Thedeboftheyear could and should turn around the form in the 4.00 tooks 6s earlier but getting backed in a little now
I think you all know I was a little tongue in cheek earlier, however if you want to win at Cheltenham you have to work out who has the best form. Some divisions you can be confident the UK runners are ahead and in others the Irish hold sway. What makes me groan is that every Irish novice winner is suddenly way ahead of their UK counterparts. The races will probably be fairly evenly split and the fun is working out who has the best form. At the moment form could end up being secondary as its looking more and more likely that we will have a soft ground Festival.......heaven help us!
Erm, it's the internet we're on it's not like we're in an office somewhere...anyway what part of the UK are you currently in, the home counties of Germany
Hennesey next and I haven't a strong view on it. Is it really soft enough for Tidal Bay, I'm not so sure it is. First Lieutenant is drifting to a silly price at 5/2 IMO. Hoping Lord Windermere runs a nice race as my 25/1 Gold Cup ante-post done prior to the Newbury Hennesey looks bad enough at this stage
One thing you have to admire about Irish racing is the big owners like Gigginstown, JP McManus and Ricci. They are serious players who are looking to get a handle on the NH game much like Coolemore has on the flat. They are spending some serious money on some serious horses (although JP buys some fecking rubbish as well ). The more predominant owners on the other side of the Irish sea, the likes of Michael Buckley, Simon Munir, John Hales, Trevor Hemmings or some of the partnerships / clubs just don't seem to have the same firepower (or talent scouts??) when it comes to buying NH horses. Irish NH racing is on a real upward curve and I think it is brilliant for the sport in general and the Cheltenham festival in particular.
Beefy, just for a laugh, tell me, if I gave you a grand to put on the Gold Cup win only. Who would it be going on?
Be great to see Tidal Bay sign off with a win BUT looking to the future I would like to see a big run from Last Instalment to put himself in the Cheltenham Gold Cup picture.
Wow, stinking in the betting too, serious Gold Cup contender, jumped really well, showed a good cruising speed, quickens and stays. First Lieutenant is a bookies dream, probably win at one of the festivals at a price when no one is on.
Hate after timing but I had a small dabble on Last Installment just before the off! A badly needed 'cat amongst the pigeons' in the Gold Cup picture?! What a lovely, lovely jumper of a fence he is, such scope. BTW where did Tidal Bay finish, he was badly out of picture turning for home? EDIT: WOW, just seen he grabbed second, he must have sprouted wings after the last! Some run from him too
Why is Last Instalment 50/1 for the Gold Cup whilst First Lieutenant is 10/1? That's twice LI has beaten him and looks as though he always will. Probably all changed by the time this gets posted.
HE FINISHED SECOND BEEFY. Lost his position badly three out but ran on strongly, typical TIDAL BAY run. Apparently BOBS WORTH just shat in his box!
Incredibly he is still a bigger price than Cue Card Not sure if anyone noticed but the Irish have won every race so far at Leopardstown today.
