Cheltenham Festival Trials Day

gus said:
Apparently, Hunt Ball's only entry at the Festival is in the Gold Cup. It's a great pity as he'd have had a tremendous chance in the Ryanair, especially on better ground. Presumably, the trainer and the owner have discussed it but I can't help thinking that someone has missed a trick here.
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Apparently heads for the Racing Plus Chase, which he would have a major chance in, given better ground.
For mine, today was Imperial Commander's Gold Cup, and neither he nor Cape Tribulation would be near good enough, on the day.
 
Euronymous said:
Finian's Rainbow
Hunt Ball
First Lieutenant
Flemenstar

All horses who should be in the Ryanair but are being fecked about by clueless connections.
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That well known clueless trainer Nicky Henderson ! :ninja:

I thought it was a fabulous day's racing . It was like the Festival without the crowds and thrilling finish after thrilling finish .

1 . Rolling Star was mighty impressive the way he picked up in the opener . Last Shadow cannot jump for all that some believe he is being deliberately prepared to do a Mr Watson in the Fred Winter .

2. The novices hcap was grim . Viva Griego however at last won a chase at attempt no 18

3. Thought the 2m5f race was a cracker . Katenko is improving hand over fist and jumps so well . If The Giant Bolster can come second in a GC I would not rule him out of the placings unless we get a surprise two dry months . Nadiya de la Vega was pretty game too and Our Mick was running a blinder - he could be the one for the Byrne Group Plate . Was glad to see Bold Sir Brian get up but I do have the suspicion he is much better suited to small field conditions races - both his two handicaps have not turned out well .

4. Sprinter Sacre simply takes your breath away , in the paddock , on the way to the start , in the race and in the winner's enclosure . He looked as if he could go round again in the winner's enclosure . I thought Somersby ran really well on a track that does not suit him ideally and perhaps if it is not too quick the Ascot Chase is for him .

5. The Argento was the race of the day . Cape Tribulation is an immensely likeable animal and I am impressed how they have managed to get him back chasing and so improved over his fences . I wish , however, he was the one who had faltered in the last 25yd and not Imperial Commander. Although the race conditions favoured IC it was a stupendous effort after 680 days off and it seems he was not quite as fit as they hoped . He appeared to be holding CT all the way until the last few strides and who knows - he might be the first 12 year old GC winner since 1969 . He travelled and jumped better than anything and just got tired . On better ground I suspect he would have won comfortably. He might well bounce and he is 12 but he is much the classiest horse on past achievements to be running in this year's very open Gold Cup . It is wishful thinking of the first order to believe that Hunt Ball will get another 2 furlongs on better ground. He was out cold . Grand Crus has a serious problem it seems - if they can sort it out he should surely go back hurdling .

6. The Neptune was a complete thriller . I was very taken with At Fisher's Cross's defeat of the Mullins handicap blot over 3 miles last time and was worried that The New One might not be quite so good on this very testing ground. Coneygree was a bit disappointing but perhaps the horses he beat in November over this trip were not much good . Awesome ride by AP and the horse really picked up but I reckon The New One will still go close in the Neptune proper on better ground . AFC looks to have a blinding chance in the Albert Bartlett. Good on REbecca Curtis too - difficult to escape the feeling he might have been nearer 13-8 than 13-2 if Nicky H trained it .

7 . Reve di Sivola was so game and tough . He is evidently thrilled not to be asked to jump a fence . Oscar Whisky whilst going close was way below his 2m 4f form . His class got him that close but even if he may just get home on better ground this is just not his trip and I reckon they should wait for Aintree. Kentford Grey Lady loved the good gallop and extended trip . Thought Kauto Stone was very disappointing .

8 . Mr Watson - AP 10-3 - all you needed to know . He settled better with this hood on and has lots of potential but I suspect quite a bit of temperament too . He held his head pretty high on the run in .
 
Ardross said:
That well known clueless trainer Nicky Henderson ! :ninja:

I thought it was a fabulous day's racing . It was like the Festival without the crowds and thrilling finish after thrilling finish .

1 . Rolling Star was mighty impressive the way he picked up in the opener . Last Shadow cannot jump for all that some believe he is being deliberately prepared to do a Mr Watson in the Fred Winter .

2. The novices hcap was grim . Viva Griego however at last won a chase at attempt no 18

3. Thought the 2m5f race was a cracker . Katenko is improving hand over fist and jumps so well . If The Giant Bolster can come second in a GC I would not rule him out of the placings unless we get a surprise two dry months . Nadiya de la Vega was pretty game too and Our Mick was running a blinder - he could be the one for the Byrne Group Plate . Was glad to see Bold Sir Brian get up but I do have the suspicion he is much better suited to small field conditions races - both his two handicaps have not turned out well .

4. Sprinter Sacre simply takes your breath away , in the paddock , on the way to the start , in the race and in the winner's enclosure . He looked as if he could go round again in the winner's enclosure . I thought Somersby ran really well on a track that does not suit him ideally and perhaps if it is not too quick the Ascot Chase is for him .

5. The Argento was the race of the day . Cape Tribulation is an immensely likeable animal and I am impressed how they have managed to get him back chasing and so improved over his fences . I wish , however, he was the one who had faltered in the last 25yd and not Imperial Commander. Although the race conditions favoured IC it was a stupendous effort after 680 days off and it seems he was not quite as fit as they hoped . He appeared to be holding CT all the way until the last few strides and who knows - he might be the first 12 year old GC winner since 1969 . He travelled and jumped better than anything and just got tired . On better ground I suspect he would have won comfortably. He might well bounce and he is 12 but he is much the classiest horse on past achievements to be running in this year's very open Gold Cup . It is wishful thinking of the first order to believe that Hunt Ball will get another 2 furlongs on better ground. He was out cold . Grand Crus has a serious problem it seems - if they can sort it out he should surely go back hurdling .

6. The Neptune was a complete thriller . I was very taken with At Fisher's Cross's defeat of the Mullins handicap blot over 3 miles last time and was worried that The New One might not be quite so good on this very testing ground. Coneygree was a bit disappointing but perhaps the horses he beat in November over this trip were not much good . Awesome ride by AP and the horse really picked up but I reckon The New One will still go close in the Neptune proper on better ground . AFC looks to have a blinding chance in the Albert Bartlett. Good on REbecca Curtis too - difficult to escape the feeling he might have been nearer 13-8 than 13-2 if Nicky H trained it .

7 . Reve di Sivola was so game and tough . He is evidently thrilled not to be asked to jump a fence . Oscar Whisky whilst going close was way below his 2m 4f form . His class got him that close but even if he may just get home on better ground this is just not his trip and I reckon they should wait for Aintree. Kentford Grey Lady loved the good gallop and extended trip . Thought Kauto Stone was very disappointing .

8 . Mr Watson - AP 10-3 - all you needed to know . He settled better with this hood on and has lots of potential but I suspect quite a bit of temperament too . He held his head pretty high on the run in .
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Excellent review!

I was in the centre course for Sprinters race and I just cant believe how easy he leaps over the fences. Hes huge and I think hes one of the best Ive seen since I followed racing in 1989. Hes with the right trainer too
 
Desert Orchid said:
That's a bit like saying in the absence of Muhammed Ali, David Hayes is a top-end boxer.
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Very good, DO. :)

When it comes to Oscar Whisky's World Hurdle chance, there is little point measuring how well he 'stays' three miles, against a horse that isn't even going to run in the race.

Take OW out the picture, and RDS would be a clear favourite for the World Hurdle. Based on yesterday's race, OW 'stays' more then well enough to be seriously competitive in the race - especially given better ground.
 
Euronymous said:
With regard to Finian's Rainbow it's Buckley I was referring to rather than the trainer.
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What's he done wrong?

They not he had a choice keep him at 2 miles and take on Sprinter Sacre or step him back up in trip. I always thought he looked like a future King George winner and so did many others. They had every right to try but never got the chance.

If he had run and won the King George you'd have to have crack at the Gold Cup unless Barry said he definitely wouldn't stay then and only then would you go Ryanair.

Flemenstar if he wins the Hennessy well will probably go for the Gold Cup because he's got such a high cruising speed and could win without ever coming off the bridle. All it takes is for one to fall and a couple to run below par.

If you think you have a chance at winning the Blue Riband it's bigger idiot who doesn't try than one that does.
 
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Ardross said:
8 . Mr Watson - AP 10-3 - all you needed to know . He settled better with this hood on and has lots of potential but I suspect quite a bit of temperament too . He held his head pretty high on the run in .
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McCoy said afterwards Mr Watson didn't like the whip and would have tried to pull up if hit again. He seriously questions the horse's attitude
 
Incidentally I am all for Flemenstar going for the Ryanair but I don't own him..If I did I'd probably do the daft thing and go for the Gold Cup if he won the Hennessy
 
Very good review Ardross.
Katenko looks to have more improvement in him but a Gold cup place,I'm not so sure.Sprinter put another nail in the Queen mother coffin.Anyone care to hazard a guess of how many will turn up against him?The way he stood off one about 4 out was sheer brilliance.The hold up tactics on Sanctuaire didn't work and I think he has been flattered by his 167.
I backed Hunt ball each way yesterday but he simply emptied,he needs better ground and he might not get it for the GC.surely they ave to put him in the Ryanair.Thanks to SS the Ryanair will be seriously competitive.As for flemenstar My fingers are crossed he wins the Hennessy and goes GC but that's purely pocket talk the purest in me says QMCC but common sense Ryanair.
 
Hunt Ball has absolutely no chance of getting home in a Gold Cup. The owner is clearly a basket-case (albeit an endearing one), and the only Festival race for the horse is the Ryanair.
 
Tout Seul said:
"In the Argento Weird Al goes well fresh and will handle the ground and as I don't fancy the market leaders I have small ew bet. The reason it is small is because I have opted to back Cape Tribulation at whatI believe is a good price. He did me well over hurdles at the Festival and at Aintree last seaon and following his run LTO he could take on this uninspiring field. Looking at the forum archive confirms my admiration for this one from bumper days and he always looked a chaser in the making. Unfortunately he wasn't fluent over fences as a novice but LTo he appeared to have the confidence and fluency missing before.

A permanent improvement? Perhaps wishful thinking but I'm having a go."

Get in there !!!!!!!!!! Got 12s and14s yesterday with deduction to come off. Also got small 150/1 for Gold Cup.
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Great call TS- 150/1:cool:
 
Euronymous said:
I like the idea of the Ryanair used as a stepping stone for the following year's Gold Cup Imperial Commander style.
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Maybe it would be the way to go but most Gold Cup winners like Kauto Star Denman Long Run War of Attrition Kicking King Best Mate were 2nd season chasers and they won the race. I get the feeling with him because he's such a classy animal his best chance if he has one would be now.

Synchronised was a bit slower to come to fruition and the main reason Imperial Commander went Ryanair was to avoid Kauto Star who was at the peak of his powers.

Can't see Bobsworth scaring off anyone at this stage of his career.
 
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