Does this make any sense?

Why have Ladbrokes taken Pont Alexandre out of their betting for the Alebert Bartlett?

Now I've made no secret that I backed PA for this race a while ago and it's looking increasingly like he's going for the Neptune. What I don't understand is what do Ladbrokes get out of taking him out of their betting for this race?

I've read elsewhere that people see this as a sign that 'they know' and that PA will definitely run in the Neptune but when I thought about it a bit more I wondered why if that was the case would they not want to have people backing him for a race 'they know' he won't be running in?

This may not mean anything at all of course but I just wondered if any other posters who are likely to know a lot more about this than I do have any opinions on this as I'm confused?

 

It seems strange, I would send them an email/tweet to ask why.

 

I'd be very surprised if PA turns up at the Albert Bartlett to be honest. Rich Ricci has Ballycasey as well and the pair will most definitely be kept apart. The only scenario I see is if Ballycasey runs in the Neptune and Pont Alexandre in the AB but that looks very, very unlikely.

 

Bear in mind that all novice hurdle races have been suspended on Betfair since this afternoon as it is the initial entry confirmation stage.

Perhaps he has not been given an Albert Bartlett entry. He might get a Supreme entry the way he quickened up the other day.

We should know more tomorrow/Thursday.




On a side note, what are the chances of Mullins keeping a good Gigginstown horse and a good Richi horse apart? For example, if lets say (and this is just an example), Un Atout was given a Neptune entry and Mullins began to favour that race, would he stay away because of Ponte Alexandre? Or would Gigginstown overrule him?

 

Don't know Toppy. Is Un Atout really going to run in anything other than the Supreme though?

 

So you can't see Champagne Fever running at the festival ROTO? That's the only scenario I can see where Willie might change plans with PA but I know it's a long shot and its very much my pocket talking!

Any ideas as to why Ladbrokes would take him out of the betting though?

 

They took him out yesterday Toppy and they are the only ones without a price at the moment (excluding betfair).

My question also applies in general really as there are a few horses prominent in the betting for several races but not with all bookies!

 

Champagne Fever will almost certainly run at Cheltenham if fit

 

I can't to be honest. Even if he does, Rich Ricci is going to have two horses against each other in one of the races so I don't see Mullins moving Pont Alexandre from what looks his ideal race to the AB for that reason.

 

All money points to the Supreme. Breeding suggests otherwse though. He is in the Simonsig mould of last season- fast enough to run in a Supreme, but really was thought of as a stayer when they bought him, as his breeding points to. Spring ground at the festival ought to favour him in a Neptune, but Mullins seemed impressed by his 'gears'.

 

Which race though Bob? I know we had this conversation the other night but I don't think it's as cut and dry as many think!

 

Can see your thinking there ROTO.

Personally I think Champagne Fever will turn up in the Supreme, after all of this! I know he is a big chaser in the making who will stay, but he has performed very well over 2m against the likes of Jezki, and I can see them letting him take his chance in a fast run race and fancying their chances of being difficult to pass up the hill. Plenty good big chasers have run in a Supreme- Sprinter, Al Ferof, and Cue Card all in the 2011 race!

Ricci could then be represented in every novice hurdle event, with PA Neptune bound, and Ballycasey heading for the Albert Bartlett.


But remember, plenty of stuff can change in February and the first week of March, and much depends on the wellbeing of the horses.

 

Which race? Not know yet. Mullins has run his horses against each other numerous times though. Would his owners run their horses in races that were not going to show them to full effect in a conscious attempt to avoid competing against each other? Can't really answer that.

 

I think the primary reason Un Atout is going to turn up in the Supreme is because he looks Gigginstown's only representative in the race (or feasible) at the moment.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone, my main question was around the value of the bookie taking a horse out of their antepost list but I guess that remains a mystery so I may take Nass' advice and email them.

I'm going to stick my neck out and say that CF hacks up in the Deloitte and runs in the Neptune, PA and Ballycasey in the AB and Un Atout in the Supreme. This is in an ideal world for me as have backed three of the four already!

 

Pocket talking already and we're 6 weeks away. Well done.

 

Not sure what you're getting at with this bob, I've taken a punt at bigger prices and have put up a scenario which would suit me, it was tongue in cheek, I thought that was obvious!

 

Relax it was a joke.

 

Alot will depend on the ground, but ill be amazed if PA dosent run in the Neptune.