What age at least should be a Grand National Horse

Isn't the Grand National restricted to horses aged 7 and older?

TBH does this really matter

im happy to go with what Gray or the majority decide

I have stickied this post

Up until recently 6 year olds were allowed in the national, only since they started messing around did it go up at 7. I think a few years ago a horse called Gloria Victus was going to run in it but sadly he died.

For many years it was 7yo up, then in 1998 a Martin Pipe french bred 5yo (Cyfor Malta) won the topham by half the track and they reduced the age to 6 thinking to accommodate that type of horse. As you rightly point out they have recently raised it again to 7.
From a realism point of view the last 7yo to win was in 1940, the last 6yo in 1915 and the last 5yo in 1909.
As an asidde my own view when attempting to find the winner is that the first thing I do is put a line through all the 7yo as they have zero chance, surprisingly Paul Nichols is one of the worst offenders in running horses that have no chance.

So what is the average age of the National winner?

Last 20 years
3 x 8yo
6 x 9yo
6 x 10yo
4 x 11yo
1 x 12yo
Average = 9.7

Quite interesting!

... and the Gold Cup hasn't been won by a 5yo since Golden Miller in 1932

... only 7 5yo Champion hurdlers since the war

... no 5yo has ever won the Queen Mother Champion chase

... no 5yo has ever won the Hennessey (Ladbroke)

... no 5yo has ever won the Whitbread (Bet 365)

... only 5yo to win King George was Manicou in 1950 who was 6 a week later !!

... the Welsh Grand National is actually open to 4yo but has never been won by anything younger than 6

Martin, I am in agreement with you but I believe Master Minded was 5 when he first won the Champion Chase (still a huge exception).

Master Minded won the Champion Chase as a 5yo.

Kev, Darren you are both right I forgot about the first time ... doesn't alter the argument though that we are running with mostly horses that are too young in NH game because the majority can't be bothered to play properly because it requires patience and not instant results.

I think that is a very unfair and narrow statement.

This GAME does not always reflect real life racing performances.

Some of my best horses, especially the shorter distance horses, are far superior at 5yo than at 8yo. The longer distance horses, 3 miles plus are better at 8yo. This is just the way SO6 works.

As I said, this is a game that does not always reflect real life racing performances.

Maybe for some people the taking part in races is enough, but I am sure most trainers want to win races and that means exporting horses when they are at their prime in the game.

I have to agree the game does not reflect reality. 2 milers are best at 5. 2m5 best at 5 or 6 3 milers are best at 6 and 3m5 best at 7 and over 4 best at 8 or 9

Until the game changes this this should be borne in mind. Its not about patience either I don't have time to play much it takes loads of seasons to get competitive I play a NH game to try get as competitive as possible in the NH league but I think I have only played about 50 or so seasons since game game out. I have not played in over 6 months as I can't find the time and I don't think I am alone here