I heard a small whisper about her down here, all second hand info though, so I myself am not overly convinced beefy but I backed her last week just incase. If she doesn't turn up there then I done my dough, but I was aware of that possibility to begin with. I'd not gotten involved with much ante post and missed the prices anyway so she seemed a little value still, if she runs that is.
The bumper seems to be the forgotten race so far,nothing really stands out so far the way Moonracer did last year
That Admiral Chief I backed early doors was given a wee mention by Mullins today, basically said he'd a few niggles but he's a very, very good bumper horse. I think he described him as 'the one he likes'. Might not be seen this season, the fact he's a Gigginstown horse too means they mightn't even run him there, maybe STHs Augusta Kate is as good as any.
Had a speculative antepost accumulator today for a bit of fun @1500/1. Min (Supreme) Black Hercules (NH Chase 4 miler) Vroum Vroum Mag (Mares) Limini (Dawn Run) More Of That (RSA) Clearly Vroum Vroum may not end up in the race so I've also covered the same accumulator with her in the World Hurdle.
Definitely a few of us sitting on tasty enough antepost wagers. Just hope they all get there in one piece and then let the fun and games commence
Had a decent look this evening and these are the ones I see as "good things". Sadly they are all Irish and mostly Mullins based. Arkle - Douvan Champion - Faugheen Ch Chase - Un De Sceaux Cross C - Josies Orders JLT - Killultagh Vic Ryanair - Vautour Triumph - Ivanovich Gorbatov Gold Cup - Djakadam Fox hunters - On The Fringe 84 six folds 36 sevenfolds 9 eight folds 1 accumulator If the shortest price of the six came in it very nearly covers the whole stake. All 9 and you are off to the sales to buy your own. What can go wrong?
I think this Gobatov thing in the Triumph has to be the worst fecking bet of the festival at 3s. He's won one maiden against a Mullins hotpot and the race has produced a couple of subsequent maiden winners. How does that make him a 3s shot for the Triumph?
I could have put four more on the list but I don't consider them certainties or am not convinced where they will run! The horse in the Albert Bartlett you know I like a lot but he is no certainty and definitely not value!
Don't get me wrong he looked quite nice- I know Des Scahill really likes him- but 3s is silly when he hasn't really tested his form against other top juveniles. I always tend to wait until after the Adonis. They're only juveniles and as Zarkandar showed in 2011, they can make a marked step up from one race to another (he won the Adonis on debut then the Triumph as the Nicholls second string on second start). For that reason, there could be all sorts of potential improves coming from left field.
Yeah, not saying he won't win but the price is awful. However, he is holding the rest of the market up and there are potentially some nice prices to be had. I hope we get a good renewal of the Adonis this time around, I wonder which one(s) Alan King will be sending? It is quite late this year - 27th Feb so only 20 days before the Triumph.
Given the law of averages, and the fragility of the breed, you would have to concede that probably 1 or 2 of these (or even more if you are really unlucky) won’t turn up because of injury / sickness (delete as appropriate). As you need 6 to triumph to cover the stake I’d say it’s very risky for maybe little return at this stage. If you get ‘lucky’ though and all 9 make it – well that could be another story. Is Vautour deffo ‘Ryanair’ bound though?!? That seems quite a big uncertainty.
Long Run out of the Festival (as the Waley-Cohen’s won’t be able to get the minimum of 2 runs into him, which he needs to qualify, by early March). He will be out ‘late February, early March’ though and if all then goes well it will be of to the Grand National once more. I bet following Long Run’s defection a plethora of trainers will be on the phone to the younger Mr Waley-Cohen as there really is no better Corinthian out there.
Barney which one of Mr Henderson's runners in March should we expect to go close?Baring the handicapps has he got any 'live urns' for any of the grades races?
One very interesting thing re Mr Henderson is that he’s trying to get Call The Cops qualified again for the ‘Pertemps Final’. He’s put him in the qualifier at Huntingdon on Friday. Although given the weather forecast you would have to doubt if that meeting will take place. I think the forum’s favourite will have a very good meeting. Altior has looked hugely impressive thus far and would probably be my stand-out pick re him. He’s, of course, backed up by the legend that is the Black Aeroplane, quite a few very progressive looking novice chasers and a couple of decent mares. Then you have the ‘old brigade’ which includes his sole CGC entrant – Triolo D’Alene. Was there an easier winner all season than him last time out??? Meanwhile, in other news I see that DOUBLY CLEVER who I’ve been going on and on and on about since October for the ‘Fred Winter’ has been introduced with both William Hill and Sky Bet as the 20/1 co-fav. Cor blimey are both bookie chappies amongst my regular readers?!?
I don't think the prices of my fancies will change a great deal thanks to that Bill Mullins so I'm inclined to wait until the Monday of Cheltenham week before getting my feet wet.
I believe the punchestown hunter chase is the most likely target for him! Unless they can get a good couple of runs in him before the national, he will be some force in hunter chasing sphere!
Limini has an entry for the 6th of February in the Grade 1 Deloitte Novice hurdle at Leopardstown. Appears she must be ready to roll then, she will surely have to be sighted before March if she is to figure at HQ. "Another for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh"
