Attended the D2 Hotel Tuesday night for Cheltenham preview. Brief Summary.
8 people at top table
Kevin O Ryan excellent presenter who did have to say Shish lads about 90 times during the night, witty and know legible .
Tony McCoy - Great knowledge obviously and came across very well. His Charity bet was a 4 fold of Sir Ercic/Bennie/Tiger Roll/Defi Du Seuil(JLT). He also mentioned Notwhatiam in pertemps and Neil Mulhollands horse in Brown Advisory Plate.
Gary O Brien who was the most impressive panellist - He expected Ireland to have a poor start to festivel ie he reckons the first 3 races wont be won by the Irish. He was very keen on Delta Work (RSA), Defi Du Seuil(JLT),Monalee Ryanair(EW) with Footpad DGR,Faugheen (Stayers).
Garys Charity bet was Defi Du Seuil
Dave Casey was good but quite guarded . His nap was Bennie Day one in the mares with Klassical dream ew wherever it runs his charity bet.
Joseph O Brien was grand , very complimentary to any horse or human mentioned but don't recall any nugget of information ,his charity bet was a ew double Give me a copper (Ultima Hcap chase) and Sire De Berlais(pertemps).
Davy Russell spent most of the night slagging all other panellists which got boring-childish for a finish up - he had 3 charity bets no less . Sir eric- Angels Breath-Friend or Foe (Fred Winter).
Gordon Elliott was quite enough on the night but made good contributions and was interesting ( apparently last year he might have had 5 too many!) His charity bet was not up to much - a 4 fold of Sir Eric -Altior-Tiger Roll-Bennie. He was very strong on Tiger Roll Ucello Conti-Delta Work and gave Derrinross EW if soft in the albert Bartlett.
There was a rep there from Bar One who came across as a nice guy but the "Specials" from Bar one were very unexciting and could only be done online ( anyone with half a brain is barred online ) and for a maximum of 25 Euro??
There was a very big crowd there circa 600 and with 595 male , the toilets were jammers all night.