I think Faugheen on debut was like most of us are now, carrying a few extra pound in the belly A fully primed Faugheen is too good, I'm pretty certain of that Bobster but I've been wrong before Yorkhill wins a Grade 1 on his second start over hurdles as if he was in an exercise canter. He'll be a stone better on nice ground. Hard to know where he'll end up in March but he could be top, top class.
Yorkhill and bellshill are the issue I think as willie has to keep them apart but both look Neptune horses to me. One may go to the supreme instead to challenge Min but not something willie will be keen on.
Haven't had an antepost nibble yet but had a look at Skybet offerings as they went non runner no bet on the championship races before Xmas. They're offering 5/2 for Vautour in the Queen Mum. You can get 10s elsewhere. They offer 5s for the same horse in the Gold Cup and you can get 10s just about anywhere. Annie Power is on offer at 5s in the World Hurdle where Paddy is offering 12s. What a bunch of spineless fooking idiots. They should get out of the business of turf accountancy.
Nope only Skybet and Betfair have so far gone NRNB. It's just a gimmick though, that's the point. Vautour 5/2 for the Queen Mum, a quarter of the odds you can get elsewhere. Who would take that bet? If the other 3 market principals line up you'd be unlikely to get much worse on the day of the race.
Sucking the last remaining value out of antepost With the value totally hoovered up on all the fancied horses in the main races I thought I'd have a quick browse through the left overs to see if there's anything, slightly less obvious, that might still be worth a few quid. The criteria I set is I'm looking double figure odds. Black Herucles 12/1 (NH Chase) I managed to snare a wee bit of the 16s after he won his maiden in early December and I still think he's very good value. The horse he beat into second that day, Sambremont, won half the track last week and he could also be one lining for this race. I guess there's a chance them going down the RSA route with this lad, especially if something knocks Pont Alexandre off course but the 4 miler looks much easier and the Wylies have tasted success in it before. I think he's good value. Shantou Village 12/1 (Albert Bartlett) Already on at slightly bigger I think this is still a very tasty price for this chap. The only worry I have here is he could go Neptune, he runs at Cheltenham in the trial at end of month which makes you wonder. This guy has had his form well franked by Champers on Ice and wherever he ends up he's going to prove a real handful. Has a good cruise, can quicken, jumps and he handles the track. Being one of my 5 to follow everyone knows how much I've rated this tool, even before he saw a hurdle. Martello Tower 25/1 (World Hurdle) A hugely open looking World Hurdle where only Thistlecrack has looked any good this season, I still think this horse, who of course won the Albert Bartlett last year offers superb each way value. Made his comeback only recently with a fair effort at Leopardstown in Grade 1 company. He'll keep going when others have cried enough so I definitely fancy him to out run his odds. Not saying these will win but at the prices they do offer some shrewd value in my opinion
Very interesting post Beefy as I am on Black Hercules at 25s for the RSA and Shantou Villageat 16s for the Neptune Nightmare with these bloody novices
Black Hercules looked real nice- I'd say the 4 miler would suit him but Mullins did talk about Sambremont as the 4 miler- before promptly dotting him up over 2 and a half
I have just done the four Mullins kings (and queen) in various multiples over the last few months - Douvan, Faugheen, Un Des Sceaux and Annie Power that's rite I am it's not original but effective and I have been bashing off in the Mullins Fan Club (as stick says) Oh and just to add have a small Min tickey at about 12/1
bet365 gone NRNB on the Ryanair, Vautour evens but if he goes there its printing money and if not you get your money back
After Bill Mullins’ interview on Channel 4 on Saturday afternoon I really can’t understand why some of you types are keen to back novices at this stage re the Cheltenham Festival. As that chap says even he has no idea where they will head until the weekend before the meet. And that is a similar viewpoint held by so many trainers. For me all these ‘new’ races ruined Cheltenham as an ante-post proposition as you are merely guessing, in so many cases, where a horse will run. I’m more interested in the handicaps, at Cheltenham, these days. Still haven’t had an ante-post wager, as the prices won’t contract for ages, but I’ve my eye on DOUBLY CLEVER (as I may have mentioned before) in the Fred Winter and in another race a previous winner at the Festival who will be rerouted back over hurdles (and no I’m not talking about Bobs Worth). Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more...
Sir Barney what did you make of Alan King's juvenile Gibralfaro at Kempton on the 27th? Taking with a capital T and we know connections like to target the Triumph. 20/1 re his chances for that heat.
Oddy, I think Alan King quite rates his chances in this terms ‘Triumph’ as currently he has 3 live ‘arrows’. That horse, Sceau Du Royal and Who Dares Wins. No idea of the pecking order but I’m sure all our hearts are with the latter named as he’s owned by Mr Ponsonby, the forum’s second favourite owner.
They are rising rapidly up the ranks but are still a bit behind Robert W-C, Mr Ponsonby, Sir Simon Cowell and Her Majesty. By the end of '16 though they may be perched at the summit...
Barney not had an Ante Post on old boy Long Run for the fox hunters- I know he is still to qualify and read an article today that they RWC is waiting for the ground to dry up and apparently there are sometimes questions marks at home over his enthusiasm but 6/1 if he turns up could be a big price for a horse of his class!
First dig albeit via the cowards route (NRNB), Irish Cavalier in the Ryanair @ 20s ew. Although many better judges than I think Vautour is a shoo in for this race I'm far from convinced the man in the shades will be talked into letting the apple of his eye line up in this second tier race. Most of the current market principals will go for the Gold Cup which will leave the lovely Rebecca to make her annual trip to the festival winners enclosure via this fellow. If Vautour does line up (he won't) I'll take a 30 length second for the place market.
Three questions for you? Barters Hill- Neptune or Albert Bartlett? Has been running over 2 1/2 but is fav for the Albert Bartlett? More Of That- RSA or Gold cup will Jonjo try and follow in Coneygrees footsteps Also when do the other firms really start the NRNB
