Dysart Dynamo in the Ballymore 16/1 This horse really impressed on both occasions he's run. I still think there's a chance he could be guided towards the Champion Bumper so I've played a small saver on him to win any race at Cheltenham 8/1.
Benaud ran respectably enough, last evening at Dundalk, to finish 2nd. Has though, I note, been supported a bit since that effort in the Triumph market and he's 'blue' on Oddschecker, right now, and the best available odds are down to 20/1. Makes you wonder if his next run will be over hurdles.
Just reading the Henderson interview on Racing Post and what Paul Nichols did for wind surgery, Mr Henderson seems to be doing for back surgery. Seven Barrows full of kissing spines and bone chips apparently.
Monkfish out of the season and Min retired https://www.sportinglife.com/racing...fish-out-for-the-season-and-min-retied/194765
Supreme Novices Hurdle Hubrisko (trained by W. Mullins) won by 8 lengths in France in his only race to date. It was a flat race in August 2020 over 1m 4f (the race can be viewed here). The third and fourth in that race have subsequently won over hurdles and fences, and one of them (Haddex Des Obeaux, 3rd) has entries at Fontwell on Friday and Saturday. The fact that he has odds at all bookies indicates that, barring injury, we will see him run this season. Hubrisko 33/1 e/w.
For now, Ballymore Journey With Me 16/1 e/w. Mares' Hurdle Shewearsitwell 16/1 e/w Novices' Chase (RSA) Galopin Des Champs 25/1 e/w Champion Bumper Classic Getaway 12/1 e/w Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle Letsbeclearaboutit 50/1 e/w Supreme Novices Hurdle Hubrisko 33/1 e/w. National Hunt Chase Grand Paradis 40/1 e/w Triumph Hurdle Porticello 25/1 e/w
There was a lot to like about Galvin’s performance when just beaten by Frodon the other day. He’s done nothing but improve in the last two years; is a straightforward ride; and guaranteed to get up that hill, should his trainer let him take his chance in a very open Gold Cup. Yes, he may target him at the Grand National instead, but 20/1 for the Golf Cup seems overpriced and tempting. Likewise the 7/4 about Honeysuckle for the Champion Hurdle. On all known form, it’s shelling peas if she gets there in one piece.
There might be a couple of springers in the market for the Triumph Hurdle in the not too distant future as there have recently been a couple of new additions to top barns. Pleasant Man has left Mr Charlton, for 175,000 guineas, and is now with Mr Nicholls. Whilst Vazir is now in training with old boy, Alan King. The latter is, I think, most noteworthy being a winner on the Flat (from 3 outings) for Alain De Royer-Dupre and his dam was a Group 1 winner. If either prove to be effective leapers then they should go on to be decent prospects. No entries for Pleasant Man or Vazir yet but it will be interesting to see the hurdling bow of both and when / if (delete as appropriate) they start attracting quotes for the juvenile hurdling championship.
So did the 2 days at Cheltenham raise any hopes. my views are that Santini is a spent force but Commodore, Diesel D’Allier and Potters Corner look worth a consideration as did the fast finishing Zanza. The difficulty is in working out which race they’ll be in come the Festival????
I thought Cheltenham at the weekend didn't have huge strength in depth but the 2 that I'd take out, with a view to the Festival, would be Blazing Khal and Broomfield Burg. The former impressed me stepping up to 3 miles and he won readily in the end despite not jumping great. This was only his 3rd run over hurdles though so you would expect that aspect of Blazing Khal's game to improve. Really love the way this horse travels through a race and the fact that he appeared so strong at the finish is a huge plus. Can't see any other 3m novice outstaying him up that hill. The latter on his handicap hurdling bow ran really, really well to finish 2 of 12 in Friday's 2 mile handicap hurdle. Kept on encouragingly on the run-in and just went down to a horse he was conceding 18, I say 18, lbs to. Broomfield Burg put up 4 lbs by the handicapper this morn, for last week's effort, but think he can more than cope with this as he matures (still only 5) and gains experience. Looks one for a handicap hurdle at the Festival but I've no idea if he will remain at 2 miles or be stepped up in trip (before arriving at Seven Barrows Broomfield Burg did win an Irish Point over 24 furlongs).
Appreciate It has met with a minor setback meaning plans to go chasing this season have been shelved. The old boy is currently 'blue' across the board on Oddschecker, in the Champion Hurdle market, and as low as 5/1 for that race (best priced 7's).
Next week at Leopardstown also sees that highly informative Pertemps Qualifier (Tuesday). 41 have been entered. Also a Pertemps Qualifier at Wincanton on St Stephen's Day. The eyecatcher of all eyecatchers has to be the entry of, my old fave, Dickie Diver. Now if Lieutenant Henderson could get him qualified, for the Final, and see that mark of 140 dropped a tad as well...that would be some result! I would be amazed if after these 2 races there wasn't a huge shake-up of the Pertemps market.
