Now a non-runner, Bob. I see that after racing at Bangor today they are auctioning off a bronze of Arkle. I take it that’s a bronze of the horse not the former poster.
Jacob has an ‘agreement’ with the owner (also has the likes of Ma Filleule and Utopie Des Bordes) to ride for him when available.
That price about Kentucky Hyden is the best joke I have heard since someone told me the one about the penguin rolling down a hill. A good horse he may be, but a handicap on seasonal reappearance and a mark which looks high, he is not one that I would be looking at today! He is bound to win now! Really looking forward to going to Cheltenham on Saturday, hoping we get some decent weather and a good field of runners for the day. Not sure what I like in the PPGC, I keep thinking about how unlucky Attaglance was at the festival and how he could reverse places with the jolly.
Bangor bound soon -no signal so knock a hand and Flicka Williams for me -10/1 for the flicka seems a steal -placed at least!!
Two down the bottom catching my eye Nass - Mr Henderson's Ericht (has a whopping 10lbs pull with John's Spirit for 7 lengths from their last meeting) and Astracad (who always catches my bloody eye and always looks well in and always finds a couple too good so I really should leave him alone but I know that if I do he will go and bloody win)
Oddy, the one I am most concerned about is Easter Meteor who still could be well handicapped if Pipe can work his magic. Other than him and Johns Spirit, I think the second season chasers are the ones to concentrate on.
Be interesting to see who Geraghty rides - Corinthian on Radjanhi Express so I guess Geraghty will have the choice between Oscar Whiskey and Ericht (I'm assuming he can do 10-05). Oscar Whiskey looks to have plenty of weight. The Present View / Buywise form looks decent but this is a different ball game and they, together with Attaglance, have half a stone more than in March. I think the established ones might have it this year
Blackadder 5:50 Kempton 20/1 into 6's Pat Phelan has a plan so cunning, you could put a tail on it and call it a weasel! If he wins they will play this song Good Luck
1.30 Bangor - Dundee Always looked the chasing type and improved for every step up in trip before finally winning at 3 miles over hurdles. .. chasing debut today would expect him to go well
Being Off Duty and a Man Of Leisure, I decided to Get It On and Bangor-On-Dee-Wednesdee. But she found it Hard To Swallow, so I had to Knock A Hand.
15:00 Bangor - El Macca (A pound out of the handicap and raised in class, but form is not that bad. Could be a winner for Ms Curtis? Nice breeding for distance and going, but wouldn't want any more heavy rain though IMO).
Annie Power to remain over hurdles. There is only one place she will go and thats the mares hurdle. I still think Willie Mullins almost kills the spirit of jumps racing no matter what productive things people say he does. Too much talent to handle and he simply spreads it across the board. Partly the fault of the Festival for having too many inbetween races but mainly just taking the easy route by Mullins as usual. Wasted Quevega for 6 years and now looks likely to do the same.. What anyone would give for an Annie Power and yet she will run in a cakewalk and never reveal her true potential.
I think you have to see both sides of the coin with Quevega Toppy - he not only created a legacy that will last forever, he also farmed the Punchestown race with her. Given she was a pretty fragile mare, I think they did the right thing with her. One run in a Champion Hurdle could possibly have finished her. As it is, we had the pleasure of seeing her year after year (and she was a right old money-spinner as well).
