Whittled it down to six in the Mackeson. Frodon I will definitely back e/w, but expect the weight to prove just beyond him, frankly. Baron Alco looks the better of the Moore pair, but Jamie has the pick and has gone for Benatar. Why? I can't let a Mick Channon horse go unbacked, in fact Mr Whitaker is the one I keep coming back to. West Approach and Romain De Senam are the other two who refuse to be struck off my shortlist, with the former having by far the better recent form. Frodon and Mr Whitaker will, upon reflection, be the pair burdened with my hard-earned.
Ridiculous performance from the Henderson filly in the Juvenile race - how on earth has she stayed on again after throwing all that energy away before and during the race?
I couldn't touch Coneygree myself, he's been too frail for my liking. Singlefarmpayment is sometimes well backed and the same is true today. For me he's too short as a horse who failed to win last season. I went with Sharp Response from Sue Smith's yard. He's up 11 lbs for winning last time but he was eased down with enough in hand that day. He's only 7 and unexposed as a chaser, has a nice weight of 10st 1lb to carry, getting 25 lbs from Coneygree over a fairly gruelling trip. Sharp Response has only run three times over trips in excess of 3 miles and won twice and been second on the other occasion. I thought he should go well at 8/1 in a field of fairly exposed runners. 1.50 Cheltenham Sharp Response 8/1
punchestown,1 10: well,its never easy to give weight away in novice events,especially in this class,but CADMIUM might well be up to it,after a really fine performance last time out.the others are surely no slouches,but he can go well again.. cheltenham,1 15: the worlds end and minella awards are deeply respected here,but the question is,what did they beat to date,even if they both were impressive so far.but ive got the nagging feeling,the useful handicapper IBIS DU RHEU can run a massive race today,if able to take the step in class in his stride today..
I missed Never Adapt's race today but was shaking my head seeing her as 12/1 for the Triumph Hurdle this morning. She was as low as 8/1 in a place and when that race is not until next March that seemed ridiculous odds. This lightly raced French juvenile for JP McManus and Nicky Henderson has been well trodden but largely disappointing with Hargam and others starting well but not going on to deliver. Plenty of others will appear over the next couple of months and it's always a race where I would be looking for at least 20/1 to have an ante-post play.
That was a shocking drift on Never Adapt today. Slightly odds on early doors, out to 3/1 Pushed out to 18/1 for the Trumph after today's effort. How do the punters know these things?
She went down to the start like a mad thing, pulling Geraghty's arms out. That's what prompted punters to take her on.
Another thrilling novice chase there and hard luck the mare, she gave a tremendous sight jumping boldly from the front but couldn't repel "Mr Saturday's" charge.
yes,the same thoughts crossed my mind.still less exposed than many others here,especially over these extreme trips,and may well be able to defy his rise in the ratings.gl to you,mate.the question is just:is he good enough for this race,but i am willing to take that chance today..
Gone with Singlefarmpayment in the comp but I think Nicky Richards runner Looking Well will go well for Brian Hughes. Good luck Coneygree
Yep great to see him jumping from fence to fence there. The problem I see is that the handicapper won't show him any leniency and he isn't getting any younger so maybe they need to aim him at something like the Denman Chase for a final hurrah in a graded event.
Yeah absolutely. The ground was probably lively enough for him today but surely has to go up to graded races after that. There was plenty of decent staying handicapers in behind who just couldn't go the gallop.
Nicholls off to a good start. A double bad wammy there...horse drops out meaning bookies only pay out first 3 places and then Singlefarmpayment finishes 4th losing out by a neck. Good to see Coneygree run so well though.....