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Was a wee bit disappointed with Muirhead today. I thought he’d have finished third if he hadn’t made a mistake two out though. He was held up to get the two and a half miles but he probably didn’t get home in the ground. Paul didn’t knock him about and I would expect an improved showing next time.
I’d say they’ll drop him back to two miles now Fists and I could see him turning the form around with the horses in front of him if he meets them over that trip. Not sure of a long term target. He didn’t travel well over to Cheltenham last year so it wouldn’t surprise me if they campaigned him exclusively in Ireland, but if he did win impressively over two miles I’m sure Noel would be tempted to run in the Champion.
Willie was indeed delighted with Cousin Vinny’s run Carvills. He said when interviewed by Tracy Piggott on RTÉ afterwards that the most he’ll take out of the race was the way Cousin Vinny jumped and ran.
I thought it was a cracking run by Cousin Vinny. The betting told everyone that he’d need the run and Hurricane Fly was more forward. He was giving the winner 3lbs and if he’d have jumped the last a bit quicker, he’d have been even closer. Overall though his jumping was excellent and he underlined his potential today.
The winner is a very decent animal and it’ll be some race if he meets Pandorama over the next few months.
Excellent post Bosranic. Very well constructed argument.
Horses of all ages can pick up injuries. Its just an unfortunate reality of the game. There are certain horses though who just seem to thrive on racing. They’re well looked after and if they still possess their enthusiasm for the game then there’s plenty of reasons to keep them on the go. Hardy Eustace tomorrow is the perfect example. Probably on the decline at this stage but still has the heart of a lion and is well able to serve it up to the younger brigade.
If this is the end for Inglis Drever’s racing career, then I hope the horse has a long and happy retirement. A great warrior of the staying division and excellently handled by Howard Johnson.
You could compile a book of Dessieisms at this stage!
Archbald (Harchibald) is my own personal favourite
http://www.attheraces.com/VideoConsole/?va=PUN_2005_04_29_03_1510&vaff=16
Arguably Northern Alliance’s two best runs, at Punchestown last time out and in the Galway Hurdle, have been right handed. Don’t think he’ll have any trouble around Fairyhouse.
Anyone else worried about whether we’ll get the go ahead tomorrow. It’s been absolutely freezing all day and it’s supposed to get even colder tonight.
Young Townend is some horseman alright. If he keeps the head right, he’s got the ability to go right to the top.
Wouldn’t read too much into the jockey bookings though. Patrick did nothing wrong on Cousin Vinny last year and he knows the horse better than anyone.
Paddy Power prices:
Cousin Vinny 2/1
Hurricane Fly 5/2
Fisher Bridge 9/2
Donnas Palm 6/1
Vital Plot 9/1
Tramp Stamp 12/1
Healys Bar 20/1
Aura About You 40/1Jerry Hannon is a fantastic commentator. He can make the most ordinary of races sound exciting. Some of Dessie’s calls nowadays would cure insomnia.
8 runners on Sunday with all the main contenders set to take their chance. Davy Russell will ride Brave Inca for the first time on his comeback run. Noel Meade saddles two runners, Paul rides Muirhead with Slippers on last year’s winner Aitmatov. Muirhead is into 8/1 now with Aitmatov drifting out to 9s with Paddy Power.
Cousin Vinny declared to run on Sunday with Patrick Mullins riding. Paul Townend will ride Hurricane Fly. Be very interesting to see how they fare in the market.
Pity Aran Concerto isn’t running. Thankfully it’s nothing to do with his old injury as Noel confirmed this morning.
I have to agree with you Halfway that the 5/1 looks too big. I’m sure plenty will disagree with me but I thought he was impressive at Punchestown the last day. Dusty said afterwards that everything that could have gone wrong with him on the day, did go wrong (ie. keen early on, in front too soon), and he still won giving weight away all round. I accept that there were valid excuses for Siegemaster’s run but I’m not sure he’d have beaten Trafford Lad anyway.
The drop back in trip is a slight concern. I personally think the horse will be seen to best effect over three miles, but they should go a decent clip and ground conditions will ensure it’s a good test.
Soft (soft to heavy in places) is the advanced going description at the moment Peruvian so Catch Me should be fine. He’s a worthy favourite in my opinion and I see no reason why any of the horses in behind him at Navan should turn the form around. I’m not sure that he definitely needs soft ground to show his form either. It was quick ground at Punchestown when he fell at the last, when upsides Glencove Marina in a grade 1 novice at the festival a few years back.
If the dead 8 do go to post, then the 10/1 about Muirhead could be a decent e/w bet. Step up in trip should suit and he goes in the ground. He wasn’t right at Cheltenham and Noel regrets running him, but the reports are that he’s back in good form now and they’re expecting a good run.
Don’t think Alderbrook would have troubled Istabraq.
Whether Moscow Flyer would have given Istabraq a race in 2001 though is an fascinating hypothetical question.
I always think if that festival had gone ahead we might never have seen Moscow jump a fence.
Dessie’s commentaries have been deteriorating badly over the past few years. He doesn’t seem to have the same enthusiasm for the game that he once had. He frequently misses fallers and mispronounces horses names. He must have been prouncing Clopf, as “Cloft” for at least a year before someone must have had a quiet word.
Its a pity really because he was a great commentator back in the day. His radio commentary of Dawn Run’s Gold Cup was awesome. I’ve posted a link to it below.
http://www.rte.ie/laweb/ll/ll_t07j.html
Hopefully Jerry Hannon will get to cover some more of the higher profile meetings in the next few years.
