Only 4 years ago that Henderson had 7 winners at the festival. Don' know if I can get them all .................. Sprinter Sacre (Arkle), Simonsig (Neptune), Finian's Rainbow (Champion Chase), Riverside Theatre (Ryanair), Bobs Worth (RSA), Bellvano (Grand Annual) and ...................... Une Artiste (Fred Winter)
I dont mean the trainers are hopeless at training, I mean they are hopeless in the fight against Mullins.
Mullins said that today Killultagh Vic put in an Arkle type of performance but that he would look a the JLT because of Douvan. You see for me- thats where the problems arise when a great trainer has almost too many good horses. Really like the horse and he might make up into a really nice chaser. Forms looking really nice too- tied in with Thistlecrack amongst others.
So would I. Great tenacity. Jumped very fluidly up until the error. Cheltenham form. Looks a quality horse.
I've always been a huge fan of KV. I was on him ante post when he came 6th in the Champion bumper 2 year back and as Ruby said yesterday he seemed to become one of the forgotten horses of Willies for whatever reason. I see he's currently 4's for the JLT as of now, he will hardly shorten to much less than that between now and then will he?
Lads what's Nicholls sending to HQ,doesn't seem to have the firepower he once had.Heard he payed a fair whack Zubayr,any idea when we get to see this lad in action,20s for the Triumph
Bloody good question Ste. For me the guy is an absolute class act of a trainer and once he gets some ammunition again he'll begin to fire. It's a tough spell for him- Dan Skelton and Harry Fry have gone solo and done bloody well- so imagine how lucky he was to have had them day to day on his yard and at the sattelite yard. I would say Nicholls is one to keep an eye on in the handicaps and Triumph hurdle this year. Cant think of much ammunition in the Supreme Novice this year, or any of the Blue Ribband events.
Right, it's mid-January, Mullins has half of the festival sewn up according to Oddschecker. It's time for a forum VALUE HUNT consensus. Who, what, and why can there be some upsets against the Mullins juggernaut?
I think unfortunately for the racing spectacle but good for my wallet they just won't get beat- Douvan, Faugheen, Mares Hurdle, Un De Sceaux (as long as his jumping holds) looks pretty nailed on- The JLT he has two big big fancies! So one looks to win! Ryanair - if Vautour turns up there isn't much better round the trip! Neptune hard to see past either Bellshill or yorkhill -Black Hercules must surely go to the 4m which Saturday he was most impressive spot on jumping will stay, Mares novice hurdle - if LIMINI runs to her reputation she will walk it So sorry toppy not really the answer you wanted but I shall not be taking him !!
****ing hell Beefy dont say that Dont make me the GC of not606 FFS. For the record I've got you down as Ted Walsh Oddy is Nick Luck. Sir Barney is the slightly Hendo-biased version of Alistair Down.
Just looking at Woolies list of Mullins horses there- the man could have a very, very special festival at this rate. If he wins the Supreme I think the bookies are running for cover by about 1.45 on the Tuesday! Anyone got a view on where this Vroum Vroum Mag goes? I'm tempted to have a crack at the World/Mares Hurdle antepost at 9/1.
If she does go down the hurdle route (which I hope she won't as I have backed her only small for the 3m chase on beefy say! Haha) she will go to the World Hurdle and Annie will go to the mares - would have been different had Annie Been fit all season but Cheltenham will be AP first race they won't put her in a hard race like the world hurdle - VVM has been running well I know she has won but she has ran very well and won , she deserves to be going to the world hurdle just on this seasons merits and she stands a bloody good chance with the mares allowance, she's quick, slick and stays - This season forums fav 3m hurdler Thistlecrack will have to be on top form to beat her
I'll be starting the individual race threads this week but here a few thoughts: Supreme - only the Henderson pair of Altior (tough, battle-hardened, keeps finding) and Buveur Dair (totally unexposed) look genuine threats to Min, unless there is a real dark horse lurking .................. Champion Chase - I'll be taking on Un De Sceaux at those skinny odds. Sprinter Sacre to roll back the years and don't discount Dodging Bullets.
I think that too BUT for those misty eyed Sprinter Sacre romanticists, does a 6L beating of Gods Own in the Arkle last year put him way clear of Sprinter? It all depends on the line of form through Sire De Grugy- if that horse is running well it's good form for Sprinter. If, and this is what I suspect, Sire De Grugy is a few pound below his best, then Sprinter might be outgunned with the blistering tempo. Hendo reckons he wants a stiffer track nowadays so we will see. Buveur Dair for me looks really interesting in the Supreme.
