Cheltenham 2021/22

He was five lengths clear when he losing all his momentum with that blunder at the last. The handicapper has taken that into account.

No doubt the Irish will have one or two totally unexposed reps too but I'll worry about them nearer the time.

Right now all I'm doing is putting numbers to performances.
 
One of the unique elements I thought about the race on the day was that the fancied horses weren't necessarily the well handicapped ones but horses reliant on changes of stables. I think the race is no longer the contest it once was. Not sure if there has been any progressive horse that has come out of the race in the past few years. With clean rounds, the likes of Lalor, Simply the Betts, Zanza etc would have been hammered by Coole Cody and Midnight Shadow. If they are to win a big handicap in the near future, it will only point to the lack of any progressive opposition.
 
Desert Orchid said:
He was five lengths clear when he losing all his momentum with that blunder at the last. The handicapper has taken that into account.

No doubt the Irish will have one or two totally unexposed reps too but I'll worry about them nearer the time.

Right now all I'm doing is putting numbers to performances.
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Yeah, I don't think Midnight Shadow lost that much ground from the mistake. It may have contributed to just how slow he was from the 'cutaway'. He emptied long after the stumble.
 
Euronymous said:
He'll need to be half a stone below Saturday's mark when he's up against Irish novices at the Festival. He crawled over the line and goes up 7lbs - ridiculous.
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Agree with you totally and that is what is wrong with racing at all levels. Handicappers are not real people they are AI and if you win a graded race up you go even if 5 horse fell in the closing stages that looked like they might beat you.

You can have your life savings on Midnight Shadow being unable to win another race for at least another 3 years
 
Very early days to be considering the handicaps and no doubt the Irish runners will have a big say but Captain Morgs looked for all the world like one who'd be suited by the test the County offers over the extended 2m, today at Ascot. The front two both looked good but I reckon the arguably unlucky second wants further.

Captain Morgs should go up to about 130 which, if Nicky minds him for the next 5 months (shouldn't be hard given the trainer's MO), means he'd get in near the bottom of the weights for the County.

Today's handicap was only introduced last year when Nicky won it with Buzz
 
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Belatedly, three observations/learnings from the November meeting.

1. Why de fuq are the Broccoli family dicking about choosing the new James Bond when the smooth and debonair Grassy Nick is available?
2. Learn to shut up when Grey is kindly giving you an out of his way lift back to the airport. That way he might not miss the exit.
3. We saw no festival winners on what was by and large a turgid race meeting.
 
an capall said:
Belatedly, three observations/learnings from the November meeting.

1. Why de fuq are the Broccoli family dicking about choosing the new James Bond when the smooth and debonair Grassy Nick is available?

Missed his chance at acting when he tried to get Sean Connery's part in JFK. When the test camera started to roll he said "The name is Knoll:- Grassy Knoll" and got tossed out on his ass:lol:
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By the way, West Cork went up 7lbs (to 141) for winning the Greatwood. Adagio up 5lbs (to 152).

In terms of the usual differentials between my ratings and ORs, we're in the same ball-park. I'm a pound higher (allowing for the differential) with WC and 2lbs higher with Adagio. (I rate literally as per the margins whereas the handicapper usually allows beaten horses an extra pound or two.)
 
Not a bad card tomorrow. The opener has some nice types in it and at the prices I'd have Washington over the Skelton/JP any day of the week. I always favour Cheltenham form over wide margin gaff track wins.

Onagatheringstorm looks a no brainer each way bet in the last and whilst he shouldn't reverse with Sporting John that horse isn't one you'd back at a short price.
 
Word of caution on that Euro, Fergal O'Brien has only had one winner from his last 46 runners going back to 22 November and when Onagatheringstorm was second in Cheltenham the stable were red hot and could do no wrong.
 
Vaccine status or negative test required for entry tomorrow and Saturday

https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/

The government said this wasn't coming into force until the 15th December

Absolute C***s trick by Cheltenham this to tell racegoers only 24 hrs before the event

Im going on Saturday and me and my mate have got our Vac status letters, got them a few months ago, but there will be plenty that haven't
 
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Some people are just plain stupid or have been living under a rock......I have one aquaintence who turned up at the airport unvaccinated.wanting to fly to Bangkok.

The airport police removed him post haste. Surely if you are going to mingle with crowds in this covid era common sense tells you only go if you and everyone else is vaccinated
 
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Truncheon said:
Vaccine status or negative test required for entry tomorrow and Saturday

https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/

The government said this wasn't coming into force until the 15th December

Absolute C***s trick by Cheltenham this to tell racegoers only 24 hrs before the event

Im going on Saturday and me and my mate have got our Vac status letters, got them a few months ago, but there will be plenty that haven't
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My own opinion is that Cheltenham should have been ahead of the curve on this one and taken the initiative some time back.

Would-be attendees should have been informed at the time tickets were issued that some kind of proof of no-risk-to-others would be required by the course regardless of the official government position.

I'm attending an indoor event up here tomorrow and I knew weeks ago I was going to have to bring my proof with me.
 
By the way, what's with the yellow breeks today?

Is it to identify Irish runners?

Is it just for this meeting or a permanent thing?
 
By the way, that was a brilliant ride from Victoria Malzard on Kansas City Chief. Rode some senior pros to sleep.
 
Tough day. The uninspiring tactics with Onagatheringstorm (not to mention the poor jumping) has me worried about Silver Hallmark tomorrow (is Fergal the David Simcock of the jumps? #shudder).

Didn't expect to have a bet in the International but 5/2 about Song for Someone is just too big against that field.

Away from Cheltenham I've backed Farceur du Large in the 1200 at Fairyhouse. Step up in trip will suit and the front of that market looks very shaky.
 
Truncheon said:
Vaccine status or negative test required for entry tomorrow and Saturday

https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/

The government said this wasn't coming into force until the 15th December

Absolute C***s trick by Cheltenham this to tell racegoers only 24 hrs before the event

Im going on Saturday and me and my mate have got our Vac status letters, got them a few months ago, but there will be plenty that haven't
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They weren't checking anything yesterday.
 
In reality nothing worthy of a mention in the Champion Hurdle lines up for the International Hurdle today.

The only reason I can see for the bookies offering 4/5 about Honeysuckle for Cheltenham is they are hoping her wheels fall off.

Odds on or not I backed her yet again as I believe sh'e ll bethe shortest priced winner in history in March

Sir Ken way way back went off at 2/5 when he won it for a second time
 
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Loved the eye brow raise by Charles Byrnes when Oli Bell told him that 5s is available for the Albert Bartlett.
Byrnes knows when he has a good one.
 
Blazing Khal represents value at 5/1 for March. Clattered 2 out but the lack of panic told you how much was left. Was seriously impressive IMO
 
Doesn't the Skelton debutant hold the form down somewhat? Plus surely the better Irish stables are gonna have some representation - what if Kilcruit and/or Journey with Me go down the boat route?
 
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