The plot thickens...Blowing Dixie was trained by Jardine, Fire Away was having first run for Laura Morgan but was previously trained by Daragh Bourke who trains the last runner Gallagher Cross. There is approx 15 miles between the Jardine & Bourke stables!
But even if the horses have not been running to their ability in previous races to get the mark down, surely the stewards in those races should have picked up on it? To be honest plenty of trainers do that all the time - you can spot it with Jonjo's novices a mile off
Had a little double today on Minella Indo and the mare in the bumper that I noted as a Festival horse later, Brandy Love
I think he is, must be late 70's or so now though I'd say. I read a few years back he had quit betting, but that's not to say he was advising still, for a charitable donation of course.
I think that confirms Melon for the Ryanair. I can't see any of them troubling the judge in the Gold Cup though.
Superb from Kemboy, just touching off my Storyteller bet. Minella Indo is becoming such a poor lepper, is either too short or long at almsot every fence. No hope in a gold Cup jumping like that. The Storyteller worth a chance there in March based on that evidence, given his love of the course.
Those irish horses are all very similar aren't they really? No stand out horse and on another running you might get a different finishing order.. It's a very open Cheltenham gold cup and who knows who will come out on top of the day. The English trainers with their entries won't lose too much sleep...I guess Al Boum Photo has a big chance to make it 3.
Nothing really outstanding in the three mile chase division either side of the Irish Sea which is why they should let Royal Pagaille take his chance.
Very impressed with Monkfish; can't see him being anything but odds on at Cheltenham Not sure about appreciate It; not as impressive as I expected Not so confident about Shishkin as I was, having seen Energumene
