In 11 days time it'll be be 11pm on 12th March, it doesn't start til 1.30pm on 13th so it's closer to 12 days (and defo closer to 12 days when you originally posted it 4 hours ago) so stick that in your pipe. And as for check the website, yeah you can believe everything you read on the internet as being gospel
Interesting article in the Guardian - http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/mar/02/grand-crus-kauto-star-cheltenham
Good link Zen. 'The champion trainer suggested that Burton Port, second to Long Run at Newbury recently, could have won under a more vigorous ride and alluded to the fact that both are trained by Nicky Henderson. To rumbles of approval from the audience, he said: "If anyone else had trained Burton Port, he would have gone past Long Run".' I heard this a while back and thought nothing of it but for Nicholls to make the statement at a public engagement where he knows every word will be broadcast around the racing fraternity, well it's a brave shout for me...
I thought the same. He's suggesting that Burton Port was prevented from winning because the stable wanted Long Run to win. A bold shout to be making in public as you say.
Was reading an article somewhere the other day in which Paul Nicholls was talking up ULCK DU LIN he used the words "could be a certainty". I will be backing him and Vendor for the Fred Winter
I took a little of the 9/2 about Vendor yesterday because he was sure to shorten after Alan King's comments. They have been very bullish about him right from the word go and it is easy to see why. He must have a massive chance. Also, there are plenty of loyal supporters of both Kauto Star and Peddlers Cross out there. They feature at 3 and 4 on the Oddschecker's list of most popular bets. Clearly some are more than hopeful. Let's hope they're right.
Watching the 2nd Willie Mullins video and he says about Sir Des Champs "I'd say he looks and RSA horse, in my book anyway". It sounds very much like Willie is adamant that the RSA is the right race so it will be interesting to see whether he gets his way because the Jewson looks the obvious choice for Gigginstown. And, as expected, it is Boston Bob who is "the real deal".
Zen - what are your thoughts on Boston Bob? Reckon he's in for the Neptune? You know what I think, with no Fingal Bay now it'll be Boston Bob in the Neptune and Simonsig in the Supreme. Both of whom I think will win those races!
I would be very surprised if Simonsig didn't run in the Neptune now. It sounds as if everybody has made up their minds apart from Henderson himself. As for Boston Bob, he is clearly very good indeed and his form confirms that. Additionally, it has been the manner of his victories which has been as impressive. He looks very straightforward and likeable. However, my one concern, and only a small one, is that he might just lack a gear. There is no evidence to suggest that this is the case, but it is just a hunch based on the fact that he shows so much stamina. He might be one of those horses who stays very well and has pace too but he has ground out his wins so far meaning there is little evidence to go on. The line in the RP video was that the Neptune was the preferred target at this stage. However, that was immediately followed by a whole load of other horses who might be targeted at the race, suggesting that Boston Bob might be sent to the Potato race instead. I think the conclusion to be drawn was that he would run in the Neptune if Mullins had no other horses to consider, but that the presence of the likes of Sous Les Cieux and others in the Neptune might mean he goes for the 3m race. Mullins is impossible to read, and, from the Preview Evening comments, it is clear that Ruby has little to no idea what he is thinking so what hope do we have?! As I've said before, I have a strong position on Simonsig for the Neptune but will be, at the very least, covering my stake on Boston Bob should he take that route. If he goes for the Albert Bartlett I think you can add his name to the list of bankers because I can't see him being beaten in that. Pure speculation mind, so I wouldn't read too much into it.
You will need to update that every hour Wooly - and you are already late Re Fruity O'Rooney (splg?) - I know someone who owns a leg, or a foot or toenail maybe. They say they are delighted to have a Cheltenham horse, he's in good nick and anything else is a bonus. I know you are keen on the horse so although it's not much I thought I'd pass it on
http://www.racingpost.com/news/hors...-target-decision-soon-says-mccain/995475/top/ PEDDLERS CROSS has been noticeably weak in the betting for the Racing Post Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival and trainer Donald McCain said he would decide in the next few days if he would run in the Tuesday race or the Jewson 48 hours later. The trainer, speaking at Kelso, also said he had been unable to school last year's Champion Hurdle runner-up as much as he had wanted to due to the after-effects of the muscle problem which was blamed for his poor showing behind Sprinter Sacre at Kempton over Christmas. McCain said: "He's grand, he's worked this week and worked again today. I'm happy with him. Because we've had a setback I've not schooled him as much as I've wanted to. I'll school him this week and then we'll make a decision and as soon as we do we'll tell everyone. To be fair to the horse, we've got to get him ripe and ready and decide what we're doing. Regarding the setback, McCain said: "He pulled muscles and he was very, very sore, and because of that I haven't been able to school him as hard as I wanted to. Every day we do something we have to make sure he's okay the next. "We'll decide in the next few days which race he goes for. We're getting stuck into him and he's working hard, he'll have a couple of schools and we'll see how we're going. "I would think he will be (at the festival), if people can bear with me as soon as I know I'll tell everybody."
