Glad you mentioned him Stick. Gave him a word on Saturdays thread and he ran a blinder giving the time off he had. Certainly worth alot more than his current mark if at peak fitness.
A lot of love for Faugheen and rightly so. Looks the real deal with his bumper form in particular being boosted both sides of the Irish Sea. My only concern would be the race he'll be aimed at. Yes the Neptune looks the logical place but consider his ownership. The Riccis also own Vautour and Moyle Park. Vautour looks pretty certain to head for the Supremes (his Saturday win wasn't impressive but I wouldn't be overly concerned). Moyle Park originally looked like their Supreme horse early season but after a Christmas defeat I wouldn't be surprised should he be stepped up (a la Champagne Fever also in the same ownership) to become a Neptune contender. If that happens surely there's a huge chance they'll want to spread their eggs and stick Faugheen in the Albert Bartlett?? The minefield of ante-post betting in the labyrinth of novice events at modern day Cheltenham!
Personally i think the best bet is Bobs Worth in the GC cos i simply cannot see him getting beaten. Slightly less confident than i was last year in which i would abuse anyone who said he might get beaten but still very confident
Silviniano Conti - speed and stamina, speed to out sprint bobs worth turning in and stamina to keep all others at bay
Right ........... I have HAD a grand vision, in which Grand Vision wins the Pertempts final. Beat that
Havent had too many but Hurricane Fly 13/2 e/w like printing money that its. Quevega (BANKER) @ Even Money and Bobs Worth @ 3/1 probablly wont do many more and may just top these up (all at shorter prices now)
I would not be so sure about Faugheen and the Neptune. Moyle Park is by Flemensfirth and could end up being Neptune bound bit Mulline says that Briar Hill has more speed to show on better ground so I could see him in a Neptune! Good old Mullins.... AL FEROF Gold Cup is one I am very interested in but I am not sure if he will go there or Ryanair. John Hales wanted Gold Cup.
I'll be very disappointed if they send Annie Power to contest the Champion Hurdle. Very. And I think they will regret it.
I actually think Annie Power has a shout in the Champion Hurdle, she looks an absolute machine, and will be getting 7lbs(?) from the boys. Best bet for me would be Dodging Bullets in the Arkle. 7s now but I'm glad I got him at 12s before he won at Kempton, the horse is pure class
Personally I think Dodging Bullets will disappoint- no way will he win a truly run Arkle. I'd say Felix Yonger has a solid chance if he runs, especially on good/good to soft ground. Has some nice form lines that I like. You can ignore his latest defeat on heavy. Have to say that bar Faugheen, there aren't many absolute superstars screaming out at me just yet. Interesting that the Tizzards are 85% certain that Cue Card goes the Gold Cup route- the more horses with crusing speed the better Should pan out fascinatingly.
Anyone know anything about For Non Stop?? He was third in the Ryanair last year behind Cue Card and First Lieutenant who could both be Gold Cup bound. He is trading on betfair for that race at 560?? Is he injured and out for the season. He hasn't run this year, is that a case of him being best fresh and Nick Williams giving him his first run at the festival this year?? Also, with the problems with Sprinter Sacre, will they be tempted to go Champion Chase? Any news appreciated.
The banker - that's an easy one ....................... BOBS WORTH. Jumps, guts and gosh he loves that hill. He's 5 from 5 at Cheltz and Sir Nicky will have him primed for the day, I simply cannot see anything staying like him up the hill. I am a Faugheen fan and have a few nibbles on him for the Neptune at 12's (and 9/2 any race) but for what race he runs in - I've no idea. Willie Mullins is bad enough but owner Rich Ricci is getting in on the act now and on Saturday said Vautour looks his best horse but may need a step up in trip, add Moyle Park to the equation and you've got issues. Then further add Briar Hill (Wylie owned) and the spanner is already in the works. What race do they all go for .......................GOD KNOWS !!!!!!!!! As for other BIG fancies, look no further than ........... My Tent Or Yours - his jumping will win the race Ballycasey - can see him winning the RSA cosily, jumps for fun but I'd like to see him get another chase under his belt. Balthazar King - yep Big Shu is the danger but Hobbs team going well and can't see The KIng getting beaten if ground decent. Rival D'Estruval - was surely going to go very close in the 4m last year when falling 2 out, going for the Fox Hunters with the owner saying "we've got some unfinished business".
Best value for the Festival at the moment – Medermit in the CGC at 100/1 NRNB with old boy Victor. Hasn’t been seen on the racecourse since Aintree ’12 but is now back in full work and will this term be aimed at the big ‘un. Really fancied him for the race in 2012 but connections sidestepped the blue ribband for a crack at they Ryanair (where Medermit finished 3rd). Is a bet for noting in my view because if he does disappoint following his ‘prep’ and is ruled out you get your loot back but if he performs with credit that 100/1 is likely to be a lot, lot, lot, lot, lot, and I do mean lot, lot, lot, lot, lot, shorter. Also, on official marks doesn’t have that many in front of him plus his form in Grade 1 or Grade 2 chases reads -214213234 and this more than proves the old boys class. Re the Grand Annual one I like is Changing The Guard but as far as I know no prices are yet available for him. He’s slipped under the old radar and won’t run over fences again until the Festival (in order to protect his perch) and the form of his 3 races over the big ‘uns to date makes him worthy, in my view, of a mark far in excess of 137. Look out for the old boy when prices become available.
