Cheltenham Preview Nights

Grey said:
There has even been a preview night here in Brussels. The discussion generated a bit of heat, to such an extent that the panel could not even speak to each other. The panel consisted of Ego and Id, and was chaired by Grey.


Supreme Novices: Ego started off saying he fancied Hurricane Fly when Id butted in to point out that HF was a non-runner. "I know", said Ego, "but I had 50 quid on him and it's down the pan". "Who else gives a stuff?" asked Id. "Let's move on", said Grey.


Arkle: Ego said Follow The Plan was overpriced. He beat Tatenen at Leopardstown fair and square and will be conceding less weight at Cheltenham. The horse is a battler, will appreciate the hill and faster ground.

Id said I'msingingthblues had impressed him and that he would outclass FTP, a horse trained by a nobody in some obscure corner of Co. Cavan.


Champion Hurdle: Ego produced a long list of horses he had already backed for this race. Id produced a similar list. Closer inspection revealed that not a single name was common to both.

Ego: "I wouldn't have any of the horses on your list. Fergus Wilson jobs the lot of them".

Id, in astonished tones: "These horses are all heroes, who've given us endless enjoyment and debate over the years".

Ego: "You'd need a magnifying glass to see their chance".

Id: "Sure not even a pair of Binoculars would win it for you".

Grey: "I'm off to the jacks. Has anyone seen the crossword?".

The session was suspended until further notice.
Click to expand...



:) I'm not a great fan of preview nights either...
 
It is more a comment about the level of discussion seen on here recently in a certain thread, Steve. I've never been to a preview night, but I'd imagine they're harmless enough. The one at Castleblayney sounds like it was fun.
 
Cheltenham Evening Reports - Cork
Tue, Mar 3, 2009
Preview Evening Reports
The panel comprised of Ruby Walsh (RW) who was his usual direct to-the-point self and held little back, Davy Russell (DR), professional gambler Dave Nevison (DN) who kept things simple and got on with it, trainer Oliver Brady (OB), local journalist Pat Keane (PK) of the Cork Examiner who is well respected in these parts and bookmaker, Paul Cashman (PC) . The evening was chaired by commentator Dessie Scahill (DS) who chipped in with his own thoughts now and again. I have attended over 100 of these events down the years and can say this was the most bizarre, longest and most entertaining preview I have been to.

SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE
RW: I ride Kempes who has to improve a lot. I imagine Cousin Vinny runs here and if so he will take all the beating. Physically he has improved from last season and I rate him my banker of the meeting. Torphichen is only a four-year-old, Go Native won’t get up the hill and Ainama was shockingly disappointing last time so Micheal Flips looks the best value.
DR: I also like Micheal Flips who won a point-to-point so will be staying on strongly up the hill but will need a cut though. Red Moloney jumps very well and also got a good chance on good ground.
DN: Cousin Vinny is the one to beat of course but I want to back Micheal Flips but want to know if McCoy is on first. I think he is a serious horse. I have heard Ainama may not run which would leave him free if that is the case.
PK: Cousin Vinny is easily the best horse in the race and will be better on good ground which he has not had yet this season.
OB: I have nothing to say on this race but when I have something to say on any race it won’t be bulls**t.
PS: We got filled in at 12s with Cousin Vinny after he won at Punchestown last season so is our worst result. Torphichen is the danger and the Pipe won this with a four-year-old in Hors La Loi.
DS: Red Moloney has plenty of class and can run a cracker and is good value at 10/1

ARKLE TROPHY
RW: There is no future Champion Chaser amongst these. I have ridden and schooled Tatenen but was disappointed he got beat at Leopardstown. I thought he was a hell of a horse earlier in the season (the inference given was that he may not be now). I am not sure what Calgary Bay beat in Kicks For Free as he was well beaten at long odds-on last week, I’msingingtheblues’ form is not working out, Kalahari King has been winning donkey derbys, Forpadydeplasterer won’t win but can be placed. I would say Golden Silver are both too big a price and each-way horses.
DR: I ride Made In Taipan. He is in good order and did a nice canter the other day. Forpadydeplasterer does not like leading at the right time but will be better on good ground though I still don’t think he is good enough. Tatenen did not travel well when coming over to Leopardstown so is better than that but I would be worried the ground is not soft enough for him. Kalahari King wants fast ground and has only been winning at gaff tracks but he is the one I fancy most. Follow The Plan wasn’t a good enough hurdler for this.
DN: This is possibly a substandard running. As for Tatenen’s form, I would beat Straw Bear over fences and he has been beaten since getting weight. I have never rated Calgary Bay who has been running in mickey-mouse races, Kalahari King’s trainer doesn’t bother with them until the spring and he needs fast ground and I don’t think Planet Of Sound is a champion and the value has dried up about him. I am struggling for a bet.
PK: Tatenen was disappointing at Leopardstown so I am a Kalahari King fan and hope he gets close to his good ground. Fourth in the Supreme and the winner at Punchestown last season, he has the class to win.
PC: No one really seems to have a strong opinion so it has been a weak betting race for us.

CHAMPION HURDLE
RW: The owner of Osana wants Andrew McNamara as he felt Tom Scudamore didn’t go fast enough on him in last season’s race but it rode very fast so, if that is the case, they are going to go like s**t off a shovel this season and the ground will be watered so will be on the slow side. This could find Binocular out but he is the one to beat though I hope the fast pace will suit me (rides Celestial Halo). Crack Away Jack is a handicapper at best and Jered won’t climb up the hill even if it was downhill.
DR: This is the race of the meeting. The only time Binocular has disappointed was when he worked last week and if he wins then The Polomoche (his work partner) is one to follow later in the week. If it came up good I like Sublimity.
DN: Binocular was hardly impressive in his gallop and there are enough negatives to want to back him at 6/4 and think people went too overboard about his Ascot win. I fancy Osana to turn the form around with Celestial Halo as he looked in need of the run at Sandown on his seasonal debut. Ashkazar looked very good at Wincanton and would not rule him out and I think Snap Tie is also overpriced.
OB: I know Sublimity has only been on the horsewalker during all the snow so am not sure he will be fully fit. Won In The Dark is the best outsider if it’s decent ground.
PK: I do not accept Binocular didn’t get up the hill last year, he just didn’t get up it as well as Captain Cee Bee but he is no value. I will go for Celestial Halo each-way who in theory can not win but the Champion Hurdle is a law unto itself.
PC: We took a lot of money for Jered early in the season and he is very bad for me.

BALLYMORE PROPERTIES NOVICES’ HURDLE
RW: I have always liked Mikael D’Haguenet and thought he was going to beat Pandorama earlier in the season even when the betting suggested otherwise. He is a smashing big horse but whether he will handle the good ground I don’t know. Diamond Harry is too wayward but Karabak is as hard as nails. Mad Max was choking his head off last time and even though he has been operated on since, the hill would still be a concern. The softer the better for Mikael but I can’t see Willie risking him if it turned up good ground.
DR: I can’t have Diamond Harry, he will do something queer. Mikael D’Haguenet is the best by a long way and it is safe ground he will win.
DN: I don’t like the way Diamond Harry wanders around in small fields and think a more professional horse can beat him. I was immensely impressed with Karabak and he is definitely my preference over Diamond Harry.
OB: Willie will only run Mikael D’Haguenet if he is happy with the ground so if he runs then take the hint.
PK: I am praying for rain as Mikael D’Haguenet is my banker of the meeting if he runs. At 5/1 he would be some price.
PC: Diamond Harry is very weak and I think he will not start favourite. Mikael D’Haguenet could be about 5/2 if he runs.

RSA CHASE
RW: I have chosen to ride Cooldine. He goes on any ground, stays and is tough and was a much better hurdler than What A Friend. He wasn’t so good at the final fence in a school the other day but I wouldn’t swap him.
DR: I ride Siegemaster and he is not out of it. He was a lovely jumper earlier in the season (the impression given he is not so now) and he does stay and is in good nick. Gone To Lunch and Casey Jones have squeaks but Cooldine is the one to beat.
DN: I am not sure I will have a bet. I always thought Cooldine was tough and think What A Friend could be the novice chase equivalent of Diamond Harry and could go all over the place.
OB: Siegemaster each-way.
PK: I can’t have What A Friend on my mind as his head carriage tells me he won’t get up the hill. Cooldine’s jumping worries me but if he is thereabouts at the last fence I think he will win.
PC: What A Friend has been the big negative with us.
CHAMPION CHASE
RW: Master Minded is the best 2-miler I have sat on but it is hard to compare against the stayers. He is very uncomplicated and after watching Big Zeb school the other day I won’t be following him around.
DR: I think I would have beaten Big Zeb on Mansony last time and rate Mansony a better horse and he would not get close to Master Minded so think Big Zeb won’t even be placed. Well Chief is the interesting one if there any positive vibes.
DN: I am going to back Well Chief. I’m getting good vibes he is spot on and in a normal year when there is nothing of Master Minded’s class in the race, he is championship class. I don’t think Master Minded is past the post yet but at 20/1 I will take my chances.
PK: There is no point getting involved in this race.
PC: Master Minded is a cert. We have had plenty of interest in 6/4 he wins by more than 12 lengths.

WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPER
RW: I think Willie will run eight, seriously. Sicilian Secret looks the best and I imagine Patrick (Mullins) will ride and I’d be lying if I said I knew what was his next best. I liked Rite Of Passage but Dermot Weld has an absolutely deplorable Festival record. Patrick has ridden in a lot of bumpers this season and I know he fears Dunguib.
DR: I ride Some Present for Tom Mullins and he won well at Punchestown. I would choose Shinrock Paddy if I had the choice of the field.
DN: We only run this race so the Irish don’t come home crying! Not a clue. I was at Mullins’ this morning and I don’t think he knows either. He did say though that the gallop would have suited Sicilian Secret better than others so maybe he is not as good as he looked on Sunday.
OB: Weld would be a good bluffer so I wouldn’t rule out Rite Of Passge.
PK: Mullins has been winning uncompetitive bumpers this season not taking on any Meade or Hales horses but no strong view.
PC: Dunguib is our big loser having been hit at 16s and 12s.

RYANAIR CHASE
RW: Vor Por Ustedes is a cert. Imperial Commander is a handicapper, Monet’s Garden gets lost outside of Aintree, Tidal Bay ran like a hairy goat last time, Gwanako needs to improve a lot and Our Vic ran terribly on his only run this season.
DR: Vor Por Ustedes will be hard to beat. Imperial Commander is another track specialist and could give him a fright.
DN: Vor Por Ustedes is the most likely odds-against winner of the week. He is similarly priced to Binocular but so much more solid.
OB: Our Vic each-way.
PK: Vor Por Ustedes loves Cheltenham and wants this trip now so is hard to oppose.
WORLD HURDLE
RW: It’s a three-horse race. I would be disappointed if I don’t beat Punchestowns again on Big Buck’s as I think he (Punchestowns) is over-rated. Kasbah Bliss was exceptional at Haydock though and has improved from a Listed horse on the Flat to the verge of Group 1 and has the pace of a Flat horse and the stamina of a jumper. (the impression was firmly left he felt Kasbah Bliss will take all the beating).
DR: Kasbah Bliss is my banker of the meeting. Get as much out of him as you can.
DN: Kasbah Bliss is the second best of the Festival good things at odds-against. Fair Along is a top class handicapper and was not beaten far in the Cleeve so I would be surprised if Kasbah Bliss is not a good deal better than Punchestowns and Big Buck’s.
OB: Kasbah Bliss would be great value at 5/4. If I was a pro punter I would be getting stuck in.
PK: Kasbah Bliss is a certainty if Doumen is right that he is a better horse than Baracouda.
PC: Powerstation has been popular each-way given his record of four seconds from four starts at Cheltenham.

TRIUMPH HURDLE
RW: I made too much use of Mourad last time so would not be surprised if he reversed with Jumbo Rio and Ebadiyan. I was impressed with Zaynar at Newbury but not sure this is a race to have a bet in.
DR: I hear Zaynar will run in cheekpieces but that is not a plus for a Grade 1 race. Master Of Arts looks classy but Starluck has had easy touches so far. Jumbo Rio could be the best of the Irish.
DN: This is a race for the market leaders now. Zaynar is apparently getting lazier and lazier at home and will drift in-running but I still feel he is the most likely winner.
OB: Ebadiyan worked well last time and, the way I have him, nothing will beat him.

GOLD CUP
RW: Kauto Star deserves favouritism but I admit he is a bit vulnerable though it is hard to find one to be beat him. I’d be amazed if Exotic Dancer beat us. Neptune Collonges was very good in the Hennessy but Exotic Dancer may have beaten me in the Lexus (Neptune fell 2 out when leading) but he always comes on for his first run. You have to question the race Madison Du Berlais won and I though Scu’s antics were f*****g despicable and will be giving him the two fingers if we beat him.
DR: I can’t have Neptune Collonges. Exotic Dancer loves the track and it could just be his year with McCoy on if Kauto Star has another off day.
DN: It will be a bad Gold Cup if Neptune Collonges wins. I am not sure Denman will run so if you write off last season then Kauto Star is the most likely winner. Albertas Run likes Cheltenham and could peak here and is my idea of the best each-way bet of the race.
OB: The Gold Cup will be run on Saturday this season as I will be celebrating Ebadiyan’s win in the paddock well into the night.
PK: I will not be surprised if Denman does not run and Kauto Star has run below par three times in the last 12 months. Of the Nicholls three, I am sure Neptune Collonges is the one most certain to run his race and is the each-way value of the race.
PC: I will be opposing Kauto Star, it was a funny Gold Cup the year he won it.

BANKERS & BISMARCKS
RW: Cousin Vinny (banker), Diamond Harry (bismarck)
DR: Kasbah Bliss (banker), Diamond Harry (bismarck)
DN: The Package in Festival Plate (banker), Binocular (bismarck)
OB: Ebadiyan (banker), no bismarck
PK: Mikael D’Haguenet (banker), Binocular (bismarck)
PC: Cape Tribulation (banker), Zaynar (bismarck)
DS: Vor Por Ustedes (banker), Diamond Harry (bismarck)
 
Great stuff qzy. Ruby had alot of interesting stuff to say. Wouldn't be backing Tateneem based on that

Particularly enjoyed his Gold Cup comments
I thought Scu’s antics were f*****g despicable and will be giving him the two fingers if we beat him.
Click to expand...
 
Cheers, thanks very much for that.

Ruby Walsh doesn't hold back, does he? Hard to disagree with him about Scudamore.
 
I was a little surprised at Walsh's comments about I'msingingtheblues and his form not working out, though I agree overall that the race doesn't look to have a future Champion Chase winner in it.
 
Ruby doesn't seem too worried about alienating some trainers/owners by his dismissal of several horses as 'hairy goats', 'just handicappers', or 'running in donkey derbies'!
 
In fairness, Ruby absolutely slaughtered Sublimity the year he won the CH, saying something like he wouldn't win it with six stone on his back...or was that someone else on here? Either way, he was very, very dismissive so he's not always on the ball....
 
I hope your right Bobbyjo. I have had Imperial Commander down as a very potent threat to Voy Pur for a while now and Ruby dismissing him as a handicapper did put me off for a bit......and then i said f**k it. He aint infallible is he.

Enjoyable read by the way, cheers qzy.
 
I think it was when he won recently on madison du he turned and sarcastically gestured for Denman to 'come on' . Same thing Carberry did on Bof at Leop once, I didn't like that either. Scu does seem a very emotional fella though.
 
Sheikh said:
I think it was when he won recently on madison du he turned and sarcastically gestured for Denman to 'come on' . Same thing Carberry did on Bof at Leop once, I didn't like that either. Scu does seem a very emotional fella though.
Click to expand...

I didn't like what scu did at all.. He got off very lightly in the press, didn't really see any mention of it the day after. Ruby obviously hasn't forgotten though:D
 
Back
Top