After this week-ends racing supplying the large yards with all their good things for March, Al Ferof looked a nice prospect, Grand Crus jumped OK but is far too short for the RSA, I would rather take a punt on Rangitoto at the 25s, Fingal Bay looks an exciting prospect but do you couple him for the shorter race and the Albert or take a chance that he goes to the Neptune? Coupling will drastically cut the prices available! Peddlers Cross IMO looked imperious and is the one that i cannot wait to see jump again! However, there was a horse running in the Greatwood that not many would have picked out purely because he is trained by a small trainer although up and coming quickly! David O'Meara trains Viva Colonia and this lad was flying at the finish and I for one will be having a decent bet on him NTO. Hopefully they will either up him in trip or keep him closer to the pace. Take a look at the replay and see what you think
Sanctuaire for me. Travelled wide throughout the race, then Ruby couldn't find anywhere to go with him when they turned in. He weaved to try and get a sight but he was checked numerous times, and he should have finished much closer with a better positional ride. If he drops 5lbs or so he will be one to be with in a big handicap.
Nass: I was watching him too but the horse just seems to keep summat back for himself these days!! Have you watched where Viva Colonia came from? So far back he couldn't finish in the top 10 but was closing so fast nearing the finish! Hopefully they will up him in trip
I got the impression from Hobb's interview that Fingal Bay would be aimed at the 3 mile novice hurdle, and at 10/1 you would have to say that's a pretty big price. He rates Fingal Bay as the best prospect he's ever had, so if you trust his word, then he has to have a massive chance at the festival. Rangitoto is a good price for the RSA, you would imagine he will take to fences, looking at his size
Shergar: The trouble is second guessing what race as it is all ground dependant, personally i believe they will go for the Neptune but i guess time will tell. I'll be backing him for that and then have to lump on when they go NRNB for the Albert! Rangitoto may lack the experience for the RSA and currently only one firm are offering prices which is a slight worry but Mr Nicholls will bring this promising lad along nicely. Cannot wait for the December meeting now
Rangitoto has a similar profile to that of Aiteenthirtythree, and connections regreted running him in the RSA, so you would worry wether they will learn there lesson, so to speak, and avoid the race. You also have to remember he was running in a hurdles race, only yesterday, so he's not likely to be making his chasing debut, until at the earliest December, that makes me wonder how much chasing experience he will have had before the festival. I like horse's to have had atleast 4 runs in chases, before races like the RSA
I think the reservations with 1833 were more to do with the horse personally, ie being a bit weak and backward and probably preferring a flat galloping track (like Newbury). I don't think they have any particular problem with the race itself. If they have a suitable candidate then i think they would run. The problem was that 1833 ran but wasn't a suitable candidate. After all, the race didn't do Denman too much harm.
