I think Wicklow Brave is a big player, its going to be hard for Walsh to choose him over the proven Grade 1 form of Vautour tho. I wouldnt read too much into the bumper form, it was a decent race but Western Boy was having his first run of the season and has taken his form to another level over hurdles, he finished just in front of Elsie and Upsanddowns who while half decent, I dont think would get anywhere near him now over hurdles. He was under pressure a fair way out in that race and the track might not have been ideal for him but I think we are looking at a different animal now. Vautour was much more efficient than him in the jumping department at Punchestown, he was very "novicey" at more than a few and if they have worked on that since which im assuming they will have it would offer even more hope he can reverse the form with Vautour. Whatever way you look at it, hes got close form with the two big Mullins horses in the race, improvement to come from experience of last race and better ground, hes not going to be far away. Both Mullins and Townend gave him a good mention after the Punchestown race, hes no mug.
Can't put my finger on it Oddy. Just didn't think "Wow, there's a Festival winner". He was fluent enough, but no more so than some of the others; it's not as though he was making ground at any fence. Haven't seen his main opposition in action either. To be honest I haven't looked at any Cheltenham races this year. I don't tend to bother until nearer the time when it's clear who's running in what and all main trials are out the way. Must soon be time to start looking I suppose. Although times are pretty irrelevant over the jumps, it's interesting that Vautour's time was a much faster time (relative to standard) than The Tullow Tank's earlier win on better ground on the same course. On that basis, and the race at the weekend, I would be fairly confident that none of those behind will reverse the form, ever.
Hello lads. Back from my Iberian hibernation and catching up on a lot of the action. Wouldn't crab Vautour at all on yesterday's effort. Champagne Fever made all in the same race last year,on similar ground, before going on to win the Supreme. The remarks of Ruby Walsh post race were more interesting than the performance of his beast.He is normally quite circumspect but was very complimentary about his partner yesterday..very complimentary. Re Balder Succes,I find him completely underwhelming and of no interest whatsoever in a G1. He has tried in that grade 4 times over timber and sticks and only completed once when tailed off.Lacks scope and reminds me of Rio Du Mee (even though he won a poor G1) in that he will hoover up G2/3 small field events in the saturated 'chase pattern race schedule. Ballycasey won nicely from a good couple of very good yardsticks but Smad Place was more impressive imo on Saturday...still undecided re these two as to who is the best. Fanciful to think the Festival will be run on anything but testing ground if the long range forecast is anything to go by which will suit Bob's Worth.He is slow (too slow for a KG) and far from flashy,a bit of a boring old beast tbh but he loves Cheltenham and will be a tough nut to crack with the certain dig in the ground. Looking forward to Days 1 and 2 and the CGC on Friday...the rest of the Thurday and Friday cards is complete dross.
