And the report from the first one (hope they don't mind me posting it here)
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bitchy
Junior Member
Join Date
Feb 2013
Posts
5
firstly i want to say this is not my work but i have been given permission to share it with others
Cheltenham previews start with a bang
THERE was certainly an enthusiastic, if not youthful, attendance at the first of this yearâs Cheltenham preview nights in the Goat Grill on Wednesday night. And those who made the trip werenât disappointed with what they got in return.
Held in aid of the Injured Jockeyâs Fund and run by the UCD Racing Society, Patrick Mullins spearheaded a sought-after panel, which also consisted of Grand National winning jockey Daryl Jacob, At The Races showman Kevin OâRyan, Nicky Henderson, albeit by telephone, and Paddy Power Bookmakers.
MC duties were carried out by StarBets.ieâs own Gary OâBrien, who, as always, kept the show on the road with a constant flow all night. And he certainly didnât let the panel members off lightly with regular insightful questions. Mullins and Jacob were put on the spot more than once.
Proceedings kicked off with Hurricane Fly dominating the Champion Hurdle chat and it finished with Patrick Mullins convincing everybody, including himself, that the nine-year-old will regain his crown. âThereâs been so much bull said about Hurricane Fly. He wasnât himself last year. Dad was never happy with him and you could see that he was never at his best. Heâs back to himself this year and heâll win. Heâs the best thereâs been since Istabraq.â enthused Mullins junior on the Closutton stable star.
Hurricane Fly will bid to become the first horse in 38 years to regain the Champion Hurdle crown. It was hard for any of Mullinsâ fellow panel members to disagree with that!
My Tent Or Yours, described by Nicky Henderson as â99 per cent sure to run in the Supreme Novicesâ Hurdleâ, was friendless by all the present panel members. Jezki received a much more favourable mention while Mullins described Paddy Powerâs quote of 16/1 about Champagne Fever as âan insultâ. Henderson also described Chatterbox as an unlikely runner in any of the Cheltenham novice races on the basis that theyâre âcoming a year too soon.â
Simonsig got the all round vote in the Arkle Trophy, with even Mullins casting doubts over the jumping of Arvika Ligeonniere. Kevin OâRyan did give Overturn a chance of beating the talented grey however. Few suggested that Pont Alexandre wouldnât win the Neptune Investments Novicesâ Hurdle, who is the âbest horse in the raceâ according to Irelandâs leading amateur jockey. The panel were split however on whether Dynaste would make up for Grands Crusâ disappointment in the RSA Chase. Mullins was none the wiser as to whether Boston Bob or Back In Focus would represent the Wylieâs colours in that race.
It was agreed all round that this yearâs Cheltenham Gold Cup was âthe best renewal in some timeâ with Bobs Worth, Sir Des Champs and First Lieutenant all getting very favourable mentions. Mullins did stress the fact that Sir Des Champsâ season has been geared around this race. Kevin OâRyan was in full agreement.
Other horses to get positive mentions on the night were Our Conor, including from Nicky Henderson, who declined in putting up Rolling Star as his Charity Bet after seeing Dessie Hughesâ juvenile win three days earlier at Leopardstown. Daryl Jacob nominated both Sam Winner (Pertemps) and Wonderful Charm (Coral Cup) as his two to keep an eye on in the handicaps while Rocky Creek, his likely ride in the RSA Chase, also had the Wexford native glowing.
When it came to the Champion Bumper talk however, Patrick was the only man to listen to here. âAt the moment, weâre planning to run Union Dues, Clondaw Court and Sizing Tennessee. I wonât know which one Iâll be riding until closer to the race but itâs a case of deciding between a two mile hurdler in Union Dues or a three mile chaser in Clondaw Court.â explained Patrick.
Just minutes later, Mullins gave a much bigger indication of his likely Cheltenham mount when selecting the latter as his charity bet. So the perfect way to sign off and that was enough to send everybody home happy. Isnât that the general consensus after the bumper?
PADDY POWER CHARITY BETS
Daryl Jacob â Sam Winner (Pertemps, 6-1 with Paddy Power)
Patrick Mullins â Clondaw Court (Champion Bumper, 9-1 with Paddy Power)
Gary OâBrien â Salsify (Christieâs Foxhunters, 4-1 with Paddy Power)
Charlie Chawke â Champagne Fever (Supreme Novicesâ Hurdle, 16-1 with Paddy Power)
Kevin OâRyan â Sir Des Champs (Cheltenham Gold Cup, 7-2 with Paddy Power)
