Am on Salsify quite substanially e/w at 9's since January but wouldn't be in any hurry to back him tmz at the price given the tactics that Coleman Sweeney will most likely employ...especially given the standard and experience of some of the home "jockeys" riding in this.
I can see a little method to your madness Nass. Was targeted all season for the 3rd straight Ascot handicap that was called off back in January and found 3m too far last time. Goes well at Chelt and is on a good mark but he's be doing very well to win over 2m
1.30: KASHMIR PEAK 14/1 (NB) I am taking on Far West as I think his form doesn't look like stacking up. His defeat of River Maigue now looks average, and his demolitions of Handazan do not look inspiring either. Rolling Star to me looks a hurdler with a Real Future, but I'm not convinced the new course will play to its strengths as it requires more stamina, although I do think it is a future Champion Hurdle runner. Kashmir Peak shaped much like a truly run race would suit and I think the fact he got up to win a slowish race on a flat track at Doncaster highlights the potential he has. His debut run was so eyecatching its ridiculous- he put the race to bed a little bit like Pearl Swan and Zarkandar did on their respective hurdling debuts and I think had he have not been an unlucky unseater last time out (slipped on landing), he would not be a double-figure price. Its all about the race being run at a good clip and its all about the hill- if he gets round he can relish the uphill finish. Did you know that the last 14 winners had been tried at a mile and a half on the flat? Kashmir Peak was tried at 1m 3f so close enough?! I have a feeling ROTO may nap this and he deserves all the plaudits for bringing this horses debut run to my attention all that time ago. Lac Fontana can also outrun his price. 2.05: COTTON MILL 7/1 Not an original selection but I am of the opinion that a) he is fairly handicapped and b) He can run up to his mark. If that happens, how many horses might be able to produce a 150+ performance? I think hardly any- He should stay a well run 2 miles. The danger with this better surface might be Ranjaan, who was talked of highly and has been waiting for some spring ground. 2.40: CLOUDY COPPER e.w A trappy contest with At Fishers Cross not certain to go on the ground, Ballycasey a 'could be anything' horse, and African Gold looking good, but bringing handicap form to the table. Cloudy Copper has looked both well above average and also a stout stayer, and he could end up compounding a difficult week for AP McCoy by winning this novice hurdle whilst the Champ is forced to ride the McManus hotpot. 3.20: SIR DES CHAMPS 4/1 (NAP) This horse just looks tailor-made for Cheltenham and the unique test of a Gold Cup. The further he goes the better he gets in his races. He can be almost too relaxed and almost too lazy, but there is so much under the bonnet that we still haven't seen this horse in absolute full cry yet. Once he got first run on Flemenstar last time out it became clear just how strong he stays when he hits that top gear. His jumping let him down in the Lexus but he again showed his heart, resolution, and engine by staying on to only end up beaten by three quarters of a length. If he can get around Cheltenham error-free, like he did last year, he will take a whole world of beating in a battle up that hill. His season has been absolutely fine- he has been at all of his intended runs and he has improved with each start. He can finally land the prize for Willie Mullins and round off a fantastic week for the Irish trainer.
Got home ok thanks Nass ...... traffic was murder going past the course (place I was staying was south so I had to negotiate the traffic twice!) I think a good time is almost guaranteed - it's the event to be at, at least once in a lifetime. I got drawn into chasing losses - always a bad option, and has continued so today. Thankfully there is no Saturday meeting. Yet
Evening guys, studied the form again and hoping for another decent day, after a cracking start to the day today with a 20/1 winner in the opener i tailed off with just one more winner Cue Card at 9/2, however, they covered my bets and more, hopefully ive not used my luck in one day. Tomorrows selections are as follows: 1.30 Triumph Hurdle which I have narrowed it down to two both at reasonably short prices FAR WEST 7/2 and ROLLING STAR 7/2 if I had to split them the C&D form of FAR WEST and his experience would just give him the edge, however, the stable form is a worry but I reckon this one is good enough to get PN off the mark at the festival. 2.05 VOB Hurdle my two against the field are KIANS DELIGHT 33/1 EW and TED VEALE 10/1 EW if i had to side with one my choice would be KIANS DELIGHT who i think will relish the conditions underfoot. 2.40 Albert Bartlett here we are looking for a horse that has competed at least 3 miles over hurdles and in the Top 6 in the betting, to that end my selections are narrowed down to a shortlist of three AT FISHERS CROSS 11/4, CLOUDY COPPER 10/1 EW and INISH ISLAND 10/1 EW i think all three have very strong claims however, my order of march would be FISHERS CROSS, INISH ISLAND and CLOUDY COPPER. Now the big one the Cheltenham Gold Cupi cant see this race going any other way than to Nicky Henderson and my two to fight it out are LONG RUN and BOBs WORTH if i had to split them i would give it to BOBS WORTH on the grounds that the jockey is more experienced but i do think it will be a close run affair. The Foxhunters Chase I will keep this brief and go for SALSIFY at 11/4 and a big priced BENEDICTUS 66/1 EW Finally in the GRAND ANNUAL ive a short list of three, however, none are from the Henderson yard who generally does well in this race, i think it will be between ULCK DU LIN 9/1, RODY 7/1 or ALDERWOOD 6/ and if i narrowed it down ALDERWOOD is my choice. Good luck all tomorrow, and hope its a great Gold Cup
I don't know who will be replacing him, but I would rather have Cooper than Townend but not having Davy would be a massive blow to my confidence, shame Paul Carberry and Barry G both have rides in the race.
He tanked when in the Unioniste race on heavy ground, if he goes with the same relish I can see him running really well, if he jumps well I think his mark is very fair, and I think that in handicap company a quick 2 miles is what he is made for. However, Rowe hasn't agreed so far, and I am a little surprised to see him turn up here. Pleasantly surprised though.
Michael O'Leary, owner of Gigginstown House Stud, confirmed that Russell had a punctured lung. "He has a punctured lung which he's had to have drained," said O'Leary. "He's been stood down for today and tomorrow, he might need a small operation. It's quite serious and he can't travel home. His health is my biggest concern. "I don't know who will ride Sir Des Champs, we'll talk to Willie overnight and decide who is the best available." ------------------------------------------------- Anyone suggest off the top of their head who they would go for?
1.30 Hidden Justice 2.05 Brampour 2.40 At Fishers Cross NAP 3.20 Silviniaco Conti 4.00 Chaputurgeon 4.40 First Avenue 5.15 Petit Robin These are my selections tommorow, I don't know why but after going back through the Gold Cup form again, I've decided to back against the Henderson pair, and go with Silviniaco Conti, despite Nicholls poor form this week. I just feel SC has run to the highest standard of all of them this season, beating Long Run, and then beating the Giant Bolster conceding 4 pounds easily. I am very fond of Bobs Worth however, so it will kill me if he's the one that wins, having backed him so many times in the past
Well after contriving to throw away most of tuesdays and wednesdays winnings today im in need of a good day on friday! Im very tempted just to stick all my eggs in one basket with bobs worth in the gold cup. He has been the gold cup winner in my eyes since winning the hennessy and nothing has happened to change my opinion since.
WM's input is something I alluded to in which case it will probobly be Paul Townend. Bryan Cooper is the only other viable option.
Last day so going through the puzzle that the cheltenham card I'll probably put a combination of the following in a canadian Cotton Mill/ Manyriverstocross Our Vinie Tricky Trickster Salubrious/Make your mark Petit Robin
I think the Alb Bart looks weak. I'm very keen to take on At Fishers Cross. After Saturday one surely has to have a spin on the Twisto horse, African Gold. Far from struggling the stable seems to be in good form. However I think the race is taylormade for a dour stayer Our Vinnie could be just that. Re the Triumph does anyone feel we might see a big priced winner a la last year. Although a shock on the day Countrywide Flame has proven it was no fluke. Nicholls is already talking of Far West as a Champ Hurdle horse and if he continues to drift he becomes value. You can tell the Henderson yard think the world of Rolling Star but I wouldn't be surprised to see a big priced winner.
Very intrigued by Shadow Catcher's first 2 runs over hurdles. Gordon Elliot is a wiley ****er afterall NUFC GET IN!!!!!!! First Cue Card and now the Toon. ****ing have it.
