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General Principle out tomorrow over hurdles Bobby, looks to be on a competitive mark and goes well fresh. However, could be a pipe opener for the Troytown, which he is on your shortlist for, so a watching brief for me.
I was going to swerve him tomorrow, but it’s a race I’d like a bet in, and I can’t let him go unbacked. Really rate this horse as you know, and fingers crossed for a decent “week and a bit” with him. Smashing race, and my old friend/foe, Folsom Blue is making his debut for Elliot, while Westerner Point looks a danger, and at a crazy price, up in trip, Waaheb looks worth chancing again.
Great 4 Days Racing ahead, though slight apprehension, as I often take a beating at The Open Meeting. Won’t stop me having a go though lol. Managed to get off work for the whole meeting, which is a bonus, and also get a bonus Thursday off as well, as watching my poor pup tomorrow, who got the cruellest of cuts today. Let’s hope I have better luck tomorrow than he did lol
It’s not often I put up any of my “Midnights” on this thread, but with places available, and at around 12’s, then I have to chance Midnight Malibu in the 1345. Nice run on tapeta last time, and that offers some encouragement here, and she’s ran some big races for me this year.
Won’t be going mad, especially with potential carnage ahead over the weekend, and there’s two races of particular interest at Clonmel.
The Clonmel Oils Chase is a small but select field, and I could pick 4 of the 6, and still not get the winner. Balko Des Flos couldn’t have been more impressive at Galway, while next time the pair met, it was A Toi Phil who came out on top. Balko gets a nice pull at weights here, but I just prefer A Toi Phil as the better horse long term. Champagne West put in what I considered to be the best performance of the season last term, when routing a strong field in The Thyestes, and he must go close here over this trip. Alpha Des Obeaux only found a handicap blot better than him in The Munster National, and he then ran with credit in The JNWines. This might be a bit on the short side, but he has some sort of chance here. No surprise though to see me side with Tiger Roll.
When betting Tiger this season, the only question is whether or not he’s going the level weights route, or the big handicap route. If it’s the former, then he romps this. There’s no question he’s the best horse in the race, and if they’re not concerned about his handicap mark later in the season, then this race is his to lose. He’s my main hope for Aintree, and if that is the plan, then you can put a line through him tomorrow. It’s a hard one to call, but regardless of how you look at him, he’s still ridiculously underrated. A few weeks ago, Total Recall won The Munster National in very impressive fashion, cue headlines and hype galore. Rewind a year earlier, and Tiger Roll wins just as, if not more, impressively, certainly from a handicapping point of view. No headlines, no fuss though for Tiger. He then went on to dismantle the field in The National Hunt Chase, and worth watching again to see how easy it was for him. One of the easiest winners of the week. That’s enough for me. Whenever a horse like this is 20-1, I don’t want to be missing out. If Aintree is the plan, then he loses, but I’m not taking that chance.
The preceding race is a nice heat as well. My main Troytown hope, General Principle, gets his season underway over timber, and he’s weighted to go close, and that’s without the aid of a 7lb claimer. Whatever happens, this should put him spot on for Navan, and I’ll be with him. Folsom Blue is a horse I know very well, and he’s massively respected making his debut for Gordon Elliot, but at double the odds, Westerner Point, looks just as big a threat. I’ve bet Waaheb a couple of times this year, and though a bit “meh”, over this trip, I’m going in again, with 4 Places available, and he’s a backable price at 33’s.
As I said, not going mad, it’ll turn out to be a long 4 days, win or lose, but a nice wee introduction anyway, and if any joy, I might play the later races.
Trying not to look at the Irish racing at the moment but have seen that Hanlon had a 33/1 winner today and I always back his horses when they come over here…
Couldn’t have bet that one today Moe, though I do like Blackmore when she’s up, had a few nice prices with her. I see he has Hidden Cyclone entered in a challenge race at the weekend.
No mention yet of your favourite cross country horse ?
Gently,gently looking at those first three friday.
Indian Castle looks well handicapped,see SWC booked,loves the track.
GL tomorrow,today even
lol Flyers, yeah, something of a miracle that I haven’t mentioned him yet this week. Without a shadow of a doubt, one of my favourite horses ever, and with him and Tiger Roll potentially running within 24 hours of each other (again), there will definitely be another double on the cards, just in case lightning can strike twice.
Harder for him on Friday with it being a handicap, he would chew this lot up off level weights, but he still looks a fair price at 8’s. I just wonder if he’s a definite runner yet, when he’s that kind of price.
Still not whittled down that shortlist for the race (Definite Ruby, What A Moment, Lovely Job, and What Happens Now), but Indian Castle is one of those horses, as you say, that you just can’t ignore round here, and he looks a real fly in the ointment for me, especially with SWC up, and trainer in top form.
Very best of luck with him, a big surprised there wasn’t a market up for it, and he might just be one to try and steal a nice early price with.
Good stuff with MM Bobby
Must admit I backed it myself looked a bit better than then!! Cheers Raymo, that went exactly to plan, and I have to really fancy one of the midnights before they appear on here, so safe to say I fancied her. Couldn’t understand the price, but not complaining, and easily pays for the weekend, so very very happy.
I didn’t realise Folsom had drifted, absolutely gutted to miss him at 10’s, but I suppose I had already bet General Principle & Waaheb, so maybe stretching it for 3 in that race, didn’t make it any easier though lol.
I’ll have to try and win it back in a chase now, but the value will have gone surely…………..I’m thinking Paddy Power at Christmas.
Aintree it is then, I’d be fairly confident of that. Chuffed to see ADO win, but unfortunately on the day I didn’t back him.
Highlight of the day was obviously Midnight Malibu, and I got a nice lift from her. She’s been very good this year, and she’s more than paid for the next few days.
I was very happy with General Principle at Clonmel, and though he folded at the end, I didn’t see anything to put me off next weekend. As for Waaheb, it may be time to put my hands up, and accept that he ain’t gonna do it.
On to tomorrows action, and not as many bets as I expected, but the opener is a cracker. As Flyers mentioned last night, Indian Castle looks a big player, and I have to agree, and I also fear What Happens Now, with O’Connor up. I’ve settled though for What A Moment, and As De Pique. WAM will be a decent bet for me, and not often that I’ll do that with one as low as 7’s, but I’ve had this race in mind for him since The Festival. He looked like one of the few horses who was going to put it up to Tiger Roll in The NH Chase, and it looked as if the decision had been made to pull him up once beaten, as the jock certainly looked after him. Won this last year, and won it nicely. As De Pique isn’t as obvious, but a quick glance at his form last year will tell you he ain’t out of this. 6th in The Paddy Power at Leapordstown off of a couple of pounds higher, entitles him to go very close here, and I can only imagine it’s his age that is pushing the price out. Lisa O’Neil is a tremendous booking, and I had to have some of that 28’s, with 5 Places at Skybet.
In the next, Samson is a bit of a leap of faith, but at 50’s I don’t think he’s totally out of this. Has some degree of ability, as seen earlier in the year, and although you have to forgive him his last run, there’s plenty ahead of him in the betting, who’s chances seem slimmer. Again, happy to risk him each way with the 5 Places.
The 1350 looks tough, and all I’m willing to risk just now is a few quid on Festive Affair at 14’s. Although he was well beaten in the end, he ran well for a long way last time, and never been in better form. He’s possibly at his ceiling, but with question marks over plenty of the others too, I had to side with him.
I’ve said that much about Cause of Causes over the last 3, 4 years that I’ll try and be brief here. I don’t really need to bet him tomorrow, but I will, even though I’m not expecting that much. He’ll be better in The Spring, and this is a handicap, but he was available at 6’s earlier and I had a sentimental go. My favourite horse in training by a country mile, and I’m just looking forward to seeing him.
In the last 2 races, Movewithetimes, and Callet Mad will make up a few perms.
Well done with MM.
Very tricky opening day,nothing really stands out.
Your lad in the first is the solid one,no surprise if he went off shorter,plenty will see him as a back/lay,
given his run style.
Will stick with IC,not backed him yet,concern is he may not be fully match fit,in good hands.
The other one worth a mention is Lamb Or Cod,more letters than numbers,when he does put in a clear round,
he is useful,the claim brings him down to 123,will watch the market.
Race 2 lottery,small stakes War On The Rocks/Spiritual Man ew,can see yours finnishing up the hill better than some.
Interested in the tizzard horse 3rd race,Mick Thonic,losing tommy aboard no great hardship,judging his last 2 runs,no surprise if he stepped forward in this.
Aubusson catches the eye in the x-c,touch of class,both horse and jockey inexperienced in this field,canny trainer,could be a sighter for later in the season.
Love watching the novice chasers around this test.
Hopefully be more savvy after tomorrow,will be watching the times closely,there is history with his ground predictions
Best of luck to those playing.
Thanks Flyers, very happy with MM yesterday, and she was just too big a price.
Good luck again with Indian Castle, I fear him a lot here, and no surprise to see him go close. Lamb or Cod got me a nice exacta last season, and I think I had him at Aintree, when Sizing Codelco won, but not 100%. Certainly backed him in one of his losses last year, and never quite know how to read him.
That second race is tricky isn’t it, and best of luck with your pair, though I hope you’re right about mine, and he can run up that hill into fifth.
Aubusson is an interesting one, and I have him down as having a chance in The Becher.
Cause of Causes is out now, which I’m not unduly concerned about, and it remains a quiet enough day for me, though as you say, no harm in that, as gives a chance for a proper look at the ground.
Good luck mate.
Cheers Frankie, that was a big bet for me, and just delighted. That finish though……..that’s no good for you, and I was jumping out about like a lunatic. Away for a wee sit down now lol
Must admit I backed it myself looked a bit better than then!! 
well played sir !
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