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Good luck with Snow Falcon today stilvi, it’s a race I’m not getting involved in anyway, as although I love Vroum Vroum, I still have my (very dwindling) hope that she’ll head to The Champion Hurdle. I’ll be cheering Snow Falcon on for you.
Pleased to see you had a good day yesterday, and Native River was obviously the highlight (for both of us). I didn’t actually have any money on him yesterday, but a win was pretty much essential, to keep my Gold Cup hopes alive. He didn’t let us down, and I just hope The Gold Cup remains the plan. I’d go as far as saying that the 12’s for him is very, very generous, he was smashing yesterday.
Mixed day so far today. Was excited for a while with Rossvoss & Maggio, but they both weakened out of it, while Jett was running well enough, without looking like the winner, when he unseated. I had Smokey Joe Joe at 20’s at Limerick, along with Thelobstercatcher, so that was a very welcome winner.
I’ve still got Spider Web to come, but the rest of the day revolves around The Lexus, and I just hope it goes my way, and big runs from Fine Rightly, Zabana, Taquin De Seuil, or especially More of That will do me just fine.
Very lucky to get my money back on Snow Falcon. That’s the second time I have had a fourth turn into a third recently. The race was a joke, a three mile race turned into a Willie Mullins two and half mile benefit. I did comment on the potential lack of pace on Ginger’s thread.
Forgot to say Noble Endeavour provided a little boost to the Troytown form yesterday. I know THM was keen but I really can’t believe that Outlander is a better horse than Empire Of Dirt.
Already on Thistlecrack and Coneygree but still thinking about adding Native River for the Gold Cup. Despite the euphoria I think there is just a doubt as to how much petrol was actually left in the tank at the end of the King George. One thing is for sure you know Johnson isn’t just going to make a token gesture on the front end.
Yeah, not sure about that race at all today, I didn’t see your comment beforehand, but it was a good call. I’ve said many times before that Vroum Vroum Mag is a bit underrated, and just as good as some of the “star” names, but I thought she looked a bit out on her feet at the end of the day, and that’s a couple of times now she hasn’t impressed that much. All in all a strange race.
I think we can only hold out hope now, that Empire will turn up in The Ryanair or Gold Cup, once The National weights are out, as that can be the only explanation for him missing today (as strange as that sounds when they had the winner lol).
If it wasn’t for Thistlecrack, then that performance by Native River would have him a short priced favourite for The Gold Cup. I thought the Chepstow run by Native was by far the more impressive, and it can only be the chance that he goes World Hurdle that sees him available at 12’s……….insane price. I’m obviously a huge fan of Thistlecrack now after getting him at the 12’s for The King George, and his emergence over the last year has been great, but still, that field he beat in The King George wasn’t the strongest. Time will tell, but I just hope we see Native in The Gold Cup.
Obviously, will be paying close attention to Robin Roe but I haven’t backed him today as I think he is very definitely a good ground horse. It wouldn’t be the end of his Neptune chances if he got beat today.
Yeah, not a big betting day for me either, and certainly no bet in The Challow. I think you’ve made a very good early call on this boy, and I’ll be cheering him on today, been really looking forward to seeing him back out.
Unlucky with Robin Roe stilvi, I don’t think he was done with when he came down.
Only 2 bets for me today, one loser in Boite, and a winner with Potters Cross. He was quite a strong fancy, but that wasn’t reflected in my bet, and I only had a few quid on, albeit at 8’s last night. I’ve bet him at 1000’s for Aintree, but he’ll never get in, even allowing for todays win, and he would have to come out and win another before the weights came out, and that might just be beyond him. One for next season I think.
Talking of horses with future targets, there’s a few who catch the eye tomorrow.
Village Vic – He’s quickly turned into a real favourite of mine, and he’s won me a fair few quid over the last year, and still can’t believe how freely available that 16’s was the last time. Not sure I’d be piling into him tomorrow, but he must have a live chance tomorrow off of the same mark, and I still think he’s a bit underrated. I need a big run from him tomorrow to cement his Ryanair claims. Maybe a shade disappointing in it last year, but he’s unlikely to have anything in the shape of Vatour to contend with this time around. Hot wee race though, and particularly worried by Quite By Chance & Tenor Nivernais.
Doctor Harper – In a real quandry with this horse. I like him as a National Horse, but there’s obvious question marks over that trip, while he may be risky tomorrow, as he also has “Festival Plot Horse” written all over him. Not quite sure what to do, but whatever, he looked very good last time, and having looked as if he bottomed out quickly, it’s now clear that he actually lost a couple of shoes during the race.
Champagne West – Had a nightmare of it last season after coming back from injury with a very encouraging run in The Caspian Caviar. His jumping, which was the never the slickest anyway, went to pot, and by the time The Ryanair came round, he looked one to avoid. I’m hoping the switch to Be Bromhead’s yard can brush up his jumping, and I’m hoping he can advertise his claims for a second shot at The Ryanair when he runs at Tramore tomorrow.
Fagan – Having “greened” out on my RSA Book, I swore to avoid it ante-post, but this guys run behind Uknowwhatimeanharry at The Festival is fresh in the memory, and I had to have a go at 50’s ew, and up to 70’s on the machine. I do think he’ll end up in The 4 Miler, but he does give a bit of interest at Fairyhouse anyway.
The JLT isn’t an Ante-Post race for me, but I do like the idea of Clan Des Obeaux for it, and I’ll be disappointed if he flops tomorrow, while I like Minotaur in the opener. I’d bet Old Guard for The Champion Hurdle at big odds, but he’s not done a thing back over timber to encourage me so far, so I’ll swerve The Relkeel, and the last race as well. I’m sorely tempted though by Meister Eckhart at 50’s in The 1435. Some positive signs on his return last time, and it’s just the type of price to persuade me to take a chance.
Away from Cheltenham, Captain Brown could surprise at 20’s at Musselburgh, while I know Midnight Request pretty well, and tomorrow could be the day at Exeter, where I’d expect him to be a nice each way price.
That’s why I prefer my bets on the front end. You can’t afford to mess up in the jumping stakes on hold-up rides. Thankfully, it isn’t the end of the short term dream, he lives to fight another day and he didn’t have a hard race. I suspect it will be one more run (Sidney Banks?) and then the Neptune when hopefully the ground will be much more in his favour.
Some interesting races at Cheltenham tomorrow. Clan Des Obeaux is another one of my Cheltenham bets. He is a horse who I would love see set alight on the front end but unfortunately we are talking STD who more than likely will spend most of the time fiddling away and negating his greatest asset.
Unfortunately, I didn’t find out until this morning that Robin Roe had suffered a fracture and is out for the season. This season’s Neptune has become my Supreme as regards ante-post bets. First Invitation Only flops and now Robin Roe. Bookmakers laughing as they were probably their two biggest liabilities in the race.
Two very poor betting days including the ante-post. I was on both Village Vic (win) and Tenor Nivernais (each-way) today. Bookmakers couldn’t have written a better result.
Gutted for you with Robin Roe stilvi. Hopefully he can come back as good as ever next year, but obviously no consolation for your Ante-Post I know.
A bad day for me yesterday, with Doctor Harper beaten by Tour Des Champs…………..Tour Des Bloody Champs. Of those that I mentioned on my earlier post, I also bet Meister Eckhart, Midnight Request, and A Good Skin. Enough said.
Of those I didn’t bet, well I didn’t see much wrong with Village Vic, and I really think he has a chance in The Ryanair, I certainly hope they don’t consider The Plate for him, which they threatened to last year, while Champagne West finally delivered, and I think he looks perfect for The Ryanair, and a bit surprised he’s not been mentioned more for it.
I don’t want to mention Fagan……………do I have to give a reason lol, he was terrible, simple as that.
Got off the mark for the year with Happy Diva. Backed her on debut and at least once subsequently so it was nice to finally get a reward. She looks very progressive. Also quite taken with the jock. It is sometimes difficult to know whether it is just someone in a rich vein of form or something more. Pretty sure the trainer will be using his claim again in the near future.
Not very excited about tomorrow. It is one of those lull before the storm weekends. I am probably the only person in the country who really doesn’t like veteran’s races. Just hoping that Finian’s Oscar runs well and in so doing gives the impression that two miles is on the short side for him.
Not suggesting these as bets but a couple of newcomers to look out for at Cork. I think Sizing At Midnight and West Coast Time are the first produce of Issaquah and Refinement to see the racecourse.
Did I mention a while back that I was following Graham Lee when he rode in bumpers? I nearly missed Some Rein in the last at Wetherby but, thankfully got on at 40/1 and watched how, in the space of a few minutes, it’s price went in to 8/1. Graham Lee always rode Wetherby really well when he was a jumps jockey. Am a nervous wreck after listening to it . I even topped up my bet [10pence ew; huge for me!] when it went in to 12/1. Happy days. Hurrah!! I know this is the dreaded after timing, but there wasn’t time to get the word out….[sorry; didn’t mention it on here, it was on the grandnational forum when I was having problems getting onto TRF for a while….]
Absolutely brilliant Moe, what a result
I might have to start following him myself, though the cat may be out the bag now. Don’t you worry about aftertiming on my thread, you have my permission lol
Nice one stilvi, and I’d agree that she looks a nice type, and some decent assistance from the saddle too.
I do enjoy The Veterans Series, though wouldn’t go overboard about it, and sometimes worry about the term “veterans”, as should there be any bad news, it doesn’t help the untrained ear to hear the term “veteran”. We really don’t help ourself sometimes.
“Lull before the storm” sums this Saturday up perfectly, and it’s always one of the weakest of the year, and a quick look at tomorrows card, shows tomorrow is no exception. One of those rare occasions where I’ve got a long shift on the Saturday, and I’m not trying to weasel out of it lol.
Good luck with Finians tomorrow, and I hope it works out well for you after your bad luck last weekend.
Not surprisingly, Sizing at Midnight catches my eye too, and I’ve had a go at 12’s, and I fully expect to go in again. I favour Rocky Creek just ahead of Aachen in that veterans race.
One who really catches the eye is Bright New Dawn. On my shortlist all season for The Plate at Cheltenham, but just been sold by Giggs. That would normally be enough to put me off, but the fact he’s now with Venetia Williams, who seriously targets that race, then it’s safe to say I’m very interested in how he fares tomorrow.
Others tomorrow who catch the eye are, After Aspen, Crookstown, and Jett.
It isn’t the term veterans I have trouble with more the idea that you are probably trying to pick the one who has deteriorated the least as opposed to the one who has improved the most. It can’t be great news for any race when the favourite hasn’t won for three years.
Good luck with yours tomorrow. I have only just noticed that Sizing At Midnight is starting out at three miles which is a surprise considering Issaquah was no slouch and Midnight Legend has got plenty of winners at shorter trips. Cork is one of my favourite Irish tracks and I think it provides a very fair test.
I have just gone with three at Sandown. Midnight Jazz did me two big favours in bumpers but I don’t seem to be able to get her right over hurdles. Her jumping often isn’t quite fluent enough at the business end and her ideal trip might well be 2m2f. Consequently, I have opposed her with Briery Queen. I hoping that Brennan can pull a couple of rabbits out of the hat with my other two, Global Stage and Cloonacool.
Oh yeah, realised it was more the nature of the veterans series that didn’t appeal, and as much as I enjoy it, it’s not a big betting series for me, with so many of them regressing. I still hope they serve up a cracker tomorrow though.
Cheers, won’t be an overly big betting day, as I hate betting when I’m working, I like to watch it live, but will be hoping that Sizing at Midnight can see out that trip, and I will probably risk a double with Midnight Jazz. She’s a reliable enough yardstick for me, but maybe too short for me to bet her on her own. I agree with your comments about Cork. I’ve had some great winners there, but unfortunately it’s a loser that stands out. Outlaw Pete, 33’s each way, and much bigger on the exchanges. Cantering towards the last with The Cork National in the bag………………..and he ran out, taking a serious amount of winnings with him. Always think of that when Cork is on.
Good luck with the others, especially those last 2, as at a nice price, and not up against mine more importantly haha!
Quite happy with Finian’s Oscar. I don’t think you could have expected much more than that. Hopefully, it is third time lucky for me in the Neptune market. I ended up backing him at 6/4 which left me with just a small loss on the day. Reading today’s Post it sounds as if they have no reason (at least in print) for Invitation Only’s flop and we might well not see him again until Cheltenham. Typically, he will be entered in all three novices.
Global Stage was a bit too slow but he should make a reasonable novice chaser next season. I was hoping he might stay on up the hill and nick second but for the second time he didn’t really find that much under pressure. Cloonacool didn’t see his race out either and as a result was nabbed for the place. He could be on the wane but perhaps an easier track and better ground might see a revival?
Sizing At Midnight is surely a certainty to be dropped in trip. Perhaps one of those 2m4f bumpers might be worth a try? Horse jumped fine when asked but unfortunately the jock got a bit lazy at times. Bumper horse won very nicely and you would think they might be tempted by one of the Festivals. Whatever the reason for the gamble on Outlander’s brother it wasn’t looks.
I’ve only seen the end of Finians Race, but he looked to have won it nicely enough, and you would have to be hopeful after that, and at least he should make it now, which is half the battle.
Sizing at Midnight’s was the only race I watched today, and was hopeful for a while, but he must be a cert to step down next day.
As we said yesterday, it’s one of the weakest Saturdays of the year, and I wasn’t planning on giving it a watch, but I might have to now, to watch that bumper………..and not just to see how bad the winner looked lol
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