- This topic has 297 replies, 56 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 2 months ago by
.
- Posts
He seemed fairly certain it would be Chelt and I know the owner thinks he`s going there. Let`s hope so. If the going became desperate this may change things but I think we`ll see him there. While there is no racing on Racing UK keep showing reruns of Saturday ,Mussel and Sandown,showing all the races and the interviews. Can throw you somewhat .
Despite the cold weather and rainy winter I still think it doubtful that the ground on day one of cheltenham will be any slower than good to soft. That should be fine for Kalahari King over 2m. But better ground would have been preferable for him. Shouldthe ground be real bad then Ferdy could wait for Aintree and Punchestowns as I’m sure he wont want to subject Kalahari to a ridiculously hard race as a novice, even if it is cheltenham.
Have been pondering whether to have a go on Imsingingtheblues for this but am a bit concerned that he looks like a proper 2 miler and has been kept on flat tracks all season. May just cover off my other bets for a 1 point win on him, he is still not bad value as he is definitely a better horse than tatenen, and if they go slow he is the most likely winner.
Have been pondering whether to have a go on Imsingingtheblues for this but am a bit concerned that he looks like a proper 2 miler and has been kept on flat tracks all season. May just cover off my other bets for a 1 point win on him, he is still not bad value as
he is definitely a better horse than tatenen
, and if they go slow he is the most likely winner.
Not sure how you can say this with such confidence when tatenen is so unexposed and ruby walsh favours him. He got beaten last time thankfully in a slowly run race which made him go from a 5/2 festival good thing to a 6/1 chance. I wouldn’t have backed him at 5/2 but 6/1 looks very good value. If he won his last race a head instead of losing a head i think he’d be about 3/1 now.
Have been pondering whether to have a go on Imsingingtheblues for this but am a bit concerned that he looks like a proper 2 miler and has been kept on flat tracks all season. May just cover off my other bets for a 1 point win on him, he is still not bad value as he is definitely a better horse than tatenen, and if they go slow he is the most likely winner.
I’m coming around to him too.I don’t buy the flat track theory: he’s a Cheltenham winner and ran his best race over hurdles on the figures in the County when Riby sat a bit too far back and he flattened the last. I can’t have the front 2 in this and will look to back him NRNB or on the day.
- Total Posts 17716
I have both I’msingingtheblues and Tatenen on my side (they’re the only two I have backed in the race), but find myself constantly changing which one I fancy over the other. Christian Williams apparently speaks very highly of the chances of the former, but the Stewart-owned horse was so impressive at Cheltenham before Christmas that he might just be a league ahead of everything else. The beating of Straw Bear obviously doesn’t read particularly brilliantly, but he looked so well and won with so much authority having made all (his head was most certainly in his chest) that he had ‘class act’ written all over him.
I doubt that I will be betting in the race again, but if Tatenen looks well on the day he’ll be the one.
Equitrack, I have it on good authority from an owner associated with Christian Williams, that he is cool about ISTB’s Arkle chances – apparently being "just not impressed" with his Doncaster handicap win.
I still like the horse for the Arkle, but confess I’m a
little
worried about why the jockey is apparently pessimistic.
I think a lot depends on the ground with the horse and, as I’ve said before, I’m surprised at how tiny he is.]I’ll find out more on Thursday at the preview]
- Total Posts 17716
That’s certainly not the impression he gave when interviewed on ATR the other week, Grass (unless I completely misunderstood what he was saying of course).
I think the problem with Imsingingtheblues is that connections feel he will go better on a flat track and isnt suited that well to Cheltenham, despite having a win beside his name at the track.
Christian Williams stated that and i believe Paul Nicholls shares the same opinion.
"but confess I’m a little worried about why the jockey is apparently pessimistic."
Grass, Christian is just trying to get a better price
, allegedly. 
Colin
Have been pondering whether to have a go on Imsingingtheblues for this but am a bit concerned that he looks like a proper 2 miler and has been kept on flat tracks all season. May just cover off my other bets for a 1 point win on him, he is still not bad value as
he is definitely a better horse than tatenen
, and if they go slow he is the most likely winner.
Not sure how you can say this with such confidence when tatenen is so unexposed and ruby walsh favours him. He got beaten last time thankfully in a slowly run race which made him go from a 5/2 festival good thing to a 6/1 chance. I wouldn’t have backed him at 5/2 but 6/1 looks very good value. If he won his last race a head instead of losing a head i think he’d be about 3/1 now.
Obviously Tatenen might improve but I cant see why one wouldnt be disappointed with his defeat at leopardstown.
beaten by a horse who was carrying 11 pounds more than him who might yet reoppose him without such a burden.SHL
I think I’msingingtheblues has a solid chance in the Arkle.
I agree with the assertion that he’s a better horse on a flat track, but you can’t ignore the fact that he has won around Cheltenham (in a novice hurdle) and beat a good horse in the process.
There’s been so many twist and turns to the Arkle form, but his overall form is good, running the talented Briareus close before beating Calgary Bay and Doctor David.With Tatenen also holding strong claims I’m surprised connections haven’t decided to bypass The Festival for Aintree, which would be more his cup of tea.
The only question mark about the horse is his size. The Arkle is always a rough race and you need a horse that can look after himself. There’s no doubt he’s a tough little bug*** and will need the run of the race to figure, but Kalahari King is in the same boat.
Still more positives than negatives about the horse, in my opinion.
Still Calgary Bay and I’msingingtheblues against the field for me. Brough Scott’s double-page spread on Calgary Bay in the Racing Post offered some fascinating insights into the horse and there’s no doubt Hen and Terry will have him looking immaculate on the day, fully prepared.
I agree regarding Tatenen.
The form of his November win at Cheltenham hasn’t worked out at all well, and to be honest, if he didn’t win by such authority on that day then he would have many a question mark next to his name.
Straw Bear wasn’t fluent at all over the bigger obstacles, and was no suprise when he was reverted back to hurdling.
Crescent Island isn’t in the same league as potential Arkle favourites either.
Tatenen jumped well on the day, and did what he had to, but at 8/13 he had every right to do so.
He was then beaten by Follow The Plan in the Durkan Novices Chase at Leopardstown and didn’t seem to possess much pace on the run in when Follow The Plan got his nose infront.
The ground then went against Follow The Plan when he was beaten by Golden Silver and Forpadydeplasterer, however, the form wasn’t exactly upheld in that race. You also have to remember, as someone has stated already on here, that Tatenen was recieving weight from Follow The Plan, too.
Tatenen may be a better horse at Cheltenham, but the form of his last 2 races haven’t worked out that well in my opinion. I couldn’t have him down as favourite for the race at all.
I personally like the chances of Calgary Bay, i think this is a horse that could well take 2-3 lengths out of the field at his fences, even if he doesn’t possess the speed that some of the others do.
Tatenen stands out for me. Still progressing and will love the course.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
, allegedly. 
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.