Gordon Elliott confirmed that Envoi Allen misses this weekend's action. He was quoted ante post for some of the races but the odds told you that he had little chance of running in any of them. The trainer also stated that the Ballymore is the race he will run in at Cheltenham. Abacadabras also misses the races he was entered in, with the trainer explaining that he didn't need another race before the Cheltenham Festival as he has had four runs already over Hurdles. Prominent Champion Bumper candidates Eric Bloodaxe and Appreciate It clash in a race that would see one of the two go clear favourite for Cheltenham if they win. I was toying with Lieutenant Command at 12/1 for the upset tomorrow. A faller in his Point To Point race, Noel Meade's French bred horse fairly hacked up on heavy ground at Limerick in late December and he was eyecatching when swinging on the bit in the closing stages while his main opponent was having the kitchen sink thrown at him by his flailing jockey. Lieutenant Command came nine lengths clear very easily and while he has several pounds to find on RPRs with some opponents it is very early days to be confident that the ratings will play out accurately with these unexposed horses. I did Ferny Hollow in the Bumper at Cheltenham and he has been second on both starts. The jockey compared the horse to a heavyweight bear that he had to wrestle all the way around the track last time out. The pilot reckoned there is more to come yet and declared that there was unfinished business to be done with with Ferny Hollow but it is disappointing that he hasn't managed to get his head in front in two attempts. A win for Eric Bloodaxe on Saturday would help boost Ferny Hollow's form and give some hope of him being a player despite still being winless this season.
That's like a Su Do Ku. I prefer chess I'm just kidding of course, although I do love working out a plotted horse for a handicap. Been very much a fan of Column Of Fire for the Martin Pipe given his campaign (especially compared to that of Dallas Des Pictons last year).... had to back him for the weekend though, as this pot is well worth winning! 9/1 was a fair price, I think he's still 8/1. If he does blow his mark, Conflated could be the Martin Pipe 'plot'
It’s going to be fascinating to see how the Donnelly’s play their novice hurdling hand re the Festival. After yesterday’s Grade 1 romp for Asterion Forlonge, allied to Shiskin, they have 2 of the best around right now.
I'm sceptical as to whether Shishkin can be labelled "one of the best around" after winning a class 4 novices hurdle at Newbury. Surely his price for the Supreme is based purely on his trainer? I'd much rather be with Asterion Forlonge or indeed Abacadabras. 4/1 Shishkin is truly rotten.
Shishkin is a possible for a Listed contest at Huntingdon on Thursday. If he goes there then that should tell us a lot more. Interestingly that race is over 19.5 furlongs.
I see that Clan Des Obeaux by passes the Denman Chase and goes straight to the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Nicholls likes to tell us that the horse runs his best when fresh and I have been quite taken with him this season. His run at Down Royal was a nice opener and horse looked really well to my untrained eye and then we had the King George run which was visually more impressive than last season. Trainer has stated that horse has considerably strengthened and his run in last years gold cup wasnt totally disastrous. I would be against him in soft/heavy ground but on good to soft I think he might well have a BIG chance this time round.. Horse has really improved I think and has looked very well all season.
I backed him last year Pops and thought he ran a decent race. I was undecided as to whether he didn't really stay or (as Nicholls seems to think) it was perhaps a year too early for him and he will be stronger this year. I think he is a player
Not Cheltenham I know, so apologies for going off thread, but The Storyteller was also entered in the Grand National last week. 66/1 currently available.
Conflated’s full sister, Saucy Poem, makes her debut today in the bumper at Huntingdon today (4.12). Is in the capable hands of Pip Hobbs.
There has over the course of the past few day or so been decent money for a Cheveley Park horse in the Festival Bumper. Ballyadam has seen his odds shorten from 50/1 to as low as 12’s. And this price may fall further as he is still ‘blue’ across the board on Oddschecker. Ballyadam cost a whopping €330,000 last year after winning his sole Point and is now with Gord Elliott. Is set to make his racecourse bow at Punchestown on Sunday.
Marie's Rock out for the season. https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/maries-rock-to-miss-cheltenham/177026
Well I'm not even looking at the others. I fancied him last year. I don't think there is an outstanding chaser around (other than Altior who appears not to stay beyond 20f). CDO has strengthened up and won his last 2 races well enough; that'll do for me
