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Mondo Man number 55 on the list at the moment but after today (with I think a double penalty?) should get in. There used to be a big bonus for winning Imperial Cup > Any race at Cheltenham, but not sure that applies anymore. Looked to have plenty in hand today but for mistake at the last.
[Edit: Moore interviewed after the race was non-committal, seems to be favouring Flat campaign and Royal Ascot]
Which begs the obvious question: why isn’t he running in the Ryanair, then, Ben? 🤔
His comments were more circumspect than “napping Handstands for the Ultima” by my read. He might run in Ryanair if one or both of Fact to File and Gaelic Warrior go to Gold Cup. He thinks he’d be worth his place in a Ryanair, but also reckoned his handicap mark is very workable and fancies taking on the Ultima with it.
Interesting perspective Ruby. I have the opposite view. KG felt like closer to Ryanair trial – lot of speed there, and wouldn’t be mad on chances of any of the first three in the Gold Cup (Banbridge won’t go, of course).
Jango Baie might be the best of the four as looks like a proper stayer rather than a speed horse.
Seems the perfect race at Cheltenham for Gaelic Warrior. Win in John Durkan showed how much of a tearaway he can be, so just can’t see him lasting 3m2f there.
Skipped festival last year so might again, but they’ve raced GW and F2F against each other several times now and can see them being 7/4 joint favs on the day (lot of the others at head of the betting will probably be going elsewhere).
Bob Olinger ran a perfect trial for Cheltenham at Leopardstown. Yes getting on a bit now but doesn’t have a million miles on the clock. He could be half a stone better at Cheltenham than anywhere else.
Yeah Man looked to be (ahem) tenderly ridden by the claiming rider in the qualifier at Leopardstown over Christmas. Qualified now without doing much damage to rating. Will almost certainly be given the British handicapper treatment but could still be 10+ lbs well in relative to chasing mark.
Pertemps final is a killer, usually very hard to pick the winner if you paused the TV 100 yards before the final hurdle, but this far out Yeah Man the one for me.
Looking at Ryanair Chase betting, it looks almost like a match between Fact to File and Gaelic Warrior. Would expect GW to go there as don’t think Townend has another ride in the race. 2m5f there seems perfect for him. Would be surprised to see him in GC.
Haven’t see this anywhere so apologies if I’m covering ground already covered elsewhere.
Any thoughts on Colin Keane getting up on The Lion in Winter?
Listening to AOB the last while, he does seem to love The Lion (comments immediately after the Dante were massively positive and I think he was also talking him up in a zoom call the other day) and wondering if he really wanted a top jockey on him.
No disrespect to Wayne Lordan, but he does seem to be a jockey for the confirmed second strings in the bigger races.
Wide draw might make it hard but love to see Keane get another big Classic winner for another big trainer.
Would’ve thought at this stage there would be some entry conditions stipulations to prevent a horse like Faire La Nouba being entered in a race like this. Rated 50? All for owners having a day out but he’s up against horses that might be worth millions at stud and he was nothing more than a hazard.
Stretching it to say that he’s just had one disappointing performance. That’s two early falls and then first one beaten when he stood up (on top of a year on the mend).
I wonder if he’ll ever jump another hurdle. One or two more off-colour runs and they retire him in my view.
Settled on three for this in the end.
All “on the machine”. All on the nose.
Daily Present @ 30
Panda Boy @ 70
Sequestered @ 130DAILY PRESENT
Looks a fair rise for win at Cheltenham (pair drew clear) and just 1 pound worse off with Johnnywho but about twice the price. Can’t help thinking if he was trained by Mullins or Cromwell he’d be no more than 10-12/1 for this.PANDA BOY
Bit of a punt here. He doesn’t win enough and trainer says he won’t like the soft ground. Went off one of the favourites for Aintree 12 months ago and can’t help thinking he deserves a big pot (and maybe been mapped out for a big pot) after running into Meetingofthewaters in Paddy Power Chase a couple of years ago.SEQUESTERED
Another dart. Gone up a fair bit in the weights for one good win and one good second this year. Down the field in the Ultima last time but hoping he can bounce back. Maybe it’s another year for father and son Nationals.Godspeed everyone.
Had a look. A couple that need a few dozen to come out but could be on a nice mark if that happens.
KINTURK KALANISI
Trainer knows what it’s all about and no surprise if this has been the plan. Very unexposed and if the weather keeps up he should be happy on the bouncy ground.SPANISH HARLEM
Who the hell knows with WPM’s long list? This one is a rare maiden for the yard but bit of an eye catcher last time. Sixth in Scottish national as a 6yo last year, and seem to recall there was plenty expected of him in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham a couple of years ago (Martin Pipe or County Hurdle, can’t remember which).Watching Opening Show this morning and they kept referring to Nick Rockett as “winner of the Irish Grand National”. I didn’t sleep for a year, did I?
Think this is my first post here. Hello everyone.
On good ground I’m banking that class will prevail.
I Am Maximus could easily scoot around again (can’t remember many horses winning every handicap they’ve run in) but too short at the prices.My two against the field:
Conflated (100/1) – spring good for him, last two years placed in Gold Cup, Ryanair and here in Melling last year (split Jonbon and Protektorat). Ran well under amateur and top weight at Cheltenham. Doubt he’ll have enough gas to see them all off from the elbow but hoping he’ll outrun his odds.Nick Rockett (25/1) – feels like he’s has the perfect 12+ months prep for this. Never love Patrick over fences (Gaelic warrior notwithstanding) but he’ll do for me here at the price.
Good luck all.
