Will have the assistance of top jockey noel fehily too as the jockeys are reassigned following sizing johns confirmed absence.
Mullins is the greatest trainer around in my, and many others opinions, but there’s no doubt there are some stinking instances where they’ve made themselves look filthy with horse withdrawals etc David Casey said the night before she was retired at a preview in Belfast that she was flying at home ffs The one thing to be noted is that these instances where they say one thing then lo and behind do the complete opposite (Douvan flying before Tingle Creek, day later out for season ) is they almost are, without exception, Rich Ricci owned... I know you despise them so I’m preaching to the converted here but I do agree that they look awful with regards to releasing information on horses wellbeing and targets.
Weather looks to be filthy rotten as the week progresses, hardly good for Might Bite fans of which I am one, so bearing in mind the Gold Cup will be won by a horse who probably wants to stay 20 miles I’ve added EDWULF at 25/1 in my bets. The Irish Hennessy was pretty rubbish truth be told, (in saying that the King George wasn’t much better as it turned out with Might Bite lucky enough to just hold on against handicappers) but the one thing the OBrien horse showed was he’ll stay and staying will be the name of the game. From a class point of view, Our Duke, looks the best of the fancied runners seeing as we know being an Irish National winner he won’t be backing off come the death either, so he may be added on the day dependent on price!
Few fancies for day one with the ground looking likely to be soft. Kalashnikov/First Flow Saint Calvados Gold Present Faugheen Mossback Rocklander/Tycoon Prince
I have no idea what the reason is for the lack of transparency beefy but it doesn't sit comfortably with me. I m kind of waiting for them to confirm at the 11th hour douvan wont be running at the festival as Mullins isn't quite happy with him or words to that effect...i hope not as all of us want to see altior v douvan clash. We shall see...
At least this year we won’t have to wait as long Thanks to the 48hour decs! So they have tomorrow to really decide (altho there mind will really already made up)
That would be some story Beefy. Can't see it myself but then I like the ew chances of Ellison's horse
My Dad grew up in Scotswood (a poverty stricken rough tough Newcastle council estate) with Brian Ellison back in the 60s, i would love to see him win the GC. I thought Definitely Red had no chance a few weeks back but with the testing conditions that seem likley he certainly is an ew bet.
Apologies if somebody already posted this link https://www.racingpost.com/news/che...d-relish-testing-conditions-on-day-one/322646
No doubt now that this year‘s festival will be run on testing ground so time to start looking for horses who will like that. Just waiting for Tuesday’s final declarations but in the Supreme Getabird, Kalshnikov and First Flow look the ones, with Saint Calvados in the Arkle. Buveur D‘Air will be fine on the ground but MTOY will hate it.
Clarification on earlier tweet re Douvan. Willie Mullins has stressed that no final decision has been made on his target, but that the Ryanair Chase is being seriously considered. Apologies for the miscommunication. - From the Racing Post
But beaten twice at Cheltenham on soft by Western Ryder and Slate House. The English form is all a bit muddling and I worry about Kalashnikov having had a hard race in the Betfair. Western Ryder e/w might be a play but the more I look at it, the more solid Getabird looks.