go initially but then had to go after him, released his reigns and gave him a tap on the shoulder which signals the horse to speed up. The pace was a little too quick because he wants a further distance so he had to be scrubbed along to keep up with the pace (as were the other horses in the race, including the winner). At no point in the race did he 'not travel'. Horses are different in personality, you get horses like Cue Card that travel on the bridle and could probably finish the race on the bridle but when asked the question finds quite little. Junior finds plenty every time. A question of a horses character is what they can find and how far they can stay. Pegasus himself wouldn't win the National on the bridle, its a race that is set up for stamina and guts. Junior has both, and whilst he doesnt have the technical ability of the best horses, he has plenty of spirit. That's why he won't win a gold cup but will do well in a grand national.
I'm not saying Junior will win the national, or that he's good enough to. Im saying his character suits the needs of the race, perhaps more than others.
As for yesterday. Any notion that the weights don't matter when your neck and neck on a run in with a horse 2 stone lighter is complete nonsense i'm afraid, its a matter of physics if nothing else. It's also very clear that the winner is extremely well handicapped and he's been added to my notebook for his next run. Will be interested to see how far he is put up.
I personally think Junior is a front runner, he's not a horse that can come off the pace unless the leaders come back to him. He's a horse that digs in and stays. I'd have him sent on whenever he runs, and I think Scu wanted to but Pentiffic went off too quick. For the national, its imperitive he get's well placed early with the leaders or his chance will be gone before the 2nd fence. Also needs to brush up his jumping to get round.
To clarify, i'm not sat here saying he will win the National, or he is better than the other horses in it. I'm merely giving a retort to some of the suggestions on here, because one or two statements made at him and his character are more than absurd.
