Well this last week really has seen the Closutton genius shake up a few antepost markets and at the same time give a gentle reminder to Mr Elliott he won't have things his own way in the trainer's race in Ireland! Crack Mome looked very good and showed a super jumping technique when making a winning debut at Clonmel on Thursday. He didn't immediately scream superstar the way Vautour, Douvan or even Min did on debut but he looked pretty useful and as the Supreme is shaping up as being pretty ordinary this year if you're lucky enough to be sitting on a juicy antepost docket you'd be feeling quite pleased with yourself. (Strangely the mares novice event may look stronger than the Supreme in fact.) Djakadam made a very pleasing start over an inadequate trip today and is into a general 8/1 for the Gold Cup. Having made a case earlier on the thread he was the bet for the race at 16/1, I very much think his price now is about right and not overly generous, for all he could well be still improving and may not need to improve much, if at all, with no Don Cossack around. Douvan just looks a monster and a 4/9 general price for the Queen Mother looks fair, saying as you're taking that on him just making the race. There's nothing around to get him off the bridle. American Tom has been strongly mentioned since Mr Ricci spoke highly of him on ATR and looked the business today. A step up in trip should suit with the JLT looking his likely destination. A big gangly horse, he'll improve with time and could be a real force in my view next year. One of my favs Un de Sceaux won an enthralling Tingle Creek last weekend under a terrific Ruby Walsh ride where he was value for much more than the winning margin suggested considering he tried to take the last two fences with him, halting his momentum twice. But he still found a way to dig in and pulled out more going away at the line. What an attitude he has, dare I say it Hurricane Flyesque? Surely if he goes Ryanair there'd be little of his class to beat him? Ground concerns would dampen my instincts to lump on at this stage however. Last but not least was Getabird. I still think Samcro is the best bumper we've seen this season but he's a Gigginstown and therefore basically been ruled out of the Cheltenham bumper. The Mullins/ Ricci winner from last week does look awesome and he's understandly grasped a firm grip on favouritism for the Prestbury event. I think he's exceptional.
Second season chasers took a bit of a blow again today. (Barring Douvan) Last years JLT and RSA form looking crap. Only Thistelcrack looks to have the sort of ability to mix it in open company. Best winner all day was the Gigginstown 3 Y O at Cork, thought it was really impressive. Get the impression that Christmas will start to shape some of the key markets.
This one was flagged by by several correspondents in last weeks ‘Weekender’ following his debut success and Getabird is I see as low as 4’s for the ‘Champion Bumper’ already. Undoubtedly he currently holds the title of the latest ‘reincarnation of Pegasus’. However, if he really is as good as some think isn’t there the possibility that he would be rerouted away from the NH game and onto the Flat – where if the rumours and the hint, of such greatness, he showed on debut, proved true, he would be rewarded considerably better and without, the prevails of, having to jump a hurdle (which, of course, Getabird ain’t done yet in public). Both the heir to the biscuit tine fortune, Rich Richtea, and his handler have in recent times had much success on the level and it must remain a possibility that Getabird could head there if he continues to display such huge potential.
Zero chance going on the flat SBC. He's already won a point to point over 3m. And when one considers they avoided the allure and dosh of winning, say an Ascot Gold Cup, with the likes of Faugheen, Annie Power, Hurricane Fly I'd be fairly certain this guy sticks to the proper racing!
I know one or two of you were quite sweet on Laser Light for Alan King after his Chepstow win. After that he and a nice Tizzard horse (Elegant Escape) pulled clear in a useful novice hurdle at Ascot. The 6th that day, Strong Pursuit, has bolted in at Wincanton this afternoon. Thought it was worth knowing and I suspect he will get his chance up in class to test the form that bit further.
With the rate he has been passing over entries for beginners chases over the last few weeks I'd wait to see him take to the start.
In view of the 11th richest man in Wales’ words re Whisper this morn are we all going to be investing on him re the CGC?!? The 11th richest man in Wales has told assembled hacks, ‘He'll stick to chasing now. He'll win a Gold Cup yet!"’ The dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles is not currently quoted for the CGC but is 25/1 for the RSA and 20’s for the JLT. Is similar to Thistlecrack though in that Whisper is not a young horse and 2017 may be the one and only shot at CGC glory he gets. If they wait until 2018 Whisper (like Thistlecrack) will be a 10YO and as the old trends boys always tell us ‘10YOs don’t win CGCs anymore, don’t you know’.
Very generous offer actually given they've not taken a position about anything other than Moor Racer. They're not bottom price about anything other than that one.
After watching the replays from yesterday I am at a complete loss to understand why Buveur D'Air is double the price of Yorkhill for both the Arkle and JLT. I found Yorkhill's jumping out to the left alarming and Buveur D'Air's performance just looked much more impressive from what you could see with the bloody fog.
I think the bookmakers probably realise we aren't going to see a career best from YORKHILL over heavy ground, going right handed in December but we possibly will in March at Cheltenham! Buvair D'air was very nice yesterday but remember he'd loves a bog to plod through which he got at Haydock but unlikely to get at Cheltenham. Good horse though and he'll pick up plenty of nice pots throughout the year.
Surely now with Coneygree not running in the King George - thistlecrack will not run it - if you look at the field Cue Card doesn't have much to beat and the £1 million prize is still very alive
To have any Champion Hurdle hopes YANWORTH would really want to be winning the Christmas Hurdle pretty dam well, seeing as the only credible opposition looks to be the Closutton 'super sub' Vroum Vroum Mag. If he can't beat her he should be nowhere near the Champion Hurdle.
