It's ten past nine lads. What's going on? Back In Focus Pont Alexandre The acca's I mentioned on yesterday's thread. Simonsig, Sprinter Sacre, Quevega Hurricane, Sprinter. Quevega, Simonsig Quevega, Sprinter Pont Alexandre, Sprinter, Quevega
16.00 cheltenham- Sadlers Risk 25/1 ew After todays bookie bashing I fancy some big price winners tomorrow! Hobbs runner is going to be one of them! Off not a bad mark and thw race is wide open. Ran very well lto and is eithwe there/ thereabouts or will go down as a P. He has festival experience when going off one of the favs last year. Likes cheltenham and the extra distance will be in his favour so at this price I fancy a big run (will also be on pendra too)
He might but I'm not backing him at that price unless Back In Focus wins first. 7/2 is awful on what he's done although I think the ground and trip play into his hands.
1.30 - Rival D'Estruval 2.05 - The New One 2.40 - Houblon Des Obeaux EW 3.20 - Sprinter Sacre No bet 4.00 - Pendra 4.40 - Saphir Du Rheu 5.15 - Le Vant D'Antan Lucky 15 of Rival/TNO/Pendra/Saphir
Back in Focus Pont Alexandre Unioniste (although probably unlikely Ruby to ride another 3 timer ,fingers crossed though ) Mr Watson e/w Ruacana e/w Poseidon sea e/w
Ma boy J.P Fergo gets himself noticed tomorrow by saddling the last 2 winners in Bordoni and Purple Bay Brown envelope on the former Smaller ew single on the latter and a tasty ew double Kind regards
Ma boy J.P Fergo gets himself noticed tomorrow by saddling the last 2 winners in Bordoni and Purple Bay Brown envelope on the former Smaller ew single on the latter and a tasty ew double Kind regards
16.00 Cheltenham Crack Away Jack 33/1 EACH WAY Progressively getting sweeter and sweeter on this one being involved in the finish. We are here talking about a horse who ran 4th in Punjabi's Champion Hurdle and ran Somersby to two lengths off of levels over fences for Emma Lavelle. On his next start over fences he disappointed but going through the RP archives it becomes clear that he was scanned after the race and found to have an injury that ruled him out for the season. Returning over a year later he was chucked in at Grade 1 company in early 2011 putting in two disastrous runs. Following a wind op he wasn't seen for the rest of the season the owner was actually so disappointed with his return he decided the horse needed a change or scenery and sent him to Paul Nicholls. He opened up with a underwhelming 5th of 17 over fences off on 142 with a blunder 3 out costing him any chance just as he was beginning to get going. The easy winner is up 15lbs since that day as well. If you can't forgive a horse a bad run after 9 months off then when can you? Two more disappointing runs followed last spring at a time when Paul Nicholls' yard was faltering badly. Crack Away Jack was then moved to Tom George before Aintree. Potentially now over any ailment that had been affecting him and many other Nicholls' horses during Feb & March 2011 Crack Away Jack returned to hurdles and was best of the rest behind an imperious Big Bucks. Probably doesn't tell the whole tale as Smad Place unseated but it was a performance to restore faith that this one still retains his ability. He opened up this season with a big run behind a rejuvenated Tidal Bay who has done the form no damage with his subsequent chasing exploits. The front two were a long, long way clear that day. His next run was a trappy 3 runner affair on heavy ground that Oscar Whisky was allowed to dominate. No surprise there, he clearly goes on heavy and is perhaps the best 2mile4horse going. Crack Away Jack's third and latest run was on trials day on that bottomless, bottomless ground. It was actually only his second run ever on 'heavy' ground (and second in a row on heavy ground as it would happen) and potentially this once Champion Hurdle 4th got found out for a bit of stamina. I'm not for a minute saying I expect him to win carrying 11-11, there's plenty of unexposed types who could have any amount in hand. That said I don't really like anything at the top of the market and I'm willing to take a chance on this one who surely could have a shot at picking up good prizemoney in a weak looking World Hurdle especially given his last 2 runs in staying hurdles on ground not described as heavy. He seems to come alive in these big Cheltenham fields with a win in the Fred Winter and a 4th in the Champion Hurdle and festival form is always underrated. In a race where nothing screams at me from the head of the market I'll be throwing a few e/w quid at this festival favourite returning to form on better ground at 33/1 with (hopefully!) 5 places paid.
Not a bad horse to be fair, don't think he's up to taking this. Bit of money down and ma boy Dennis opting for Bordoni gave him the nod for me Think Chatterbox looks a good bet at double digits as well, can see the hometown heroes bouncing back tomorrow after todays Irish stranglehold. Kind regards
My one aim for tomorrow is to not blow everything i won today! Looks an incredibly tough card to me with the horses i fancy all being too short in the betting now for my liking!!
2.05 Cheltenham: CHATTERBOX 10/1 There is no point me bringing up the win over My Tent Or Yours as we know it will be derided as a fluke, and to be fair, the proximity of the 3rd to MTOY that day suggests he was below par. Regardless, Chatterbox did slam him by 6 lengths and looked to be a horse who really did stay strongly, so even so 6 lengths is a lot to make up. Anyway, there are two things in particular that impress me. The first is that he responds generously for any encouragement and actually when you watch the final furlong of his two hurdle starts, he is actually hands and heels. I think when you rewatch it, he is a seriously impressive winner. The second thing is that Nicky Henderson says that this horse "reminds me so much of Bobs Worth it is scary!". I think Henderson was referring to the fact he is not flashy, but he just continuously finds when asked and consequently did not know how good he was, which is why he was originally not considered for the ferstival this season. However, apparantly a couple of solid pieces of work at hom encouraged Henderson that he deserved his chance and therefore he lines up here, going up in trip. I think he will relish the extra emphasis on stamina and he certainly isn't a high-knee action horse like Taquin Du Seuil, therefore the drying conditions certainly won't cause any problems. He gave Lac Fontana a full 16lbs that day for a ready victory, and Paul Nicholls thinks that Lac Fontana will run a good race in the Triumph hurdle. Not sure we should take the form literally, but Lac Fontana was closely matched with 146-officially rated Brick Red at Kempton (Nicholls felt race not run to suit), and that suggests Chatterbox might be able to run to a smart level. He also gave 19lb to Leo Luna, who has also since gone on to win a maiden hurdle. A very interesting contender, but equally a very hot race. 2.40: LORD WINDERMERE (84/1 AntePost) As you may have read in the preview, I took a punt on this horse before there was any real talk of him running over 3m or running in the RSA. Touch wood he has jumped straight and true in his chase career so far, and he has placed form in top Irish novice company. Last time out in particular I thought he looked very unlucky, being held in for a while coming round the bend, and then being mugged by Boston Bob in testing conditions as he scrapped away with Texas Jack and Lyreen Legend. I'm hoping the drying Cheltenham ground may have come in his favour and hopefully that may help his chances of staying the trip well, having shaped like staying the last twice, and being by Oscar may appreciate the quicker surface in England. It is as always a competitive race. If he wins my Cheltenham would be well set indeed, but realistically I think e/w would be the way to play him. 4.40: PTIT ZIG 20/1 (Exchanges) (NB) I was really taken by this horse on debut. Professional, uncomplicated, slick, and staying on strongly. Exactly what I would want in a Fred Winter and he reminded me a little bit of Zarkandar in that he can race fairly prominently but really does stay on strongly. New Years Eve has let the form down a little bit but it is still smart enough form, especuially for 4 year olds, and he can only improve for that initial experience. Just looked the ideal sort of ride for Daryl Jacob and Walsh choosing the other one doesn't hugel concern me. 5.15: LE VENT D'ANTAN 7/1 (NAP) The bumper is always a slight lottery but you could not have been more impressed with the way this fellow won over in Ireland on debut. The connections clearly knew of his ability when gambled in, and Liz Doyle- who handled both Al Ferof and Cheltenian before they were sold- looks to have yet another really lovely prospect on her hands. I expect to see this end up with Paul Nicholls after this. He travelled oh so well, is a lovely mover, and quickened clear. Looks to have the physique to handle Cheltenham, and can hopefully quicken and stay.
I wouldnt have said a word TC ;-) An outsider in the bumper that I just have to go a little each way on tomorrow is THE CLOCK LEARY 50-1 who ran a belter on his rules debut when narrowly beaten by Doctor Harper at Sandown. He put up a real battle that day and if he were near the front turning in I think he would take a good deal of passing. I dont think Venetia would be letting him take his chance here if she thought he wasnt up to it!
Haha by the way mate the angle of thought wasn't aimed at you although obviously I'm aware of your opinion on it! Have to say the way Twisters horse run in the handicap today does give some hope to those on The New One. Looks like he does get the better ground NTD was after. Its a small field Neptune but it does not look low on quality does it?!
Not going too leftfield with my thinking on this one, as sometimes the obvious is best but... There have been people on here (stick!) singing and dancing about this New One scaring off opposition etc, well tomorrow he meets a proper one... Pont is supposedly the real deal and he's not running away! Can you see the New One beating Pont, their saying Pont's a right good horse but I do respect the New One too...
