Soll (3.40) only needed 2 to come out to get a run in the big one tomorrow, but they've opted to run him The Topham, where he's very tempting at around 33/1.
I just can't warm to Josses Hill for whatever reason and 6/4 feels very short. No bet for me but I've got Art Of Payroll in the comp ..............
Well done those who bigged Josses Hill up... did them for stamina in the end... Good win that... Balitmore just faded for 4th and missed the top 3...
And Vautour lights up another ciggy in his stable in County Carlow saying to himself, 'Just how good am I eh...'
Dabbled on the DON here but hugely frightened by HOLYWELL. If the RSA winner can win round this track he's going to be the one to beat in the Gold Cup, I think he's all stamina...
Wonderful Charm for me next... Though the market suggests im a bit off the mark with him... Wont be the first time, or the last...
To be honest the market dosnt know who is gonna win it... 7/2 the field in a 6 runner field, 5th being 11/2... Good arrows required here...!!!
A few I like the look of today 3.40 Aintree Tatenen 25/1 love this lad to bits and he ran an absolute blinder in the Byrne Group Plate at Cheltenham when 3rd behind the well handicapped pair of Ballynagour & Colour Squadron. I think the handicapper has been kind to leave him unchanged off a mark of 140 and, clearly in great heart, I think he's in line to run another stormer today. One could point to failing to complete over these National Fences in two attempts but he was brought down on one of those occasions and I think you can always forgive one unseat over them. Additionally, over the mammoth Grand National trip, Tatenen was always held up to have any chance of staying the trip but over a much more suitable extended 2m5f I can Andy Thornton being a lot more positive on him which I think will help him a lot. 4.15 Aintree Seeyouatmidnight 5/1 if this 6 year old hailed from a top yard I think he'd be about a 2/1 shot and I think the 5/1 about Sandy Thompson's son of Midnight Legend is a tremendous price. Unbeaten in all three starts over hurdles, Seeyouatmidnight has been very impressive on each occasion and I thought it was a tremendous performance when beating more experienced opposition in the Rendlesham and he unquestionably the one they all have to beat. And I don't think he will be. 4.50 Aintree Zabana 10/1 & Party Rock 33/1 After winning his last start, trainer Andrew Lynch said that Zabana was only a shell of a horse last year (won twice) and that he was a much stronger horse this year. He certainly looked it when winning impressively off a mark of 119 on his reappearance at Leopardstown. Travelling powerfully throughout the contest, I thought Zabana was value for more than the 2L margin of victory and that race has worked out extremely well. The runner up Empire of Dirt (gave Zabana 7lb) has since gone on to score in a Grade 2, the 3rd home Bothar Clei and 4th home Mister Hotelier (who reopposes here on 2lb better terms) have also won since and I think the 13lb higher mark he must contend with looks fair. With better ground sure to suit, I think this unexposed animal has a great chance of landing this in a race that I think will suit him ideally. The other I like is Jennie Candlish's Party Rock who has been woeful on his last 4 starts but has resultantly dropped 10lb for those runs to a mark of 135 which makes him look well handicapped. 7lb above the mark he was a very convincing winner over C+D last May, he was narrowly beaten off a 5lb higher mark in December again over C+D just 5 starts ago and if rediscovering that form I think he can run a fine race at a big price.
Holywell was right to scare the hell out of me wasn't he? What a ride by AP, took the race by the horns and didn't look like losing. Don Cossack's a nearly horse... 3.40 Ma Filleule 14/1 Each-Way. Form looks not too shabby now!
Backed her at Cheltenham and I think she would have won that day with Geraghty on her back - Boinville was weak in the finish and let Holywell back into it. Ma Filleule raised 7lbs which she might just be able to get away with, but I think you need a really well-in horse to win this (Trio D'Alene won it off just 132 last year, with hindsight at least 20lbs well-in)
Afternoon chaps A second and a third so far - hope that isn't as good as it gets! Ballynagour did me a huge turn at the festival, and yes, it is sentiment that forces my hand, but I think he is a decent horse that has had his problems, which now appear to be behind him. I hope!
Didn't the saddle slip, or something similar, on Nicky's horse too? I'm sure there was some steering issue going on up the run in which gives me more hope the mare should place at least.
You might be right Beefy, Boinville looked all over the place after the last. And thanks for reminding me she's a mare
