Rough race that at P'town..mine completely got emptied on two occasions...problem with that rail. Hopefully DR ok.
I agree Zen, Big Zeb doesn't look like the force of old and Sizing Europes record around Cheltenham speaks for itself. He'll win doing handstands in the Queen Mother as there is absolutely nothing at two miles to trouble him. I've already done My b**llocks on Zarkandar for the Champion Hurdle and weather My confidence is vindicated will be dependant on the performance he puts in at Newbury. After listening to Paul Nicholls yesterday I wouldn't expect fireworks at Newbury as his main aim is the Champion. Hurricane Fly will be tough to be beat though, Weather last weekends form is worth anything is a different matter but he was ultra professional in his performance and can only improve for it come March...
Can't see past the front two in the market in the hunter chase so no bet but in the bumper I like Morning Assembly at 5/1 as an each way proposition. Decent bumper pedigree in a weak bumper from a yard that do well in this sphere.
I just don't think Unnacommpanied ran her race, She totally bottomed out on that ground and was never in the picture. She had beaten both Thousand Stars and Oscars Wells easily before last weekend and was nearly 30 lengths behind them last weekend, Do you think that was her true running? Even Thousand Stars didn't kick on turning in like he normally does. Im not saying anything would have got near Hurricane Fly but I don't think horses like Thousand Stars and Oscars Wells would have been nearly 10 or so lengths behind like they was espcially as they had been running well in races before and I would have had Unnacommpanied 2nd and closer to HF on better ground not 30 odd lengths behind. Even Ruby Walsh was questioning the form if you read his interview afterwards... Garde Champetre for Me aswell...
What a tough horse Garde Champetre is, Looked well out of it but all guts to get up for second. Scotsirish was a good winner there though. Cruised through the race...
The mare obviously didn't run her race but I don't agree that she easily beat Thousand Stars last time out. Ruby gave Thousand Stars an unbelievably poor ride by his standards and Paul Townend did some brilliant race positioning to block him in and turn the race into a sprint over the last two furlongs which Thousand Stars was never going to win. Oscars Wells isn't top draw no matter what way you look at it. On official figures Hurricane Fly should have won the way he did and by that distance.
What a cracking run from Cyc's 125-1 shot De Danu. If it hadnt slipped and lost all momentum 2 out it would have gone really close!
De Dani 5th. Was going strongly at the front before a slip cost it momentum. Did it out of a place I reckon! Kept galloping though, proper stayer it is, massive, tall horse and just really responds and jumps well. Keep an eye out for him!
We've not won at the Bridge in years though so until the goals start going in i'd have them as favourites. Especially with our goalie being a little de void of confidence.
