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Punchestown

Wasn’t he running a mighty race at Cheltenham a few years ago before either falling or being brought down? One of those horses that will never get the recognition they deserve ie any good race ran is deemed to be a bit of a fluke and not because he’s tried his heart out.
Yes he was going well enough in Shishkin’s Supreme until he and one other were wiped out by Asterion Forlonge jumping wildly right 2 out A bitter memory 😤

Today’s ground a bit soft for Banbridge and not soft enough for Spillane’s?
 
It was visually very impressive as G de C tends to be at home - but IMO Spillane's Tower does not seem to stay and made too many mistakes , Monty's Star is a Grand National horse and Banbridge was badly out of form and jumped very scruffily .

No Inothewayyouarethinking or Fastorslow of course.
 
Wasn’t he running a mighty race at Cheltenham a few years ago before either falling or being brought down? One of those horses that will never get the recognition they deserve ie any good race ran is deemed to be a bit of a fluke and not because he’s tried his heart out.

Agreed he looked to be tanking along when he was taken out that day. His comeback from two episodes of atrial fibrillation make him an ever more admirable horse IMO.
 
He had no opposition today, that was like watching Jonbon at Sandown prior to last weekend.

Spillane's Tower is rated 164 and was touted right left and centre for the King George.

INTWYT was rated 160 going into the CGC.

Monty's Star was 13 lengths behind GDC at Cheltenham, over 24 behind him today.

ST and MS ran close to their relative ORs.

On ORs, GDC was entitled to beat MS around 20/21 lengths at Cheltenham.

Today's time looks quite fast for the conditions and GDC was always going to leave this field for dead if he was back to his best.

I had no financial interest in the race but am glad to see the deposed champion strut his stuff in style.
 
Spillane's didn't progress as was hoped after the John Durkan, a race where he had Fact To File in front of him and Galopin behind him. Not bad form at all. The fact he's only ran twice since tell it's own story.

It'd be nice for a smaller operator like Mangan if he could rejuvenate the horse for next season. I don't think we've seen him to best effect since the John Durkan.
 
Spillane's didn't progress as was hoped after the John Durkan, a race where he had Fact To File in front of him and Galopin behind him. Not bad form at all. The fact he's only ran twice since tell it's own story.

It'd be nice for a smaller operator like Mangan if he could rejuvenate the horse for next season. I don't think we've seen him to best effect since the John Durkan.
If the handicapper would only drop him a few pounds I'd like to see him carry a weight in a handicap myself, especially with a bit of cut in the ground.
 
It was visually very impressive as G de C tends to be at home - but IMO Spillane's Tower does not seem to stay and made too many mistakes , Monty's Star is a Grand National horse and Banbridge was badly out of form and jumped very scruffily .

No Inothewayyouarethinking or Fastorslow of course.
Monty's Star 2026Grand National to pay for my daughters Masters Degree.
 
Spillane's Tower is rated 164 and was touted right left and centre for the King George.

INTWYT was rated 160 going into the CGC.

Monty's Star was 13 lengths behind GDC at Cheltenham, over 24 behind him today.

ST and MS ran close to their relative ORs.

On ORs, GDC was entitled to beat MS around 20/21 lengths at Cheltenham.
I can't have the ratings argument DO, not at Punchestown - historically so many horses run below form here. ST and Banbridge are non stayers and Luke correctly identifies MS as a National type. He was never put under any sort of pressure today and races like this, like most of Jonbon's career, leave me thinking meh.
 
FWIW -I think Hiddenvalley Lake is a better horse than Teahupoo on a good day.End of season stuff at Punchestown is the way to the poorhouse but I will be having a few quid on HVL.
 
Agree that Punchestown is too late to be surprised /disappointed or come to conclusions when some horses are patently over the top.
I wrote off Kauto Star the year he was pulled up there; enough said.
Galopin does as he says on the tin however, we should be forever grateful.
 
Agree that Punchestown is too late to be surprised /disappointed or come to conclusions when some horses are patently over the top.
I wrote off Kauto Star the year he was pulled up there; enough said.
Galopin does as he says on the tin however, we should be forever grateful.

He races and is campaigned like a racehorse should

The problem with not living in the moment is you never realise it is the moment until it's long gone

We are living in it now for sure with Galopin
 
Teahupoo much better than the rest in this field no horse of the class of Lossiemouth or Bob today.
 
Bet365 super boost Constitution Hill 6/4. The super boosts have won the last couple of days (Galopín and Majborough)
 
5.25 Friday
Theatre Native gave the impression there was plenty to come at Cheltenham last time out having pulled hard early on. If she settles better she’ll have every chance in this much stronger race. 7/1 looks very fair
 
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Any newcomer looking at the form figures (and letters) and the betting for today's big race would be forgiven for thinking that an F must be a positive thing, standing perhaps for Fabulous. Well it is Punchestown's good fortune that we are getting a fabulous field for it. I have no intention of having a bet, good luck to those who do, I hope each horse gets to run their race and it is won fair and square.

Elsewhere, I have speculative hopes that Carnfunnock, Theatre Native, Lovely Hurling and Soldier In Milan might reward an each way yankee.
 
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