Scott pinpoints Exeter Rendezvous - Sporting Life Melodic Rendezvous could clash with Puffin Billy in the Bathwick Tyres Plymouth Novices' Hurdle at Exeter on February 10 after Jeremy Scott ruled his Tolworth Hurdle winner out of a trip to Ireland. The Grade One winner holds an entry in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown but the prevailing soft ground in Ireland means he is a doubtful runner. Instead, the Listed event at Exeter picked out by Oliver Sherwood as the next port of call for Puffin Billy is likely to offer a huge Cheltenham Festival clue. "I think it's unlikely he'll travel," said Scott. "The main reason we entered him was in the hope of better ground but there looks to be little chance of that at present. "It's much more likely that he'll go to Exeter for the Listed race there, or there's even an option at Newbury. "They are racing on a bog over there at present so there seems little point in going over." Scott's other Festival contender Empiracle is prominent in the betting for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper. He has been the subject of several offers but Scott said: "He's still with us and on target."
I'd like to canvass some opinions if I may. I'm pretty certain that, if he gets there in top nick and ready to give of his best, Bobs Worth is this years Gold Cup winner. I'm planning to make him my festival banker Question is, with the horse now likely to go straight to the Festival, is the 5 currently available on betfair likely to last until March? What price do experienced market watchers think he'll be on the day? One thing is certain, we can be sure the forum's favourite dipsomaniac posho will be keeping us all fully informed of the animal's progress (ahem). Genuinely grateful for any opinions. Thanks.
Archers I would definitely wait until the day to back him. He has had this little setback which caused him to miss the Argento Chase and you never know whether that might turn into something more serious. Hopefully not, and he has a fantastic chance, but I don't see him shortening up between now at Gold Cup day - after all, he won't be running a race between now and then, but his rivals will, and I'm pretty sure we will see a couple of decent performances in the Irish Hennessey, Denman Chase and maybe somewhere else (?) which will cause Bobs Worth's rivals to shorten (although the bookies will not lengthen his price accordingly, of that I am certain). I can see him going off maybe 7/2 fav on the day but I think you will get some 4s on the day and you never know, if the bookies have had a good week they may even be looking to take him on. In summary, I would wait until the day.
She is a smart filly Bob. Nice guy Honeyball. Doesnt mind talking to us punters. Nothing to hide I guess.
Elliot Satisfied with Don Cossack SportingLife The six-year-old was expected to take high rank in the novice division this season after a hugely impressive bumper career and could not have been more impressive on his hurdling debut at Navan in November. However, he was well beaten when falling at the last behind the exciting Pont Alexandre at Navan in December, but ran more encouragingly when pushing another Willie Mullins inmate, Mozoltov, all the way in Sunday's Grade Two test. Elliott said: "He's fine after the race I'm very happy with him. "He ran a good race and got beat by a good horse. "We know he's a chaser in the making and I'm happy with where we are with him. "We'll discuss things with the owners (Gigginstown House Stud) before we make any plans." Don Cossack is entered for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
ROCK ON RUBY to come on for run SportingLife The eight-year-old was having only his second race of the season in the 32Red Hurdle and his trainer, writing in his exclusive Stan James blog on Tuesday said: "Rock On Ruby's absolutely fine this morning. He's been for a lead-out and then a pick of grass and he's full of himself so thankfully he's fit and well. "We haven't been able to jump on grass since before the StanJames.com International in December . All he's been able to do is jump round a big indoor barn which is fine for getting him off the ground but they're only doing that at a canter. Taking him out on the grass makes a big difference to him. "It's slightly different to the routine and we can really let loose at those hurdles and get him really quick and electric in his jumping." Rock On Ruby's Doncaster win was overshadowed by the tragic death of Darlan who suffered a fatal fall at the final flight of hurdles. "it goes without saying, it's not the way anyone wants to win a race," Fry added. "I just can't express how sorry we are for the connections of Darlan. Nicky (Henderson) was understandably very upset and all his team, and of course owner JP McManus and AP McCoy. It's a very sad end for a hugely talented horse. Unfortunately, this is a game we love and we all know it does happen but it's always a shock when it does."
Creek team advise Festival caution Connections of Rocky Creek have warned it is still a possibility the young chaser could miss the Cheltenham Festival in favour of Aintree. Paul Nicholls' gelding has impressed in his last two starts at Doncaster and Warwick and is set to take in the Sodexo Prestige Reynoldstown Novices' Chase at Ascot on Saturday week. Although entered in both the John Oaksey National Hunt Chase and RSA Chase, Nicholls could adopt the approach taken with Silviniaco Conti last year, bypassing Cheltenham after the Reynoldstown and waiting for Liverpool. Joint-owner David Johnson said: "I'm not sure where we'll go with him. He's a young horse, inexperienced but improving all the time. I've got to have a proper chat with Paul and (fellow owner) Andy Stewart to see what they want to do, but they might want to go to Ascot and then Aintree and give Cheltenham a swerve."
Mullins' embarassment of riches (from Sporting Life - link here) The Irish trainers' table just would not look right these days if Willie Mullins did not sit at the top seat. Mullins is the dominant force of Irish National Hunt racing, the Barcelona, the Djokovic, the Frankel. Since he first won the Irish trainers' championship in 2008, he has gripped the Irish jumps scene like a drowning man grips a log. Not that Mullins is a drowning man. Buoyant as a life raft filled with helium, this season the champion trainer has gone stratospheric. His 138 winners in Ireland so far this term is 27 more than the total with which he won his first championship just five years ago. More than that, it equals the total that he achieved in the entire of last season when it appeared as though he had reached a zenith. Add the totals of the trainers lying in second, third and fourth places in the trainers' championship - Meade, Hughes, Elliott, top class trainers all - and you still fall short of Mullins' total. Add the win prize money of the trainers lying in second, third, fourth and fifth in the championship, and Mullins' total is higher still. "Yes, but we could be doing without weekends like last weekend," says the trainer. Rooted to the ground like an oak. One winner, a Grade Two winner, on a high-class day's racing at Punchestown would be a good day for most trainers. A good week. Not for Willie Mullins. The defeats frustrate. Show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser. Probe a little deeper, however, focus on the positive, and you find that the trainer was very happy with that win, Mozoltov's defeat of Don Cossack and Ned Buntline in the Moscow Flyer Hurdle. "He jumped well at that speed," he says. "He looked beaten twice, but he pleased me the way that he battled. I'd say it was a fair field. That performance put him into the picture for Cheltenham all right." As if Mullins needed another top class novice hurdler. Mozoltov just adds to the near-embarrassment of riches that the trainer has amassed this season in the novice hurdling ranks. The difficulty at Cheltenham will be in keeping them apart. Perhaps Un Atout and Mozoltov for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Ballycasey for the Albert Bartlett, Pont Alexandre and maybe Champagne Fever for the Neptune. Difficult decisions, but you can't really feel sorry for him. For the majority of trainers, these are the choices of Never Never Land. "I loved Pont Alexandre the moment I saw him," says Willie. "His trainer in France (Laurent Viel) told me that he was as good a horse as he has ever had. Up until about a month before I ran him, I was wondering if he really was going to be that good, but then he started showing me a little at home, and I started to think, he might just be as good as he looks." Pont Alexandre made his debut for his new trainer in the Grade One Navan Hurdle in December. Never before had the champion trainer run a horse in a Grade One race on his debut for him, but he took the risk with the son of Dai Jin, and it paid off. In spades. "I was obviously delighted with him when he won that day. That he was able to beat top class opposition on ground that he had never encountered before. And he impressed me again when he won the Grade Two race at Leopardstown 10 days ago. It wouldn't have been easy making all the running on the day, with the ground and the wind, but he is a hardy individual, and he has pace." Like Pont Alexandre, Ballycasey and Champagne Fever are both owned by Rich and Susannah Ricci. "I'd say Ballycasey will go in the Albert Bartlett all right," says their trainer. "He's a good stayer, he has plenty of stamina. Champagne Fever blotted his copybook at Naas. He is on the comeback trail, but he has to bounce back now. We might let him take his chance in the Deloitte Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday, and take it from there." Novice chasers? No easier than the novice hurdlers. Boston Bob is in the Arkle, the Jewson, the RSA Chase and the National Hunt Chase. Back In Focus is in the RSA Chase and the National Hunt Chase. Both horses are owned by Graham Wylie, so they will probably be kept apart. "Both are in the Dr J Moriarty Chase at Leopardstown on Saturday, so we'll see how they go. I was hoping to get an easier task for Boston Bob for his second chase. While I was delighted that he won on his debut, I wasn't exactly jumping for joy afterwards. Back In Focus is a real stayer." Aupcharlie will probably be dropping down in trip from three miles. "He seemed to be caught for stamina over three miles on his last two runs. He could go in the Arkle or the Jewson, probably the Jewson, although the way he jumps, he wouldn't be out of place in an Arkle. Arvika Ligeonniere is fine after his fall the last day at Leopardstown, and he will probably go in the Arkle." At least Hurricane Fly's target is certain. The stable star is three for three this season - 14 Grade Ones, remarkable - and he is bang on track to try to regain the Champion Hurdle crown that he lost last year. "I am very happy with him this season," says Willie. "Although you never know what's going to happen between now and Champion Hurdle day. You saw what happened to poor Darlan. That was desperate for JP and Jonjo. We're just hoping that we get there in one piece." Quevega? Good. Going well in her work. The Mares' Hurdle is her target and, although she is still in the World Hurdle you'd imagine that she wouldn't turn out again on Thursday if all went to plan on Tuesday. Uncle Junior? Good. Loves that cross-country track. Sir Des Champs? Good. "He is progressing through the season," says his trainer slowly. "He wasn't beaten far in the Lexus, and I expect him to improve from that. He made two significant errors that day, which surprised me. Until he made that mistake at the last fence at Punchestown last April, I would have thought that he was a horse who would never make a mistake. "Maybe it's the soft ground, maybe he just doesn't jump as well out of that as he does off good ground. His best form is on good ground at Cheltenham. He is on track for the Gold Cup, and I am hoping he will run a big race in the Hennessy at Leopardstown on Saturday." The bumper horses are busy trying to sort themselves out. Clondaw Court and Union Dues and Sizing Tennessee and new recruit Moyle Park and more. "The form of Moyle Park's race is obviously working out well. I really bought him for next year, though, rather than for this year, but we'll see what happens. We will probably try to win another bumper with him and take it from there." Blood Cotil and Diakali perhaps for the Triumph Hurdle. Maybe Fatcatinthehat, maybe Dogora. Maybe one or two of those for the Fred Winter Hurdle instead. The first-named pair are both in the Grade One Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday, so we should know more after that. There are others. Lots of others. Vesper Bell possibly for the National Hunt Chase, Call The Police perhaps for the Byrne Group Plate, Inish Island maybe for the Albert Bartlett, maybe for a handicap, the bonus-seeking Abbey Lane perhaps for the County Hurdle or the Coral Cup. A lot of it is still up in the air. It's early days. Exciting days though, nerve-wracking days, no doubt. For now, though, from his position at the top of the table, Willie Mullins' cup runneth over.
CHRIS PEA GREEN could be heading to the Cheltenham Festival after he followed up a Lingfield maiden hurdle win with a cosy victory in Huntingdon's 32Red Juvenile Hurdle. ......More
BOSTON BOB GETS UP LATE, BUT NOT CERTAIN FOR RSA -RacingPost IN ANOTHER extraordinary finish to a top-class chase at Leopardstown, Boston Bob justified 6-4 favouritism, getting up on the line to deny Texas Jack despite Willie Mullins' eight-year-old having looked completely out of it as late as the final fence. Somehow Paul Townend's mount found deep reserves as his power-packed finish drew him level with the leaders as the post loomed in what was another four-way finish to a Grade 1 chase at Leopardstown. Just as in the Lexus Chase won by Tidal Bay over Christmas it was owner Graham Wylie's colours that were on the one finishing the fastest. Lord Windermere just held off Lyreen Legend for third and there was less than two lengths covering the quartet. “Once Paul dropped him back and gave him a breather he flew home,” said Mullins of his winner. “It was a very brave performance from the horse and we changed tactics from Navan where he jumped very big and carefully.” This was a proper RSA trial from Mullins' charge. He jumped well and clearly stays very well. After the race Paddy Power left him unchanged at 11-2 for the RSA, but BetVictor were more impressed, shortening him to 4-1 from 6s. “The drier ground at Cheltenham will be a huge help and I think he'll improve through the spring and on to Punchestown. In my head I was thinking of the Jewson for him but there is four or five weeks to go and certainly if it was soft I wouldn't mind going for the Jewson, but it does look like he wants a longer trip,” said Mullins. This was a fantastic race, but one which Boston Bob never looked like winning. He seemed to have lost the battle for the lead with Lyreen Legend two from home and initially it was Dessie Hughes's charge who was the one to catch. However Bryan Cooper looked to have gone for home too early on his mount, as first Lord Windermere and then Texas Jack took over the lead. For all the world it looked as if Noel Meade's horse would hold on up the run-in, but Townend, although struggling on Boston Bob, certainly hadn't gone for everything, and the son of Bob Back suddenly switched into turbo and began to eat up the ground on the trio ahead of him to just get up on the line.
Willie Mullins, the biggest prick of them all. The Jewson? The guy is absolutely the biggest antepost nightmare imaginable. I've got an interview with him coming shortly regarding his novice hurdlers and their supposed destinations. I'll also give you a price on how many of them get switched before March 12th!
The Mullins Novice Hurdlers -BlueSquare Willie Mullins once again dominated the training honours at Leopardstown with a 123-1 four-timer on Hennessy day. Not only did he land the big one with Sir Des Champs, but added two other Grade Ones, with Boston Bob and Champagne Fever, as well as scoring with Tennis Cap, giving Paul Townend a treble, and all are Cheltenham bound. Champagne Fever returned to winning form when making all the running in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle. Last season's Cheltenham Champion Bumper winner had run a listless race last time out at Naas, but bounced back to his best in this Grade One test. The strongly-fancied Waaheb fell at the second flight when at the rear of the field and the 2-1 favourite brushed aside Bright New Dawn, his only serious challenger, and galloped on strongly to the line to score by a length and three-quarters. Mullins said: "He's back to himself, which is a huge relief after Naas. We just fiddled around a bit with him since then and we waited until this week to give him two bits of work. He really impressed in those two bits, especially in his work on Tuesday. "We're always afraid when a horse gets an infection like that which might ruin his season. At least he seems to have come back to where he was though. "It wouldn't be a problem going out in trip with him, but we'll stick to the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. "The plan is that Mozoltov, Champagne Fever and Un Atout will run in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Pont Alexandre will run in the Neptune and Ballycasey in the Albert Bartlett. "It will be tough over there, but you send your best and hope that one of them will draw." Stan James cut Champagne Fever to 16-1 from 33s for the Supreme, and spokesman Joseph Burke said: "It was a pity that Waaheb exited so early, but it was still a very taking performance and he ground out his victory before keeping Bright New Dawn at bay."
Boston Bob Jewson??? I nearly choked on my bacon buttie on that one. Mullins must be winding us up? If ever a horse wants three miles plus its BB.
As an aside this time of year reminds me of a famous line from Dickens'it was the best of times, it was the worst of times'. The anticipation for the festival is huge, most of the trials are over. All we can do now is wait and hope injuries are scarce. That and the increasingly tedious what race do we target.
Had a dream last night Barbatos won the Coral Cup. Went in one of my betting accounts and found my free 2 pound rugby union bet (which I only found by chance) in the Las Vegas 7s had come in thus providing some funds. The planet's are aligning my friends. I'm on at 33/1. (Small stakes though as I have a recurring dream involving Megan Fox and Vicky Pendleton which unfortunately hasn't come true .......yet).
