Every favourite has won at Punchestown so far. This happened at Dundalk a few weeks back I think as well, 8 faves won. Anyone on?
De Bromhead gang appealing the Tingle Creek decision. He reckons Special Tiara would have landed in front had he not been impeded and that he to his eye the horse was closing all the way to the line. It's never getting reversed but there giving it a try.
Anyone else thing Snag List for Mullins looks overpriced in the 3.05 Huntingdon bumper? She was a staying on 4th at Cheltenham to the really promising COPPER KAY of the Hobbs team, and already one way down the field has won with another placing. I suspect that might turn out to be a decent event so I've taken a chance on the exchanges at around 11s
Ted Walsh will be delighted with that comeback from Seabass. Buried out back never tried put into the race. "trip was too short, couldn't go the gallop etc.." 2 more runs like that and then bang in a big handicap
Couldn't dissect that Huntingdon bumper but I was given positive word for Jett for Jessie Harrington in the one at Punchestown. I've backed him at 13/8. 3rd and final bet for the day. Mullins one is bound to hose up.
Kilquiggan places so will have one last punt on Liverpool to beat Newcastle and Benteke to score anytime 9/4
Nina got up to score. Remember it was once a religion to just back Nina blind in the bumpers if all else had failed, Nina would save the day
Possible season plan for Al Ferof: January - Clarence House Chase February - Game Spirt (Newbury) or Ascot Chase March - Champion Chase April - Melling Chase I reckon that would give them a sporting chance of landing a couple of decent prizes. I wouldn't give him a hard race at Cheltenham - if it were clear he wasn't going to win then let him come home in his own time. I would have the Melling Chase as his primary target, get him fit and fresh for that (so maybe even swerve Cheltenham altogether).
That was the first race at my first ever visit to the festival. I had backed Cue Card but when the horses came out onto the track I looked at Joe Tizzard and he appeared to be ****ting himself so I wasn't confident I remember the roar at the off being awesome but I tell you what, when the course commentator called Cue Card moving to the front approaching the second last the roar was even louder. I think most folk at the course were on him that day, shame he couldn't land the odds. Great memories though
Just watched the Punchestown racing having been out most of the day. Pont Alexandre very impressive over his fences. The Ruby boy had the brakes fully deployed going to the last too and still won easily. 12/1 for the RSA. If he gets there it will take a very good one to beat him.
One of my favourite ever races to watch. Just brilliant. Spirit Son would have been some hurdler wouldn't he? I think he went and beat Cue Card about 15L at Aintree after this. Amazing race.
Reading the news on ATR's website and Hales is keen to run Al Ferof in the King George. I'm sure Nicholls had issues with Hales before regarding the direction AF should be sent and I'd say that's why he wasn't too bothered to let him go and recommending Skelton for him.
Yep, very sad what happened to Spirit Son - you have had the mortgage on him at the last hurdle, absolutely pinged it didn't he? His next race, the Mersey Novices Hurdle over 2m4f at Aintree, told us what he could have become - Cue Card beaten 13 lengths into 2nd and a certain Rock On Ruby a further 8 lengths away in 3rd.
I've never been a big fan of STD as a jockey. Maybe Paul Nicholls stable will hit form when it's Boxing Day!
And they all told me Djakadam had no chance in the Gold Cup last year Glad to see another one of my horses to follow Yorkhill kick off his jumps career nicely. Jumps and has an engine. Has to be high up the antepost lists for the Neptune now I'd assume. Pont Alexandre certainly was marking time over the little uns wasn't he, like they always said. Maybe the 2013 Neptune will produce a proper Grade 1 animal after all And old boy Al Ferof starts off with his traditional win, let's hope he can kick on from this under the tutelage of Mr Skelton. Looks like bookies asses been kicked in here today guys, nice stuff