Cheltenham, The Showcase, 17/18 Oct

2.00 – I think Creepy has more to offer and have backed him at 7-2. I’m not 100% sure about Aerial stamina-wise but 11-2 seems slightly too big, so I have had a Rod Laver on him.

2.35 – Johns Spirit ran a blinder over 3m1f at Aintree but didn’t quite see it out. Today’s drop back in trip looks the right move and I’ve taken 8-1. Woolcombe Folly has lost a bit of zip but is a class act and should have the race run to suit. 25-1 is too big. I’ve also backed Kingsmere, who is well handicapped if a break has done him good.

3.10 – I reckon Sametegal is a good thing.

3.45 – Baltazar King has solid claims but is too skinny for me at 5-1. Becauseicouldntsee has a bit to prove but has become dangerously well handicapped and is worth chancing at 16-1. Others I think are a bit overpriced are Mister Grez (7-1) and Bradley (14-1).

4.25 – I thought handicap debutant Silver Eagle would be shorter than 11-2, so he is the one. Mister Newby and Larks Lad complete my squad.

5.00 – The market looks about right here. I was quite keen to take on Balder Succes but 2-1 about Dark Lover isn’t big enough to tempt.

5.30 – This looks hot but I haven’t really got an opinion.
 
Tricky handicap the next, and I almost always find Lavelle's over bet. No strong opinion, so have backed Sew On Target Win and Place to small money - just for an interest.

Can't believe I've had two bets at the meeting so far, and both have been trained by Colin Tizzard - I need a lie doon!
 
Great to see Balthazar King win that for a third time and the Pipe horse was impressive in the opener. Will be interesting to see if John's Spirit goes up enough in the weights to get into the Paddy Power.
 
Not that I haven't already done so but would like to thank Roddy for an "Owner's experience" at Cheltenham, wined and dined in O and T, also went in the parade ring to meet connections before the two races but unfortunately not into the winners' enclosure afterwards. I'm sure however that there are good races to be won with both Roddy's runners today, Regal Diamond in particular looked absolutely superb strutting around the parade ring before the last race.
 
Good to see some things don't change - execrable ride from Tom Scudamore in the last - wtf was he doing off the home turn ?

Scudamore makes Queally look like Francome,Piggott and Tony McCoy rolled into one !
 
If relevant to any figures you guys keep, racing was on the old course but the chute was not in use due to the ground being firm so it meant that 2m5f hurdles jumped eleven flight not ten and in the 2m4f chases they jumped fourteen fences and not sixteen.
 
Ardross said:
Good to see some things don't change - execrable ride from Tom Scudamore in the last - wtf was he doing off the home turn ?

Scudamore makes Queally look like Francome,Piggott and Tony McCoy rolled into one !
Click to expand...

Would be good to see Conor O'Farrell take the top job at the yard, seems to be favoured by some owners over Scudamore there. Not holding my breath though....
 
Diamond Geezer said:
If relevant to any figures you guys keep, racing was on the old course but the chute was not in use due to the ground being firm so it meant that 2m5f hurdles jumped eleven flight not ten and in the 2m4f chases they jumped fourteen fences and not sixteen.
Click to expand...

Hopefully the form book will give details of any changes in distances. I make allowances for missed fences etc in calculating my time ratings but it can only ever be an approximation even if it does help to identify anomalies in times.
 
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