Cyc - if you haven't seen it have a watch of "Fire in Babylon" which is the film about the West Indies cricket team - it's bloody amazing.
Those great days when the West Indies dominated the game, were unbelievable. Most entertaining teams of all time for me. They batted forever, and bowled like demons.
Liverpool claim they are a massive club then start Andy Carroll up front against Manchester united <delusions of adequacy smiley>
12:55 Cheltenham: Loving Baby Mix, who if I can get upwards of 2/1 just before the off I'd be happy to take. However, whilst possibly reading a little too much into this, Paul Nicholls takes Hinterland out of this race and leaves Ruby to ride PEARL SWAN 11/1 e.w. I just find it a little bit interesting that he has dropped this horse in at the deep end. He isn't one to send his horses to get a real beating, and against Grumeti, Baby Mix, and Hollow Tree, an average performer would get their arse handed to them. The winning distances are what puts people off the horse- GRUMETI beat Ifyouletmefinish by 12L whereas Pearl Swan only won by 4. But Pearl Swan stayed on very strongly when the pace quickened that day and the ground was not the easiest to run on, visually looking a bit deeper than the official 'good to soft' quote on the day. He got better the quicker they went and jumped superbly in the latter half of the race, looking as if he would come on a tonne for the run. I just have a funny feeling that Nicholls has liked what he sees at home and that perhaps he has been proving he has Hinterlands measure, which is a must if he is to challenge Baby Mix and Grumeti. Hollow Tree will ensure a good gallop, so I am quite hopeful my selection will give them something to think about when the hill tests them late on. He had been showing some good work alongside Zarkandar, and as much as it is a hugely hot race, they haven't chucked him in on a whim here- they have a feeling he has got some ability. This will answer just how much. 2.35 Cheltenham: DIAMOND HARRY 4/1 Travelled supremely well when eyeballing Kauto Star most of the way around Haydock before the great horse turned the screw. Jumps well, stays well, and usually likes to go well after a short break. I see no reason why Cheltenham won't play to those strengths and he will get to dictate the pace today- they won't be going a Kauto Star gallop! 3.10 Cheltenham: POLISKY 13/2 I think this is a winner waiting to happen and there have been glimpses to suggest he'll win a smart race one day. His staying on 3rd behind Fingal Bay looks very smart in context, which was at Cheltenham, and I've a feeling its the sort of track that suits him. A lot of talent and with conditions to suit, looks massively overpriced to me if you can allow yourself to just write off his no-show last time out as a one off.
And so to the racing. Everyone seems to be on their fancies early today. I'm playing as I go. Fancies so far are Pearl Swan in the opener at Chelts Royale's charter who was favourite in a competitive handicap last week when unseating, 10s today. Araldur in the 2.05 Little josh and tiny bet on any currency in the 2.35 (needs to get close to go up in the weights and get in the national) Mourad to beat Big Buck's comfortably hard To swallow (v keen on this) and Art professor to save the day good luck all
I am also a big fan of Baby Mix Topclass- think he is a bit special but at 13/8 I am happy to leave him and have a small bet on Pearl Sawan
Come on GRUMETI, lets see a real Triumph Hurdle performance. Taken some of the 16-1 for the double, today and March!
GET IN!! PEARL SWAN Had a funny feeling he'd love that hill and what a ride Ruby Walsh, utterly superb judgment of pace and stamina.
Very very gutsy from Pearl Swan, Came down the hill like a donkey but stayed on very strongly... Ruby and Cheltenham - Matched made in heaven!
Indeed it was Ron, certainly makes the table look a lot tighter. 2 wins in a week and we are right back in it. On TV Monday too. Good old Ruby, different gravy.
Buzzing what a start to trials day. I still think Baby Mix is a good horse as well was cantering when he made a mistake. Pearl Swan looks very nice - stayed on well. Giving 3lbs to Grumeti as well some performance
