b g Scribano - Adapan (Pitpan)
It took three attempts in bumpers with trainer Robert Tyner before Slim Pickings got off the mark at Gowran Park in January, 2005, when justifying favouritism by two lengths from My True Romance. He then began his hurdling career, entering the winner's enclosure at the second time of asking in a maiden at Leopardstown in March. He went chasing in October, 2005, after finishing as bridesmaid on his initial effort, he went one better in a Grade Three novices' chase at Punchestown in November. That victory came over 2m 6f and Tyner opined that his charge would be better over three miles and it was at that distance that Slim Pickings gained his next victory in a Listed chase in April at Cork where he mastered Sher Beau by four lengths. He rounded off the campaign with a creditable second to Missed That in a Grade Two novices' chase at the Punchestown Festival. Slim Pickings did not win last season but managed three thirds - behind Oodachee in a Grade Three chase at Limerick on his reappearance, adrift of Sir Oj in a similar event at one grade higher at Gowran Park in October, and in arrears of Public Reaction in the Thurles Chase the following month - before moving to Tom Taaffe's stable. He fell on his first outing for Taaffe before finishing fifth behind Idole First in the Racing Post Plate at the Cheltenham Festival and then running a blinder when finishing two-lengths third to Silver Birch in last season's John Smiths Grand National. This season he finished sixth in a Naas handicap chase on his return in October before coming a good second in a handicap hurdle at Navan. Most recently he came fifth to Well Tutored in a handicap chase at Leopardstown on March 2.
Race Record: Jumps Starts: 23; Wins: 4; 2nd: 4; 3rd: 5; Win and Place Prize Money: £148,969
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AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL 2008
