Forum Replies Created
- Posts
Late to the party. but really appreciate the support. I think Freedom to Dream has a great chance as long as he stays. Some more thoughts in the blog: http://www.cheltenhamdream.com/blog-diary/2023/2/2/quality-on-top-of-quality
I am going to do my little bit to temporarily stop the domination in the Beginners Chase tomorrow with Freedom to Dream. Some thoughts: http://www.cheltenhamdream.com/blog-diary/2022/12/27/can-freedom-to-dream-be-a-surprise-christmas-package
In case anyone might be interested, these are my thoughts on Freedom to Dream’s chances in the Red Mills Final tomorrow: http://www.cheltenhamdream.com/blog-diary/2022/4/26/trying-not-to-be-confident-and-so-far-failing-miserably
Some thoughts/updates on Suprise Package in this: http://www.cheltenhamdream.com/blog-diary/2022/3/11/confidently-realistic
Suprise Package is in great form and we are excited about him running in this. He had a runny nose before Leopardstown and we went hoping he had recovered (his counts were ok and his scope was fine) but, in the event, it came a few days too soon. By the Wednesday after he was a different horse and he has been since. Hoping the ground continues to dry out and that Miranda is declared to keep the weights down.
The travelling is always a concern but you don’t know until you’ve done it.Not quite sure where to put this blog but it covers my two Freedom to Dream (2M 6F G1) and Suprise Package (this race) http://www.cheltenhamdream.com/blog-diary/2022/2/4/a-fantastic-weekend-awaits
You and me both re Suprise Package, VTC. (He is my horse) There will be 28 runners and we may be number 32,33 or 34 at the moment. We need 6 (or possibly 4) to come out in order to ‘sneak in’. I would be disappointed if he doesn’t get in (and my wife will be annoyed at the money I’ve spent going over although I am using Freedom to Dream to justify that). Two more elimination stages to go so every chance. The horse is in great form and a faster run race than at Christmas (the middle part was fairly slow) will play to his strengths.I think 2m 2f is his perfect distance but good luck finding one of those at this level. The ground won’t be a problem
PS he was beaten so far by Brides Hill that I actually believe he thinks he won at Christmas!I bought an AQPS 3 year-old out of the Derby sale but did not like the name Friska De Thaix (and am in agreement with Bruce Millington). He is based in Ireland and I was allowed to change for 600 Euros; a crazy amount of money but when amortized over his (hopefully, at least) six year career works out at one less pint per week. However, i did not know , at the time, that AQPS horses have a naming convention that requires the same first letter for all foals born in any given year. In 2015 this was the letter F and, so despite changing to an English name, the name still had to begin with F. It also explains why so many five year-olds have french names beginning with F. Anyway, his name was changed to Freedom to Dream and, to make this even more topical, he runs in the bumper at Limerick tomorrow.
As always , a great read VTC. The Irish one I’ve been waiting for in this (or the Martin Pipe) is Canardier ((Dermot A McLoughlin). He won well at the October meeting on what his trainer openly stated was a fact-finding mission for March. Needs quickish ground but runs well fresh and at 33/1 is an interesting bet.
Some great comments on here. Not the best renewal but am, for once, siding with the Gigginstown runners. Dounikos runs well fresh and, if staying the trip, has a touch of class; it will be tough for a five year-old but Tout Est Permis has real potential; these would be my two. I will add Young Turk because it is intriguing that Lisa O’Neill is on him given Elliot has 12 runners.
First of all, thank you Joe (and everyone else) for taking such an interest – it is very gratifying. Those are really interesting questions. Let me try and take each one in turn:
Johnny Burke did wonder if he resented the blinkers but then changed his mind. In fact, he said that normally horses with blinkers respond to the first use of the whip but that he didn’t do that- that was strange to him.
I agree that he is very honest and has always put his head down and runs – at home he works like a 1 1/2 mile horse on the flat. He is for some reason struggling to lay up and that has been the case since Leopardstown; very different from his first two runs last season. The point about head carriage is interesting: according to Roger Loughran he is the ‘clearest winded horse I have ever ridden’ so we doubt there is a wind issue and, certainly, no jockey has ever mentioned it. Peter runs most of his horses in nosebands but not for any specific reason; more aesthetic than anything else. That being said, we are looking to change his race day routine so that certain triggers’ are taken away (eg we won’t plait him, we will take a companion with him)- on that basis we might try taking off the nose band as he doesn’t work in one at home and his work over the last two weeks has been exceptional – I will ask Peter to leave the noseband off and see how he goes.
Finally, the question about eyesight has never occurred to me (although it might have to Peter – we have never discussed it). I will ask him and, if we haven’t checked, will get it done – great idea! ThanksI am writing this in a state of shock: he does not have any ulcers and seems absolutely fine. None of which explains his run, the fact he was distressed and could hardly walk and that he didn;t want to go onto the track. I have written a fuller update in the blog: http://www.cheltenhamdream.com/blog-diary/2018/9/14/calling-any-and-all-horse-psychiatrists. And, seriously, if anyone has any ideas, or any precedents, then please let me know – we are struggling to figure it all out.
A quick update: he was distressed despite only running 1 1/2 miles. I am pretty sure he was stressed and we will be checking him for ulcers in the morning. If they are there then that will be it for him as regards racing. It’s a real shame but we have to do the right thing for him.
I wouldn’t be taking too short of a price about Bay of Freedom but I do have to say that he has never looked better; with him, I am not sure if that actually means anything come race time. If he runs his race I would be most scared of Snow Falcon, Vieux Morven, Bishop’s Road and Haymount. Anyway, here’s the latest blog: http://www.cheltenhamdream.com/blog-diary/2018/9/11/the-pressure-is-on
Looks like the forecast has changed and, right now, they are forecasting some rain most days. Amounts vary depending on the forecast but it could potentially be a little softer than originally thought. Current going is now good, good to firm in places.
I always look forward to your write-ups VTC and this is no exception; great job! I think Sandymount Duke is very interesting. The forecast is for fairly dry conditions and, while they put plenty of water on at Listowel, it is likely to be no worse than genuine good ground. Robbie Power was really keen on his chances last year before the ground went against him. I just wonder if he is quite as good over 3 miles but it is a flat course albeit it takes plenty of jumping. Our Father is very well handicapped but 1350 days is a long time. The biggest concern might be if he actually gets in; he needs 12 to come out and , to be honest, it’s not clear which ones they would be.
As regards Bay of Freedom here is the unfiltered truth:
He is in wonderful form and if the race was run at Curragh I would be pretty confident. Unfortunately, it is 3 1/2 hours away and that presents a real problem as it appears he has a remarkable ability to generate stomach ulcers in record time and the consequent pain leaves him unable to perform to anything like his ability. At Wexford last time we scoped him three days before the race and he was perfectly clear; after the race I asked Peter to have him scoped the next day. He thought I was mad (as did the vet)but it turned out he had Grade 3 ulcers (they only got to Grade 4). It was either the travel to Wexford, the racecourse atmosphere or some combination that caused their rapid onset. There are only limited things you can do in such a situation, it is obviously caused by stress and the main relaxants are not allowed within 72 hours of a race. We are trying everything (and a few new things) this time but I am not overly confident. To be honest, if he runs and develops ulcers this time then this will be his last race; I am not prepared for him to endure unnecessary pain. We will find a good home for him if that were to happen and, maybe, a new career; I could seen him show jumping or in dressage. It is very frustrating as, when he is able to run his race, he does have a lot of ability so I am really hoping that, on a course he likes and race he has run well in before,he can put up a good performance.
To add to my frustration Kevin Sexton has broken his wrist and will be unable to ride and, looking at the likely runners, I am not sure we are going to have a lot of choice regarding jockeys; ‘best available’ has never been truer. However, on a more positive note, his form in September and October has been excellent throughout his career and if you were to rank the field based on the Racing Post TopSpeed ratings he would be top (something I do everyday just to make me feel better)
Roger Loughran rode him last week and said he had never sat on a horse with clearer wind and that he would win a big race one day; like I say, he’s in great form but all we can do is keep our fingers crossed. Roger will obviously be on Peregrine Run if he runs and he ran a very nice race at Killarney. Peter’s horses are running well and I think Peter will be tempted to run him in this race. He’s not been done many favours by the handicapper and is not fully proven at 3 miles but the ground will definitely suit him.I will post a link to my blog nearer to the race. For now, many thanks VTC – you have helped to raise the excitement and anticipation levels significantly.
For a few moments I stopped having nightmares about Polidam, Oscar Knight, Out Sam, Anibale Fly, Mall Dini (oh, and about 25 other horses) and started wondering what it would be like to win. Probably nothing like this: http://www.cheltenhamdream.com/blog-diary/2017/12/23/he-wont-winbut-what-if-he-did
Merry Christmas everyone!
