feckin mare of a race george.ill.most likely be pissed drunk by this stage so god only knows what il be on.the druids nephew looks interesting ew
Dodging Bullets Arvika Ligeonnaire Hey Big Spender Rock on Ruby Shakervilz Une Artiste Ohio Gold Good luck guys -
yep that piece of form pre Xmas in a beginners chase is ridiculous. Also like the look of Johns Spirits runs behind Katenko but half of them are impossible to rate because they've had 2 runs in naff fields with not pace ect. As you say, mare of a race.
2.40 Cheltenham Cloudy Too 20/1 NAP Cloudy Too would have been my NAP of the festival off a mark of 137 had Sue Smith not run him at Haydock where he scored in such impressive fashion and despite a 9lb rise I think this 7 year old will improve no end for the step up in trip and I think he's going to run a mighty race off a mark of 146. After showing some good form by winning a Novice Hurdle in impressive style and after a summer break, Sue Smith started the then 5 year old's chasing career at the end of 2011 where he failed to complete in 3 starts where poor jumping was a huge characteristic of his races and I think in hindsight he was probably sent over the larger obstacles a year too soon. He reverted back to hurdles for the rest of the season and after a couple of good efforts off marks of 122 he stepped up on those efforts in a big way when emphatically scoring over 3m by an eased down 12L off a mark of 121 which saw the handicapper up him a stone to a mark of 135 in March 2012. He had one more start off that mark over hurdles in April before he was off for the summer and sent back over fences where he made an excellent return to chasing to score by a going away 2.25L from his stablemate Vintage Star in a Beginners Chase over 2m4f at Carlisle. He jumped well throughout in the testing conditions and after being slightly outpaced his stamina kicked in as he forged clear in the run in. That looks very good form with the runner up subsequently blitzing a 5 runner field by a heavily eased 28L which has earned him a mark of 137 whilst the 16L beaten 3rd has gone close off a mark of 120 subsequently. Under a penalty, Cloudy Too was stepped up into a really hot looking Novice Chase over 3m at Doncaster where I don't think he was suited by making the running and I think he burned himself out trying to go with a couple of very talented horses in the shape of Rocky Creek and Mozoltov as he finished a nearly 20L beaten 4th but I don't think he lost much in defeat. Cloudy Too made his handicap debut off a mark of 129 at Catterick back in January in the North Yorkshire Grand National over a mammoth 3m6f where he was well supported before the off and after settling in the rear of the field, he had just started to make some progress into midfield before I think he over-jumped the 10th flight as both horse and rider hit the deck. Luckily, he got up from the fall and showed no ill effects when scoring in impressive fashion at Wetherby over an extended 2m4f last month off the same mark on his 2nd last start. With Timmy Murphy in the saddle having his first start for Sue Smith, Cloudy Too was settled in the rear of the field and was posted wide for the entire journey. He made some stylish and facile progress on the final circuit to go prominent before he took up the running at 4 out. Despite running down the 2nd last and the runner up jumping level going over the final flight, when Murphy got down to driving he responded instantly to pull 3.25L clear in the short run in and he was value for more than that margin of his success. The form of that race looks strong with the runner up Dunowen Point very progressive prior to that winning 4 of his previous starts whilst the 3rd Lease Lend is a very strong yard stick given that he never runs a bad race at that track. Upped 8lb for that success to a mark of 137, Cloudy Too undoubtedly put in a career best performance when scoring in extremely impressive fashion by 8L at Haydock 24 days ago. Under tomorrow's jockey Wayne Hutchinson, (who was having his first ride for the stable) Cloudy Too was held up wide throughout the 2m4f contest and he came into the home turn swinging on the bridle. Still travelling very well, Cloudy Too just about hit the front at 2 out and under hand and heels urging he was asked to quicken up and win his race which he did instantly as he put about 4L between him and the field. Despite running down the final flight, he powered clear up the run in after Hutchinson gave him 3 firm smacks as he recorded a really impressive victory under 11-11. The form of that race is hard to quantify but the unexposed runner up Ohio Gold (who runs in the finale) looked to be on quite a favourable mark judged on his 2 previous 2nd behind Majala and ***o and I think it will work out to be some very useful form. There is no doubt in my mind that Cloudy Too will improve significantly for the step up to 3m and it will definitely help offset his latest 9lb rise. I'm delighted to see Wayne Hutchinson on board again tomorrow as he seemed to build a super partnership with him on his latest start. Jumping was definitely a big problem with Cloudy Too at the start of his chasing career but he has jumped really well the last twice and I think connections have successfully eradicated this issue. He gets in here off an ok racing mark of 11-5 tomorrow but he seems to carry weight really well judged on his latest performance and he isn't exactly overburdened either. Given that this is Cheltenham, there are sure to be some very well handicapped horses in the race and he may well have to run to about a mark of 160 to win this which is clearly going to be a huge ask but I think he's a very talented horse who is in tremendous form and is clearly upwardly mobile. 2-2 in completed handicap chases, Cloudy Too is going to have to put in a huge performance to land this 24 runner contest but he'll relish in tomorrow's soft ground and I think he's going to run a massive, massive race which hopefully is good enough to send him to the winners enclosure for what would be a richly deserved Festival win for Sue Smith and her team.
Quite interesting that James Reveley gets down to 10 stone for the French Raider in the Cross Country given that his lowest weight in the last 12 months has been 10-3
Hugh Taylor put up Cloudy Too so I wouldn't have thought so! Must have been reading the Not606 preview
Notice a lot of people on here fancy Carlito Brigante, word of warning, Elliot says he needs good in the description. 1.30 Cause Of Causes 40/1 NAP 2.40 Golden Chieftain 40/1 3.20 Binocular 9/1 4.00 Big Shu 12/1 5.15 The Druids Nephew 7/1 NB
Is anyone surprised like me to see Swing Bowler in the Mares race instead of the County? Did I miss something? Whats the reason for this interesting switch as Im sure she was county hurdle bound...
He said he can barely walk on soft ground! Clearly an exaggeration but it emphasises how badly he needs it
Rarely on NH, but will get behind My Tent or Yours. Can be few better bred horses running today, being by Alhaarth out of a half-sister to Conduit. Ballymacoll rarely produce jumpers, but with all the stamina they've built in this could be a start. His granddad, Unfuwain, was also a different horse when it got soft. May be short and it may be tough but he just may have all the right ammunition for this one.
Last post before I head to the airport. Best of luck everyone, here's hoping for a great festival (they're all great really). My bookies are refunding losing bets on the Supreme if MTOY wins so have just slipped a cheeky 20 on Jezki
1:30-Dodging Bullets 2:05-Simonsig 2:40-Loch Ba/Hey Big Spender 3:20-Zarkandar 4:00-Boston's Angel 4:40-Quevega 17:15-Fourjacks
Cheltenham inspection at 1030 due to parts of the track being frozen. I live 12 miles from the course and it hit -11 windchill here last night. It has been snowing gently for the last 20 mins and is settling. Fingers crossed guys.
Doesn't sound too good. Setting out in an hour or so, hopefully they are bullish on The Morning Line. Otherwise I may have to end up in the office this PM
