Woolcombe. After all this, wouldn't it be bloody typical for the apparant 'weak' antepost favourite from the start go and hack up.
Bet 365 have gone NRNB on all Chelt races. Prices pretty much as they were at minute. Good move for me with so much doubt at the minute.
I fear that the Betfair market is signalling a problem with Al Ferof now. Very weak and drifting all the time on the exchanges. Out to 7/1 having been trading at 5/1 for weeks. Only £19 waiting to back in the win market and just £6 in the place market. By way of comparison, Sprinter Sacre has £1161 and Peddlers Cross £324 waiting to back in the win market. Hope the market is wrong this time but it is usually spot on I'm afraid.
No. I think Peddlers Cross is the only novice remaining. Al Ferof was taken out at the last forfeit stage.
Heard today that they have already started watering at Cheltenham ............................. not looking good for horses who need cut
Ground could well be quick by the end of the week if we don't get any significant rain. It will be good to soft on the Tuesday, but actually nearer good in all probability. By Friday I should think it will be on the firm side of good. Just perfect for King Kauto.
Kauto Star has put in a great performance but Long Run is getting to him - over the last and Long Run takes it up. He is powering away and LONG RUN DEFENDS THE GOLD CUP !!!!!!!!!!!!
If you don't want Kauto Star to win the Gold Cup, regardless of whether you've backed against him, then you need your head looking at. Gold Cup will be done and dusted in less than 3 weeks. Frightening really.
THINGS WILL BE GREAT WHEN YOUR AT CHELTENHAM!!! [video=youtube;ci7bpYPd6Tg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ci7bpYPd6Tg[/video]
Clipped half a point to 9/2 by B365 this morning Zen, looks like it was the Betfair gremlins again (remember Hurricane Fly drifting out to 10 a few days before the Champion Hurdle last year?)
He is more solid on the exchanges this morning but it still seems very strange that he has moved from 5/1 to 7/1 in such a short period. At least he appears to be more solid at the new price than he was.
Oddy, just reading on Twitter that "Barry Geraghty set to ride Tetlami [in the Supreme] as Simonsig will run in the Neptune". Just the news you were after. Also, "Darlan 8s from 12s with Coral for the Supreme Novices' @ #cheltenhamfestival. He will be unveiled as AP McCoy's mount in the race imminently".
Zen - I also liked what Tinkler said about Tetlami on that preview evening you posted - something about him only showing what he wants you to see - reading between the lines they are nowhere near getting to the bottom of him
I think Tetlami is very solid Oddy. With Henderson and Geraghty and a string of '1's by his name no doubt he'll be well fancied. If I had any money in my Betfair account I'd consdier taking a bit of the 18.0 or 17.5. Would think he'd start shorter than that, but then again, given the competitive and open look to the race, it's possible he won't I suppose. The interesting one is Darlan. He was the first name crossed off my list for the Betfair Hurdle and you have to think he would have taken a hand in the finish but for coming down two out. I don't subscribe to the argument that Zarkandar was a fortunate winner but it is difficult to say that Darlan would have been out of the first 4. Off his mark of 146 that is a pretty decent effort but I suppose his battling qualities and suitability to the track are still under question. I must say that it did little for my confidence to see a horse I had so readily dismissed travelling well two out in such a race. Perhaps he is good enough to take a hand . . . ? Though I hate to say it, I am increasingly coming round to the idea that it is a race for Sir Barney's 'No Bet Banner'. What a God awful way to start the Festival?! The chap with the news is Bill Esdaile. Apparently Simonsig "is definitely the apple of his trainer's eye". Now that is what I like to hear.
Another who might be a overpriced is Colour Squadron. I was of the impression that he would have won at Newbury, and, with that in mind, the 18.0 (Betfair) and 16/1 (Bookies) available looks too big.
