Dublin Racing Festival, DRF

I'm not one for anthropomorphism* but it seemed to me that every time PT straightened him up and he saw the next fence he seemed to be saying 'phuck yeah! another one!' Wonderful beast.

(*Clearly I'm not one for patronising others either, but just to explain, anthropomorphism is when you assign human characteristics to animals.)
 
barjon said:
1:15 - Jasmin De Vaux was the Champion Bumper winner but has been a huge disappointment so far due to piss poor jumping. He got away with it in a maiden at Navan, but was caught out in a Grade1 at Naas. It was reported afterwards that he would miss the DRF and concentrate on improving his jumping at a lower level. That he appears here maybe indicates that his jumping has been sufficiently improved. He must have a good chance in this if that’s the case.

1:50 - Willy De Houelle arrived from France to the sound of trumpets, but has not shown much thus far. He’s a watch, though to see how he’s coming along.

2:25 - Not a clue

2:55 - Majborough is one who I think might go on to great things and he should take this ok on the way. There’s also one in this to watch which is Touch Me Not who I think would have been a lot closer to L’Eau du Sud at Sandown had he not uprooted the fence six out.

3:30 - Galopin Des Champs is a really tough horse who I think is consistently underrated because of the shorter distance preparation utilised by Mullins. He won’t be beaten over the right distant when it matters, though. Another watcher in this is Grangeclare West who showed a lot of promise last season, but who has been as cold as ice so far this season. I’m looking for any sign of his fire being lit.
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I hope you had the forecast, Barj.

If not, still a justified mention for Grangeclare, anyway. Well done for that.
 
an capall said:
I'm not one for anthropomorphism* but it seemed to me that every time PT straightened him up and he saw the next fence he seemed to be saying 'phuck yeah! another one!' Wonderful beast.

(*Clearly I'm not one for patronising others either, but just to explain, anthropomorphism is when you assign human characteristics to animals.)
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Is this how you came up with an capall for yourself

I do not want to patronise our UK friends to explain
 
I really enjoyed the first day of the Dublin Racing Festival and I'm looking forward to the second day tomorrow.

Plenty has been said about Galopin Des Champs, but I thought there were some really eye-catching performances in behind him in a contest that was packed with quality.
 
Lovely day. Jasmin De Vaux jumped a little better, but it was still ropey. I don’t think he would have got near the winner, though. Willy De Houelle outran his odds, but no real sign that he’ll compete at the top table. Majborough was everything I hoped to see and Touch Me Not was nice. Galopin Des Champs proved his special class again (please note you doubters) and it was good to see Grangeclare West back firing.

It’s not so exciting tomorrow, but plenty to enjoy.

12:40 - I’d love to be backing Queens Gamble in this, but Harry Derham’s runners are still under a cloud after the disaster with his gallops. He has had a couple of winners lately, but the vast majority of his runners are running well below par. I’d have been fairly confident otherwise.

1:10 - Ballyburn has the form, but has not run up to it this season so far. Maybe he’ll get his mojo back today, maybe not - no contest if he does, otherwise Impaire Et Passe might take advantage.

2:10 - two question marks head the market and I think I’d like to see El Fabiolo answer the one over his head. It would be very good news for Blighty to see Quilixios pay Jonbon a handsome compliment.

3:20 - the question marks roll over to this one and I would be sad to see State Man humbled again. Without Constitution Hill getting in the way he would have been sung as the best of the best (ask An Capall ;)). I can’t believe he won’t come good again so I’ll take him over Lossiemouth at the price.
 
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barjon said:
3:20 - the question marks roll over to this one and I would be sad to see State Man humbled again. Without Constitution Hill getting in the way he would have been sung as the best of a moderate generation (ask An Capall ;)). I can’t believe he won’t come good again so I’ll take him over Lossiemouth at the price.
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Fixed that for you, Bar old bean.
 
Sunday

12.40 Straight Home (hope)
1.10 Croke Park and Champ Kiely, Reverse FC (mad)
1.40 Redemption Day (EW)
2.10 Gaelic Warrior (no bet)
2.45 Pinkerton (nap)
3.20 State Man (no bet)
3.50 Ol Man Dingle (nb)
4.25 Amen Kate (guess)
 
I love how Solness is 9/1 against shorter-priced horses he beat over CD, on fairly similar ground, at the same weights, last time out.

He did race wide to get the best ground, but he won well enough and maybe he'll go wide again.

Some horses just don't fit the media narrative.

Well, either that or JJ Slevin to Danny Mullins is perceived as a significant jockey downgrade.

Go on, Solness!
 
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I had a look at Amen Kate in the last, form looks solid and if it wins today it will be close to the top of the betting in the Bumper @ Cheltenham, had a few quid ew at 11's with Bet365 NRNB.
 
Ian_Davies said:
I love how Solness is 9/1 against shorter-priced horses he beat over CD, on fairly similar ground, at the same weights, last time out.

He did race wide to get the best ground, but he won well enough and maybe he'll go wide again.

Some horses just don't fit the media narrative.

Well, either that or JJ Slevin to Danny Mullins is perceived as a significant jockey downgrade.

Go on, Solness!
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The only way today can get any better now is if I find out everyone I've put on ignore laid it.
 
Desert Orchid said:
Fine winner but don't you think you were pretty much gifted it, Ian?

(For me it was a brilliant ride but the same can't be said about the rest.)
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Well....

1 I stated it could be a repeat of Christmas, it pretty much was and, though I'd need to see the sectionals, I'd say he put them to the sword, got them all "at it," and my main worry during the race was he'd actually gone that bit harder than he needed to, but he's a bloody good horse, tenacious and has absolutely flown round there AGAIN.

2. Gifted or not, bottom line is I'm getting paid out at 9/1, those who bet Gaelic Warrior etc aren't and you need a lot of 6/4 winners to match one at 9s. Value is the name of this game.
 
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