[video=youtube;13UJN_53vGE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13UJN_53vGE[/video] Very good 12 minute chat between Paul Nicholls and some pundits on the eve of Cheltenham last year. Gives you a really good background on Zarkandar, for those of you who would like to know the way he developed last season.
Barbershop quote - He has had a very difficult time despite running some fantastic races at the very highest level and performing with great credit in the King George and Hennessy, but sadly we have to accept he’s just short of top class and it has become impossible to find opportunities for him. Consequently, the plan is for him to stay with Juliet Minton and go hunting with a view to returning for hunter chases after Christmas. The Queen Mother Memorial Chase at Sandown is an obvious objective.21/11/11 Anyone who backs Barbershop are hoping that he is still half the horse he once was, Eleazar we know is one of the best hunters around and has shown a liking for the course and distance. Then add in Teddys Reflection and its not a straightforward race. Barbershop will need to finish in the front two tomorrow and then in a further hunters chase to qualify for Chelts. Big ask with festival a month away.
How the hell do I back ALL my fancies tomorrow: NEWBURY Sire De Grugy 1.15 Gullinbursti 2.25 Hold Court 3.30 SANDOWN Off The Ground 4.25 FAKENHAM Only Hope 1.30 On Borrowed Wings 3.05 Midnight Macarena 3.40 Whenever I fancy a lot of horses on a day I usually end up dissapointed. Good luck everyone on Zarkandar tomorrow, I know I am against him but would not begrudge you guys the win. The build up on here to that race has really made me look forward to it!
Agree totally Stick, the pre-race build up on here for the King George, Cheltenham, and this Betfair meeting has been superb and it is always great to share opinions. Great to have you here on board too, its a top forum. Looking forward to seeing one of my fav horses, Riverside Theatre, back out on Saturday after a nasty injury. I hope he stays fit and healthy, deserves a shot at the top again, a really likeable horse with a great engine.
Me too toppy! Cant wait to see him back too! a horse that puts 110% in to every jump. Althought I would like to see him win, I would also like to see Kauto Stone win here and at the festival bit of an ask but he could feasibly do it! he would to have to win saturday to stand any chance
Zarkanda, Montbazon, Cedre Bleu, Gullinbursti for me tomorrow small stakes yankee. Tricky day as some have already pointed out. Who's fully wound up to go and who will benefit greatly for a spin? Entertaining viewing either way and good luck to all who try to get on top of it all!! One things for certain - Sizing will be champ again!!!!!!!
Ladies and Gentlemen, A superb day's racing in store for Friday afternoon and all for free. I hope as many of you as possible make it to Newbury to enjoy the action. My thoughts on the card are here - http://cuhrs.blogspot.com/2012/02/free-friday-at-newbury.html Best of luck to all who play. Really looking forward to the return of some top class jumps action.
Hello lads. Some samshing action today...really looking forward to see how LR and SS get on. As an aside,some disappointing racism reared it's ugly head in Moscow last evening. Felipe Caicedos,the South American born Moscow striker,who one would struggle to pick out with full beam headlights,referred to Javi Martinez of Athletic Bilbao as a Basque c**t,after the initially mentioned player dived for a penalty. I suspect no action will be taken...
I like Zarkander...what isn't to like off his current mark! I must also confess to having an interest in Third Intention who I like a lot and is progressing..not mad about his connections mind you..big negative tbh. Not sure which way I'll go...never thinking straight after question time..
I would lay Zarkandar at 3/1, I think he could be a very, very slow animal and should be at least 11/2 today, never a Champion Hurdle winner. I would lay Long Run to the hilt, very, very slow animal with an even slower jockey. I would lay Vulcanite, very, very slow animal who was too slow for the flat and has a very slow trainer. The bet of the day is Mahbooba 11/8 at Meydan, very, very fast animal with a very fast trainer. Montbazon 11/4 Knock A Hand 6/1 and Walkon 7/2 are all very, very fast animals and should be backed
Fair enough trainer, they are the right sort of lay prices. Not sure they are the right sort of lay horses against this opposition. Zarkandar i can understand but Nicholls does seem to really like him.
Pricewise is Tidal Bay against Long Run. I'm not sure I could have him myself but Tom Segal probably knows what he's on about more than I do.
A very slow animal what because he comes off the bridle . Of course he may well get beaten today but that is a load of nonsense a very very slow horse doesn't beat Unaccompanied and Grandouet it is as simple as that. Yes he outstayed them over 2m1f at Cheltenham but if he was so slow he would have been where Sam Winner was turning in. He also beat Molotof easily who is far from a slouch good luck with your very very fast animals trainer I agree with Mahbooba - how Soumilion got beat on her last time out is beyond me - if she is avail at 11/8 that is a cracking bet
RV, the thing that I love about The Trainers comments is that Nicholls states that the horse showed so much pace last season in his races The Trainer>Paul Nicholls
Nass love it really looking forward to Zarkandar today tbh - was struggling with his breathing apparently last season so it was impressive he was able to win 3/3
RV, what took me most about the comments I have read about Zarkandar is that he has been pleasing Nicholls with racecourse gallops with Poquelin and also at home with the Halo. If he is doing what I have heard to those two then 151 looks an insult. Really looking forward to todays racing, would love Hold Fast to sink SS in the first, would cheer me right up. I just hope Wayward doesn't have his voodoo doll out.
