cheltenham handicaps
- Thread starter Ste D
- Start date
-
Please bear with us on the new site integration and fixing any known bugs over the coming days. If you can not log in please try resetting your password and check your spam box. If you have tried these steps and are still struggling email [email protected] with your username/registered email address
-
Still early days as there are still loads of entries in each race.
However in the JLT on Tuesday Fruity O'Rooney should go very close off 139 - a pound lower than when 1L second to Alfie Sherrin in the race last season and enjoys a 9lb pull with that rival. Gary Moore has had a great season and I'm sure he'll have him spot on for this. Two placed efforts behind Katenko on unsuitably heavy ground show that he retains his ability and, as long as we have some "good" in the going description he's sure to be thereabouts.
However in the JLT on Tuesday Fruity O'Rooney should go very close off 139 - a pound lower than when 1L second to Alfie Sherrin in the race last season and enjoys a 9lb pull with that rival. Gary Moore has had a great season and I'm sure he'll have him spot on for this. Two placed efforts behind Katenko on unsuitably heavy ground show that he retains his ability and, as long as we have some "good" in the going description he's sure to be thereabouts.
Stick, The Druids Nephew was the ânudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no moreâ horse that I alluded to on yesterdayâs Daily Thread. Given his form against Hadrianâs Approach, Rolling Aces and Grandioso I think he is very well treated off 135. Also the word amongst the âcounty setâ is very strong for him. Meanwhile, his trainer had a stroke recently so a winner at the Festival would be some tonic for the old boy.
As Iâve said in my preview evening article the others that I like in handicaps next week are:
(i) Shutthefrontdoor in the Pertemps. Looks a lot better than a mere handicapper,
(ii) Frisco Depot in the Kim Muir. Very well treated animal who is a lot better than his perch of 140. Was a Grade 2 winner over fences last term, was well regarded enough to go off at 10/1 in this terms hot Hennessy and has the huge, huge, huge, huge, huge advantage of being piloted by Sam Waley-Cohen in this amateur heat. Expect the forumâs favourite Corinthian to register another Festival success.
(iii) Court Minstrel in the County Hurdle if enough come out of the County Hurdle and he gets to run off 131. That is ridiculously low for a horse who this term has been beaten, off levels, 3 lengths by Dodging Bullets who is now perched on 156 and also beaten the 148 rated Duke of Navan half a length when conceding 3 pounds to him!
Whisper it quietly but there's one I've been tracking. If you need a bigger clue than that you'll have to check out my festival preview comments! Aside from that, I haven't looked. No point, in my mind, until you know who's declared to run in which race. One Timeform bloke on twitter was sweet on Pendra. Very sweet in fact.
Fruity O'Rooney in the JLT. An old favourite who always runs a good race. Deserves a win.
Carlito Brigante: still in 4 races but trainer indicated that it will be novice handicap on Tuesday. Ground will need to be decentish though which looks increasingly unlikely.
Not sure when these are running but Pendra and Action Master are 2 more I'll be looking out for. The latter won a shade cosily at HQ in October and trainer stated he needs good ground. I'd put a line through both subsequent runs over fences on soft ground on the basis that Mr Dessie Hughes is a fine upstanding and truthful man.
Carlito Brigante: still in 4 races but trainer indicated that it will be novice handicap on Tuesday. Ground will need to be decentish though which looks increasingly unlikely.
Not sure when these are running but Pendra and Action Master are 2 more I'll be looking out for. The latter won a shade cosily at HQ in October and trainer stated he needs good ground. I'd put a line through both subsequent runs over fences on soft ground on the basis that Mr Dessie Hughes is a fine upstanding and truthful man.
Do you think he'll come out again next week then, George?
He looks impressive if you overlook his 4th of 5 place in grade 2 company, but this is insanely competitive!
I actually have a sneaky feeling about Henderson's supposedly 3rd string in this - Golden Hoof. Another with good wins either side of a foray into grade 1 company, and also still entered at Chelts. Good luck
He looks impressive if you overlook his 4th of 5 place in grade 2 company, but this is insanely competitive!
I actually have a sneaky feeling about Henderson's supposedly 3rd string in this - Golden Hoof. Another with good wins either side of a foray into grade 1 company, and also still entered at Chelts. Good luck