I am a fan of We Have A Dream Not turned out to be a Champion hurdle horse this season, but is more than capable of winning a top handicap like the County hurdle Played each way at 25-1 with Bet 365 [BOG/NRNB]
Looks like there is plenty of rain about this weekend and then in to next week for Cheltenham racecourse. The 14 day forecast, although anything past 7 days surely is stretching it a bit, suggests that it could be raining at some point on the Tuesday and Wednesday of the festival too. The glorious sunshine and unseasonably mild temperatures could be a distant memory come festival week. Native River fans will be pleased if the forecast turns out to be pretty accurate. Mr Claisse no turning on those taps!
Decent money for Minella Rocco in the Ultimate (25/1 down to a best priced 10/1). Tom Segal was in raptures over this one for the GN in ‘The Weekender’ on Wednesday but it would appear that many think he can be highly competitive in the Cheltenham handicap first. 2nd in the ’17 CGC he has now fallen all the way to 152. Myself though I still like Give Me A Copper for this one.
Barney - ground might go against him though if we get the rain forecast. It could be soft on the Tuesday and he has a likeing for spring ground..
Despite the trainer's bullish comments following his Cotswold Chase win it looks increasingly likely that Frodon will head for the Ryanair. Sensible in my opinion as had no chance in the GC.
I hope he heads to the Ryanair. I thought he was good odds for the shorter contest in a winnable renewal. Surely Clan Des Obeaux is their Gold Cup horse and Frodon hasn't got anywhere like the chance the King George winner has. I felt it was worth risking Frodon at 16/1 but perhaps I won't get a run for my money. He is still 10/1 with William Hill and that looks big if you want to bankon him missing the Gold Cup. The consensus odds NRNB is averaging about 6/1 now. Several of the market leaders have other possible targets and Waiting Patiently was underwhelming last time out. It looks a race which is sure to cut up badly in the next week or so and the balance for me was on risking Frodon to a smaller stake at a decent price, rather than facing what could be some short enough prices about what is left in on the day of the race. Fingers crossed Frodon runs and if not I may end up not having a bet in the Ryanair.
Waiting Patiently does not run at the Festival. That's one less to worry about in the Ryanair anyway. Frodon is a best priced 8/1 now and several firms have not taken Waiting Patiently's absence into account yet. Connections stated that they felt Waiting Patiently would not get it soft enough at Cheltenham and also that the horse needs time between his races. He's shaping like a bit of a White Elephant to me.
Very disappointing how his career has developed since that fine defeat of Cue Card at Ascot. I always had the impression as a novice that he thrived on his racing and I do wonder whether they have been too careful with him? But who are we to judge, I'm sure Ruth Jefferson knows the horse much better than we do and I am sure she always acts in the best interests of the horse. Talented but fragile, sadly, it would appear.
I wonder if the Prix La Barka takes place during the same two day Auteuil meeting in May as the 'Grand Steeplechase de Paris'. If so that would be a wee extra bonus for yours truly however it would not be carrying my Euros on its back. Late Edit; just discovered it is the top race three weeks later, usually second weekend in June.
I think the writing has been on the wall for Waiting Patiently not turning up at Cheltenham for some time. To be fair to connections they've been pretty consistent with the view that WP wouldn't appreciate the undulations. All is not lost though. A bit of moisture in late spring and they've got Aintree in early April followed by Punchestown the following month.
Anyone seen the weather forecasts? Leading up to Tuesday 20mil of rain this week Tuesday and Wednesday of the festival 20mil in two days so gonna be soft don’t know about the rest of the week but not looking good.
Here's the link to Turftrax for the going map: https://www.turftrax.co.uk/going_maps.html Generally good at the moment but plenty of rain forecast like FP says
The words ‘hissy’ and ‘fit’ spring to mind. I’ve no idea why this is being reported so widely I really, really don’t. Broken down what it amounts to is an owner thinks his horse(s) is badly handicapped. This happens, even on a normal days racing, about 30 times! The handicapper assesses a horse and then the owner either (i) is very happy, (ii) is very sad or (iii) says they are very sad when really they are very happy! Some you like their marks, some you don’t. That is a fact of life and as they say ‘that’s racing’. Also, what about all the countless number of runners he’s not withdrawing in the handicaps?!? That you could say is the real pertinent point, people. Do we therefore conclude these are wonderfully handicapped and should be punted accordingly??!
