Just had a very small wager NRNB on Red Sherlock for the world hurdle- probably won't turn up but doesnt matter as NRNB would need a run but his 2014 form puts him in front of Cole Harden and if he does turn up he will be a lot shorter and if he doesn't I get my money back !
Would ideally like to see her get a run, but certainly wouldn't be the first time Willie's sent a mare to the Festival on seasonal debut to hack up now would it She will destroy them mate, 100%.
Struggle to back any of the hotpots and do not get involved in ante post too early but backed a speculative L15 Saphir De Rheu World Road to Riches Gold Cup Paint the Clouds Foxhunter Renetti Coral Cup
According to Tom Segal, in yesterday’s ‘Weekender': (i) the vibe is that Vautour is Cheltenham Gold Cup bound, and (ii) Ruby wants Nichols Canyon to go for the ‘World Hurdle’ and to ride him in said context. It’s claimed he said this PRIOR to Sunday’s ‘Irish Champion’. His words not mine and just passing it on, troops.
Well, he is owned by Graham Wylie- wasn't he the owner of the mighty INGLIS DREVER? Vautour is the intriguing one. I couldn't believe in the Ricci interview the other day that he felt he could end up a good bit fitter and leaner than he was at Kempton- something in the region of 20kg too heavy!
I just can't see Vautour going GC. Walsh having to pick between Djakadam and vautour. Mullins already having Djakadam and don poli. Race being 2&hqlf furlongs more with hill finish, and being necked by Cue Card in the KG Ricci (and Mullins) not having anything in the Ryanair- another grade 1 that Ricci can win, would he turn that up?
She now has an entry for the Mares novice race at Fairyhouse on Saturday the 30th. Not a bad idea, be a lot easier of a comeback than facing battle hardened runners in the Deloitte.
I'm hearing Bristol De Mai is also JLT bound. 12/1 quoted generally. Would have a strong chance in that race.
Only worry re: Limini running would be the ground. Not sure they'd look to start her out in very deep ground.
Thing is, the ground is likely going to be soft/heavy for a fair while still with the last 2 months of rain, land is saturated. Hopefully we get a decent spell of dry weather for a few weeks late in Feb - March to give us perfect good to soft/soft ground.
I am beginning to wonder if we'll be denied the wonderful sight of the lovely Rebecca adorning the winners enclosure at the festival. Apart from The Romford Pele who out ran his odds but was well beaten in the Cleeve Hurdle, her runners yesterday were pretty woeful. I'm sure it will be put down to the bad ground but Irish Cavalier, Imagine The Chat and OFaolains Boy were very disappointing. On the recent ATR stable tour feature she indicated that Irish Cavalier is her next national hope following on from T43. Apparently Geraghty recommended it after the King George. I have to say that seems nonsensical to me. He's only just turned 7 and ran a blinder under top weight in the Paddy Power in November. There's plenty of nice races around 3 miles and just under for him to compete before taking him down the national route.
Nice form boost for Min today with Ball D'arca obliging after being hammered by ten lengths by the Minster.Bit of hype last couple of days that Willies yard not in form,let's have a reality check for a minute!He bagged a treble today at Punchy and his top horses sluiced up last weekend.Shanehill was never going to be a big player next March anyway.Dissapointing run by Up for Review and Djackadam falling at the early stages leaves more questions than answers.Still all to play for with six weeks to go!At this stage the only bankers I can see so far are Faugheen/Douvan and Thistlecrack.Min,Barters Hill,Limini & UDS have very good chances as well.
The Supreme Novice hasn't been debated much this year with MIN looking awesome, but Buveur D'air had his second hurdles start at Huntingdon on Friday and won very easily (against inferior opposition). He is into 8/1 with most firms. He might have one more run by the sounds of it to give him more experience for Cheltenham. It is not 100% certain whether he goes Supreme or Neptune, though he is as big as 25/1 for the latter.
When I read between the lines of Pipes interview recently, it sounded like t was a tough ask to get him there but didn't rule it out. Big ask to win that on debut though.
The form of that bumper is pretty insane tho, beating Yanworh a couple of lengths looks half decent! That said I agree although I would be having a go at 33-1 NRNB
http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/...ould-head-straight-to-the-cheltenham-festival Talk here that he is on the road back, so far so good, and could go straight into a novice hurdle on debut!! (Ran out of time to get a in into him) That would be something to see! I wonder if he'd go to a Neptune instead where it's just that bit slower? Who knows- big ask regardless but would be most interesting to see him pitched in on debut.
What are we thinking regarding the likely ground at the festival? The met office is predicting more settled weather in the second half of February before a return to wet and windy early March. How real is the possibility of a soft ground festival?
