Cheltenham Ante Post 2015

The daily thread was a bit weird, when Hurricane Fly won every single post I think was praising him but the Irish posts sounded like they were trying to defend him?

Against what I wasnt exactly sure.

I dont have an anti mullins agenda, Cooldine Mikael day was one of my best Cheltenham days, was on Hurricane Fly at 8s for his first Champion Hurdle, 11/2 for his second. Been on plenty of Mullins winners at Cheltenham, only an idiot would choose to disregard him because of an agenda. But Beefys sometimes nauseating Mullins talk has to be curtailed at times, at least with Barney and Hendo you get the impression he has tongue in cheek wheras Beefy tends to come across as a tad bitter.

Thats my honest take on UDS, I also wouldnt touch Douvan and the mares hurdle I couldnt care less about, Jollyalan 25/1 in the Supreme is fine for me, and ill probably end up backing Josses Hill in the Arkle but neither will be important bets. The New One in the Champion Hurdle will be a good bet for me but im half expecting to lose rather than defeat is out of the question like last year. Seen enough Cheltenhams now to know its a dangerous game going in heavy on the supposed goodthings, I went all in Dunguib in the first race that year, think an antepost bet got me out of jail!

 

I think Boris' post earlier was more around the value on a lively outsider than taking the Evens on UDS which i am 100% agreed with. I would rather mine placed at 20/1 each way than stick on my nut for an evens shot

 

Absolutely mate. I've eaten enough of it with my tipping record

I know what you mean about there always being an excuse win lose or draw. There does come a point where you realise who the true stars are, but like anything you have to let time have it's say. I guess legacies are build over seasons than on one night.

Definitely the case for me with Hurricane Fly. Have always loved him from day one but I always reserved lavish praise for his Grade 1 stats because of the repeat opposition/small fields in the earlier years but he's done marvellous these past two years aged 10 and 11 against Our Conor and Jezki. I'd be terrified if ever Cheltenham turns up soft- he could stun them all, he is that sort of animal.

I think that's probably a lesson for us all- let time decide the who's who. One swallow doesn't make a summer I guess?

The nice thing about March is the unanswered conundrums. We have this great little in between moment. Un De Sceaux and Faugheen both look on the cusp of special performances, yet on the slip side of the coin they also have to go and deliver it A1 on that set day in March for them to achieve that potential. And that's exactly where we want to be at this stage of season. I hope we have some great battles.

 

Totally agree Topclass, after all at least half of the British horses I'm supposed to be cheering on were bred in Ireland! Over the last few years they've tried to market this rivalry at the festival but it's all bullshit to me and I suspect most on this side of the water. I did see a documentary about Arkle sometime last year which gave a useful insight into why this is so important to the Irish and I suspect that it goes back to that.
As for Un De Sceaux he was very impressive. Just when you thought the others were getting into it he destroyed them. I still can't have him at Cheltenham though especially at the quoted odds. His jumping in the first half of the race was a bit scruffy ( as confirmed by the jockey after the race, though he did also say he was clever at those he met wrong). Cheltenham's undulations will be a a tough test for him given his style of running. If he pulls it off fair play to him. It will be great to watch.
The Fly was fantastic today. I thought he was cooked some way out but he has a huge heart to go with his ability. Soft or worse on that opening day would see him in with a shout too. He is a champion.

 

In fairness Boris, you've given an opinion as to why your 'opposing' UDS that's grand. I accept and respect that but when people start going on about taking this or that on, it's lay of the season, I'd lay it and take the lot etc etc unless they actually put up what's going to beat them it sometimes could be, at times, be interpreted as being intentionally provocative. I'm pretty sure I've seen that on here.

Of course good things get chinned, as we know its simply horses running round in a field jumping things! Many a good things been downed at the Festival but I'd be FLABBERGASTED barring accident should Un de Sceaux fail to deliver. He just looks absolute box office to me. I think racing needs stars and one thing I find strange in people is their absolute desire for superstars to flop. I just find that sad.

For the record I know I do bang on about Irish horses (usually Mullins yes lol) people have short memories on here if you can't recall Kauto Star was my long term siggy back on 606 and I don't think he was Irish trained? My username isn't a Mullins trained horse either!

 

I only have one Ante Post bet done thus far and that's Road To Riches for the Gold Cup. It will be a big ask for him to win it first time up but hopefully if he gets there he runs a nice race.

 

He's really thrived this season STH. Surprised me just how much he has gone on improving. He's a right live contender.

 

It has been less talked about but the GC is shaping into a nice race with a number of live chances. Many Clouds is a real battler Oddy I like him a lot also, hope he goes well there too and does himself justice.

 

Agree there gents- it is good to have a couple of up and comers throwing their hats into the ring.

 

Having had the wonder years of Kauto Star and Denman the current crop of staying chasers leave me cold. The Gold Cup this year is really just a glorified handicap in my opinion.

 

I couldn't care who trains them, this sport is all about superstars and it just so happens Mr Mullins happens to have quite a few in his stable currently. A bit like a few years ago when Nicholls had King Kauto and Denman. I think Mullins will have a cracking day one but also believe Henderson may have a star or two in L'ami Serge and Peace and Co

 

It is a poorer crop and they definitely don't get the blood pumping. Silviniaco looks to be the class of the field but he's failed twice at Cheltenham when it matters now and you've got to start thinking that the track doesn't quite suit him if he loses this year. I keep coming back to On His Own. Should have won last year. Seems very consistent. Probably no more than a very good handicapper but that's all you seem to need nowadays.

 

Well said Toppy.

Beefy, It just seems that since your hissy fit a few weeks ago where you told us you weren't posting on here, the majority of your posts seem to be designed to have a dig at different people.

Boris gets most of the digs but fair play to the bloke though, he's not really had a bite and has continued to post up some cracking winners, enriching the forum. Whereas your posts are normally filled with venom, declaring love for all things Mullins, or posting up shorties on a Sat/Sun and getting them beaten up.

This constant prattling on about TNO and Faugheen and being happy about others losing just shows what poor character you have. Who cares, it's a horse race and I know you feel the need to come on here telling everyone how you got 1000/1 on Faugheen when he was a foal or whatever but can't we just keep it friendly? Some of the tripe I read goes beyond banter and I'm probably not the only thinking this. Will probably fall on deaf ears but cheers.

 

Beefy lad!

 

On His Own was very unlucky but I think there might be a minor improvement in Lord Windermere, Many Clouds, and Road To Riches to see him off.

Staying chasers are devoid of star status at the moment but a few of them deserve a bit of time. Bobs Worth and Conti have kinda not backed up their promise to become true great stayers but time is on the side of Many Clouds, Lord Windermere (who attempts the Cheltenham hattrick) and Road To Riches.

It will be an interesting race if not a vintage one but by then hopefully we'll have seen a great Champion Hurdle/Arkle/QMCC/Triumph as they are shaping up interestingly.

 

Still find it amazing that Conti doesn't get the recognition for being the best staying chaser currently in training. Two King Georges, a 3m grade 1 at Aintree and two Betfair Chases is more than anything else in the field has achieved. He consistently turns up and runs his race (apart from on his first run of the season) and for me does not get the praise he deserves.
I know it's natural to think Cheltenham might not suit him, but the first time he came down at the tricky fence when still travelling very well, and last year he ran around after the last, looking unbelievably inexperienced after being the best horse for 3 miles and a furlong of the race, but of course they think he was suffering with ulcers.
I'm no vet so I don't know how this would affect him but it looks like he is a different animal this season, and I think he's just peaking at the right time of his career (don't 9yo's have the best record? happy to be corrected?) to add the last of the major staying chase races to his collection.

 

I think he does get the credit he deserves but when the major race is at Cheltenham and he's lost it twice in a row from seemingly winning positions, it becomes easier and easier to qualify the praise you would normally give him.

 

If Conti won the Gold Cup last year he would without question get referred to as the best staying chaser in training.

There is that one oddity from the 2014 running whereby both he and Bobs Worth both have a wobble when in contention, so it is not totally inconceivable that they bounce back. Sir Des Champs also had a wee wobble in the 2013 renewal when trying to battle with Bobs Worth.

Lord Windermere is interesting because he should continue improving at his age and into his physique and will be trained to peak on the day.