The folly of ante post betting on the Cheltenham festival. I succumbed to temptation and had a little ew bet on Charbel in the Arkle at 33s. Didn't think he'd beat Altior but smugly watched his odds contract content to get a run for my money at a big price. Then read Kim Bailey's daily blog earlier and it would appear that if Altior runs in the Arkle then Charbel will dodge him and run in the JLT. This despite Bailey also stating that on breeding 2.5 miles is right on the cusp of his horses stamina. Bonkers avoiding one horse especially if you've doubts about your horses stamina. The Cheltenham track is hardly the place to experiment with distance with it's steep finish. Altior 1/4 and looking at a handful of competitors.
That’s the reason why Whisper, in all likelihood, is going to be rerouted to the RSA. Mr Henderson when mulling over the options mused, ‘ I think the JLT looks warm’.
From Nigel Twiston-Davies stable tour on ATR website: For all the high-profile runners he will have, including The New One in the Champion Hurdle and Bristol De Mai in the Gold Cup, Twiston-Davies believes Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase contender Foxtail Hill is his best chance of gaining a winner at the big meeting, where he has 17 career successes. The eight-year-old has won his last two starts, the most recent coming in a Grade Three Cheltenham handicap in January. Twiston-Davies said: "I think Foxtail Hill is probably our best chance. It is just the way the race turns out, as there is only three or four pounds between the lot of them. He is nearly a JLT horse, but why go for that when you have got a lower-class race. "He was very impressive there last time and he managed to stay inside the rating band of 0-140. "He was good last time and I'm very hopeful. I don't think he needs to be ridden as aggressively as he was last time. He is quite keen, but you can ride him any way you want."
Sounds like STD will be on Movewiththetimes in the Supreme with WTD taking on the ride with Ballyandy. Not sure that's great news for either horse!
Ryanair looks uber good this year with UDS, Ux and Empire Of Dirt all holding terrific chances. I'm usually not bothered by the race but this year is a standout.
What's the craic with Vosne Romanee then? Decent enough horse and all that but do we really think the Good Doctor has pulled off another coup? What's the story/plan?
Wonder if you guys could help me - anyone got a bead on what race DISKO and OUR DUKE are being aimed at (if any)?
The plan as we know it is that they reckon they can win the County Hurdle with him en route to the Scottish Champion Hurdle. Needs decent ground and highly unlikely to go to Sandown on Saturday as it will be far too soft.
