Where does todays racing leave us with regards to Cheltenham? Pont Alexandre looks a worthy favourite for the AB or the Neptune depending what route they go with him. Yesterdays race was definitely the more competitive though and we now have proof that both the New One and At Fishers Cross are capable of getting up the hill. AFC specifically looking like 3 miles will suit. Hurricane Fly now 3/1 after beating nothing we know he can't already beat but doing so impressively. Will the irish get stuck into them both come the Festival? Most likely.
Trying to gather some thoughts on Katenko on the Gold Cup thread - what do you think lads, handicapper or a lively outsider?
We learnt nothing from the Hurricane today.He as equally s impressive last year. Much of his Champion Hurdle hopes wil rest on the ground. He doesn't want it quick. I still think he is the main danger for sure. Mullins horses were potentially not quite right last year at the Festival- it l gan wth Midnight Game having issues reported, (Davy Russell switched to Trifolium), and then all of a sudden Hurricane Fly wloked flat too. Hurricane is obvously still the one nailed on class hurdler and it is down to the others to improve past him. Not sure if they have yet- fascinating race in prospect.
Bob I can't help thinking there might be one hiding in Henderson's yard for the Neptune and ALbert Bartlett. Sounds like Tistory is going really well at home and we still don't know how good Chatterbox might be, or where he might go. I also think Jonjo's horse Taquin de Seuil looks a bit special. I wonder if Pont Alexandre might follow in the footsteps of your namesake and become a monster Irish gamble at the festival?
Katenko to me is a handicapper, and I have him about a stone off the top table. He won yesterday and did so with a good bit of style, but he wants ground that I call winter racing ground, and I believe Venetia said similar after the race. He could be a lively horse if it came up like a bog, but I do not see that happening.
Have taken a nibble of 42s on the exhanges for a Ferdy Murphy AW runner- Formulation, who was a decent enough flat horse and hence might take to the AW better than some of these.
Got to agree with that. I know Nicholls has had a shout in the past but henderson must surely be eyeing the possibility of winning all 4 feature races at the festival. I think he'll come up short in the Cham,pion hurdle but he has serious ammunition for all of them.
Glad the stewards have had a word over the 'tender' handling of Binocular . Best possible position my backside. That was a vigorous race course gallop and nothing more. Wouldn't have won but I definitely like him as an e/w player at the festival.
I'd defo rather have Henderson's string than anyone else's. imagine there'll be an upset in the World Hurdle though. Thereis lots of value in that market if you can pick the right horse. What price is Bog Warrior? Is he even going there?
Hang on Boris. How many horses are you putting up for the bumper? Are your colours nailed to Moyle Park or Golantilla's mast?
