Looking forward to seeing how Countrywide Flame gets on in the mud at Newcastle too. As the sole member of my ante post cheltenham portfolio I'm looking for a decent performance on ground which won't be ideal.
In the 2.35 at Newbury I strongly fancy Princely Player. Phillip Hobbs' gelding ran an absolute corker when just touched off by Hawkhill in a listed novices hurdle at Kempton on his seasonal debut. That was over 2 miles which would have been plenty sharp enough for him, having previously hacked up from Paul Nicholls' Jump City over today's trip at Taunton in March. The Ditcheat handler sends out Salubrious today who has an obvious chance off 129 but I think Princely Player will really appreciate the step back up in trip today.
Newcastle 12.35 Jasperito reportedly lost his action on his seasonal debut at Hexham in Nov, well tailed off when pulled up. If he can be forgiven for that, he looked progressive in a modest way over hurdles last season, where his sole win came over 3m on soft at Perth. Trip and ground should suit, and chasing is likely to be his game, so at 8/1 I'm willing to write that last run off as an aberration. Newbury 1.25 Merry King won as he liked at Bangor off a mark of 120, and has only gone up 8lbs for that. This is a better race but the extra 2f will help, the ground won't be a problem, he's proved he can lump the weight, and at 13/2 generally, he's value to follow up imo. Richie McLernon keeps the ride, if AP was up he'd be half the price.
Was keen to oppose Cinders and Ashes because although he has form on Heavy and I think he has the ability to mix it with the big boys he hasn't beaten anything on heavy imho. That said I really don't think Trifolium is that good (I think Cinders had the field well held in the Supreme) and I'm not convinced Countrywide Flame acts on heavy. Bothy won't be good enough either imho. Good luck with Fruity today Channin. Had a chuckle at your post because I backed Fruity at Cheltenham (on the nose sadly) when I was there that day and I've backed the Package today! Just don't think Pipe had him quite right at Cheltenham that day after a long lay off and the stable underperformed that week imho.
Cheers GGW. On the nose at 16s in a handicap at the festival, crikey! I don't have the kahunas for that, Each way thievery for me. Good luck today
A day for laying, as i feel there'll be a lot of skint punters come the end of today. A minefield at each and every meeting and anyone who ends up on top, Fairplay! One for me today Hennessy Gold Cup - BOBS WORTH @ 11/2 Today i think we'll see just how good a horse this fella really is & they'll be screaming major Gold cup horse for March. A beast, a machine go on Bobby!!
Morning chaps I'm sticking by my competition entries, with special mention to Lord Wishes at Newcastle. This half brother to the excellent Malcom Wishes makes his hurdle debut, having won his 2 bumpers very easily. Not a working man's price, but a winner is a winner. I'm with Nass re Hold On Julio's chances in the HGC, although I have also got ew "savers" on Teaforthree, Diamond Harry and Soll - and there are more I was temped with, but sanity prevailed! Chanin: I'll be really pizzed off if Fruity wins - I have a contact in the ownership, who always said he would let me know if the horse was ever "expected". And I can't call HIM, as I have lost his number!
Holy **** I backed Netminder first thing this morning at 10s in the 12.05 at Newcastle . Really like this horse, think he'll go on to stay further than the proverbial and that piece of form behind Brindisi Breeze is stunning (5L clear when sprawled the last). This horse owes me after lacklustre runs since that performance!! Call me a nutter but I think we could see this thing in the National one day, especially if they sent him to a bigger trainer.
I will be backing Soll in the hennessy today. It is a big step up in class but he is unexposed and will love the ground. Best of luck today
Afternoon guys I see someone has just placed €40k on big bucks to win the world hurdle with PP 5/4......gulp
Congrats Oddy Davy Russell, showing why he was best off staying at home and missing the Hennessy or the Fighting Fifth. With the first two winners at Fairyhouse.
