Cheltenham Festival Previews

to me he's being a bit disrespectful to opposition horses a bit there. the crabbing of simonsig's win at kempton amuses me. it was a very impressive novice performance.
 
Listened to that Euro. He's straight talking.


I was at the Louis Fitzgerald preview last night. I was standing at the back by the bar. I now realise why I don't go to these things because I can't help myself. Jessie turned to Barry at one stage while discussing Sprinter Sacre and Moscow Flyer and says that Barry was only practicing on Moscow. I couldn't help myself shouting HE KEPT FALLING OFF

The panel were not amused...
 
Love to know who runs the Cheltenham Racecourse Facebook page.

Apparently Aidan Coleman won the 2009 Grand National on Mon Mome :blink::blink:
 
A report from irishracing.com on the preview night at Salthill, Galway:



The Cheltenham Preview Night at the Salthill Hotel on Monday, drew a healthy attendance, with all proceeds going to Direct Aid For Africa (DAFA).


Highlights

We all know about the sluggish nature of the economy right now and that was exemplified by the bidding on a framed Camelot picture signed by Aidan and Joseph O'Brien.

Professional punter, Liverpudlian, Matt Williams livened up the bidding when entering the fray late and paying 400 Euros for the attractive piece.

Williams further endeared himself to all present by calling a horse-mad youngster on stage and gifting him the picture.

Fight, fight, fight!

The 'set-to' between panellist Davy Russell and a Galway bookmaker/punter in the audience, about the Tony McCoy Binocular ride at Leopardstown. Host, Hector O'hEochagain reminded the pair that there'd be no "fightin, puckin or bitin," on his watch.

Mullins tells all

Davy Russell's enquiry with Patrick Mullins as to what was the special ingredient in the Closutton training regime – re the improvement of Inish Island et al, once joining the Mullins set-up. The record breaking amateur rider's quick witted reply was "they're (the horses) getting the same stuff that Brian Cody is giving to the hurlers (the Kilkenny team)."

Casey's musings

Peter Casey wondered aloud as to how one leading racing person curries favour with the handicapper. You had to be there!

Spot-prize

Barney Curley put up a prize of 200 Euros for anyone who guessed the amount of trainers that rang him to wish him well on his recent retirement. The answer, none, and an audience member received four crispy fifties for his correct answer.

Patrick Mullins

One to get the Cheltenham expenses

Indevan in the bumper at Gowran on Saturday.

100 Euro charity bet

Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle.

Elsewhere

-Un Atout might lack a gear in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.

-Sweetest on Champagne Fever here from the Mullins team.

-His hope would be that Back In Focus runs in the '4-miler' where he could take the ride.

-Pont Alexandre seen as a long term Gold Cup horse. Slight concern that the old course is a speed orientated track though gutted if beaten.

-Ballycasey will love the better ground in the Albert Bartlett but a short enough price for what he's done on the track.

-Put up Inish Island at a bigger price in the same race as he's improving all the time.

-Probable ride in the bumper – Union Dues – he has a lot of gears but the concern is that he's small.

-In the handicaps Abbey Lane has a big chance whilst Fiveforthree has a big chance too off a rating of 143. He has a huge engine but legs like glass.

-From an outside yard, Il Fenomeno has caught Patrick's eye but Davy Russell poured cold water on that idea.

Davy Russell

One to get the Cheltenham expenses

Toner D'Oudairies in a beginners chase at Gowran on Saturday.

100 Euro charity bet

First Lieutenant if he goes in the Ryanair. If not Dynaste.

Elsewhere

-Un Atout. He's extremely good but he's a chaser in the making. Extremely disappointed if he doesn't make the first four.

-Rides Rule The World in the Neptune. Thinks a horse needs to be a Grade 1 winner ideally going into this event.

-Rides Road To Riches in the Albert Bartlett.

-Rides Lord Windermere in the RSA.

-Rides Argocat in the Jewson.

-First Lieutenant's prospects. "It only makes sense that he'd run in the Ryanair."

-Bog Warrior will travel to the meeting but he's not a guaranteed runner. It would have to be soft ground for him to take up his engagement in the World Hurdle.

-Gigginstown House Stud hold a strong hand in the Martin Pipe race. Quite sweet on Bonisland here.

Peter Casey

100 Euro charity bet

Our Conor in the Triumph Hurdle.

Elsewhere

-"I hope Sir Des Champs win the Gold Cup. If he does we'll win the f***in thing next year. We made a bags of things with Flemenstar this year but we won't make the same mistakes next year."

Matt Williams

100 Euro charity bet

A double on Dynaste and Super Duty (the Kim Muir).

Elsewhere

-Has Toner D'Oudairies and Carlito Brigante on his radar for the handicaps.

-Lac Fontana a big price at around 20s for the Triumph.

Paul Kealy

100 Euro charity bet

50 each-way on Menorah in the Ryanair.

Elsewhere

-Some doubt about Reve De Sivola's participation in the World Hurdle.

-Passed on a message from Paul Nicholls' assistant, Dan Skelton, that very, very serious consideration is been given to running Wonderful Charm in the World Hurdle. If he doesn't, Wonderful Charm has to have a strong chance in a handicap (Coral Cup).

-Carlito Brigante on his mind for a handicap. The Druids Nephew in the same race could be very, very well handicapped.

-Captain Sunshine, described as "a looney," has a huge, huge amount of ability and Emma Lavelle's charge is a horse to consider if he turns up.

George McDonagh

100 Euro charity bet

Salsify in the Foxhunter.

Alan Byrne

100 Euro charity bet

Rolling Star in the Triumph.

Hector O'hEochagain

100 Euro charity bet

Salsify in the Foxhunter.

Barney Curley

100 each-way on Whispering Gallery in the Neptune at 33s.

Nicky Henderson by phone

-Handicappers mentioned were Tanks For That and Anquetta (if the ground is good he could be the best handicapped of his lot). Of course he'd again love to win the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual, named in honour of his late father.

Biggest negative of the night
Nobody wants to know about Golantilla in the bumper. (EM)
 
The Druids Nephew is reasonably handicapped and you would think he can improve jumping left-handed but he does need the rain to stay away.
 
Who's Alan Byrne?

OTB and Grey - Hash but fair but for once I made it. I was a non-stayer though.
 
For the first time they are showing the official preview from Cheltenham Racecourse, which is always held on the Sunday before the Festival itself,live online.

It does clash with our own TH Preview though ! You pays your money and takes your choice

http://cheltenham.olbg.com/
 
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