Showcase Meeting - Cheltenham

Grasshopper

Grasshopper

Senior Jockey
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Nov 14, 2006
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Not a meeting I have a great record at, but it's a decent enough card.

I like Sceau Royal in the 2m novice chase. Thought he did it well in his maiden chase, and think he can comfortably give the weight away to Ballyhill, and North Hill Harvey. MWTT was obviously a progressive animal last season, but think he will do well to trouble SR on his first outing over fences, despite the concession.

Beat That was priced-up at 5/2 last night, for the 3m novice chase......odds which surely reflect the horse he was in the 2014 season, rather than anything he has done since. Fagan boasts some smart novice hurdle form, and looks handy enough over fences so far, but I'll take my chances with NTD's Ballymalin, who did it nicely in his maiden chase at Worcester, and had some decent efforts in top novice races at the back-end of last season. At 7/1, he will do for me.

Can't see Brillare Momento beaten in the opener, and think What Happens Now has a big chance in the amateurs handicap chase with Derek O'Connor up.
 
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2 nice novice chases

PFN horse must have a few issues as he is so lightly raced so today could be a gentle starter for him iwth the season ahead the main aim
 
Very excited to see Movewiththetimes over fences. Always shaped like a chaser. I know McCoy and Nicholls think a lot of the horse.
 
Interesting recruit no doubt but on this day I've sided with Sceau Royal. The memory of how he scooted away with the hurdle race at this meeting last year still lingers and after a near faultless round of jumping on his chase debut I reckon he'll be tough to beat today.

Wouldn't at all be surprised if MWTT proved the better horse in the long term though.
 
I'm sweet on Stick To The Plan in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle tomorrow with the bottom weight for Dan Skelton. I've put this horse as a dark horse in one of my ten to follow lists. I'm guessing he'd be higher in the ratings had he not unseated last time. I'm chuffed he has just made the cut.

Luccombe Down I remember from last season as an eyecatcher, so not completely ruled out, but no way I would have him over Stick To The Plan, who looks progressive, unexposed, and nicely handicapped.

Betfair were 28/1 on STTP earlier in the week which looks great value now. He'll go off a fair bit shorter than that. He's not banker material, but looks one of the better chances on this card.
 
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2.00 I think Brillare Memento looks vulnerable taking on the boys over hurdles for the first time and I think one of the top two Skelton and Elliot horses will win this.

2,35 Sceau Royale looks value at 11/8

3.10 Ruacana 40/1 5 places sportsbook - looks value e/way - finished 6th at this meetihg last year over c/d in a 0-140 - this race is 0-130 and Ruacana is 7lb better off this time.
 
Didn't like MWTT's jumping. Very flat trajectory. Might improve off a slower pace, upped in trip. I wont be holding my breath...
 
Disappointing effort by MWTT. I thought he jumped OK early on but not well once the taps were turned on


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Sceau Royale looks destined to be, as he was over hurdles, just below top class.

Movewiththetimes will get there like many of Jonjo's slowly away tomorrows another day
 
Just watched the H.cap hurdle again...One that jumped out was Eaton Hill who was absolutely running away after halfway but got another one of Jamie Moore's shocking rides running up the ass off every horse he could find..... a real jockey on and he'll be winning soon
 
Can't see Brillare Momento beaten in the opener, and think What Happens Now has a big chance in the amateurs handicap chase with Derek O'Connor up.
Click to expand...

Good shouts, Grassy
 
Grey said:
Good shouts, Grassy
Click to expand...

If McCain is on the way back, some of his horses will be incredibly well handicapped at least in the short term.

Same goes for ex-mcCain inmates elsewhere.

Nice-priced winner, GH. Respect!
 
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Myself and member Digger are off on a hospitality jolly at the footy tomorrow, to watch the glorious Hibees (#GGTH #YLT) taken on the slum-dwellers of Motherwell, at the souped-up tin-shed that is Fir Park. I've therefore had to do the Chelts card tonight - suitably abetted by a rather fine Sooth Eefrikaan Cabernet Sauvignon. What follows therefore comes with a health-warning.

Last two races on the card form both the backbone and the get-out stakes.

Robin'Hannon was already on the Tracker before his winning appearance at Worcester, and he strikes me as a good deal more progressive than Callet Mad, who has had a bundle of runs over fences, and seems to have reverted to hurdles as an afterthought. Track, trip and going all perfectly fine, and I expect a bold show. I'll chance Dashing Perk in a forecast. Henderson's Cracking Destiny - an impressive Point-winner, in receipt of weight from two moderate winners, completes the second leg in the Bumper.

Earlier, I will row-in with Singlefarmpayment, who looks a rock-solid proposition in the staying handicap chase that opens the card. He travels, jumps and seems guaranteed to give his running - which isn't something that can be said for too many of the others. Robinsfirth is taken to follow him home. Dull, I know, but there you go.

I like Vaniteux under top-weight in the 2m handicap chase. Has been really highly-tried throughout his career, and this kind of opposition might not even be able to get him off the bridle. The form with Romain De Semain also looks handy, in light of recent events. Ray Tooth will miss-out on a double, having sold Vaniteux, as I think his Thomas Campbell will win the staying handicap hurdle. Dell Arca will make-up the forecast bet.

I have zero interest in the crappy, Defi-less Masterson Hurdle, or the intermediate Novice Chase.
 
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I was in the Vaniteux camp too worrying drift though but might be partly down to the non runner reducing the place terms.
 
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