beaker1
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Re: Cheltenham Preview Nights CHELTENHAM PREVIEW 2012 EXETER The Panel consisted of Paul Nicholls David Pipe Philip Hobbs Paul Binfield representing sponsors Paddy Power Nick Williams Andrew King (Racing Post) Paul Jones (Cheltenham Trends) Zoey Bird, Compère DAY 1 1.30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2m 1/2f This is clearly a very open race and there was no clear selection from the panel Philip Hobbs stated Colour Sergeant was fine after his recent fall, and should go very well Paul Nicholls says Prospect Wells is very classy at home, and goes there with a decent chance, allowing for poor effort last time Paul Jones thinks Simonsig will run Neptune, but if running in the Supreme would win Steps to Freedom has the best form, whilst Midnight Game is improving Andrew King thought Darlan had a good chance Paul Binfield thought Galileo’s Choice was the best of the Irish 2.05 Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase 2m Paul Binfield said it was quite possible Sprinter Sacre could go off at odds on Paul Nicholls thought Sprinter Sacre was by no means certain to stay as he has done all his top class form on flat tracks Philip Hobbs says Menorah jumps well at home, but does make the odd mistake, which he will need to avoid on the day Doesn’t think anything can beat Sprinter Sacre Paul Jones says Sprinter Sacre is the one to beat, reminded us the best “hurdler†often wins the Arkle, and that would be Peddlers Cross David Pipe thought Sprinter Sacre had too much pace for the rest Andrew King wanted to oppose Sprinter Sacre big time, doesn’t think Cheltenham will suit, similar to the Supreme last year 2.40 William Hill Trophy Handicap Steeple Chase 3m 1/2f Not a lot on this race David Pipe said The Package should run well in this race, although the Grand National was his main aim Massini’s Maguire may also take his chance 3.20 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy 2m 1/2f Paul Binfield thought Zarkandar had a decent chance of beating Hurricane Fly Paul Nicholls thought he had a chance and would be better than he was at Newbury Also said Zarkandar was on anti-biotics and would finish the course next couple days, but seemed OK Also thought Rock on Ruby was way overpriced on form with Binocular Brampour will run and may have EW squeak, Celestial Halo will take his chance Andrew King thought Binocular was the EW bet, impressed with last win 4.00 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeple Chase 3m 7f Nothing on this race discussed in detail Paul Jones asked Philip Hobbs about Balthazar King, and I thought he got quite a positive response to his chances 14-1 EW not the worse bet in this race 4.40 David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle Race 2m 4f Nobody can see Quevega being beaten However Nick Williams was very keen on Swinford Flame‘s chance Each Way 5.15 Centenary Novice handicap Chase 2m 4.5f Again not a lot discussed although Criqtonic mentioned as having a decent chance DAY 2 1.30 National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup 4m Nothing mentioned 2.05 Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle 2m 5f Philip Hobbs said Fingal Bay was 50/50 after injuring a hamstring Paul Jones thought Boston Bob had the soundest chance, indeed had the best novice hurdle form at the meeting Also didn’t think Simonsig would win this if running Andrew King thought it was between Fingal bay and Boston Bob Paul Nicholls said he had been told this would be Boston Bob‘s target 2.40 RSA Steeple Chase 3m 1/2f David Pipe said Grand Crus was in great form at home, probably wouldn’t decide on the race, until the 5 day decs. Andrew king thought Bobs Worth would go well, but Grand Crus would win if running Paul Nicholls said Join Together has won twice at the course, and would stay on as well as anything in the race Paul Jones respected Invictus and Bobs Worth who is 3/3 at Cheltenham Indeed thought Bobs Worth EW at 5-1 was one of the best bets at the meeting 3.20 Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase 2m Paul Binfield thought Big Zeb was the better bet at the prices Philip Hobbs says Wishfull Thinking has breathing problems, not sure they are resolved still he is not quite right. Paul Jones thinks Sizing Europe is the best chaser in training anything above Evens is a decent bet Andrew King thought Wishfull Thinking at his best would be interesting 4.00 Coral Cup (Handicap Hurdle) 2m 5f Lots of horses but no information specific to the Coral Cup, most horses are multiple entries 4.40 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle 2m 1/2f Hinterland will run in this race and hopefully go well 5.15 Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Open NH Flat Race) 2m 1/2f Paul Binfield thinks Sword of Honour is a decent EW bet Philip Hobbs thought Village Vic would run very well Andrew King likes New Years Eve and Population Paul Jones said that the top BHA rated horse on the flat do run well in this race, and Moscow Mannon would be the horse backed on the day Nick Williams said Horatio Hornblower was nice horse and would run, if the going had “soft†in it DAY 3 1.30 Jewson Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase 2m 5f Paul Nicholls said Cristal Bonus was running on Saturday and should go well, and then would run in this race, as long as going was soft enough Nick Williams thought For Non Stop had a good chance but no more than that Paul Jones thought he had never seen Ruby Walsh look happier than the last time he got off Cristal Bonus who jumps for fun, also likes Sir Des Champs, winner would come form one of these two Andrew king thought For Non Stop could go off favourite and was the most likely winner 2.05 Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle) 3m David Pipe expected Buena Vista to run well again, he had been concerned from two races ago, when he seemed to lose form, but last run was pretty good Buena Vista still has a chance on official rating Paul Nicholls was keen on Sonofvic, 20-1 seems a decent price 2.40 Ryanair Chase 2m 5f Paul Binfield said Noble Prince is the selection here, last race, ground was too soft Massive chance this time David pipe thought Great Endeavour had a really good chance which would improve on better going Andrew King thought it was between Somersby and Great Endeavour Paul Jones thought Somersby was very good EW bet, but not sure he wouldn’t go for the Queen Mother Chase. Great Endeavour and Medermit needed to find around 7lbs 3.20 Ladbrokes World Hurdle 3m Paul Nicholls said Big Buck’s was Ok, no cough Indeed he said the older horses all seem Ok, it’s just the younger ones who have shown some signs Big Buck’s has come on from last run He did think Oscar Whisky would be his toughest challenger yet David Pipe said Big Buck’s was certainty and that Dynaste was playing for one of the places Paul Jones wished they would run Thousand Stars in this race rather than Champion Hurdle 4.00 Byrne Group Plate Handicap Steeple Chase 2m 5f Paul Nicholls said Crack Away Jack would run here, seemed quite keen on a decent run as well I thought David Pipe said Salut Flo was entered in just about every race; there was some money for this one yesterday in this race 4.40 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase 3m 1 1/2f No discussion on this race 5.15 St Patricks Day Derby (Charity race) No discussion on this race {Editor’s note – I should bloody well think not!! } DAY 4 1.30 JCB Triumph Hurdle 2m 1f Minsk is the favourite for this race, not run all season – unbelievable. Philip Hobbs said Sadlers Risk runs this Saturday, very happy with him Nick Williams said Urbain De Sivola would run if ground was on the soft side Paul Nicholls said Pearl Swan has the best form so far of his horses, but also said Dildar runs this Saturday, against Sadlers Risk I got the impression he has very high hopes for Dildar Andrew king liked Grumeti and Pearl Swan Paul Jones thought Minsk could go off as low at 2-1, as his flat form is far in excess of anything else Paul Binfield likes Darroun Paul Nicholls did say he wouldn’t be surprised if Minsk never ran either this weekend or at Cheltenham! 2.05 Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle 2m 1f Philip Hobbs said Snap Tie is in good form, he reported this last year but the horse never got in, hasn’t run for two years, so you’d want a very big price, not sure 33-1 is big enough to tempt me 2.40 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle 3m Paul Nicholls very keen on Rocky Creek As mentioned earlier he believes Boston Bob will go to the Neptune Andrew King thought Rocky Creek would go off 7-2 if Boston Bob was NR, so 10-1 at the moment was excellent Paul Jones was not taken by Brindisi Breeze last run, not up to the standard to win this race 3.20 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase 3m 2 1/2f Much of this was taken up discussing the merits of Long Run‘s last run, and whether Grand Crus would run Paul Jones thought the front two were vulnerable, and that Weird Al was the best bet at 20-1 Andrew king thought What a Friend EW, although Paul Nicholls dismissed this saying 3rd was his best chance if everyone turned up Paul Nicholls said Kauto Star was in top form at home, as good as he has seen him Wasn’t sure Long Run had trained on, and that meant there was not a lot between them Philip Hobbs was asked about Captain Chris, he said he has always jumped right, so that was not an issue as such, however he was not at his best IF HE RAN it would be Ryanair or Gold Cup, however then said he wouldn’t really want more than 3 miles, so I give him next to no chance of running in the Gold Cup, and I got the impression he was by no means certain to run at the Festival 4.00 Christie’s Foxhunter Steeple Chase 3m 2 1/2f No discussion, although couple of tips at the end 4.40 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 2m 4 1/2f As usual; David Pipe gets questioned on this race, however he said it is very difficult to even get a horse in this race, he tried with Grand Crus a couple years ago, but couldn’t as he had an OR of only 124 A few mentioned and maybe the most likely is Salut Flo if this 5.15 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Steeple Chase 2m 1/2f No discussion on this race Charity Bets Andrew King Rocky Creek Albert Bartlett Paul Jones On The fringe Foxhunters Zoey Bird Scotsirish Cross Country Nick Williams Swincombe Flame EW David Nicholson Mares Paul Nicholls Chapoturgeon Foxhunters David Pipe Alfie Spinner National Hunt Chase Paul Binfield Salsify Foxhunters Philip Hobbs Sadlers Risk Triumph PS-i have also put this preview on racecaller under my user name bitchy so it aint copied and pasted from someone else
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Re: Daily Racing Chat Thread not a good sign with the festival around the corner,hope big bucks and kauto star turn up 100%
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Re: Tues: 2.05 Arkle Challenge Trophy i fancy menorah e/way for the arkle At the current prices MENORAH is the one I’m interested in. The one thing that strikes me about his Chasing career to date is the fact he is crying out for a faster pace and a larger field. To date he has run in 4 chases and each time he has only faced 2 other opponents. On each run he has made jumping errors which to my mind have been caused by lack of concentration, which in turn have been caused by the small fields. If we look at his hurdle and bumper record we can see he enjoyed running in larger fields, with his record in fields of 9 or more (the Arkle should get at least 9 runners) reading 1-1-2-2-1-2-1-1-5. His engine still looks well intact and Philip Hobbs has stated that the Arkle Chase is still firmly his festival target. MENORAH comes with plenty risk attached but that is factored into the price and I do feel a return to Cheltenham with more horses around him and a faster pace will see him improve.
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Re: not sure if allowed but WTF congratulations on reaching your 25000 posts you put alot of your time into it well done
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Grand National-winning trainer Josh Gifford has died of a heart attack.Gifford, who had only recently returned home from hospital after suffering from septicaemia, will forever be remembered for Aldaniti's stirring victory at Aintree in 1981 after his jockey Bob Champion recovered from cancer.Gifford's son, Nick, who took over from his father at his Findon yard in West Sussex, confirmed the sad news."I'm afraid he passed away in the early hours," he said.Before starting his training career, Gifford was an accomplished jockey and was crowned champion on four occasions.He had four Cheltenham Festival successes and finished second in the 1967 Grand National on Honey End behind the legendary winner Foinavon.Gifford had his first ride as a 12-year-old and his first winner came two years later in 1956 on Trentham Boy on the Flat. His first winner over jumps was at Wincanton in 1959.As well as winning the National with Aldaniti, Gifford trained top-quality horses such as Door Latch, Deep Sensation, Bradbury Star and Katabatic.He trained over 1,500 winners in his career.His son, Nick, added: "He'd been back home for about three weeks but he took a turn for the worse yesterday evening. By the early hours he was in a really bad way and in the end it was a heart attack." taken from at the races rip josh gifford
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Re: List of racing links http://ilhansports.info/Dubai Racing.html watch racing at meydan races if your intrested
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Re: Grand National Stats and Trends Thread key trends oppose horses aged under 9 dismiss contenders yet to have won over at least three miles disregard horses set to carry over 11st 5lbs treat horses coming off a break of 50+ days with caution irish bred have dominated look to a horse likely to be ridden prominently other factors previous experience over these fences has been advantageous [especially if contested last seasons national] the morson group hcp chase at cheltenham in december is the best recent guide outside of previous grand nationals a hard race at the cheltenham festival often leaves its mark the haydock grand national trial winner as never won just one french bred winner in 103 years the top eight in the betting have a better record than most believe
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Re: Ante Post Jumps Thread 2011-2012 walkon is down to run against sprinter sacre in the 2-05 newbury on saturday
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Re: List of racing links for anyone intrested in horse pedigrees,this may be of intrest to you http://www.pedigreequery.com/
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Re: Ante Post Jumps Thread 2011-2012 ladbrokes now go nrnb on this race now
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Re: Ante Post Jumps Thread 2011-2012 1 99-113 Brampour 7 4 11-12 Paul Nicholls49 159 157 164 2 1110-2 Marsh Warbler 28 4 11-1 Brian Ellison46 148 151 156 3 5-4262 Via Galilei 14 6 10-12 Gary Moore78 145 154 158 4 6-7122 Sailors Warn 35 4 10-11 E J O´Grady67 144 144 160 5 1110-3 Gibb River 14 5 10-11 Nicky Henderson68 144 144 158 6 2125-1 Desert Cry 29 5 10-10 Donald McCain67 143 155 161 7 121 Prospect Wells 21 6 10-9 Paul Nicholls49 R Walsh 142 152 159 8 271-67 Third Intention 34 4 10-9 Colin Tizzard55 142 158 161 9 321105 Viva Colonia 34 6 10-6 David O´Meara50 139 158 161 10 12P-P5 Rajdhani Express 14 4 10-6 Nicky Henderson68 139 103 148 11 141-2F Tonic Mellysse 31 4 10-5 Paul Nicholls49 138 138 153 12 2104-5 Alarazi 21 7 10-3 Lucy Wadham67 136 145 163 13 1113 Abergavenny 34 4 10-2 Brian Ellison46 135 159 162 14 F4-213 Raya Star 21 5 10-1 Alan King53 134 162 167 15 1741-3 Act Of Kalanisi 42 5 10-1 Dr Richard Newland50 134 141 161 16 11F0-9 Ciceron 29 5 9-13 Venetia Williams25 132 143 162 17 13-3U4 Rigidity 28 4 9-13 Tim Vaughan50 132 148 163 18 3-7034 Tawaagg 41F 7 9-13 W P Mullins53 132 129 170 19 5-3216 First Avenue 14 6 9-4 Laura Mongan33 123 151 153 20 525-57 European Dream 14 8 9-1 Richard Guest 120 154 153 21 52/5-5 Action Impact 29 7 8-5 Gary Moore78 110 118 134 heres the weights aidymac
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Re: BBOTD Sunday 11th of December 12-35 punchestown - wandering aengus -win i remember this horse beating the champion bumper winner cheltenian last october on its only start at punchestown last october,and i took note of what his trainer said which is as follows [ p.s i have also put the same comments on racecaller site my name on there is bitchy ] Wandering Aengus is to be aimed at the Weatherbys Champion Bumper with trainer Patrick Prendergast ruling out hurdles for his bright prospect this season.The five-year-old is quoted by some bookmakers for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, but Prendergast is in no rush to send the Tobougg gelding over jumps.Wandering Aengus defeated Cheltenian on his only start so far at Punchestown last October and it was that horse's victory in the prestigious bumper at Cheltenham in the spring that has influenced the County Kildare handler's decision."He's doing very well. He had the summer off and he's back cantering at the moment," said Prendergast."He'll have one run in a winners' bumper and then he'll go to Cheltenham. He will only go to Cheltenham if there is cut in the ground, but we are hoping he will go to the Festival."One of the reasons he hasn't run is that he beat Cheltenian and he gave him 5lb and when we saw Cheltenian won the Bumper this year, we thought we'd have a go at it next year."I don't know why some bookies have him priced up for the Supreme Novices' because no-one has ever asked me. At the moment our plan is to run in the Cheltenham Bumper.The idea is to give him one run before the Festival, probably in January. If it was fast ground at Cheltenham in March we won't be going as he loves cut in the ground."He was quite weak when he won last year. He was four years of age but he was only a shell and he's stronger now."He's cantering away but he's enjoying life at the moment, nothing stressful. He's half-fit already, he's an easy horse to train but what is intresting is that trainer is running him over hurdles now when he said he will be sticking to the bumper route must be showing something at home so i will take the chance with him here and make him my bbotd
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Re: Jumps Racing Sunday 11th of December 12-35 punchestown - wandering aengus -win i remember this horse beating the champion bumper winner cheltenian last october on its only start at punchestown last october,and i took note of what his trainer said which is as follows [ p.s i have also put the same comments on racecaller site my name on there is bitchy ] Wandering Aengus is to be aimed at the Weatherbys Champion Bumper with trainer Patrick Prendergast ruling out hurdles for his bright prospect this season.The five-year-old is quoted by some bookmakers for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, but Prendergast is in no rush to send the Tobougg gelding over jumps.Wandering Aengus defeated Cheltenian on his only start so far at Punchestown last October and it was that horse's victory in the prestigious bumper at Cheltenham in the spring that has influenced the County Kildare handler's decision."He's doing very well. He had the summer off and he's back cantering at the moment," said Prendergast."He'll have one run in a winners' bumper and then he'll go to Cheltenham. He will only go to Cheltenham if there is cut in the ground, but we are hoping he will go to the Festival."One of the reasons he hasn't run is that he beat Cheltenian and he gave him 5lb and when we saw Cheltenian won the Bumper this year, we thought we'd have a go at it next year."I don't know why some bookies have him priced up for the Supreme Novices' because no-one has ever asked me. At the moment our plan is to run in the Cheltenham Bumper.The idea is to give him one run before the Festival, probably in January. If it was fast ground at Cheltenham in March we won't be going as he loves cut in the ground."He was quite weak when he won last year. He was four years of age but he was only a shell and he's stronger now."He's cantering away but he's enjoying life at the moment, nothing stressful. He's half-fit already, he's an easy horse to train but what is intresting is that trainer is running him over hurdles now when he said he will be sticking to the bumper route must be showing something at home so i will take the chance with him here and make him my bbotd
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taken from sporting life Former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Denman was retired on Friday morning. Trainer Paul Nicholls wrote in his Betfair column: "It is with great regret that I have to announce the retirement of Denman. "A scan yesterday afternoon revealed tiny damage to his near fore tendon, so this morning marks the end of an era for Ditcheat."
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Re: Ante Post Jumps Thread 2011-2012 great endeavours trainer doubts him staying extra 6 furlongs of the race, plus if you take into account his form over fences away from cheltenham reads 1446 and that winning race came at towcester in a 4 runner race at towcester and he was odds on,so really cant see him winning the hennessy
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Re: BBOTD Thursday 17th of November 2-15 thurles -aupcharlie -win very well bred and has its 1st run over hurdles today,but as strong bumper form in the book finishing third to cheltenian in the champion bumper at cheltenham last march,then went on to finish seventh to lovethehigherlaw at punchestown in the grade 1 champion nh flat race and that form is better than anything else in this race.ok i know its an hurdle race and not a nh flat race but he his with the top class trainer in willie mullins who really does no the time of the day and even though hes been off for 256 days he should be good enought to win this on debut but win or lose today i believe he will be a horse to follow in the future
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Re: Jump Racing - Friday 11th November well done bowles :clap
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Re: Cheltenham Nov Meeting (Fri 11th- Sun 13th) mon parrain was impressive at sandown over 3 miles on his debut where he destroyed the field with a round of good fencing,but maybe you could put that down to the fact he had a huge class edge over some inferior opposition and his paddy power rivals are a good deal better than those than he faced at sandown and if we didnt see him win that race at sandown you could say he ran as if he didnt stay at aintree,and imo i would say he is going to have to stay the 2m 4 and half furlongs very well to score at cheltenham on saturday
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Re: National Hunt/Jumps books have a look on the wetherby book shop site,they will have the books your after http://www.weatherbysshop.co.uk/home
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Re: Cheltenham Nov Meeting (Fri 11th- Sun 13th) i like daves dream in this hope he gets a decent weight,hes a very decent horse on his day and runs very well when fresh his form after at least 6 months off reads 11111 and his form after less than 6 months off reads 0663400. He is sure to be well suited by the 2m4f,he easily won a good handicap chase at the course last seasonto add tohis imperial cup win he was well below par when favourite for the december gold cup
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Re: Cheltenham Nov Meeting (Fri 11th- Sun 13th) some key trends for the greatwood hurdle five-year olds are the age group to follow six or less previous starts over hurdles an official handicap rating of 140 is the mininum benchmark a top two finish last time is an advantage favour those that contested a graded race last time out the top two in the betting have a strong record other factors oppose four year olds and runners aged seven or above previous graded hurdle winners philip hobbs has won this race three times in the last nine years dont look beyond the first six in the betting
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Re: Cheltenham Nov Meeting (Fri 11th- Sun 13th) some key trends for the paddy power gold cup seven year olds have the best record favour horses carrying 10st 13lbs or higher first 3 in the betting usually perform as expected respect runners of nigel twiston davies,ferdy murphy and philip hobbs a previous victory over this trip is essential course winning form is a big plus dont discount runners making their seasonal debuts some other factors oppose 5yr olds and others aged 9 plus the form of the zeturf.com hcp chase is worth following favour runners which have achieved a top two finish on their most recent start p.nicholls and irish trained horses have a poor record in the race ignore horses who are stepping up from 2 miles in trip
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Re: The Breeders Cup - USA should have said if the screens green when you click on the link just f 5 it
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Re: The Breeders Cup - USA heres a link for the races if anyones intrested http://www.elahmad.com/tv/swf/dubairacing.swf
Cheltenham Preview Nights
in At The Races - Racing Forum
Posted
Re: Cheltenham Preview Nights CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL PREVIEW at WARWICK RACECOURSE Friday, February 24th The panel was chaired by Chris Pitt who rattled through the races in double quick time to finish before racing commenced and featured up-and-coming trainer Charlie Longsdon (CL) who has a few horses with chances for the Festival (actually ‘arrived’ probably a better term for him now), Andrew Tinkler (AT) who rides for Nicky Henderson and gave the low down of many of their chief hopes, Kevan Minter (KM) (aka The Colonel to some) who gave betting updates and Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide author, Paul Jones. SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE CL: We will run Vulcanite and Hazy Tom. My horses are not right at the moment so you can both of their last runs. I was disappointed with Vulcanite at Newbury as he is 7lbs-14lbs better than that. He wants a strong pace and leading last time was hardly ideal. The owner wanted to take him to a valuable staying prize in Dubai instead but thankfully David Redvers has managed to change his mind which is good for me as he runs here. I hope you will see a far improved performance off a strong pace. I think we will reverse Kempton form with Tetlami. Hazy Tom wasn’t right at Ascot so forget that. Dickie Johnson thinks a fast-run 2m will really suit him when he is right so we have taken him out of the Neptune. AT: Simonsig schooled very slicky this morning and has the pace to run in either the Supreme or Neptune. They go very, very quick in the Supreme so I would like to see him run here as it would really suit him. He is a real two-miler that would see it out very well. I schooled Darlan today and he went very well and showed no ill effects of his bad fall. Tetlami is by Daylami and has the traits of many offspring of his sire in that he only shows you half his hand as he does what you ask and no more. He has ten times more ability that he has shown. KM: I always find this a hard race to predict. I know some shrewd judges are on Steps To Freedom at 14s but it worries me that he will not have run since November. ARKLE TROPHY CL: Barry Geraghty rode Moscow Flyer and he seems to think that Sprinter Sacre is in a different league to him so I can’t go against him. Flat tracks may suit him better and he has not done it yet at Cheltenham like four of his rivals but, even so. Peddlers Cross to chase him home. AT: Sptrinter Sacre needs very little introduction now. I made the running on French Opera at Newbury at what I thought was championship pace and he just breezed by me at half-way like I wasn’t even there. He has to work on his own at home as nothing can live with him and we don’t want to break the hearts of horses like Oscar Whisky by working with him. The intention was sit him in behind at Newbury so he can learn but that only lasted about five fences as he just took off past them without even trying. He was a shell of a horse last year which is why he didn’t get up the hill but came back to us looking unrecognisable after the summer and has grown up now. KM: The stats are against Sprinter Sacre as favourites have a poor Arkle record but I still see it as a match between him and Peddlers Cross. CHAMPION HURDLE CL: Hurricane Fly is outstanding and I expect him to win. I hear Zarkandar didn’t come out of his Newbury win brilliantly. AT: Binocular looked great at Wincanton and I will be really surprised if he is not in the first three. I preferred him to Grandouet as our main hope even before Grandouet had his setback. KM: I could win on Hurricane Fly. The Evens keeps getting wiped out every time someone offers it on the exchanges. NH CHASE CL: The plan is to run Universal Soldier. He has only had one run for us and, to be fair, although he won easily it was a mickey mouse race as Chartreux didn’t get very far. He pulled a muscle on his last start for his previous trainer and is best fresh. He is as slow as a hearse and needs all of 4m so this race should suit him and there is a good chance that Jamie Codd will ride and he has won this race twice before. I would like it to be on the easy side of good ground for him. Strongbows Legend is entered but this might come a year too soon for him, we’ll consider it as he won’t get another chance. AT: We don’t really have anything for this. Loose Performer maybe but he is not a horse to back at the Festival. Teaforthree I like but just concentrate on the best amateur riders. KM: A hard race to play in. Teaforthree and Fists Of Fury have been the horses for money recently. NEPTUNE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NOVICES’ HURDLE CL: We’ve got Cross Of Honour for this. He’s rated 126. If he was 130 he would have gone for the Coral Cup which would have been ideal but I doubt he would get in off 126. We need to a 140+ horse for this. Dawn Commander will run either here or the Albert Bartlett. AT: This is Simonsig’s other option but I would personally like to see him in the Supreme as think he is a real two-miler. KM: Even if Fingal Bay does run I would be worried about the form of the Hobbs yard. Boston Bob will start favourite if he runs here or the Albert Bartlett. RSA CHASE CL: I really can’t see past Grands Crus, he has too much class for these. AT: I’ve not had much to do with Bobs Worth until five days before Ascot when I was asked to school him beforehand. He has no wow factor about him and I would be a bit surprised if he can beat Grands Crus. It can often take a run to get over a wind operation as they think it might hurt them the next time they race. I think that might have happened at Ascot as he looked quite laboured but then when he realised it wasn’t going to hurt he ran on. KM: Grands Crus is one of my bankers of the meeting. He has high-class hurdles form and travels really easily. Invictus would be my idea of the main danger. QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE CL: Sizing Europe should retain his crown. There is not much more to say really, he bolts up over 2m and doesn’t stay 3m. If healthy, he’ll win. AT: Finian’s Rainbow schooled well this morning. I can’t see him beating Sizing Europe though. Whoever wins this year won’t win it again next year though as Sprinter Sacre will. JEWSON NOVICES’ CHASE AT: I schooled Solix this week. He jumped the first three beautiful but was bit flat at the fourth, or French as we like to call it at the yard. He has a good chance and he is better than his form says he is. RYANAIR CHASE CL: I don’t think you can rule out Albertas Run again and Jonjo knows what it takes. I’d love to this horse win it for a third time. If it comes up soft though I would switch to Rubi Light. AT: Riverside Theatre was very much tuned up for Ascot. He gets himself fit so there is not much to work on. He could be better on a flat track. I quite like the chances of Medermit to reverse form as Choc almost fell off during the race which we gave him stick for and he wasn’t beaten far and 2m5f suits him really well. If you offered me the ride between Riverside Theatre and Medermit, I would pick Medermit. KM: The message was very strong for Riverside Theatre at Ascot and the money was right. For me he is an outstanding each-way bet. WORLD HURDLE CL: Big Buck’s, what more can I add? AT: Ruby says Big Buck’s is the biggest cert in racing. Oscar Whisky will be second or third. If there were a Ryanair Hurdle though he would win that. As for the Aintree Hurdle as some say he won’t stay as Thousand Stars nearly caught him that day, I thought Barry nicked the race at Aintree rather than committed too soon him. I thought it was a brilliant ride. KM: Big Buck’s is an awesome machine but why take 4/9 now when he will trade at around Evens in-running at some point? TRIUMPH HURDLE CL: West Brit won the Scottish Triumph Hurdle for us. Ideally we wanted to go for the Fred Winter but we have run out of time to give him his third qualifying run. Shame as I saw him as an ideal Fred Winter type. He had a wind op before he won at Musselburgh and will improve again. Could be third, fourth or fifth but probably not good enough to win. AT: Lyvius runs at Newbury next week. I schooled him this week and I adore this horse. He’s not a definite runner in the Triumph though. GOLD CUP CL: It’s hard to win a Gold Cup in successive years. Even Kauto Star has not done that and I can see a similar situation with Long Run as it takes a lot out of a horse to win the Gold Cup and he could be suffering a little this year as a result. I can see Long Run not winning this year but regaining his crown next season. Kauto Star to win for me. AT: Opinion is divided in the yard between Long Run and Burton Port and I know a lot of the lads have 33/1 Burton Port e/w before his Newbury run. He will love the trip and the hill. Long Run was too chilled out in earplugs so he won’t have them in the Gold Cup. He’s older and wiser now. KM: This is a big race for the main fancies in the betting of late. I was deeply impressed with Long Run giving weight away at Newbury where he did nothing wrong.