Shame that. Bruised foot so at least it's minor, just poor timing. I know the breeders of the horse well and they are fairly gutted having been on at fancy prices for the Supreme/Neptune for a fair while. Just goes to show how hard it is to actually just make it in one piece to the festival.
No doubt we'll have a few Irish horses get seasick on the ferry over ................... christ, never known the like. So many absentees.
One good thing with all those absentees is that is has blown the races wide open in a betting perspective, so although it will be harder to get the winner if you do you will get a good price and more importantly it makes the races a lot more exciting build up and the differnt views have been intriguing! And we all want the superstars of the Faugheen and the Sprinter Sacres I for one can't wait to see who takes the opportunity to become a champion and step up to the plate when they have a chance
It dilutes the quality and form although if you have a winning Cheltenham horse i know it doesn't matter. For me Cheltenham is a good spectacle in that I would find it easier to back winners at Dundalk/Thurles etc and I'm often quite happy to watch 75% of the races without a bet. Granted I will always fancy a few throughout the week given its usual quality but it's a pity so much stars are out this year as the excitement you get from watching 2 top horses battle in a race is as much a high as getting a big winner...well, almost!
Just looked back at the first 5 pages of this thread before I got fed up. Before anyone starts a Cheltenham ante post 2018 thread they should read the first 5 pages of this. Mostly involves punters donating their hard earned to the bookies. The only nugget that I can see is Bob who's got 2 of the top 5 in the betting (Jezki/Cole Harden) in the Stayers Hurdle. Award yourself a bottle of the good stuff Bob. My small portfolio includes Charbel @ 33s in the Arkle - running for a place up against Altior. A nice little ew L15 on on Ballandy Supreme 16s, Yorkill JLT 6s, Charbel Arkle 33s and Shaneshill 33s. If only I'd opted for the Stayers rather than Gold Cup with the last one So come on who's got something running for them at a juicy price?
I've got nothing. I'm sure we will hear plenty of success stories after the results are known though that's the part I love.
This thread just proves it's utter madness to take prices 12 months ahead of the next event. Absolute carnage, bookies benefit.
I was watching it myself and knew the forecast was just over and then when I saw your post I put 2 and 2 together must watch on a Sunday...if I'm not in the pub!
Neon Wolf goes for the Neptune and is 13/8 fav. I'm surprised connections have gone down this route as I thought they'd opt for the Supreme. They've always said he needs slow ground and it will be slowest on day 1 given the forecast. Also stepped up markedly in trip and 21 furlongs at Cheltenham must be the equivalent of at least 22 anywhere else. Having said that he has won over 24 in p2p with a certain PW Mullins on board. Messire Des Obeaux for me in this one with a bit ew on Shattered Love.
