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After witnessing Finian’s Rainbow’s previous Ascot run, and despite his lack of race fitness, it was obvious that he was hating the ground : his action alone suggested as much, if nothing else.
This fact alone should have been a warning in itself to those who went ahead and backed the horse at the same course on soft conditions. The horse clearly needs a firmer surface ( and to be in the mood ) to be seen at his best.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
I have a degree of sympathy with those who regard punting ‘Cheltenham hopefuls’ in their ‘warm-ups’ as a minefield, but it’s only a degree, as:
Firstly it’s the (sensible) punters’ duty to evaluate the chance of any horse not just by bog-standard reference to the form book but by knowing (as best you can) the trainer’s
modus operandi
and the horse’s future engagements. This does patently not mean listening to and being put away by the weasel-words of largely clueless trainers, jockeys and sundry connections
Secondly, if you can’t fathom the Cheltenham-bound’s warm-ups then you’re not duty-bound to bet their races so why not simply ignore this small percentage of races and bet the majority in which the horses and connections regard Cheltenham as a foreign country: they do things differently there, and to get there
To adopt Peruvian Chief’s colourful language: I’m sick to the back teeth of reading that the period January to the second week in March is garbage and the whole season is geared towards Cheltenham. Yes for a small percentage the season may be geared towards Cheltenham, but meanwhile the NH season goes on all around you – at Carlisle and Southwell today for starters – and betting opportunities, exciting races, brave horses and the glorious uncertainties abound
No doubt you Cheltenham-obsessed lot will ignore Sedgefield, Huntingdon, Hexham and Fakenham – good heavens we even had Towcester last year – during the wonderful week…silly-billys that you are
A tenner on a 3/1 winner at the gaffs pays the same as a tenner on a 3/1 winner at Prestbury, as has been said far too often; or if it is you’re wont to go mad at Cheltenham, though I’m sure the TRF brainiacs wouldn’t be so daft, then substitute monkey for tenner in the clause above
The cynics amongst us,thats all of us who have lost a fiver on a horse who believe it "Never tried a leg" will over the years come to accept that this truly great sport of ours is based on hearsay,rumour from darkened corners and shady individuals dressed in Tweed jackets, underneath they wear the Skull and Crossbone T shirt! We are all Pirates fighting in a sea of Galleons filled with Treasure Chests,trouble is these riches are well protected,many a vessel has been sunk empty,lured under false pretences the Treasure kept for another day.As a Pirate myself I have one eye on a Map a Map I know leads to Treasure on what will now be a deserted land all because the fleet lead by Captain Henderson himself under the cover of a darkened sky lead many a Pirate off the plank.When those of us left gather on March 14th to a small island in the Cotswolds drink a merry toast to comrades left behind and plunder the Good Ship
Finians Rainbow
in the Ryanair, 16/1 will have long gone,its being taken today by Pirates like myself who can see the wood from the trees.He’s an e/w certainty at 16/1 Why? because of irrelevant of how he’s been campaigned he is a Champion chaser and thats all that matters.My
First Lieutenant
will stand toe to toe aboard the Good ship Finians but where there’s a Rainbow lies a pot of Gold and at 16/1 now is the time to get on.He will be 6/1 on the day!
The cynics amongst us,thats all of us who have lost a fiver on a horse who believe it "Never tried a leg" will over the years come to accept that this truly great sport of ours is based on hearsay,rumour from darkened corners and shady individuals dressed in Tweed jackets, underneath they wear the Skull and Crossbone T shirt! We are all Pirates fighting in a sea of Galleons filled with Treasure Chests,trouble is these riches are well protected,many a vessel has been sunk empty,lured under false pretences the Treasure kept for another day.As a Pirate myself I have one eye on a Map a Map I know leads to Treasure on what will now be a deserted land all because the fleet lead by Captain Henderson himself under the cover of a darkened sky lead many a Pirate off the plank.When those of us left gather on March 14th to a small island in the Cotswolds drink a merry toast to comrades left behind and plunder the Good Ship
Finians Rainbow
in the Ryanair, 16/1 will have long gone,its being taken today by Pirates like myself who can see the wood from the trees.He’s an e/w certainty at 16/1 Why? because of irrelevant of how he’s been campaigned he is a Champion chaser and thats all that matters.My
First Lieutenant
will stand toe to toe aboard the Good ship Finians but where there’s a Rainbow lies a pot of Gold and at 16/1 now is the time to get on.He will be 6/1 on the day!
A lovely post Gord but NH said today he is bound for the Champion Chase again.
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
I’m sick to the back teeth of reading that the period January to the second week in March is garbage and the whole season is geared towards Cheltenham
So am i. But as Paul Ostomeyer told me on Sat at Ascot, there were five winners at last years cheltenham that had won races this very weekend.
But if even if these beasts dont win there are warm ups and warm ups. Finians "warm up" was disturbingly poor. But who would not be happy with Capra bleus excellent run in defeat?
A significant proportion of the racing fraternity, equipped with their Cheltenham branded blinkers, seem to ignore the fact that the ‘Cheltenham Trial’ discussed was in fact a Grade 1 worth £84,405 to the winner. Some ‘warm up’!
Further to that, the dull old day’s racing in February, part of ‘the period January to the second week in March (which) is garbage’ included the following:
Ascot
Grade 1 Chase
Grade 2 Novices’ Chase
Listed Handicap ChaseHaydock
Grade 2 Hurdle
Grade 3 Handicap Chase
Grade 2 Novices’ HurdleWincanton
Grade 2 Hurdle
Gowran Park
Grade 2 Hurdle
Add to that a fair sprinkling of decent events at Class 2 level and that is one hell of a day’s racing. Sometimes we need to stop and appreciate what is in front of us.
Rob
A lovely post Gord but NH said today he is bound for the Champion Chase again.
Not heard that myself Joni which surprises me! Surprises me more that he’s taking on his own
Sprinter sacre
!!
I had £50 e/w on with Hills this morning. I’d have given ‘Finians’ more chance against a horse I cant stand in ‘Riverside Theatre’ than bloody ‘Sprinter sacre’!Of course I’ll get my money back from ‘The Tent’ now confirmed for the ‘Supreme’ but I’ve had a very sneaky 50 Gold Sovereigns on a Henderson clean sweep at 33/1 too.Imagine if ‘Finians’ goes and wins The Champion Chase,then ‘Binocular’ does the same in the Champion hurdle,’Oscar’ in the World hurdle and ‘Bob’ in the big one? Aaahaaa me Hearties!
I’ll still be cheeringCape Tribulation
home either way!
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