Horses to follow for the festival! BABY MIX Winner at Kempton on Saturday Tom George, trainer "He seems much happier at home and I guess he's got back in the betting for Cheltenham now. Good ground there would be fine, but I don't think he'll mind what it's like. We are just looking forward to March." BIG EASY Winner at Bangor on Wednesday Terry Warner, owner "He's obviously going the right way and he's entered in the Coral Cup and the (Martin Pipe) conditional jockeys' race at the Cheltenham Festival." CRISTAL BONUS Winner at Kempton on Saturday Paul Nicholls, trainer "I really wanted to get another run into him before Cheltenham and I think he'll go for the Jewson." GRUMETI Winner at Kempton on Saturday Alan King, trainer "I wouldn't be swapping him for anything else I've seen and I'm lucky to have two very good horses for the race (Triumph) in him and Balder Succes." HECTOR'S CHOICE Runner-up at Kempton on Saturday Richard Lee, trainer "It's always disappointing not to win but when conditions are like that, Nacarat is pretty much impossible to beat. He could go to Aintree, I suppose." HUNT BALL Winner at Kempton on Saturday Keiran Burke, trainer "It was interesting having Barry (Geraghty) riding him as he suggested to forget Cheltenham and go to Aintree as he thought the Topham would suit him. He's in at Cheltenham so we'll have to have a think." IDARAH Winner at Naas on Sunday Paul Cashman, trainer "He hates that bad ground and hopefully he'll get nicer ground at Cheltenham. He's in a few races there but we'll be leaning towards the Grand Annual Chase." NACARAT Winner at Kempton on Saturday Tom George, trainer "He won't go to Cheltenham or back to Punchestown. He could go to Aintree again, but it depends on the ground." PORTRAIT KING Winner at Newcastle on Saturday Maurice Phelan, trainer "That might be it for the season. The ground is going to dry up as the season goes on. We'll look forward to next year and the Welsh National will be the plan for him." PRINCE DE BEAUCHENE Winner at Fairyhouse on Saturday Willie Mullins, trainer "He showed a nice bit of improvement from Navan and I'd imagine he will go on to Aintree now for the National. He'll like the better ground judging by the size of his feet. He did everything nicely and I hope there will be more improvement to come from him." SADLER'S RISK Runner-up at Kempton on Saturday Philip Hobbs, trainer "We came here hoping to win, so it was a bit disappointing, but he ran a good race and hopefully Cheltenham will suit him better." TOUBAB Winner at Sandown on Friday Dan Skelton, assistant trainer "This horse needed another run to qualify for the Grand Annual, and that's his target. He actually dented his head at Haydock - he chipped a piece off his skull the size of a 50 pence piece." RATHLIN Winner at Naas on Sunday Mouse Morris, trainer "I've no big plans, but we could possibly go for something like the Power Gold Cup with him. He'll get three miles no problem and we'll just freshen him up a bit now. I think he'll go on any ground as he is a good-actioned horse."
Decided to put together my ante-post Cheltenham picks now NRNB is more widely available. Feel free to ask about what I fancy the most etc. I'll try get write ups added for each of the horses over the coming weeks. Supreme Novices - Allure of Illusion 33/1 NRNB Paddy Power JLT Handicap Chase - The Hard Hat 33/1 NRNB Ladbrokes Fred Winter - Ulck Du Lin 8/1 NRNB Paddy Power Champion Bumper - Moscow Mannon 16/1 & New Years Eve 25/1 (prices are now 8/1 and 12/1 best at present though) Byrne Group Plate - Divers 9/1 NRNB Paddy Power & Pigeon Island 33/1 NRNB Ladbrokes Kim Muir - The Hard Hat 33/1 NRNB Paddy Power Triumph Hurdle - Hollow Tree 20/1 NRNB Bet Victor & Asaid 50/1 NRNB Paddy Power County Hurdle - Moon Dice 12/1 Betfred Albert Bartlett - Sivola De Sivola 33/1 NRNB Ladbrokes I'm aware that a few of these bets probably won't run but if they do then the prices look huge and if not its money back.
Well, it has been a bumpy ride but it appears that we have the money on and in the right race, and at a brilliant price. Now we just need him to get to the race first and foremost, and then do the business when it counts! Given the strength of the position there is plenty of opportunity to hedge the bet once the full field is known. Pretty relieved because at least I haven't put anyone on to a non-runner!
I like Simonsig but can can't have him beating Boston Bob. I'm getting 'not going to lose vibes' coming out of Walsh & Mullins.
Ruby on RUK this afternoon says "I'll probably ride Kauto Stone in the Champion Chase and I think he'll finish second." Great minds think alike eh Ruby!
Barry Geraghty talking to Paddy Power this afternoon - "Did a preview on Wed and Willie said that he wouldnt run Sous Les Cieux and BB in same race. So BB is 3m bound." That scenario wouldn't surprise me at all. With that in mind, the 7/2 NRNB with Stan James is worthy of a maximum bet. Smash it up everyone! 5pts Win at 7/2 NRNB Stan James - Boston Bob - Albert Bartlett
Betfair says that Boston Bob is going to the Albert Bartlett. No money waiting to back him for the Neptune, either win or place. He's also been backed into 7/2 for the 3miler from around 6 or 7/1 earlier today. Hills are still going 9/2 (not NRNB though) for anybody wanting to take the chance.
I've just added him into a big odds accumulator Sprinter Sacre/Hurricane Fly/Boston Bob/Trifolium/Peddlers Cross just shy of 650/1 for a casual bit of interest.
Tom Segal has put up Darroun and Dodging Bullets as his Pricewise selections for the Triumph Hurdle. I am slightly annoyed about the latter because I had him down as a possible dark horse if he should take his chance but his price has been absolutely destroyed now.
Wow - I'm on Dodging Bullets at big prices from early Feb before his first run. Went on Betfair today to see how he is trading an is 19's. I got 50's and up for him. Was hoping to have a little more on but will leave it now. Bloody Pricewise.
Is Dodging Bullets deffo going for the Triumph then??? I thought that the orignal plan was to bypass Cheltenham and wait for Aintree. I was of the opinion that Dodging Bullets was excellent on his debut at Kempton Park and think he has the potential to reach the 'top table' in time. However, I do wonder whether the Festival may come too soon for him.
I thought the same Sir Barney. I suspect Mr Segal is wisely taking advantage of the NRNB concession with this one. If Nicholls deems him ready for the challenge then he deserves to be shorter, and if he doesn't then no harm done. I was most impressed with his debut at Kempton because, although Grumeti saw him off comfortably in the end, Dodging Bullets had travelled very well into the race and was noticeably green when push came to shove. I am sure he'll improve tremendously for the experience and must rate a highly promising individual.
