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My initial post was not intended to be an all out attack on Ptit Zig, rather that I feel the Irish novices look very strong. Gitane Du Berlais reinforced that opinion today and I’d be against Ptit Zig at the 7/2-4/1 mark.
I just feel you might be making too much about Ptit Zig’s hurdle form being a notch short of what is required Tommy.
If we look at Racing Post ratings Vautour was 158 over hurdles and Ptit Zig was 160. I don’t think there is a lot between the two of them to be honest and, in any case, it rarely translates to much meaning as horses move over fences and, very often, up in trip.
Ptit Zig is short enough now but I took him at 10/1 and think I have a good bet there, that would be enhanced if Vautour were to go the Arkle route, which Ruby said they haven’t ruled out yet.
Paul Nicholls was talking about running Ptit Zig at Kempton this month and I’m not sure whether that is a good idea or not. I’d probably prefer if he went straight to the Festival, rather than leave his race at Kempton three weeks earlier.
If any proof were needed about a 160 rated hurdler being good enough to reach the top in the chasing tree, we need only look back to Kauto Star, who came chasing on the back of a best RPR of 146 over hurdles
Paul Nicholls is talking about the King George for Ptit Zig "Sooner, rather than later" and we will get a chance to see if he is dreaming or not when the Festival rolls into town. I felt that the way the horse blew Josses Hill away indicated that Mr Nicholls may not have been snoozing when he visualised Ptit Zig lining up with Stable mate Silviniaco Conti on Boxing Day.
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
I just feel you might be making too much about Ptit Zig’s hurdle form being a notch short of what is required Tommy.
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Ptit Zig is short enough now but I took him at 10/1 and think I have a good bet there, that would be enhanced if Vautour were to go the Arkle route, which Ruby said they haven’t ruled out yet.
I am taking his hurdle form into account, it’s not the be all and end all when going chasing by any means but I just wouldn’t take it for granted that he has definitely improved for the move to chasing. At the price he is currently you’d think he has faced a Grade 1 chaser but it’s not certain he has. Josses Hill jumped like a goat behind him and unfortunately we didn’t get to see what Champagne West would have done yesterday.
You have a good bet there indeed. I’ve backed Apache Stronghold at 20/1 but have not backed Vautour, except in a double with Un De Sceaux (3/1 & 6/1). I’d say it’s almost certain Vautour runs in the JLT unless Un De Sceaux has a mishap.
Paddy Power have gone longest price about Valseur Lido for the JLT and shortest for the RSA. There is a train of thought that the have an ‘in’ to the Mullins stable and that they were top price about Vautour for the Arkle for so long lends credence to this theory. That being said, the Gigginstown horses’ targets generally seem to be decided by Gigginstown and Gigginstown alone, but interesting nonetheless.
They have a powerful string of novice chasers and could potentially have:
Arkle: Clarcam
JLT: Valseur Lido & Rule The World
RSA: Don Poli
NH: Wounded WarriorI’d say Mullins would love to have his novices going:
Arkle: Un De Sceaux
JLT: Vautour
RSA: Valseur Lido
NH: Don PoliI’m guessing Gigginstown will have their way but a lot depends on everything getting there fit and healthy and plans are no doubtfluid at this stage.
THM: what a ride and it looks like he is going for the correct race of the JLT
Fingers crossed they get him there safe and sound.
Al Ferof has a problem that needs corrective surgery so he misses Cheltenham and also The Betfair Ascot Chase on Saturday.
Paul Nicholls has decided to send Ptit Zig into that contest in place of Al Ferof and it will be interesting to see who he will line up against and how he will perform.
The race has been won by some good ones in the past, with Cue Card and Captain Chris being the last two winners. The trip would seem ideal for Ptit Zig after his Dipper Chase win and intended JLT target. Going at Ascot is Good/Soft, Soft in places with the forecast for drier, warmer weather before some showery weather at the weekend.
Fingers crossed.
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
In Timeform’s ratings update they say Valseur Lido shaped like the best horse in the Moriarty. I have seen it said in other corners that he was probably lacking match fitness, that being his first run since November. While the latter argument may hold some water, I couldn’t agree with Timeform’s assertion.
Apache Stronghold didn’t jump as well as he can, and will probably improve for better ground. Valseur Lido’s best form is on ground with cut in it and thus it is hard to see him reversing the form in the JLT. If Apache had jumped more fluently he would have won by daylight imo. I got the impression Carberry was slightly disappointed with how Apache travelled and I’d wager the horse is capable of even better.
I was impressed with Apache Stronghold, Tommy, he has a good Injun running
He sure does Joe
If you don’t mind, what is your opinion on his jumping?
To my eye he has a somewhat unorthodox method of getting from A to B, often seeming to ‘step’ over his obstacles rather than let fly at them, which he did at the last yesterday. He’s a big animal and this ‘hurdling’ technique seems to suit him. He didn’t jump brilliantly yesterday but I thought he was extremely quick over his fences at Christmas, with this slightly different method.
At Down Royal on his chasing debut he gave some of the fences plenty of air but it’s as if he has realised through experience that he doesn’t need to do that, and is now often very low and fast.
You know plenty about horses’ jumping styles and physical traits and I wondered if you had any thoughts on this lad?
Ptit Zig could face Champagne Fever on Saturday but Willie Mullins won’t make his mind up about him or Ballycasey until later in the week.
Early betting on Betfair has Balder Success in at 9/4 favourite with Ptit Zig at 11/4 next best. Ma Filleule is 4/1 with Champagne Fever 9/2 and Ballycasey 13/2. Rajdhani Express at 10/1 and Theatre Guide at 20/1 make up the entries.
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
The 2015 Ryanair winner, Rajdhani Express, oddly, has an entry at Kelso on Thursday over 3m 2f, so might miss Saturday
Tommy, I’d have no concerns at all about his jumping: a real asset imo – he’s fast, confident and athletic, and picks his heels up quickly and accurately.
He has tactical speed and I think he won that on Sunday with a fair bit in hand. Very. very impressed with him and wish I’d had a few quid on!
Good luck.
Tommy, I’d have no concerns at all about his jumping: a real asset imo – he’s fast, confident and athletic, and picks his heels up quickly and accurately.
He has tactical speed and I think he won that on Sunday with a fair bit in hand. Very. very impressed with him and wish I’d had a few quid on!
Good luck.
Thanks for the reply Joe.
Even though he was sticky at one or two on Sunday, his jumping at Christmas was top notch. He seems to get his front legs to the ground and running unbelievably quick. Think there’s more improvement to come at Cheltenham which is an exciting prospect
The 2015 Ryanair winner, Rajdhani Express, oddly, has an entry at Kelso on Thursday over 3m 2f, so might miss Saturday
3m 2f?, big difference from the Ryanair there Joe.
Ptit Zig at 11/4 was good enough for me and with the doubts about Champagne Fever I reckon it could be a nailing bet come Saturday.
We know the Nicholls horse is going there and the favourite Balder Succes didn’t inspire me when winning a three runner affair, where Hunt Ball ran a stinker in last place.
I am trusting Nicholls judgement to some extent but I believe Ptit Zig can win this and that he will be favourite for the JLT afterwards.
I’m going to be one sad little camper if Ziggy can’t play guitar on Saturday.
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
Ptit Zig could face Champagne Fever on Saturday but Willie Mullins won’t make his mind up about him or Ballycasey until later in the week.
Early betting on Betfair has Balder Success in at 9/4 favourite with Ptit Zig at 11/4 next best. Ma Filleule is 4/1 with Champagne Fever 9/2 and Ballycasey 13/2. Rajdhani Express at 10/1 and Theatre Guide at 20/1 make up the entries.
I find it strange that Mullins has entered Champagne Fever this weekend, both at Ascot and Gowran. Both Mullins and Ruby Walsh have stated they think he might be better fresh so a run with three weeks to the Festival would seem a bit of a contradiction.
Ptit Zig could face Champagne Fever on Saturday but Willie Mullins won’t make his mind up about him or Ballycasey until later in the week.
Early betting on Betfair has Balder Success in at 9/4 favourite with Ptit Zig at 11/4 next best. Ma Filleule is 4/1 with Champagne Fever 9/2 and Ballycasey 13/2. Rajdhani Express at 10/1 and Theatre Guide at 20/1 make up the entries.
I find it strange that Mullins has entered Champagne Fever this weekend, both at Ascot and Gowran. Both Mullins and Ruby Walsh have stated they think he might be better fresh so a run with three weeks to the Festival would seem a bit of a contradiction.
I’m not expecting him to run, if nothing else Ptit Zig will scare him off
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
Ptit Zig could face Champagne Fever on Saturday but Willie Mullins won’t make his mind up about him or Ballycasey until later in the week.
Early betting on Betfair has Balder Success in at 9/4 favourite with Ptit Zig at 11/4 next best. Ma Filleule is 4/1 with Champagne Fever 9/2 and Ballycasey 13/2. Rajdhani Express at 10/1 and Theatre Guide at 20/1 make up the entries.
I find it strange that Mullins has entered Champagne Fever this weekend, both at Ascot and Gowran. Both Mullins and Ruby Walsh have stated they think he might be better fresh so a run with three weeks to the Festival would seem a bit of a contradiction.
I’m not expecting him to run, if nothing else Ptit Zig will scare him off
Ptit Zig cut to 9/4 now, looks like you have a good bet there.
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