On the subject of scares, does anybody remember the drift on Al Ferof from a week or so back? I can't remember exactly when it was but the thought struck me that news of a fall for one of the Nicholls horses to school had leaked, and people had jumped to the conclusion that it was Al Ferof. Of course it was in fact Kauto Star. It's very likely that I'm putting two and two together and making five . . . .
As for rumours, Twitter is the worst culprit by far. Stories get a head of steam before people have even considered what they are suggesting. However, how about this one for a bit of spice "If what I've just been told by a v v v good source about Long Run is true then Nicky Henderson wants to take a long hard look at himself". Henderson says Long Run is fine but this would suggest all is not well after all . . . . Oh the conspiracies!!!
A quick glance through and some that may go close... Newcastle... 2.50 - Stormy Morning, 10/3 3.20 - Harris Hawk, 5/1 3.50 - King Choirister, 11/2 Exeter... 3.00 - Cloudy Bob, 6/1 3.30 - Ammnunition, 7/2 4.00 - Reblis, 11/4 Good luck to all who play today...
Hello All, not much to go on again today but for what it is worth here are my picks Newcastle 2.50 Dawn Ride 10/3 3.20 Night In Milan 11/4 3.50 Kings Chorister 6/1 Exeter 2.30 Wishes and Stars 5/2 4.00 Rhum 7/2 5.00 Only Hope 13/2 Southwell 2.10 Bonnie Prince Blue 6/1 2.40 Shawkantango 6/1 3.40 Irish Jugger 8/1
Afternoon all, my nap is Night of Milan in the 3.20..... nice pick i hope Tom! Also La Capiros e/w in the 2.40 at 20s.
If Mr Henderson says Long Run is fine then in my book he must be in A1 condition. Surely no-one on the forum doubts the word of Mr Henderson. Do they?!? Kauto Star to work after racing at Wincanton on Friday, I see. Meanwhile, anyone spotted anything in Saturday’s ‘Imperial Cup’??? A possible bonus contender perhaps??? Early indications suggest that there could be more plots than in an Agatha Christie novel.
RV, they will probably pull it wouldn't surprise me with the Pipe yard. I haven't had a look, is it high enough in the weights for his old mans race too?
Only Pipe runner in the race isn't it? Logical gamble therefore. Re Long Run - maybe he'll be running with the butt plug in
Henderson should not have to comment on false rumours about his horses. This nonsense must be really annoying when all you a trying to do is get the horse ready for the race. As for the rumours starting in Lambourn - it must be hard for those only interested in the betting to comprehend but being involved with a horse horse which wins a Gold Cup transcends the betting side of the sport and I'm sure the last thing on Henderson's mind is what the markets are up to. But I suppose if people are stupid enough to believe he fiddled a champion hurdle horse then they will believe anything.
4.30 Exeter Tenitemsplustoast 66/1 This is possibly the most intriguing horse I have ever come across. Tenitemsplustoast is a 6 year old gelding that has raced 6 times in his career and has shown nothing of any note to date. Formerly trained by Pat Rodford, Tenitemsplustoast was last seen in April 2011 and has subsequently moved to the Kieran Burke yard. Here are where the intriguing aspect come in. Firstly, Kieran Burke was the jockey on board Tenitemsplustoast for his first 3 starts so he has a familiarity with the horse from a race riding and training perspective. Secondly, Pat Rodford is now the owner of this 6 year old (wasn't before) so to me that demonstrates that he clearly feels the horse has some ability. In his career as a jockey, Burke rode 250 times for Rodford which emphasises that they have a long working relationship and that it is very feasible for them to have arranged a potential plot for quite a while. Trainer Kieran Burke is in absolutely fantastic form at the moment with 3 of his last 4 runners winning (the other beaten by just over 1L) and a record of 4 wins and 6 places from his 14 runners this year so he obviously has his horses in fantastic order. Despite having to overcome a 331 day absence, Burke seems rather adept at getting horses ready after lengthy absences with his horses Fortification and Hunt Ball winning on debut for the yard from 243 and 229 day absences respectively. Furthermore, the latter was trained by Rodford before moving on to Burke and has achieved what can only be described as a meteoric rise from achieving what looked little form to win 6 from 7 for Burke and going from a handicap rating of 68 to winning off 127 and being amongst the market principles for the Cheltenham Festival in the space of less than 4 months. Tenitemsplustoast is stepped up significantly 4f today to 3m for the first time and resultantly he is certainly open to some improvement. Kieran Burke seems to work the oracle in finding vast improvement from his debutants who have come from other yards after long absences and it is also very worth noting that Fortification pulled off his debut win for Burke at the track, where the trainer has 1 win from only 2 runners and Tenitemsplustoast represents the trainers only runner of the day with talented claimer S Clements taking off a valuable 7lb. With Burke in absolutely fantastic form, his uncanny ability to find marked improvement and the potential fiddling of this horse and with a bit of money coming now hopefully he can win at a cracking price.
Very interesting ROTO, best of luck with it. If I could get on to my bookies website from the office I would be joining you in a dabble.
