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Have only been to a handful of the English tracks myself, but as far as the Irish tracks are concerned, Punchestown and Killarney would be my favourite courses. Punchestown is probably a biased choice because it is my local track but there’s always top quality jumping on offer. Killarney is without doubt the most picturesque track in Ireland.
Not a big fan of Galway. The festival is well overhyped. Its only an excuse for a booze up really, no harm in that
but it can be quite hard to pick a winner around there, unless there’s a Dermot Weld trained runner!Was good to see him back. Got a bit tired in the ground and was a bit low at a few fences but he was entitled to be a bit rusty after so long off the track. He might justify all the hype that surrounded him as a novice hurdler over the bigger obstacles.
He’s in the Drinmore and god knows how they’re going to price that one up with all the intended runners.
Catch Me landed the gamble in good style. He’s always had plenty of ability but he seems to throw in the odd shocker every now and then. Goes for the Hattons Grace next in 3 weeks time and will be tough to beat if he reproduces this run. The front three all had the advantage of a run so you would expect the likes of Aitmatov and Kazal to be closer at Fairyhouse.
Noel had a great day with 4 winners. Pandorama won with his head in his chest and looks a special horse. Watson Lake rolled back the years and gave a nice little boost to War Of Attritions form. It was good to see Aran Concerto back on the track and he may well live up to his reputation over fences. Thought Nina gave the bumper winner a good confident ride in what probably wasn’t the strongest race.
Thought Henderson had said that Binocular will run at Haydock on Saturday week Fists?
Can’t imagine they’d be going to Newcastle only a week later for the Fighting Fifth
Think that’s a fair assessment Friggo. He’ll never be suited by tracks like Wincanton and Kempton. He’s 5 from 6 at Cheltenham and there’s no real doubt that he’s a good few pounds better around there than anywhere else, a bit like Fondmort was.
Everything fell into place for him in the Champion Hurdle last year though, with Sizing Europe going wrong and Sublimity having his speed blunted by the going. Think myself he’ll more than likely run up to the same mark again in this season’s Champion but I’d be surprised if there’s not two or even three unexposed hurdlers who improve past him.
He raced very lazily yesterday and didn’t seem to show the same enthusiasm that he’s shown in the past. Would expect a much improved performance in the Bula but I think he could be one to take on.
Was probably the best novice hurdle ran so far in Ireland this year Gaz. Stayed on really gamely and Navan would be considered to be the most similar of the Irish tracks in terms of configuration to Cheltenham, with its stiff uphill finish. His third in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown reads very well and I wouldn’t put you off him.
One note of caution though, he was getting 4lbs from Fisher Bridge and he drifted like a barge in the betting before the off. We should know a lot more after the Royal Bond today three weeks.
Race to watch in my opinion. Looks a very difficult one to solve with most of the runners having their first run of the season. Most of the principals will be using this as a prep for the Hattons Grace.
Cracking card all round though. Noel could have a good day with Pandorama, Fisher Bridge and the returning Aran Concerto. Really looking forward to this Pandorama going over hurdles. Fine big chaser in the making and absolutely bolted up in his two bumpers. Hope Paul has him prominent today as I think he’ll be the type to just gallop other horses into submission.
Today’s Lismullen Hurdle (1:55) at Navan should provide some good clues for the Hattons Grace with Kazal, Catch Me, Aitmatov, Sweet Kiln, Liskennett, Hardy Eustace and Give It Time taking each other on. Would imagine most of these horses will be using this as a prep for the Fairyhouse race.
Thought Made In Taipan did that nicely there in a decent Beginners at Naas. He’s an interesting proposition going left handed. Didn’t think Rare Bob did an awful lot for Trafford Lad’s form. Couldn’t understand why they were dropping him back in trip today though. Thought myself at Punchestown he’d appreciate a bit further.
It was run at an absolute crawl alright but I would have thought that it played right into Kauto Star’s hands. He just pulverised the field with his turn of foot and superior flat speed. I would be concerned about him truly staying out the 3m2 aroung Cheltenham if they went a good consistent clip, like they did in 2006. I know its far from an exact science but it just irritates me a bit when people say that Kauto Star’s gold Cup was vastly superior to War Of Attritions.
Unless his form deteriorates drastically over the next few months, War Of Attrition definitely deserves his place in the Gold Cup. Last years staying novices were a poor enough crop in my opinion (with the exception of Glencove Marina
), and I can’t see Tidal Bay running in the Gold Cup.There’s possibly question marks over the front three in the market. I have my doubts over whether Denman will even make the race. Neptune Collonges is an improving horse but he’s 0 from 5 at Prestbury Park.
I don’t neccesarily agree that Kauto Star’s Gold Cup was a significantly better race than WOA’s. L’ami and Monkerhostin, who would both be considered consistent yard sticks, were beaten 12L & 10L respectively in 2007, and 10L and 11L in 2006.
I’m not saying he’ll win the race if the Nicholls army turn up in full health in March, but I think he’s good e/w value at 25s.
Have to agree with you there Fists. Absolute freak of a horse and the stats prove it. To win an Irish National giving your nearest rival 2 1/2 stone is a phenomenal achievement.
Think Mouse is worried that firm ground might cause the injury to flare up again (Reason why he didn’t go to Wetherby). Genuine good jumping ground should be fine for him though. Always been a much better horse on better ground.
tomsk
Considering that Wetherby was very much on the agenda until late last week I’d imagine that they’ll have him over to England at some stage this season all things being equal.
If he stays sound and his form doesn’t tail off drastically I would be amazed if Cheltenham wasn’t in the back of their minds. The chances of getting properly quick ground there for the festival nowadays are quite remote I would imagine.
Chasing Cars is out for the season according to Jessie Harrington’s stable tour in the RP
Zaarito had a real rough passage in the Cheltenham Bumper last year and I would have thought he’d have been a lot closer if he hadn’t been checked at the top of the hill.
He is definitely on the small side though Gaz and I’d be a bit concerned whether he’ll make the most natural hurdler. (Lack of size doesn’t seem to hinder the likes of Katchit though.)
On the plus side, Colm Murphy can certainly train a good one as he’s shown with Brave Inca, Big Zeb and Feathard Lady.
but it can be quite hard to pick a winner around there, unless there’s a Dermot Weld trained runner!
), and I can’t see Tidal Bay running in the Gold Cup.