Triolo D’alene probably has better form than the other novices he’s likely to meet and the skies the limit for Sprinter Sacre, could be exceptional.

Long Run is the most overated horse in modern times , definitely there to be shot at ! Gran Crus is very special but i think the Gold Cup has come a year early maybe ?

Paul Nicholls / Willie Mullins / David Pipe the trainers i will following at the festival 😉

@caster rob wrote:

Triolo D’alene probably has better form than the other novices he’s likely to meet and the skies the limit for Sprinter Sacre, could be exceptional.

Sprinter sacre looked like a world beater and will be hard to beat at cheltenham,peddlers cross form is solid and its run in the supreme hurdle last year at cheltenham behind Al ferof is top notch(i backed it).

Ive been backing First Lieutenant (8/1-6/1 in the RSA chase,watched it beat rock on ruby and mullins talking horse so young last year…

@kev34 wrote:

Sprinter sacre looked like a world beater and will be hard to beat at cheltenham,peddlers cross form is solid and its run in the supreme hurdle last year at cheltenham behinf Al ferof is top notch(i backed it).

Ive been backing First Lieutenant (8/1-6/1 in the RSA chase,watched it beat rock on ruby and mullins talking horse so young last year…

You’re getting mixed up Kev, Peddlars Cross ran in the Champion last year and was beaten by Hurricane Fly, won what I still think of as the Sun Alliance the year before and therein lies the key to him, I think he needs further than 2 miles. Sprinter Sacre looks exceptional but so have plenty of others that have been turned over in the Arkle over the years.

My idea of a live outsider at the moment is Sea of Thunder in the Albert Bartlett. Lot of the Irish lads appeared unexpectedly at the December meeting and it wasn’t until this thing was backed from 9’s in to 11-2 that we realised what they were there for. It had cruised clear (over course and distance) when taking a soft fall at the last. It’s been beaten on Heavy in Ireland since but at the time they told us one of the reasons they’d come over was it’s a different horse on good-ish ground rather than the bogs it’s mostly run on over there.

Another one to watch for is Charlie Longsdon’s Universal Soldier in the 4 miler, particularly if he can get one of the crack amateurs to ride him. Plenty of stamina (hacked up at Towcester) and jumps well. 16-1 at present.

Not getting mixed up m8 Sprinter Sacre beat peddlers cross in a novice chase by 10 lengths + at kempton in december (called the wayward lad chase years ago) .i backed it 6/4 and got paid out lol 😀

Sprinter sacre ran in the supreme last year and was beaten by Al Ferof :confused:

I never mentioned the Champion hurdle lol 😮

Word of warning tho folks..Paul Nicholls has a cough in the stable

@Katarino wrote:

@kev34 wrote:

Sprinter sacre looked like a world beater and will be hard to beat at cheltenham,peddlers cross form is solid and its run in the supreme hurdle last year at cheltenham behinf Al ferof is top notch(i backed it).

Ive been backing First Lieutenant (8/1-6/1 in the RSA chase,watched it beat rock on ruby and mullins talking horse so young last year…

You’re getting mixed up Kev, Peddlars Cross ran in the Champion last year and was beaten by Hurricane Fly, won what I still think of as the Sun Alliance the year before and therein lies the key to him, I think he needs further than 2 miles. Sprinter Sacre looks exceptional but so have plenty of others that have been turned over in the Arkle over the years.

My idea of a live outsider at the moment is Sea of Thunder in the Albert Bartlett. Lot of the Irish lads appeared unexpectedly at the December meeting and it wasn’t until this thing was backed from 9’s in to 11-2 that we realised what they were there for. It had cruised clear (over course and distance) when taking a soft fall at the last. It’s been beaten on Heavy in Ireland since but at the time they told us one of the reasons they’d come over was it’s a different horse on good-ish ground rather than the bogs it’s mostly run on over there.

Another one to watch for is Charlie Longsdon’s Universal Soldier in the 4 miler, particularly if he can get one of the crack amateurs to ride him. Plenty of stamina (hacked up at Towcester) and jumps well. 16-1 at present.

Gl with sea of thunder but i cant see it reversing form with Boston Bob which is the apple of rubys eye,it firmly put them in there place at leopardstown albeit in heavy ground which it probably won`t get in march!…Also watched boston bob win a Nh flat race when trained by Howard johnson,it pissed it bigtime.Now mullins has it nuff said for me 😉

@kev34 wrote:

Not getting mixed up m8 Sprinter Sacre beat peddlers cross in a novice chase by 10 lengths + at kempton in december (called the wayward lad chase years ago) .i backed it 6/4 and got paid out lol 😀

Sprinter sacre ran in the supreme last year and was beaten by Al Ferof :confused:

I never mentioned the Champion hurdle lol 😮

ahh, got you. At risk of sounding like your english teacher, you should to watch your parsing of sentences to avoid confusion. 😉 The fundamental point about PC remains the same though, he’s not really a 2 miler IMO.

I know about Al Ferof but don’t forget he was stuffed by Cue Card in the bumper and as has been mentioned, Nicholls def has a bug in the yard at present. I know the form lines for Sea of Thunder with Boston Bob but pop on RP and watch the Cheltenham race on better ground, he’s a different horse. I just hope they don’t run him again though before the Festival, as he’ll be getting into the “too many runs”/”been on the go too long” category.

Am on Burton Point at big prices for the gold cup.Also had a big message for Minsk in the triumph but only 6/1 now.Poor value now in my opinion ,although if it wins it,s prep. race tomorrow who knows? 😎 😎 😎 😎

I’ll be there on the Thursday – guest of Betfair – anyone else going?

Tuesday for me 🙂

Bunch of Wusses!!! Do the 4 days!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

Going for the week, as usual, and with the Henderson camp being in such good form, we might get around 4/5 for Ruby Walsh to be top jockey, even if the Nicholls horses are coughing, he looks just about a penalty kick …. and Mullins for top trainer must be worth a bet, the bookies are bound to have Henderson and Nicholls too short which might just make Mullins the best bet of the meeting, would you want to lay Hurricane Fly or Quevega on Tuesday ???

How long you been at it Doc? My first was ’75 when I bunked of school to go with some bookies (cabbage patch) who used my dad’s pub. Haven’t missed a day since ’91 apart from the F & M year.

Nearly 20 years, early 90s, and like you other than the food and mouth i have been every year, wouldnt miss it.

Like a drug isn’t it.

What do you make of the Triumph after yesterday? I’m just confused now, I think all the 4-y-o are relatively c**p.

Top website with a wealth of info for this years festival for those that havent come across it yet ……

here, http://www.cheltenham-festival.co.uk/

Big money for Seabass on day one in the Festival Handicap Chase , backed into 10/1 from 20s with BETFRED in the last couple of days , Irish horse which i think is unbeaten this season with top connections ! 😉

Interesting reading Dodge but statistically speaking fails on age, weight and number of runs.

At the moment I like Cantlow in the Coral Cup, Universal Soldier in the NH 4 Miler and Module in the County (bolted up at last meeting, much easier than form book shows) but let’s see how it cuts up as the entries evolve.

Looks like it will be fast ground …. with all this years form on soft …. get the form books out, it could be a bookies benefit 🙁

4/5 Walsh for top jockey, and 11/8 Mullins for top trainer … if you just want an interest … or to pay for next years trip, there will be worse bets 😉

@Dodge wrote:

Top website with a wealth of info for this years festival for those that havent come across it yet ……

here, http://www.cheltenham-festival.co.uk/

Big money for Seabass on day one in the Festival Handicap Chase , backed into 10/1 from 20s with BETFRED in the last couple of days , Irish horse which i think is unbeaten this season with top connections ! 😉

Been looking at this race and there is a very strong bias against horses rated more than 143, last one rated above that to win was Unguided Missile back in 94 and very few even placed since. At the moment that rules out everything carrying above 10-10.

The one that ticks all the boxes for me is Lie Forrit, course winner over hurdles in 09, won a decent hurdle off 138 at Newbury next time out with 1st and 2nd well clear. The 2nd was raised 9lb for that and still won next time out. He was then tried in top class before getting an injury and being out for a year. 3 runs in novice chases this year have resulted in two 2nds and a win and 2 of these were round a sharp track that probably wouldn’t suit. He’s in off a mark of 138 and has the look of being laid out by his small but very capable yard. If he was with any of the big guns he’d be single figures but currently around 14’s. Watch this space……

@Katarino wrote:

@Dodge wrote:

Top website with a wealth of info for this years festival for those that havent come across it yet ……

here, http://www.cheltenham-festival.co.uk/

Big money for Seabass on day one in the Festival Handicap Chase , backed into 10/1 from 20s with BETFRED in the last couple of days , Irish horse which i think is unbeaten this season with top connections ! 😉

Been looking at this race and there is a very strong bias against horses rated more than 143, last one rated above that to win was Unguided Missile back in 94 and very few even placed since. At the moment that rules out everything carrying above 10-10.

All i know is Seabass is very progresive and has won very easily , i saw Seabass win his last race over in Ireland live on RUK and despite being hampered by a loose horse running accross it almost bringing him down or worse still managed recover and jump the fence and win easily in a big field ……… the obvious question is will Seabass handle the Cheltenham course as so many dont .

Still being backed though ….. now 8s 😉

There are a couple of very short priced favourites on day one and the first race is a needle and haystack jobbie so for me the Festival Handicap Chase offers good value . The rumour mill is rife regarding the gold cup with Long Run rumoured injured and drifting in the market and Kauto Star looking ok ……. who do we believe ? lol 😉

Spinter Sacre is the poorest value on day 1. “Only been beaten once”, Where was that then? Oh yeah at Cheltenham, at the Festival. Close was is? Not really, 5+ lengths with no excuses. Ah well, at least he won’t have to run against the horse that beat him…… Oh b*****r…………….

Al Ferof is decent value under the circumstances.

@Katarino wrote:

The one that ticks all the boxes for me is Lie Forrit…..

and now a non runner 🙁

Make a phrase out of the following: Drawing, Back, the, Board to…………

Seabass backed big time now also a non runner ! …………

Moff to the pub !!!!! :rolleyes: 😀

Just checked the link …….. Seabass 8/1 for the Byrne Plate on day 3 !

Been to the preview evening up by Jonjo’s tonight. Reaally good word for Sir Johnson in the Bumper (Wednesday), worked really impressively at Newbury last week.

Also mentioned:

Moon Dice in the County.
Salut Flo in the Byrne Group
Buena Vista may well have a good 10lb claimer riding in the Pertemps Final and will love the ground.

Jonjo’s horses are very out of form and should be treated with caution.

Noting much mentioned for tomorrow

Backed 3 today.

Galileo,s Choice @ 7/1

Al Ferof @ 11/4

The Package @ 5/1

all e/w of course ! 😀

Under pressure I relented and backed Sprinter Sacre. Also had a small bet on Balthazar King at 10-1 and then watched it be backed off the boards with some serious bets being thrown about (unusual in Cross Country). Lost on Darlan (poor ride AP) and Hurricane Fly (shocking ride Ruby), not saying either would def have won but Darlan found all kinds of trouble on the run to 2 out and HF was so far behind at top of hill I’d have laid you any price. You just can’t get there from where he was. £76 for a quid on the Placepot was a nice surprise though.

I know I’ve mentioned it already but the Point to Point set are barking Universal Soldier in the first tomorrow.

Very pleased to see Sprinter Sacre perform as well as I hoped he would.

No surprise to note that the bleeding-heart liberals at the BBC chose to make an issue of the fatalities.

Where do they think these horses would be if they weren’t racing?

Prats.

Incident packed today !

Anyone have a view on the shambles at the last fence in the Queen Mother ?

Ps. Son of Flicka 66/1 in the shops this morning backed all day into 16s and won easily …….. nice touch to say the least !

Absolute cock-up Dodge.

They started to cordon off the fence before the runners got to the ditch at the top of the hill, then when they were running down the hill they changed their minds and opened it up.

Just as the runners came around the final bend to the 2nd last (with the low sun in the jockeys eyes) a bloke with a flag was shoved a few yards out across the track to send them around the fence.

Lucky the jockeys were able to prevent a collision with the spectators stood by the final hurdle.

Shambles about sums it up!

Couldnt believe what was unfolding before my eyes myself ! Two seriuos top class horses in Sizing Europe and Finians Rainbow were put in danger aswell as spectators …….. unbelievable for such an elite event. Several multiple bets bit the dust for me as i was on Sizing Europe , he deffo came out worse in the incident and in hindsight would have won if allowed to jump the last imho. Dont think we have heard the last of said incident , millions of pounds at stake …… proper shambles !

I thought the same. The impression I got was they were being instructed to jump it on their right hand side but having checked, the rules state if the fence is ‘boarded’ and the chequered flag is out you go round. Geraghty operated within rules in trying to shut door but thte incidedent cost SE the race IMO.

Monumental Gamble on Son of Flicka, bl**dy obvious with hindsight. Word on course was they’d cleared £3m…….

Finians Rainbow had to deviate further from a straight line than Sizing Europe and either or both could have fallen had they jumped the fence.

I just hope Kauto Star comes home safe tomorrow.

All his better form in recent years has been on flat tracks and I fear a stiff gallop here may induce jumping errors.

Hope I’m wrong.

thank goodness it’s all over. enjoyed the racing but four loosing days. only 3 winners, none today, the other 3 days just 1 per day. no good in canadians. 🙁

@stevied wrote:

thank goodness it’s all over. enjoyed the racing but four loosing days. only 3 winners, none today, the other 3 days just 1 per day. no good in canadians. 🙁

lol same here !

I just love everything about the Cheltenham festival week always have done …. packed out local bookies and a few pints in the pub with mates.

I bottled it yet again by not backing a couple of big priced horses Giant Bolster was one today as it bolted up in its rehersal at Cheltenham a month ago and Kauto and Long Run were never going to win were they ? The writing was also on the wall with Son of Flicka the other day …… tipped on the morning line and in the Racing Post yet it was still 50s and 40s @ around 10.30 am in the shops ….. doh !

hindsight eh ? 😉 😀 we will all learn one day !

Today was an utter bloodbath, one of the worst I’ve ever seen at the Festival. I saw writing on wall after the third so damage was limited but it was mostly pain for all but blind McCoy followers or pin stickers.

I didn’t back anything but IMO Long Run’s owner finally paid the price for putting up his son against pros. He bottled committing 3 out, then tried to go through a gap they were always going to close on him. Geraghty would have won on it.

Finally, for anyone who hasn’t seen it, watch Carberry’s ride in the last. I didn’t back it but the ride is GENIUS, he might be a lunatic but he has “Hands of Gold”.

Was there Tuesday and Thursday (was one place in one race off the Placepot both days) and came out on top both days although not by huge amounts. Big Bucks was a nice winner for me at an unexpectedly good price Thursday and also has Balthazhars Gift Tuesday helped, and I had plenty of places. Friday I laid Kauto (nice) and was looking for someone against Long Run – in the end going for Burton Port who ran a strong race for fourth and gave me a good run for my money but wasn’t quite good enough… enjoyable but glad I wasn’t there Friday from a financial viewpoint as I would have got involved in every race and got nowhere…

Another Festival gone.

Highlights:
Sprinter Sacre: What is going to beat him over 2 miles in the foreseeable.

Kauto Star: Long and happy retirement beckons I hope.

Geraghty: The ride on Riverside Theatre was one of the greatest you’ll ever see. He is the absolute best big race jockey currently riding. The horses sometimes might not be good enough but he never, ever has them in a false position as long as they have the ability to be where he want’s them.

Big Bucks: Nuff said. Unbeatable.

Carberry on Bellvano: Sublime

Scudamore on Salut Flo: as good a display of front running as his dad ever did.

Lowlights.
The Cross Country: I backed the winner but the deaths were terrible (particularly Scotsirish), anyone who believes racing fans don’t understand the risks needed to be there. They are terrible races quality wise and I would be glad to see the back of them but at the very least if you can’t get the ground safe then don’t run it.

Walsh on a few but Hurricane Fly and Boston Bob in particular: The irish lads are calling him ‘Showboat’. If you saw the Morning Line on weds Davy Russell when asked about the ride on HF was a model of tact, especially considering they are not the best of friends. “I think he thought he had a bit more horse under him than he actually had” is an understatement and it seems to be becoming a habit with him

Already booked the flat for next year already…………….. 🙂

What do we think about burton port for the grand national? I see synchronised is a bigger price….. But….

Burton Port ‘bounced’ quite badly, I doubt they’d get him back for the National.

Syncronised had a very hard race and isn’t very big anyway, I doubt he’ll even run now.

Look at horses carrying 11-2 and below, 8 or older, with some grade 2 form over at least 3m2f (preferably 3m4f) and finally (with apologies to Mon Mome) not French Bred.

@caster rob wrote:

Triolo D’alene probably has better form than the other novices he’s likely to meet and the skies the limit for Sprinter Sacre, could be exceptional.

Maybe exceptional’s an understatement?