Cheltenham Preview Night Reports

qzy

qzy

At the Start
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Jan 5, 2005
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Managed to get to Kells last night......


Preview Night, Headford Arms Hotel, Kells, Co. Meath 28th Feb

Panel: John Carr (JC),Bob Cooper (BC), Gordon Elliott (GE), Norman Williamson (NW), Ferdy Murphy (FM), Andrew Lynch (AL), Dryden Geary (DG, Tote Ireland), James Griffin (JG, Compere)

Supreme Novices:

NW: Very impressed by Sentry Duty so far, a very good performance last time. Captain Cee Bee is well fancied and will love the ground.

GE: Paul Carberry is very sweet on Muirhead. Was a Cork All Star fan but has gone off him as his jumping is not up to it.

BC: Rippling Ring and Sentry Duty are big players in this (Rippling Ring his only AP bet so far). Rippling Ring has gone a bit "wolly" in his coat which is a bit of a worry.

FM: Rippling Ring and Sentry Duty won the 2 best trials in the UK. All the Irish horses have kept beating themselves on terrible ground and may have left its mark. Favours the UK horses at this stage.

JC: Captain Cee Bee has done nothing wrong and is entitled to be favourite. Cork All Star does not jump well. Thinks there will be an English winner this year, and Deep Purple might be an EW bet.

JG: Soplocles EW is the call, great record at Cheltenham and will love the conditions.

Arkle:

AL: Impressed with Thyne Again but they will go too quick for him in the Arkle. Tidal Bay if he turns up is the call.

DG: Mick Fitz is adamant that Mahogany Blaze is good enough. Clopf an EW shout for the Irish horses.

NW: Tidal Bay should run in the 3 miler, Noland too short a price for what he has done, and O’Grady fancies Clopf so he would be a decent EW bet. Leslingtaylor has a big shout as he is a tough campaigner that jumps well.

FM: Not the best Arkle, but was impressed with thyne Again and he would be there right at the end.

Champion Hurdle:

JC: Sublimity has had a clear round since Christmas, no trouble, and is working at Leopardstown on Sunday after racing. He is very happy with him and he has an outstanding" chance of winning again. Osana and Sizing Europe will go a "good lick" with Sublimity and Harchibald in behind. "they still have to beat us as I said last year"!

BC: Can’t fail to be impressed with Sizing Europe so far and really looking forward to Harchibald. Thinks that Sublimity would be a popular winner.

AL: DeValeria is crying out for a good gallop, and will beat all of those that finished in front of him last time out. The horse needed the race last time and has improved a lot for it. Sublimity is the one to beat.

DG: There has been an over reaction to Sizing Europes win last time. Confident that Ebaziyan will be placed.

NW: Sublimity was an outstanding winner last year and reminds him of Alderbrook a lot. Thinks that Afsoun has an EW chance again and Harchibald is the biggest danger.

GE: Sublimity the horse they all have to beat.

FM: Sublimity won like a proper Champion Hurdler last year and thinks he will again.

Ballymore Properties:

DG: They will go too quick for Forpaddyteplasterer. Trafford Lad would have a chance and Nicky Henderson fancies Aigle D’or quite a bit.

GE: Agrees that they will go too quick for Forpaddydeplasterer. Whatyouthink is a big price EW.

NW: Breedsbreeze is a good tough animal, and Carruthers would be very good value EW if he ran here.

AL: Forpaddytheplasterer should win this – thinks he is a proper horse

JG: Trafford Lad won his bumper on fast ground and stays well and is the value.

BC: Group Captain has an "astounding" chance, was really good on the flat. This is his race.

FM: Group Captain is the best in the UK and is Alan Kings best bet at Cheltenham this year!

JC: Forpaddytheplasterer would need to improve to win it. Group Captain is the one that reminds him of Sublimity and is the class horse in the race by far.

Queen Mother:

FM: Need a horse with a high cruising speed for this. Master Minded was not "an ordinary horse" (as was suggested to him) and had a high reputation in France. He was very impressive at Newbury – not many of Alan King’s horses run as if they need a blow. Voy Por looked knackered after that race while Master Minded looked as if he could go around again. Alan King was rattled after the race (suggested that he rather threw the toys out of the pram!)

NW: Twist Magis is a very good animal, surprised Ruby is on Master Minder really. Twist Magic is more experienced. Not a fan of Voy Por, and Fair Along would be of interest EW.

BC: Fail Along has some decent form in the book and would give you a good run for your cash EW.

Bumper:

DG: Colm Murphy is very sweet on Zarrito, a proper animal and the winner of this.

AL: Meade would be a big fan of Corskeagh Royale if there was cut in the ground.

NW: Zarrito has won 3 bumpers, including one on fast ground, which is a big effort. Reckons that David Casey thought Cousin Vinny was Mullin’s best horse at home.

GE: Apt Approach was the most impressive P2P horse he has seen in a while. Worried that he sweats up a bit before his races.

FM: The English don’t win the bumper but Big Eared Fran would have a very good chance.

JC: Zarrito has answered every call so far and wouldn’t back against him. Reckoned he’d be back home by then anyway!

BC: Big Eared Fran and Gold Award the best of the English

JG: Lilywhitedancer has become a forgotten horse and will be bang there

Royal & SunAlliance:

DG: Skys the Limit won’t travel over, and expects Tidal Bay to run in this. Silverburn EW is the call

AL: Silverburn the horse to beat, has that bit of class about him

NW: Silverburn is a Sh1t. Tidal Bay the one if Johnsons are ok on the day

GE: Tidal Bay the class horse in the race and AirForceOne will be in the mix

BC: Albertas Run won the best trial this year in the UK. Oscar Park jumps well and has a chance

FM: Albertas Run made Joe Lively look poor recently, and will improve as John Jo’s tend to for Cheltenham

JC: Oscan Park was a decent hurdler and is a decent shout

Ryanair:

FM: Cheltenham brings out the best in L’Antartique. Ran on well LTO and he is looking forward to the race. Our Vic the danger

AL: Our Vic doesn’t jump well enough at the business end, sides with Tamarinbleu

NW: Mossbank a much better horse fresh, but rumors of the Gold Cup recently. A huge chance if he runs here.

GE: Can’t have Mossbank – probably go for Our Vic of Tamarinblue

BC: A big fan of Mossbank but an even bigger fan of The Listener and hopes he runs

JC: Mossbank has a big chance but L’Antartique the one. Ferdy’s best bet of the week!

Stayers Hurdle:

JC: A big cloud over Howard Johnsons yard a worry – wondering why he is talking about retiring the horse before the race! Expects Hardy Eustace to run in the champion.

FM: Doumen keen on Kasbah Bliss and thinks he would have a good chance

BC: Blazing Bailey will be right there. Material World also a big price EW.

JG: The Market Man is a huge price and must be the EW bet

GE: Howard Johnson won’t run Ingles Drever if he is not right. Lough Derg has the biggest heart in racing and would love to see him do it.

NW: Wonders if Howard Johnson was looking for a bigger price! Kasbah Bliss EW the bet

AL: If Ingles Drever turns up he wins.

Triumph:

GE: Ashkazar well fancied. Harper Valley has a big EW chance if he gets there (fell over the schooling hurdle at the start LTO and banged himself). He is well back on track now though.

NW: Impressed with Binoculat last time but his hurdling needs to improve – can turn over the favourite though.

AL: Silverhand won well ist time out and has an EW chance

DG: Fav is very short currently, Harper Valley a better bet EW. Woninthedark has won a G1 and has to enter the reckoning

FM: Serabad EW worth a chance, will handle the rough and tumble well. Franchoek looks good though.

BC: Ashkazar has an EW chance

Albert Bartlett 3m hurdle:

General consensus that the Irish have no chance in this

NW: A big Exclusive Dream fan, a real good horse

FM: A tough race to call but likes Exclusive Dream, thinks he will stay well

BC: Alan King fond of Nenuphar Collognes and he could be the value. Has at least won over 3m

JG: It would be great to see Carruthers win for the connections

Gold Cup:

JC: An easy call – Kauto Star. Denman needs some cut to be at his best. Kicking King won’t be within ½ a fence of these two.

FM: Denman does not have Kauto Stars pace. Kauto Star is the best we have seen in a very long time.

BC: A wonderful advert for racing this race. Can’t knock Kauto Star A Nicholls 123 a real possibility

GE: Kauto Star without doubt

NW: Denman passed Ollie Maghern as if he was stood still at Newbury and has more to come. Kauto Star has the class though and will shade it.

AL: Kauto Star should be odds-on in this. Knowhere will be 3rd

DG: Kauto Star is the class act. A Nicholls 123 the bet

NAPS:

JC: Other that Sublimity, Agus a Vic in the Foxhunters and Robin Du Bois wherever he ends up

FM: Group Captain Lay: Voy Por

BC: Ringaroses Lay: Ingles Drever

JG: Sophocles EW Lay: Ingles Drever

GE: Robin Du Bois Lay: Agus a Vic (jumps too slowly)

NW: Ingles Drever Lay: Sizing Europe

AL: Kauto Star Lay: Noland

DG: Sublimity Lay: Noland
 
Fascinating :brows: Makes me think twice about a few fancies, confirms a few others

Much appreciated that you made such good notes
 
Excellent gzy, thanks a lot

I'm sure there was a website last year that published the text from all the main previews , unfortunately as I have changed PC in the last twelve months I no longer have its URL.

If it doesn't materialise from somewhere I will try and do the same for the Cheltenham Preview next Friday.
 
If anyone has a transcript of the preview where Paul Nicholls was involved, could they post it here?? Ive read it before, but i would like to have another gander at it??!! Cheers!!
 
ive signed up to ian grimwood of weathebrys service. he goes to all the preview ngiths & then emails the transcripts next day. they should start comign through any day now, and i will post here.
 
Managed to pick up a free ticket for the preview in Roscommon last night so popped along - it would be rude not to!


Preview Night, Abbey Hotel, Roscommon 4th March 2008-03-04

Panel: Tony Mullins ™, Noel O’Brien (NOB), Bob Cooper (BC), Robert Power (RP), Ken Whelan (KW), Paddy Flood (PF), Tracey Piggott (TP), Ivan Yates (Celtic Bookmakers, IY)

Supreme Novices:
NOB: Noel Meade would have liked to get another run into Muirhead. Captain Cee Bee very impressive but has beaten nothing. Captain Cee Bee can go on and improve but Muirhead has the better form.
PF: Captain Cee Bee is a better horse than Muirhead, but the value is with Fiveforthree who won his maiden very well. Fancies Sophocles to finish in front of Cork All Star. as he would have beaten him last year with a clear run.
BC: British horses have a poor record here. Has Rippling Ring backed AP but impressed by Sentry Duty - has a big chance. Numide is worth backing if its very soft.
IY: Very opposed to the Irish Horses. Both of Hendersons horses have been impressive so far. Snap Tie is also well fancied.

Arkle:
TM: Noland is the banker of the meeting and has nothing to beat. Clopf just not good enough.
RP: Not the greatest Arkle we have seen. Noland is the class horse in the race and can’t pick anything to beat him. Tiday Bay can’t jump and would hate to ride him in the Arkle.
NOB: Never seen so many Arkle horses that can’t jump. Noland is “Head & Shoulders” above the rest and Leslingtaylor an EW shout.
IY: Noland will be well backed and will be looking to take him on – this could be a great race for bookmakers this year.

Champion Hurdle:
NOB: A bit worried about Sublimity’s prep so far. Sizing Europes run in the AIG was the highest rated 2m hurdle this year, he has won at Cheltenham and has improved “Hand over Fist”. The race of the meeting.
TP: Edward Doyle (Show Jumper trainer) thinks that Sizing Europe will never win a Champion as he “doesn’t jump right”!
NOB: Hardy Eustace is going for the Stayers as this is such a hot contest. Harchibald could be the forgotten horse – people are very hard on him. He has responded well to pressure this year and it the best lepper in the race.
KW: Can’t have Sizing Europe, the AIG not the form it was cracked up to be. Sublimity was very good last year and Philip Carberry is very shrewd. Harchibald gets 2m but not 2m 50yds at Cheltenham.
BC: ATR were at Carrs last week and John Carr thinks all has gone to plan so far. Liked Osansa in the Boylesports as he stayed on so well that day.
IY: Hearing bad things about Sublimity, not the same hype as last year. His Bank Manager loves Harchibald, and likened him to Hans Blix in Iraq – finds nothing! Sizing Europe and Osana are improvers. This is the only chance the Irish have of winning a feature race.
TM: Can’t understand the statement from Edward Doyle – thinks his only problem is over jumping. He looks the best horse in the race. Harchibald is a “Hill detector” and will nearly do everything again. Catch Me may be an EW bet.
RP: Osana has the better form, and Sizing Europe is not a real hurdler. Likes Afsoun EW
PF: Catch Me is a poor jumper and should be running over further. Katchit is “a rocket” and would be his bet.

Ballymore Properties:
BC: Group Captain the NAP of the meeting – really impressive at Exeter. Would look no further.
NOB: The Irish keep beating each other and Trafford Lad probably the best of them. The 3m hurdle has weakened this race a lot, and they are now 2 weak races. Probably would size with Breedsbreeze.
RP: 2m5 will suit Group Captain and Venalmar (connections very sweet on this one)
TM: Henderson very confident in Aigle D’or – the Irish are all on top of one another. Whatuthink’s form is as good as any of the Irish (would have a serious chance in the 3m race)
PF: Venalmar has improved immensely since his last run and will certainly be there abouts – the best of the Irish.
IY: The market for all of Mouse Morris’s quiet enough at the moment. Reckons that Charlie Chalk had 10,000 @ 15/2 with him the other day on Forpaddytheplasterer – but thinks he needs it soft. Reckons he could go off at 7/2 though as he is really well fancied. Group Captain will be done for toe. Aigle D’or was very good in France and is really well fancied. He is better than the rest of these….
KW: Aigle D’or didn’t have to jump anything in France! Forpaddytheplasterer too big to win a race like this at Cheltenham, and has hung both ways at various times this season – has never ran straight yet. Will be much better over fences. Likes Elusive Dream EW and maybe Whatuthink.

Queen Mother:
NOB: Nickname is not running. One of the weakest renewals in a while. VPU was staying on well last time, and he was very impressed by Twist Magic but VPU top rated. The Irish have nothing.
BC: Would go for Twist Magic of the Nicholls two. Fail Along is a decent EW bet, jumped well last time.
RP: Ruby picking Master Minded would swing it for him – a very good horse. One of the bankers of the meeting.
TM: Can’t have Fair Along, too small to win a Championship race – lovely and honest but not good enough. Master Minded could be anything, excellent at Newbury.
RP: 5yo’s have a poor record but we haven’t seen a 5yo like this one – would love to be on him in the race.
IY: Looking to get Twist Magic here

Bumper:
TM: Willie has 4 entries and will run 4. They can all beat Apt Approach at home but AA is the best of them. Seems to be a trainers dream as he keeps it for the racetrack. Thinks that Zarrito will win though. Not a good looking horse but a very good one.
IY: Good word for Big Eared Fran, and Cockleshell Road is a sneaky one, quietly fancied.
PF: Zarrito looks an aeroplane racing but looks more like a greyhound than a racehorse in the paddock. Rode O’Grady’s at home and he’s not much good – wants it very soft.
RP: Have to be impressed by Zarrito so far, could end up being great value at 5/1 EW. Homer Woods of Jessies is a decent horse (has worked him a few times) and is value at 33/1
BC: Big Eared Fran and Gold Award the best of the British
KW: Likes Cousin Vinny, looks to be a nice horse
NOB: Zarrito reminds him a bit of Cork All Star. David Pipe not that keen on Big Eared Fran when he was speaking to him. Nina was impressed by Corskeagh Royale.

Royal & Sun Alliance:
TM: Pomme Tiepy has had a long hard season, and while its hard to be confident in John Joe’s Albertas Run could be the best of these. Too many horses with little chances so head to the bar…
PF: So many of these are in & out of form. Albertas Run only won last time because of the ride Ruby gave it. Air Force One not good enough.
KW: Really like Joe Lively – they will all have their work cut out to catch him. Chocolate Thornton very sweet on Starzaan.
BC: Albertas Run last time was the best trial in the UK. Not impressed by Silverburn at all.
IY: Can’t have Albertas Run. C&D form at Cheltenham important so Joe Lively would have a chance

Ryanair:
NOB: Mossbank the top rated of the Irish. This race is not really the 1st choice for most of the horses, and connections of Mossbank are tempted by the Gold Cup. Our Vic can win it if they do.
BC: Ferdy Murphy might win this with L’antartique, good Cheltenham form
KW: Mossbank may go for the Gold Cup. Our Vic is like a Ryanair flight – you think you have a great price until you get to the finish. Between l’Antartique and Tamarinblue
PF: This race suite The Listener down to the ground, a smashing jumper.
TM: Thinks Hourigan will send Mossbank to the Gold Cup. L’antartique not good enough (used to train him). Our Vic on the process of elimination
RP: Tamarinblue one of the bankers of the meeting
IY: In favour of L’antartique, crying out for this race and is a cracking EW bet.

Stayers:
NOB: Ingles Drever is by far the best horse in the race – complete class. Hardy Eustace makes it interesting but ID will win. They won’t run him if he’s not right.
BC: ID much too short considering Howard Johnson’s form. Blazing Bailey is the obvious alternative.
KW: Howard Johnsons horses are ‘shagged’. Shutting down your stable the week before Cheltenham is not good! Hardy Eustace won’t stay so Kasbah Bliss the choice.
PF: Hardy Eustace will have no problem staying the trip, and Wichita Lineman is a bit like him – maybe a bit lazy. Not surprised to see blinkers on Wichita next week. Kazal was very good at Navan, looks a better hurdler since he went chasing.
TM: If Howards are right ID wins. Kazal maybe EW, but backing or laying Ingles Drever is the play really.
RP: ID will win even if he bursts! Kazal EW if there is any cut in the ground.
IY: Has layed a big bet on Kazal EW @ 25/1 so happy to see him beaten

Triumph:
NOB: Franchoek deserves to be a short priced favourite, his form is very good. Celestial Halo is a big danger though. Beau Michael is the best of the Irish, but Franchoek the NAP of the meeting.
BC: Seradab a decent EW bet, Bowen fancies him a bit.
KW: The British juveniles are better than ours. Beau Michael has no chance and he has won 2 Gr2’s in Ireland. Willies horse C’est Ca has done nothing wrong and may be the best of the Irish
PF: An English winner in this. Franchoek will win and Won In The Dark will place
TM: Franchoek looks the job. C’est Ca may be an EW bet.
RP; Celestial Halo fancied by Ruby, If Sentry Duty runs well get on
IY: Franchoek a big loser for him but he is out to get him.

Gold Cup:
NOB: Kauto Star is one of the best horses he has seen in many years, and his jumping has improved. Mossbank might run into a place. Denman would need to make it a real test of stamina.
BC: Loves Denman but Kauto’s jumping is now a joy to watch. Nowhere might be an EW bet.
KW: Kauto is not making the mistakes he made last year. Denman will give him a good lead to the last, and the closest he will get is in the lorry to the track.
PF: Last years Gold Cup didn’t suit Kauto as they went too slow.Stamina won’t be an issue.Kicking King has no chance, Knowhere to be 3rd.
TM: Kauto Star the best since Arkle. Denman a great horse but is not in the same league.
IY: Seen some good EW bets on Halcon Genelardais in the past week or so
RP: Hopes nothing falls and brings one of them down. Going to go with the heart and go for Denman.

NAPS and LAYS
NOB: Franchoek (with a good mention for River Liane), no LAY put up
BC: Group Captain Lay: Ingles Drever
KW: Prince Erik EW Lay: Cork All Star ..When asked what horse he’d like to ride..”I am riding it”
PF: Leg Spinner (a stonewall certainty) Lay: Forpaddytheplasterer .. When asked what horse he’d like to ride…Leg Spinner
TM: Noland Lay: Mossbank & Forpaddytheplasterer
RP: Captain Cee Bee Lay: All the other Irish Novices, both Hurdlers & Chasers.. When asked what horse he’d like to ride ..Cork All Star
IY: Ingles Drever a certainty, good word for Ringaroses in the Coral
 
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