Very difficult race to read, the Adonis was probably the first juvenile hurdle held on decent ground since November. Zubayr was certainly impressive but it is impossible to know where others might be now the ground is changing. Minefield of a race.
Sure nothing will pass Don Poli. He was out on a hunt Friday morning and they fired a bullet at a pheasant 200 yards ahead and Don Poli got there ahead of it, apparently, ahem!
Cooper was later on RSA Chase contender No More Heroes for Gordon Elliott as he jumped in company with King George faller Don Cossack, ridden by Russell. Elliott said: "The two of them were very good, I couldn't be happier. Davy said he (Don Cossack) could have gone round again, I thought the two of them worked very well. As they only went ten furlongs and jumped eight fences its just as ****ing well he could have gone round again! Quite possibly the stupidest ****ing quote ever given by a trainer to a racing journalist!
Black Hercules going for a JLT tells you all you need to know about Mullins and his training of chasers. ****ing clueless. I admire his hurdling exploits but he has got this woefully wrong.
Sorry meant to say RSA but I did notice some money also for JLT.I put a tiny wager Ew based mainly on the price.
I would imagine he sees it as a softer option, but if More of That lines up they have no chance. Same in the RSA with No More Heroes i reckon.
This is actually looking not too bad on 3 out of 4. If only I'd gone for Cue Card on the Gold Cup instead of Ryanair (really didn't think he would stay in the Betfair and King George - hey ho). Only very small stakes e/w but If MTOY runs CH, Black Hercules RSA and Thistlecrack World Hurdle then I could have me some fun over the first 3 days with this.
Decided to bite the bullet and have done this lot in combi trebles and upwards... Supreme - ALTIOR 4/1 Arkle - GARDE LA VICTOIRE 12/1 Champ Hurdle - HARGAM 20/1 Neptune - LONG DOG 10/1 RSA - BLAKLION 8/1 Champ Chase - SPRINTER 9/2 Gold Cup - CUE CARD 5/1
I've read Mullins comments and he's saying the horse was too keen for the 4miler. RSA and JLT possibilities. There's no way this horse is fast enough for the JLT. I'd say, if he doesn't run in the 4 miler, it's 99% certain hel'll run in the RSA
Black Hercules emerges as JLT contender BY KEITH MELROSE 3:06PM 29 FEB 2016 WILLIE MULLINS revealed on Monday that Black Hercules, ante-post favourite for the National Hunt Chase, is looking unlikely to target the 4m race, with the 2m4f JLT Novices' Chase now emerging as his most likely target. The National Hunt Chase or RSA Chase over 3m had been on the agenda but following a final-fence fall at Navan on his last run before Cheltenham, Mullins has had a rethink. "The target for Black Hercules has been occupying my mind probably most of all," said Mullins as he hosted a pre-Cheltenham press day at his yard on Monday. He added: "The National Hunt Chase had been the race we were aiming him for but he was very keen at Navan last time and if he was to be that keen again it would make getting four miles a lot more difficult. "So we're thinking seriously about either the RSA or the JLT for him instead. It's all still up for discussion but it's quite possible we might opt for the JLT." Money talk Bookmakers were quick to react to the news. Black Hercules was cut across the board for the JLT and is as short as 7-1 and a top price 12-1 with BoyleSports, Ladbrokes and William Hill. Paddy Power also pushed out favourite Bristol De Mai to 4-1 (from 5). In the National Hunt Chase, Reynoldstown runner-up Minella Rocco is now favourite at 6-1 with Betfair. Black Hercules remains favourite in some books, including those to have gone non-runner no bet, but he is now 9-1 (from 5) with Paddy Power. The RSA market offered some interesting disparities in the immediate aftermath of the news. Black Hercules is a general 8-1 shot, though as short as 6-1 with bet365 and longest at 14-1 with Paddy Pow
The ante post market this year has Been bit of a shamble with horses being injured or certain people not knowing what to do with his horses!! and no doubt the ground will play a part in it too! But then again if you play ante post- that's what unfortunately you are gonna have to expect!
