In my opinion the best days racing since the Cheltenham festival ended tomorrow with some fantastic looking races. I am really looking forward to the mouthwatering clash between Tidal Bay and At Fishers Cross over at Wetherby. Tidal Bays win in the Lexus really is top top quality form but At Fishers Cross looked incredibly impressive both at Cheltenham and Aintree towards the back end of last season. Tidal Bay has run well fresh before and i am just taking him to touch off the McCoy horse but i fully expect, injury permitting, to see these two contesting two of the championship races at Cheltenham in March. Elsewhere there is the Charlie Hall at Wetherby which also promises to be a cracking race and over in Ireland there is the Grade 2 Champion Chase in which im hoping Sizing Europe can take a well deserved grade 1 over 3 miles. First Lieutenant and Kauto Stone have to be massive dangers though I also like the look of L'Unique in the Wetherby mares hurdle and if the 5/1 is still around tomorrow then i will be bet. Sticks present from last year, Thunderstorm, also makes his chase debut tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how he goes but just a watching brief from me. Finally, not forgetting the Breeders Cup, i will be all over Wise Dan in the mile race. Should be far too good for these
Im travelling to Manchester tomorrow so i will unfortunately miss a few big names making their seasonal debut. In the OLBG mares listed hurdle at Wetherby theres no denying the chances of L'Unique. She previously had the beating of Cockney Sparrow so im not sure why the price is higher. However the horse im keen on is Mischievous Milly who is unbeaten over hurdles 2/2 and had Doyly Carte behind on the second of those and the useful Ma Fiuelle who is of the same ownership as Une Artiste. She hasnt raced on anything better than soft and its currently good to soft however that is potentially down to the fact the ground was dire around that time of year before she picked up an injury and missed the end of the season. At Fishers Cross - No write up needed here to be honest. The world hurdle will be the goal, the good to soft ground isnt an issue. Was by far the best 3 miler of the novices last year and should be more than good enough to beat Tidal Bay especially with a 4 pound advantage. For what its worth when Cheltenham comes around and fingers crossed AFC makes it safe and sound ill be on once again. Beast of an animal and champion of the future. A couple others i quite like. Saphir Du Rheu - Nicholls fancied his chances majorly for the Fred Winter but never got going. Too bad to be true to be honest and a chance is taking tomorrow EW at 11/1 Wyck Hill - If the ground dries up a little more we could finally see JP recouping some of the money he paid out for him 7/1
"I am really looking forward to the mouthwatering clash between Tidal Bay and At Fishers Cross over at Wetherby. Tidal Bays win in the Lexus really is top top quality form but At Fishers Cross looked incredibly impressive both at Cheltenham and Aintree towards the back end of last season. Tidal Bay has run well fresh before and i am just taking him to touch off the McCoy horse but i fully expect, injury permitting, to see these two contesting two of the championship races at Cheltenham in March." There's little between them on the ratings-and it's probably a race to watch- but the interesting question about Tidal Bay concerns his chasing plans....Why is he 80/1 (Betfair) for the Gold Cup and Bob's Worth only 3/1? After all, he did give 6lbs to Bob's Worth when beaten 3l in last season's Hennessy. Yes, he'd need soft ground at Cheltenham, but he must be worth a few quid at that price.
Only one bet for me in the afternoon tomorrow. Doing a double on At Fishers Cross and Long run. I get some info from the Hendo yard from time to time off a prominent person and they told me Long run will win. Obviously he has the form to be favorite anyway, but he is working really well and is ready. So no need to worry about him being ready this year.
GONE TOO FAR 1,15 Wetherby. Last season I was bullish early doors about a novice called THE NEW ONE, well this season its all about this boy for me. I think he is going to be very special. Starting tomorrow!
Any thoughts on Bouggler tomorrow Stick, normally i'd be on but Roberto Goldback and Buddy Bolero are two others that have got me thinking and only want to be backing one of them??
He is in great nick mate and will run another big race! Up in weights and up in grade but he is in fine fettle! I am interested in his former stablemate PAUSE AND CLAUSE starting out for a new yard at Ayr tomorrow. If rejuvenated he would pick those up and carry them!
Cheers mate, i've got to stick with him, i'll give myself a small kick if either of the other two win but i'm not abandoning Bouggler now. Thanks for responding i'll give Pause and Clause a look too
At last PROPER RACING in full swing, happy days! Off to Down Royal tomorrow so happy, happy days! Already stated my Mount Benbulben case in the Down Royal 2.30 in the JNwine Chase thread. Forecast rain will be crucial for him should it arrive. Latest forecasts suggest it should arrive tomorrow morning so based on that I'm very happy with the 7/1 I got a few days ago. I think he could be a very, very good horse going right handed over softish ground. Rolling Aces 11/4. 3.05 Down Royal There's been much discussion over Paul Nicholls coming fortunes and the jury's out for me on how much impact he'll have on the top, top races this year. I was badly let down by one of his at Chepstow last week and am hoping that he can continue his remarkable record in this chase which he's won 5 or 6 times on the trot with the likes of Kauto Stone, Noland and Cristal Bonus last year. He's up against decent animals and it looks a tricky contest with Oscars Well, Toner D'Oudaires and Tofino Bay in opposition but hopefully this horse can justify his Hennesey odds tomorrow! Over at Wetherby is another mouthwatering card and I don't know what to make of Long Run first time out. I think he could easily win but at skinny odds I'd be happy to watch him win. I'd share this sentiment with At Fishers Cross but I'd fancy him more than Long Run. Over at Ascot in the 3.20 perhaps the form of Opening Batsman's Racing Post Trophy win will have been well advertised 15 minutes earlier by Rolling Aces! Good Luck.
Sizing Europe is PRINTING MONEY tomorrow - he will hose up. Max bet and very confident. Saw somewhere that Rebecca Curtis was warning folks about getting too involved with At Fishers Cross on debut - will apparently need the run. Stick I fancy Lemony Bay to give your fellow a race tomorrow. I wouldn't rule Medinas out of the West Yorkshire Hurdle and Benefficient will go close in the Charlie Hall. Great days racing, much studying to be done between now and then.
With the dry weather the last couple of days I was thinking along similar lines (scuppering my Mount Benbulben in the process!) but then I saw this http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2644411
Nice horse odddy but don't you think that the yards form reeks at the moment? I seriously think my boy will lay down a marker tomorrow that will get plenty of you onside. Then again of course it could be a case of "egg on face">
Racing tomorrow looks very hard. Just the one again for me and hoping for another winner. ROLLING ACES. Beefy has said everything I would really
I think Sherwood is slowly cranking things up stick - not had that many runners in October and yes, just the one winner and a few placed, so not in great form at the moment. As always with these types of races, I'd like to see the horses before the off to see how they look - always the best guide this early in the season, it's a shame that on a busy Saturday we probably won't get a good look at them on TV prior to the off.
Nicholls couldn't win a summons at the moment mate - could all change tomorrow of course but I can't help feeling he hasn't got the same sort of young horses coming through as previously. I'm very wary of backing his at the moment.
His horses aren't doing great but a few that have had obvious chances have gone in. The likes of Wonderful Charm Southfield Theatre, Sonofvic & Dodging Bullets. Maxi Chop ran well the other day. I agree doesn't look to have a lot of ammunition this season. I like Rolling Aces though some strong form already and the fact Nicholls has won the race 5 years in a row is no coincidence
It's a winnable Grade 2 alright though - Davy Russell has picked Tofino Bay of the 3 Gigginstown runners but that one wants about 6 miles so the others can't be any good. Oscars Well is looking a bit exposed over fences and Texas Jack with Ruby on board might be the danger - how ironic would that be, Ruby defeating the Nicholls horse?
Exactly awful looking grade 2. Texas Jack is a horse I really like Ruby should get him travelling tmz . Haaaa he was riding for him today just like old times ehh
I've just got a feeling Nicholls is going to struggle like **** this season ...................... Kauto gone, Master Minded gone, Big Buck's might be his saving grace, but I don't see much in the way of young talent in his yard - not got many decent 2nd season chasers has he?
He has plenty of new French imports Odddy Abidjan Alcala Alto Des Mottes Art Mauresque Black River Brother Du Burlais Calipto Solar Impulse Vicenzo Moi Zantero I agree in regards to second season chasers. Only has ***o, Rolling Aces, Rocky Creek & Unioniste I think ?. Has an unraced 3yo in training called MORE BUCK'S same owner. Another interesting horse called V NECK owned by J P Mcmanus think he has been running in p2ps. Speaking of that trainer/owner combo I hope they send Mr Mole chasing this season.
