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William Hill offering 4/1 on Scotsirish this morning (not NRNB) for the Cross Cuntry. Topped up on the 7/2 I got a few weeks back. One of their price-boost offers running up to the festival.
I’m just hoping that Sir Des Champs turns out to be the bully that forces him out of school(not that I condone that kind of thing lol!).
At a preview I was at P.Mullins said Sir Des Champs will definitly run in the RSA.
Noooooo!
Note to self for future reference, don’t back Willie Mullins horses AP for the festival!…you never have a clue which race they’re going for. Boston Bob, Sir Des Champs. Just to add to the potential of Peddlers not turning up in the Arkle.
Backed Penny Max NRNB e/w for the festival handicap. 20’s seems a fair enough price for me.
What JP Ferguson horses are left in?
And anyone have any info on Moscow Mannon’s jockey?
JP Ferguson still has New Years Eve and Population in.
Because entries were made today. They’ll be published on Thursday along with the Mares’.
Thanks for the info…the perils of backing in the bumper that early rears it’s ugly head once again after Hidden Cyclone.
Having backed Boston Bob for this before the news on Fngal Bay’s potential withdrawal from the Neptune, my nerves have been on edge ever since! However Boston Bob’s constant drifting and contraction in price in the market for both the Albert Bartlett and Neptune has left me flummoxed as to which race he will go for.
I think BB would win whichever race he turns up for, but feel the AB would be a greater test of what it seems is his strong suit…stamina. Fingers crossed for some good news on this front.
Does anybody know why the market has been suspended on betfair for the bumper? Having backed Population at 16/1 a few months back and it drifting to 37 on betfair it is a bit unassuring to say the least. Other than him I’m unsure of any of the others in the bumper.
I feel that Steps to Freedom is being underestimated, because he
only just
beat Prospect Wells.
The positives for the horse are clear to see; he can win around Cheltenham and stays well up the hill, has a good turn of foot, can travel strongly off a strong pace and then finds that bit extra when needed. He will, no doubt in my mind, show how good he is in the Supreme, coming off a strong-gallop that is a given with the race. What he did in his last race (Cheltenham in November) was show me that he was willing to battle when necessary.
I understand looking for value, having backed Al Ferof last year at 16’s, but with no one horse being punted off the boards (as was the case with Cue Card, Dunguib the last 2 years), I see a lot of value with the 10/1 that remains open on Steps to Freedom. He has the most up-side of any horse that has been given an entry and has been confirmed to run (barring injuries etc). The only other horse that would interest me would be Galileo’s Choice who simply got out-stayed by Sous Les Cieux on heavy ground last time out.
On current form,
Hurricane Fly
is the big dog and cannot be beaten, he travels so well and his speed is scary.
I have not been impressed with the new breed of hurdlers coming through via the juveniles, only
Zarkandar
stands out, but i do not think he could beat
Hurricane Fly
.
From the open division,
Spirit Son
and
Al Ferof
look about the best, but i have a feeling
Al Ferof
will go chasing over 2m net season as
Nicholls
sees
Zarkandar
and
Sam Winner
as his next big hurdlers in the 2m division.
A lot can happen in a year, and only 1 of the field from the previous Champion Hurdle returned this year, in K
hyber Kim
, which shows we cannot second guess what will be back this next year? Maybe
Binocular
, who on his best day is the only known horse i believe is capable of matching
Hurricane Fly
.
If i was to do a forecast now, my top 2 would beHurricane Fly
and
Spirit Son
Nicholls said pre-Cheltenham that Sam Winner will be going chasing in the Autumn, but to be honest I would fancy his chances over 2 1/2 or 3 miles rather than 2, he seems like a stayer. He seems to hit flat spots in his races and then stays on at the finish, as he did in the Triumph.
In terms of the Champion Hurdle 2012, I can’t look past Hurricane Fly to be honest, he is seriously special. Binocular, given previous form may have a chance with him, but it’s whether the real Binocular turns up. He travels ominously well in his races and can find seemingly unlimited speed when asked.
From this years novice form, I feel Zarkander and Spirit Son would be the only 2m hurdlers from the 2010/11 novice division that will progress enough to be of Champion Hurdle standard.
