Recent content by Desert Orchid

I mean IET 20lbs+ higher than Lulamba. About as dizzy as the midway step up the 10ft diving dale.

Well, Lulamba, rated 153, has beaten rivals rated 147 and 146 respectively, 9.5 lengths. That's hardly 'pretty special in my book. I'll be very surprised if Timeform doesn't have IET 20lbs higher.

I've run the replays of both simultaneously from the point the leaders each crossed the first fence. The novices were soon clear and at one point were over 30 lengths ahead. They were jumping the second Railway Fence when the Jonbon was leading his field over the first. The tingle Creek field...

Lulamba was five seconds faster over the CD, by the way.

Timeform had Il Etait Temps on 172 (Jonbon 170) going into this race. It will be interesting to see how they rate them as a result of this. I'll be surprised if they don't raise IET at least 5lbs.

I think that was a proper race. The front two have put the Skelton upstart in his place and I reckon Jonbon has probably run close to his best form but the winner has just run away from him. Whether IET can do that at Cheltenham I don't know but he might not need to. There's enough other top...

I had a look at the RP ratings for the Welsh National last night. These are the top 12. If the top weight stands its ground the second on that screenshot is going to be some way out of the weights even if it makes the cut. Rock My Way is one of the favourites so I'm assuming Tommie Beau is...

I would love to see Jonbon win but I'll be watching the race without a bet. There's a bit of me suspects Il Etait Temps's win over him reads marginally better than Jonbon's very best form and he has youth, so likely further improvement, on his side. I hope they both turn up in peak form and...

Thanks, reet, but Hills won't let me bet with them.

My main bet in the race (could only get 28/1) so let's hope it lives up to our hopes, Desijo.

One for the cold list.

Titus Oates.

I'm saying nothing but he got the dreaded ITV £100k bonus penalty today.

So many reasons, yorick. There was a time foul language was blanked out - and I'm guilty of finding ways round that - but I've been getting less comfortable with it as old age catches up with me. I find I'm spending more time in church and examining my conscience more thoroughly and I don't...