Beef Stew and dumplings. 9/10.
I’m still Lamenting with a capital ‘L’ over Coeur De Lion missing the cut in last terms ‘Ces’. Putting on my serious hat, for a moment, I’m not sure what they are up to today re this one. He’s rated 83 on the level and I think Coeur De Lion has the potential to get this perch, in time, to close to 3 figures. However are they really going to potentially blow his handicap mark for a prize of £9k??? If they are out to win I think Coeur De Lion will oblige this afternoon but is that really going to be the case???
The other thing to consider is whether or not this is merely a ‘prep’, a ‘warm up’, call it what you want, for next month’s Cheltenham Festival. A hurdles perch of 139 would make him a valid contender for something like the ‘County Hurdle’, ‘Coral Cup’ or 'Daddy Martin' race.
You pay’s your money and you takes your pick. There is just too much uncertainty though (and suspicions that bigger plans are the focus and not today) for me to get involved with Couer De Lion this afternoon.