Day 3 is upon us. QUEVEGA DAY I've told myself Fingal Bay at 6/1 each-way is the sensible bet in this race....But, for all my head tells me, I've gone sentimental. I simply can't desert the Queen of National Hunt Racing that is the 5-time winner of this race, Quevega. Not original but she does always improve from Cheltenham to here (she WILL need to do so tomorrow). Again not a huge price but I've had a crack at Evens. Champagne Fever 6/4 is the 'moral' Arkle winner. I've massive respect for Balder Succes and again similar to the above perhaps there's an element of heart over head in this one but I've got to stick with the grey. I suspect he may be coming to a peak, perhaps Cheltenham came too soon, as his prep was hurried for it, as widely reported. If either of those two don't win, I'll be hugely surprised. People that like doing forecasts, here's the race for you! Also done a QUEVEGA / FEVER double. Ned Buntline 5/1 e/w is bet number 3, my first foray into non-Grade 1 betting at the festival. This horse is a typical JP plot horse but they came up against an even craftier plotted one, Savello in March who was second in the Champion Chase on Tuesday. The form looks up to scratch therefore the 5/1 each-way looks very fair. So, there you go. Let's go again
The Geegeez Geegee is out again tomorrow. I'll not hold my breath that it'll run but if it does I'll back it.
It just can't go wrong now, can it But didn't you say after the Mares Hurdle you weren't backing her again Bobby boy?!
Bye bye Chelsea! Did you do the footy bet RV?! Looking a nice 5/2 bet at the minute! Can only see this getting worse for Chelsea as there going to have to commit men forward now.
I think I did you know. She wins this every year though doesn't she. People haven't seemed to cotton on to the idea the Mares Hurdle is a prep race for this. She was even money. At Fishers Cross is a woof woof. The Pertemps form argument works in handicaps and listed races. I think he'll make her work but won't have enough. I might have a saver on him because the Pertemps has been such a profitable race for me.
Each way at 6/1 I just cannot see the downside! Wouldn't be the first time I have been wrong this week though. My boy BALDER SUCCES out tomorrow but how can I oppose you boys at Punchestown....doffs cap respectfully!
If something other than Fever or Succes win I'm giving up this game until October <hardlybackonflatanyway>
I agree re Fingal. 6/1. Can't see it out of the three. Will improve for Cheltenham. Is graded class anyway. AFC may have left his race behind in a tough World Hurdle. Quevega may be on the wane. That's a great bet IMHO. I've gone e/w as well but don't really expect to win on it as I think Quevega is spot on tomorrow and will improve again for the extended trip. Ground won't be an issue. Balder at 3/1 is again a very fair price. I backed Balder and Champagne Fever LTO as if they couldn't be beat. The Arkle looks much stronger than Balders race so you could forgive Champagne Fever losing and still think 6/4 the fav is right. You can equally think that Fever has big holes in him. Woefully under performed at last years Punchestown Festival. Had an interrupted season. Unbelievably lost at Cheltenham even after producing a jumping performance I genuinely thought I'd never see from a Mullins novice chaser. Why did he get outstayed? That's just ridiculous if you consider everything we know of that horse.Is a Gold Cup horse next season so is running over an inadequate trip. That's a lot of negatives. On the positive side, he had an interrupted season and Cheltenham may have put him spot on for this. Incredible jumper. Tough, attritional horse who should shake off the Arkle exertions fairly readily. It's a tough race. Harder than it looks at first glance. I'll not be surprised if CF or Balder win. To throw another one into the mix, on summer ground, Felix Yonger is not without a chance.
Having a go at (most of) the card at Punchestown tomorrow small stakes: 3:40 - Grey Monk/Pivot Bridge both 12/1 ew singles rev fc 4:15 - Tanks For That 12/1 ew 4:50 - Duke of Lucca 9/4 win 5:30 - No bet 6:05 - Our Man Zebo 7/1 & Annie Oakley 16/1 ew singles rev fc 6:40 - Ted Veale 20/1 ew 7:15 - No Bet 7:45 - MM Dazzler ew no price
Just like you with Franklino RV Followed him over a cliff and he cost me that much in an Ascot handicap last year that I probably could have bought him! Nice to see you back at your sarcastic best mate ;-)
