Pardew is taking the piss - James Perch CM what the fook - Ben Arfa on the bench ffs- I know he hasn't been at his best last 2 weeks but to drop him for Perch is beyond crazy. Still think the boys will win though
Best Irish novice chaser imo is Last Instalment.I'm also a fan of Flemenstar. Also useful are the ones RV alluded to and the likes of Call The Police,who has great potential.Berties Dream is a dour stayer who seems to have found his festival winning form again and will good races when conditions are right.Less well known is Carloswayback who I really like. I don't think the Irish will have anything significant in the Arkle since Flemenstar and Bog Warrior won't be running.Reading between the lines of what Tony Martin said,I doubt Bog Warrior will be travelling for any race there.His owners have so many other options.These two will most likely line up for the Power GC. The hurdlers are less easily to club and look less classy.The number one atm appears to be Boston Bob.Iwas also impressed by Midnight Game LTO whilst Cash and Go keeps winning but less flamboyantly than others.Monksland is also useful but looks a bit quirky. So far they look a weaker bunch than previous years but it is so difficult to calibrate their form given most of novice races over there are slowly run on deep ground. I'm not that keen on Steps to Freedom for the Supreme novices tbh,despite it being favourite. The novice hurdler I like most is the Paul Nicholls trained Rocky Creek who beat a very useful yardstick lto.He is very inexperienced and not sure if he is going to the festival.I would have him over Fingal Bay,who I don't particularly like,anytime.
Dex I thought he was HUGELY impressive over christmas and have backed him for the RSA. He never toushed a twig that day and travelled beautifully. He has the lethal combination of speed, stamina and accurate jumping. I think Mount Benbulben could be interesting if going for the Albert Bartlett although, as you say, Boston Bob looks pretty special. My one worry with Irish novices is that they spend all winter running on soft to heavy but Cheltenham with good spring ground is significantly different - much more emphasis on the ability to travel and quicken, rather than stamina
I'll give you a clue Dex - it comes in a green bottle and rhymes with your name (oh and it starts with "B")
G'night Cyc. Had a dabble on Simenon in the next - Mullins will have a line on the other principals through various horses from his yard and I don't think he's coming here for a place
Night Cyc- pleasure to hear your views from Down Under as ever! Interesting race up next, will be a good form indicator (forgetting the ground conditions).
Good call oddy...I'm going for an Old Spleckled Fella...my consumption is being monitored today. Might have a dabble on the footy after my treble last night..manu haven't won at Chelsea since 2004 and secured only 3 of the last 27 points there but I quite fancy them today to pick off paceless Chelsea on the counter attack.The home team are missing some key players as well.Must check the odds.
