- This topic has 587 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 11 months ago by
.
- Posts
Hennessy Gold Cup
One of my favourite races of the season, and have already got a couple of bets on the go.
I’ve went for O’Faolains Boy at 50’s each way, and 55’s on the exchanges. Won here last year, and also ran very well for a long way in The Gold Cup. Trainer has got off to a decent start, and at those prices, more than happy to take a chance. Think he’s perfect for it.
I’ve also went for Native River at 16’s. With Thistlecrack and Cue Card grabbing all the headlines, this boy went a little bit under the radar. I thought he looked outstanding last season, and no surprise to see him head here, en-route to a serious bid for The Gold Cup in March.
I could also see the likes of Seeyouatmidnight run well for a long way, though he’ll hopefully give me a few clues to where he’s at, at Carlisle in a few weeks, whilst The Young Master would be of interest after his Sandown exploits. I wouldn’t lose sleep if either of these lost out, as I’m keen on them for Aintree, and wouldn’t want them to blow their marks.
Loads of contenders though, and looking forward to seeing the entries, and a few obvious contenders arising over the next few weeks.
*********************************************************************
O’Faolains Boy remains my main fancy for this, though I have added to him and my other early bet, Native River.
Saphir Du Rheu at 25’s each way, as well as up to 29’s on the exchanges was a fair price I thought, and I had a go. Still over 3 weeks to go, but have started a “mini-book” on it, and I’ll see how that goes, with only the 3 added at the moment.
O’Faolains Boy 50’s Each Way
O’Faolains Boy 55’s
Native River 16’s
Saphir Du Rheu 25’s Each Way
Saphir Du Rheu 26’s to 29’sVyta Du Roc 34’s to 36’s
Potters Cross 170’s
Triolo D’Alene 100’s to 150’sYou’d think after the success I’ve had with “The Midnight Club”, that I’d pay a bit more attention to Breeding and pedigrees, but it remains an area where I think the best word to use is “ignorant”. It’s good to hear the thoughts of those who are clued up on it though. Coincidentally, the only time I’ve really followed horses who are closely related, was Jezki, Jetson, Jett, and of course more recently, Jelan.
My quiet(ish) October is coming to an end, and with a day off tomorrow, I might just have a couple of bets.
I wasn’t going to look at that bumper, but after reading your summary, my interest has been “piqued” (sorry) by the second string from the King yard Pique Rock. I always liked I’msingingtheblues, and I’ve taken the 22’s. Warwick is one of my favourite tracks, and had a lot of joy there, so worth a go I think.
Now to find 3 or 4 more, and I might sway towards Woodford Island 8’s, and Mitebeall Forluck 13-2, who look backable at those prices, while I really like Kayfleur at 9-2 at Warwick. At those prices, I might just perm with Pique Rock.
As regards pedigrees it is whatever works for you. I like looking at the younger horses in bumpers and novices so obviously pedigrees are that much more important but with handicaps the form is usually out there – somewhere!
I will be surprised if there is as much between the two King runners as the current market suggests. He had a stable tour in today’s Weekender but I didn’t get much chance to look at it. Any longer and I might have been compelled to part with £3.10!
I am thinking of having a go in the staying novice. Do you think Silvergrove will cope with the return to hurdling? My angle in would be to oppose the Skelton runner.
I actually quite like the Skelton runner in that race, thought there’s no denying that if he’s ready then the return to hurdles should be no issue of Silvergrove. It’s very rare that I bet in these type of events, and I’m happy to leave it today, though gun to my head I would have a reverse forecast.
Pique Rock is drifting this morning which isn’t too encouraging, but a place would do me.
It is fair to say it isn’t the strongest event but I would have Predict A Riot nearer last than first. The point form isn’t great, he didn’t appear to jump that fluently and if Skelton thought he was anything other than a slow boat he wouldn’t be starting off at 3m2f.
I have bungled this race a little as Silvergrove was my saver against one of the non-runners. If he translates anything like his best jump form he should win. Hopefully, De Boinville will be able to keep it simple.
Pleased to see everything standing their ground in the bumper. Fingers crossed it stays that way.
Good luck with Pique Rock. I wouldn’t give up on that place. Surprised to see the blue for The Wicket Chicken.
Spoke too soon.
It must be incredibly frustrating for owners/trainers as it is for punters.
From the outside it looks as if courses are not doing enough to make sure firm is not in the going description. It is not as if we have had any weather that wasn’t predicted several days in advance.
Yeah, from looking forward to a decent days punting, I decided not to bother with the small fields, and stuck with Pique Rock. Who, of course, went and got withdrawn.
PS you were right to be sceptical about Predict A Riot.
Fourth and fifth Bobby!!
Nearly as bad as me I had combo exacta second third fourth and fifth cos I did’t think the winner would go in the ground Grrrrrrrrr!!
Gutted Raymo, I had bet William Hunter on Wednesday, so a few quid back for the fourth, but he really should have won
I see Empire Of Dirt hasn’t made Saturday’s Gold Cup. After what happened with Apple’s Jade I am pretty fearful about the season. Elliott probably has him down as a soft ground horse. Really he should have been primed for this race and then given a winter break.
Bad news about Bekkensfirth. In Mark Howard’s book it states we won’t be seeing him until later in the season. It mentions a Kempton target in February. That for me is trainer speak for saying we probably won’t be seeing him at all. Hope I am wrong as bang goes my handicapper to follow. It doesn’t say what the problem is/was but you don’t just take a year off for nothing.
Couple of interesting last race novice hurdles tomorrow.
My old friend Farm The Rock runs in the last at Exeter. As I said the cat is out of the bag with that Aintree run and 7/2 is about the best on offer tomorrow. No reason why he shouldn’t run well but I would be a little more confident if Richard Johnson was on board. I suppose the race revolves around how good or otherwise is Anchor Man. I don’t think his point form is any better than Farm The Rock and I thought it quite strange that Nicholls has made a point of describing him as having a ‘good attitude’, particularly as he seemed to fold quite tamely in his point. He is from the family of the not entirely trustworthy Dylan Ross.
Dingo Dollar, the very fortunate point winner runs in the last at Bangor. Bit surprised at the relative weakness in Ben The Boyo. His last run looks perfectly respectable and his previous form ties in with Farm The Rock.
Hopefully, both courses will not be unduly affected by a deluge.
I really did think Empire would trap on Saturday, so like yourself, not quite sure how they’re going to play him. I’d take a stab at a spin over hurdles before they see how he fares in The Becher. Whatever, there would have to be a fair chance it’ll be a different route planned before the stable switch.
Yeah, if that’s the comment about Bekkensfirth, then I’d be surprised to see him this season, not very encouraging at all. At least you know now. I like the Open Meeting for digging out a couple of handicappers to follow, and I’ll have my eyes peeled this weekend. Hopefully you can maybe find a suitable one over the 3 days, as I do think it’s give the season a bit of interest if you have a couple of horses who you think are flying under the radar.
I’m sitting it out tomorrow afternoon, but I’ll keep a close eye on your bumper horses, especially Farm The Rock, who you were unlucky with a fortnight ago. I like this Bangor meeting, and normally have a bet in a few of the races, but I’ll sit back and enjoy without a financial interest. If I was having a bet in the last, I would maybe side with Norab, who’s shown me glimpses, but not enough to part with my cash. I like that staying chase to spot potential winners, but can’t split the King pair, Sego Success & Ziga Boy, Beg To Differ, who I think could be a factor in The Welsh National, and Gallery Exhibition. At a very generous 12-1, Gallery Exhibition might just be the call. If I wake from my slumber later on today, and I haven’t missed the race, and the price has held, I might just change my mind.
I don’t like to jinx my system horses, and try my best not to mention them, but at Kempton, Sam Missile is a fair price around 9-2, and 6-1 is decent for Captain Midnight at Dundalk, who I expect to have come on a ton for his last run.
I backed Beg To Differ ante-post at Cheltenham this year. Problem is I don’t like Jonjo and will usually try and avoid him if I can. Pleased that Coleman isn’t on board but I don’t think the horse is the easiest ride. Would be concerned about rain for Ziga Boy. I think back around Doncaster on good ground is his bag and dropping a pound or two might help.
Wouldn’t want too much rain for Farm The Rock or Ben The Boyo today.
Wouldn’t want too much rain for Farm The Rock or Ben The Boyo today.
You would hope that was the key factor if you owned them.
Market no guide whatsoever (so many punters are clueless about ground conditions) as Farm The Rock went from 7/2-7/4 and Ben The Boyo was 9/1 last night and then the price collapsed from 11/2 to 5/2 in a couple of minutes before the off. I fully expected Farm The Rock to make the running and once he didn’t it was game over. Unfortunately, the Price stable appears to be pretty clueless about placement, tactics and jockeys. Ben The Boyo looked quite immature for a horse having his fifth start and a tight track like Bangor was probably a far from ideal starting point. That said he looked very slow.
Sounds like you had the same kind of days as me, I left Sam Missile, but bet Gallery Exhibition & Captain Midnight. I got 14’s for Gallery, but it was all academic, as he was well beaten.
Sounds as if you were ahead of the market with those 2, and unfortunately it didn’t work out well. I think it’s harder to take when you think you’re ahead of the game, and the gamble doesn’t succeed.
Definite day off tomorrow.
Great minds and all that Bobby.
I think Top Wood would have been placed at worst and Doctor Harper definitely wants dropping back in trip.
Sternrubin I think would be better in a better race with less runners to allow him to dominate.
Village Vic ran a fantastic race and Mrsraymo backed him too and she was shouting her head off all the way up the straight!! What a brilliant ride and a brilliant run from the horse!!He has done her some good turns in the last year or so.
He’s a smasher of a horse, and he and his stablemate Sternrubin are becoming real favourites of mine.
Yeah Top Wood was nailed on for a place, second time he’s been brought down for me, he deserves a break that horse, and I’d love him to make it to Aintree. Doctor Harper looks a horse to give serious consideration for The Festival, and I’ll be onside wherever he goes.
Bad news about Bekkensfirth. In Mark Howard’s book it states we won’t be seeing him until later in the season. It mentions a Kempton target in February. That for me is trainer speak for saying we probably won’t be seeing him at all. Hope I am wrong as bang goes my handicapper to follow. It doesn’t say what the problem is/was but you don’t just take a year off for nothing.
Someone asked about Bekkensfirth on tonight’s On The Line and Skelton confirmed he is out for the season.
He confirmed that his leading novice is Robin Roe and he goes straight to the Challow.
At a lower level I liked the look of Some Invitation who won at Wetherby on Saturday. He certainly has the size to make a chaser.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.