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I believe Al Ferof has a fine chance of winning the Paddy Power on Saturday. If he does he’ll be close to favourite for the Ryanair over half a furlong farther in March.
His Cheltenham record has been blotted only by his poor run behind Sprinter Sacre in this year’s Arkle when he made a horrendous mistake four out (sweated up beforehand too). Mr Nicholls can rarely resist the temptation of taking his Cheltenham runners to Aintree when in my opinion, many should be rested (he’s not the only trainer whose common sense is holed below the waterline by the lure of huge prize money).
Anyway, he boxed up Al Ferof and took him there where he ran a lifeless race. Prior to his festival outing, he’d run a really good race for a novice in the Victor Chandler; he lined up there with just two fencing runs behind him and ended the race with his best ever RPR of 163 for finishing 3rd.
He won a very good Supreme last year beating Spirit Son, Sprinter Sacre and Cue Card and is a high class horse with a strong liking for this track and an excellent record on good to soft which looks likely for Saturday and is always favourite for the festival in March.
I like Grand Crus but I suspect he is a wee bit soft. Al Ferof could come late and battle him out of it in the Paddy Power. Take the 16s now for the Ryanair. If you get the ante-post yips over the winter, you can always lay it off at half the price!
Good luck
TAPK is gonna sweep me for this but I’d really like the chances of
First Lieutenant
where he to run in this. He does stay well but he’s not half short of speed. They weren’t going quick enough for him in the RSA and he’s won a Neptune over two and a half miles, beating a Champion Hurdle winner in the process.
The other one I’m keen on here is
Finians Rainbow
. He has always threatened to do great things and he showed what he’s capable off in the second half of last season. He got two and a half miles well at Aintree and I have him down as the one to beat in this.
Realy Fancied Finians Rainbow for the QM last year and realy fancy him for the ryanair this year. I think his at a very good price though it will be a very strong field with Sacre probably scaring everyone off to this.
I believe Al Ferof has a fine chance of winning the Paddy Power on Saturday. If he does he’ll be close to favourite for the Ryanair over half a furlong farther in March.
I hope you got on mate. Imperial Commander waiting to happen for me – Paddy Power, Ryanair, Gold Cup
Realy Fancied Finians Rainbow for the QM last year and realy fancy him for the ryanair this year. I think his at a very good price though it will be a very strong field with Sacre probably scaring everyone off to this.
Completely agree. He won’t be sending Finians after Sprinter Sacre, why would you? Riverside Theatre is stepped up in trip, leaves nothing else for The Ryanair – FINIANS.
I have used £40 of my bobs worth winnings on first lt for Ryanair at 14s. Cannot see them taking on bobs again after getting beaten twice fair and square and of course they have SDC for gold cup
Agreed, First Lieutenant’s run today only reaffirms my view that he’d have a great chance of success in the Ryanair. Not many horses would be able go with him if he raced handily and kicked for home three out, and the only horses that could will probably be running elsewhere (Flemenstar and Sir Des Champs).
I wonder if there is any chance of Sizing Europe contesting this race. His owner seems desperate to make him into a three miler, but the horse doesn’t quite see it out.
Perhaps he could dodge Sprinter Sacre and try this in-between distance?
This race is looking as if it’s going to be the most competitive of the festival. Could be Sizing Europe, First Lt, Finians Rainbow, Cue Card and Flemenstar.
Agreed.
Really looking forward to this race this year – more so than anything other than the CH and GC.
As sad as it is that Big Buck’s is out for the season it does mean that what has historically been easily the weakest of the 4 days now has a really exciting look to it with a wide open WH and this race.
Personally, it’s tough to call but I’d love to see Champion Court win. The fact that he was up with the pace throughout and still finished in front of Cue Card, yet is nearly twice the price of that horse does strike me as odd.
Yes, Cue Card plainly didn’t stay in the conditions but Champion Court appears to be a better horse at 2m4f also.
The Henderson horses both have to put poor runs behind them and any of the other current market leaders could head elsewhere (probable exception of Cue Card) so the 10s available with Bet Victor (NRFB) could be a decent e/w bet. I know this horse also has other engagements but surely after his run behind SDC in the Jewson last year, this will be the route to go down.
Grands Crus is the fly in the ointment. If he runs and manages to translate Kempton form to Cheltenham, over the short trip then he has a cracking chance of winning it IMO.
They’d be my two at this stage.
Lee
Forgot to mention Menorah for this race. What if he doesn’t make any serious errors? I know that’s a big what if, but with a clear round he will be there at the sharp end.
Took a bit of Champion Court’s 12/1 after The King George, still him and Finians against the field for me.
Took a bit of Champion Court’s 12/1 after The King George, still him and Finians against the field for me.
Champion Court put in a superb effort in the KG and clearly 2m4for5f around Cheltenham is made for him. However, after that brutal test around Kempton I’d want to see him run again before the festival as i could well imagine the race having left it’s mark on him.
Absolutely superb race in prospect although a minefield for Ante-Post backers with the various question marks above many contenders.
I do agree that Menorah has a decent shout at 12s as he’s pretty certain to run here if fit, is a Cheltenham horse and the race should be run to suit. I think amongst last seasons problems it’s been overlooked what a good animal he is and his Kempton win was a very good run.
I cannot fathom the growing support for Champion Court.
He has always been the whipping boy at every distance he has tried. Every time he runs into a truly top-class horse, he gets put in his place. It happened all the way through his novice season and I see no reason for anything but more of the same here.
I cannot fathom the growing support for Champion Court.
He has always been the whipping boy at every distance he has tried. Every time he runs into a truly top-class horse, he gets put in his place. It happened all the way through his novice season and I see no reason for anything but more of the same here.
After his last run at kempton he’s easily passed over for me, however, he does run well at Cheltenham and I would suspect that the EW thieves think he’s a steal around 10/1 to place.
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