Simenon might be running?! I had given up all hope! Come on McCain, send Agent Archie over! I might have an antepost runner then after all...that would be a nice bonus!
Can anybody remember so many "shorties" at the festival EVER? Quite remarkable this year, just on day 1: Sprinter Sacre 4/5 Hurricane Fly 4/5 Quevega 1/2 The we have later in the week: Grands Crus (if he goes RSA) surely around EVS or slight odds-on Sizing Europe 10/11 Big Buck's 1/2 Boston Bob 6/4 (will surely shorten when finally confirmed for the Albert Bartlett) Long Run 7/4 On paper it could be a bloodbath for the bookies, especially with accumulators and combination bets. They can't all win can they?
Oddy, its frightening because if they are all fit and well on the day they look to hold v.good chances! On a sidenote, does anyone know if McCain has said anything about Agent Archie? He mentioned how he wasnt sure if he would love or hate the track, but in the timeform preview I received in the post, he said the Supreme was a distinct possibility after his Newcastle win. Heard nothing concrete though. If Simenon is running then that must be a boost for any big Trifolium fans, as Trifolium was mighty impressive beating him last time out. Interesting to see who benefits from the better ground in the Supreme.
Last I heard Toppy, McCain was saying Aintree for Agent Archie after his Newcastle win. Not heard anything at all since that. He does have Cinders & Ashes obviously ...............
Montbazon shortening all the time on oddschecker for the Supreme after Alan King's positive comments today ....................... best price 9/1 with Laddies with some 8s but most firms 7/1 Just watched his Newbury victory, he did stay on very resolutely and could do an "Al Ferof" by coming late and outstaying them
Yeah Oddy I know he had reservations about the track (thought Aintree might suit better) but also said that the owners were keen on a crack at the Supreme and that if Cinders and Ashes was not in, he would have no qualms about this horse taking them on in the Supreme. As for Montbazon, Ive seen his market move for a few days running and he is very popular. If he is popular though, then Colour Squadron is HUGELY overpriced because he was stalking Montbazon and Vulcanite and going strongly before the fall. Also think Vulcanite can reverse with both of them in a strongly run race. Think Montbazon had the race fall into his lap a bit.
Interesting write-up here from the preview evening at Sandown after racing last Saturday (McCoy, Nicholls, Henderson)
Toppy: Shorties invariably have a terrible record at the festival HOWEVER this year it is getting extremely hard to get them beaten on paper!! I will be leaving out Long Run for 2 reasons, I have him at 6s but also he looks very beatable unless they have sorted his jumping out. The prices will be better as the on course bookies will be trying to get the shorties beaten and wont have the liabilities yet that the major firms are holding! Could be a terrible year for the bookies especially with some handicap good things looking to be a gambling proposition ;-)
McCain said that Agent Archie will run in the Supreme as well as Cinders And Ashes as far as I'm aware.
My work computer wont let me on the cheltenham website ( I will post the exact time in abit ) Less than 1 day to go
Great offer from William Hill http://www.racingpost.com/news/hors...back-app-special-every-race-every-day/999266/ Moneyback alert! Bet on mobile, and if your horse finishes second in ANY RACE then you'll get your losing bet refunded in the form of a free bet to use the next day...
Wooly, the days have flown by since you started the countdown. I've never known a Cheltenham to come round so quick. We must enjoy every single minute of it..coz in a blink of an eye it will all be over.