I must say Noble Yeats was ultra-impressive in the Many Clouds Chase too. No idea where he might be aimed this season but he will be a big player wherever he goes. Amazing acceleration to pick off the leaders between the last two fences.
Aintree
14,05 Five Star Getaway 14/1 e/w sky seven places, 12/1 and 11/1 six places others
Aintree
13,30 Sounds Russian 9/2
15,15 Hardi Du Mesnil 20/1 e/w bet365 four places, sky 14/1 five places
Sandown
15,30 Quick Wave 11/2 bet365, 9/2 others
I felt the low key start at my local track Wexford was going to be an underwhelming reappearance and then a few more, you know the usual down the fields, pulled up and then go for the GN again hoping the assessor gave them some leeway but now I am thinking are they looking toward something of a higher grade? He's hardly a good enough horse to win a gold cup, is he?
Cracking shout with Dolphin Square, Oddy, bravo!![]()
If it turns out to be a weak year then maybe. I think A Plus Tard has to be questioned after his dismal display at Haydock. Current GC fav is Galopin Des Champs who may well hack up but he still has to prove himself at the trip and in open company. L'Homme Presse was good at Newcastle but was it any better than what Noble Yeats achieved today? Not sure Allaho will run (the trip may well stretch him), Bravemansgame might duck Cheltenham again. Protektorat is a player but he's not a genuine staying superstar for me. You are then into the likes of Stattler and suddenly Noble Yeats chances don't look that bad, especially if the ground is on the quicker side of soft. The 14/1 with Hills for the Gold Cup might just tempt me e/w if it were NRNB (but I assume it isn't).
Venita Williams had another great day today. If only…….Yeah, very true. A Plus Tard has that one or two out of sorts runs in him each season though but as you said, you wouldn't be as confident after that Haydock run. I think Galopin could be the one alright but it will be interesting to see him over the trip and then in open company as well, will likely know a lot more after the Leopardatown Christmas festival.
When you look at it on the bare face of things then he would have to take his chance, I see they've cut his odds into 10/1 now as well for the race. Purely because Emmet Mullins is a bit of a lad for the plotting, I'd say it looks like they are shooting straight toward that race and would go there with a live each way chance. My own gut says he lacks that real Gold Cup quality but he will be more than entitled to go and try win it.
Venita Williams had another great day today. If only…….

Right I'm on her from todayVenita Williams had another great day today. If only…….
Only the one in the last but like you say that did win easy.She's on fire recently isn't she. That Farinet and Sandown winner in the last won in a canter, very impressive. Hopefully you had a few quid on![]()
Totally agree NassAnother very streaky trainer hit top form today, along with Venetia I think they’ll be heading my list of yards to back
Martin Pipes Pridwell brings back fond memories for me especially when he beat red hot favourite Istabraq at Aintree in 1998 through the mud.Just going through the Aintree card and a few fond memories popped into my head about an old war horse I used to love when he was alive and racing, Aintree brought about the memories due to the terrific record he had at that track in particular. The horse in question was Monet's Garden. He was some race horse, winning over a variety of distances and often lowering some fancy colours, namely Kauto Star to name the biggest.
What horse of years gone by holds a fond memory to you - Not one of the superstars but one who held their own at a reasonable level for a time and maybe doesn't get the recognition they deserve in latter years.
Sadly Monet passed away in 2018 but he's a horse who holds a special place in my mind thinking back to his racing days.
One of my favourite days racing today at Sandown Park - two Grade 1 high speed chases over those fantastic fences plus a Pertemps qualifier.
In the Pertemps qualifier it is hard to understand why Call Me Lord is running - he is already qualified for the final having won the Kempton qualifier and there are doubts around his stamina beyond 2m 5f anyway. Dolphin Square has been making hay in Hunter Chases but the form of his Cheltenham hurdle victory at the beginning of the year reads very well in the context of this race and he is just 2lbs above that mark. He does go well fresh but there may be something lurking further down the handicap. Solid e/w claims though and he ought to be able to qualify for the final. Wilde About Oscar seems to have lost his way completely but is now 11 lbs below his last winning mark and will surely come good soon - albeit not today I think. Saturday afternoon maestro Paul Nicholls has booked young Freddie Gingell for Halo Des Obeaux and he seemed to be really getting his act together when scoring last time out at the course, over 2m 4f. However he is up 6lbs for that win and Freddie's claim is reduced by 3lbs, making him 9lbs higher. Nambiti and Sirobbie are both interesting at the bottom of the handicap but I will stick with Dolphin Square e/w.
Hopefully Jonbon and Shishkin can get the job down - the latter will be given a stern examination by Greaneteen and Edwardstone and of course the Mullins runner warrants respect (although disappointing last time).
Over at Fairyhouse it is a big day for team Mullins with Facile Vega making his hurdle debut and I Am Maximus, having moved from Seven Barrows to Closutton, making his chase debut.



Cheers Swanny. How are the Christmas markets going down in München?

Just going through the Aintree card and a few fond memories popped into my head about an old war horse I used to love when he was alive and racing, Aintree brought about the memories due to the terrific record he had at that track in particular. The horse in question was Monet's Garden. He was some race horse, winning over a variety of distances and often lowering some fancy colours, namely Kauto Star to name the biggest.
What horse of years gone by holds a fond memory to you - Not one of the superstars but one who held their own at a reasonable level for a time and maybe doesn't get the recognition they deserve in latter years.
Sadly Monet passed away in 2018 but he's a horse who holds a special place in my mind thinking back to his racing days.