Cheltenham Festival
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29 Oct 10
22:27
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Date Joined:
21 Dec 05
Just been watching Racing Post t.v with 'experts' casting their jump horse to follow for the season. Very interesting, especially Emma Lavelle and Jack Doyle both exuding confidence that Court In Motion is a very talented horse. But... I reckon the forumites can each pick a horse to follow for the jumps season who will easily match the 'experts' picks.
So if you would be so kind as to give us your selection and give us a brief description of why you have chosen it, will be very interesting to hear peoples reasoning. I'll start the ball rolling.
BENSALEM I may be slightly biased in choosing him, having been there for his debut under rules and being on him big (possibly lucky with pepe simos antics but thats for another day
) no one needs telling the King horses were out of form last season but this horse held his form very well. In the 3 runner race with Diamond Harry and Inchdaly rock at Newbury in febuary I have always maintained he would have won but for chocks decision to go to the right of Harry (watch race, horse always jumping right and was badly inconvinienced), and difficult to say race before as he fell at an awkward time in the race so we could not make any inference as to where/how close he would have been in relation to Harry. Then at Cheltenham if he had stayed up he would have won. Only my opinion (backed him big 
really fancied him) but was absolutley cantering when buckled on landing (pesky 2 out) and no one needs explaining how good his punchestown run was. Real confidence booster for him. Not completely sure what he will be aimed at this year but whatever it is im sure he will be competitive. Lets hope for a good season ahead for him and the rest of our list. [;)]
So if you would be so kind as to give us your selection and give us a brief description of why you have chosen it, will be very interesting to hear peoples reasoning. I'll start the ball rolling.
BENSALEM I may be slightly biased in choosing him, having been there for his debut under rules and being on him big (possibly lucky with pepe simos antics but thats for another day
) no one needs telling the King horses were out of form last season but this horse held his form very well. In the 3 runner race with Diamond Harry and Inchdaly rock at Newbury in febuary I have always maintained he would have won but for chocks decision to go to the right of Harry (watch race, horse always jumping right and was badly inconvinienced), and difficult to say race before as he fell at an awkward time in the race so we could not make any inference as to where/how close he would have been in relation to Harry. Then at Cheltenham if he had stayed up he would have won. Only my opinion (backed him big really fancied him) but was absolutley cantering when buckled on landing (pesky 2 out) and no one needs explaining how good his punchestown run was. Real confidence booster for him. Not completely sure what he will be aimed at this year but whatever it is im sure he will be competitive. Lets hope for a good season ahead for him and the rest of our list. [;)]
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Bensalem is doubtful about returning till new year at least, if at all this season. Had travel sickness which turned into pneumonia and pleurisy and almost lost his life. Has only just started cantering again and it remains to be seen whether this has had a permanent affect on his lungs. (From AKs stable tour)
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 was trying to find something in his stable tours but couldn't see it.well good to hear he survived it and maybe he can return at some point. thanks for the info |
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Welcome, sorry its such gloomy news.
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I'm going to be watching Golden Silver with interest. He has disappointed at Cheltenham but seems well up to contesting and winning the big 2 mile chases in Ireland throughout the season, especially as Big Zeb should be campaigned sparingly, and the likes of Sizing Europe & Forpadydeplasterer are reportedly being experimented with over further. Captain Cee Bee is not getting any younger, so this might give Golden Silver the opportunity to pick up a couple of nice prizes. Take note for your 'slightly less than obvious' Ten to Follow selection........
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Joncol for me,a class act.
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all that write up for a horse who nearly made the knackers yard
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reve de sivola. unpredictable i know!!
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Heres the first few that I have done from my horses to follow piece.
2010 NH Horses To Follow Alverado: A horse I have always like he made a big impression on me in 09 when beating a well fancied Hillview Boy at Musselburgh. Whilst Hillview Boy hasn’t progressed from NHF he has since had a cracking career on the Flat, now rated 99 Alverado beat him with ease that day and whilst he was getting nearly a stone it was a performance of note. Last season he won 2 novice hurdles before bumping into a decent field at Muss coming to the last he was still in with a chance before a mistake which arguably cost him the race. PU at Sandown of a mark of 137 on Imperial Cup day. Fto is most definitely the time to catch him as he proved when winning a decent Novice Chase at Carlisle earlier in the month. That said I feel he has a lot to offer over fence and can see him mopping us a few more races in the north. The 2m4f race that Kalahari King won 2 years back at Muss in Feb would be ideal; even though there are now two 2m4f races for Novice Chasers at Cheltenham his trainer may target Aintree. Barwell Bridge: Rated 85 on the flat he made a winning debut over hurdles last season beating Alan Kings Causeway King by 6l getting weight. He then ran in some hot races coming 2nd at Ascot and Donny before a cracking 5th in the Triumph. This season he was a disappointing 5th behind Escortmen at Chepstow but this led to him being upped in trip nto at Haydock. A staying on 2nd 2m4f might still be on the short side for this one and I fully expect him to run some good races this season hopefully winning at least one at a decent price. An end of season target would be something like the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham. Big Bucks: It’s hardly original but I really can’t see anything troubling the Nicholls machine this season. A winner of all his hurdles races since reverting back from fences. I feel he has too much power for anything unless a shock runner from France appears from across the water. That said I won’t be including him in many on my Ten To Follow lines as I feel he may be better added at the substitution stage. Great Endeavour: Im a massive fan of this horse and still for the life of me can’t believe I didn’t back him at Cheltenham last season. I had him marked as a cert for the Jewson only to go of him in the Byrne Plate as I didn’t want to back a Novice against seasoned campaigners. I fully expect him to win the Paddy Power before going for the Hennessey taking a similar route as previous stable star Celestial Gold. A cracking horse in the making he looks a must for Ten To Follow lines. |
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abbott - if you leave out Big Buck's from start list you're potentially sacrificing 45+ points? Is that wise?
I'd rather keep the subs for any injuries, or for the less predictable Cheltenham Festival bonus races like the RSA and Arkle, for which the potential winners will become more evident as the season progresses. |
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Just finished off my final 15 for 10 to follow, and having really searched for a horse to follow to replace Bensalem (
), I think I have found it in Catch Me.After my previous long and in the end inane write up of Bensalem I shall not be going into such a long winded explanation, but what I will say is this is a horse I have liked for a while (included him in TTF last year) and could definatley see him leading the Irish challange in the PP gold cup and decent 3 Mile graded races in Ireland. Hopefully he can fulfil his promiseand prove a decent substitution for Bensalem. [;)] |
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joccie I must admit when I was writing this I hadnt had a massive look at the points system.
That said my view was that if you are ever going to win it you need to use the subs on the basis that all your horses stay fit and win. Im looking at the possability of sticking in some winner of big soft ground winter races that I can then take out at the sub stage for Cheltenham horses. |
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JOCI sorry i dont know why I got your name wrong there.
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Abbott - you don't 'take out' horses, you just get an extra 2 during the subs window, though only your best 10 scoring horses (if you're that fortunate) count towards your final total.
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empire levant
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Cheers JOCI
As said Ive not looked into the points much and this is the first year for a few that im doing it. Will need to rethink my angle then. |
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kempes for me.....improved all last year and was an impressive winner when stepped up to 3 miles at punchestown......effective from 2.5 /3 miles and an ideal type for those conditions events in ireland...mullins also happy that good or softer ground suits him.....looking forward to watching him hopefully prove he can mix it with the top notchers this term.
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Keeping a close eye on Kempes myself duffy.
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Arvika
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Mickie D would i be correct in assuming you mean Arvika Ligeonniere if so would definatley agree this horse is one to follow. Could end up being a very good horse indeed.
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i think arvika ligeonnaire is bein totally over-hyped
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I watched Arvika's run at Cheltenham so see what all the positive comments were about, and I must admit, he travelled like a dream, and looked all over the winner to me a couple of fences out, then just faded. Looked liked he'd be a good prospect over the minumum trip or a bit further. One to look out for certainly.
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JOCI Club i've also just watched his cheltenham run, and does travel fantastically well, thought he was going to win at one point down the hill.
Also did anyone see the Emma Lavelle and Jack Doyles horse to follow Court In Motion yesterday? only short winning distance but quite impressive and ready win. Definatley looked like he could go on to better things if finding usual improvement for a horse with just 4 runs under his belt. I for one will continue to monitor his progress with interest |
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provo
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working well reve?
guessing you have a bit of a link with williams yard considering your name and thread about cornas a while ago?  |
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i gave a tip for a horse called hidden cyclone at six to one when he ran last and was told that those who know dont tell and those who tell dont know so based on that ive probably said enough
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Arvika's cheltenham run was well over hyped imo went out in a matter of strides although Punchestown run was impressive hurdled well. Lot to proveyet for my money.
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Punjabi - I made a thread about this and i and other admirers hope that his lack of size doesn't hinder his Arkle prospects. He travels nicely and i suspect he can make the transition and put himself in to contention for the Arkle as long as the ability and enthusiasm is still there.
Weird Al - Runs with great momentum and is a quality jumper. He should improve right up to the Gold Cup and looks like a serious horse. He came right back at Little Josh over a short enough trip so you'd have to be happy with that effort. Time for Rupert - Very classy and has a big heart as witnessed during the World Hurdle. The fact he hasn't jumped yet suggests they see him as a natural who should make the transition easily enough. He in my book will be a serious RSA contender. What a friend - Won tremendously well in Irelands Lexus after Sam Thomas gave it a belter of a ride, as well as the Tote sport bowl at Aintree. He will be sent to the Gold Cup and this might just be his year, although god only knows that it's shaping up to be a hot race. |
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Weird Al
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Pickamus.
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Two Irish novice hurdlers for me - though I have no idea if either of them is fit and well:
Tavern Times - impressive winner on debut and then ran very takingly whe 4th in the Cheltenham Bumper when he was as well backed as anything. Subsequently flopped terribly when favourite for the big Punchestown bumper - haven't heard anything about him since. Age Benefit - finished down the field in Tavern Times first bumper, but then ran 2nd to high class Summit Meeting and then won easily at Punchestown from a hatful of future winners, including Frawley who went on to run 3rd at Cheltenham behind Cue Card. |
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JOCI Club Joined: 13 Mar 04
Replies: 5051 30 Oct 10 00:34 I'm going to be watching Golden Silver with interest. He has disappointed at Cheltenham but seems well up to contesting and winning the big 2 mile chases in Ireland throughout the season, especially as Big Zeb should be campaigned sparingly, and the likes of Sizing Europe & Forpadydeplasterer are reportedly being experimented with over further. Captain Cee Bee is not getting any younger, so this might give Golden Silver the opportunity to pick up a couple of nice prizes. Take note for your 'slightly less than obvious' Ten to Follow selection........ Interesting race coming up for Golden Silver against Big Zeb, and Joncol. |
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Good run for Golden Silver first time out, finished strongly behind the Champion Chase Big Zeb. Joncol never put in the race, and basically, a public schooling session (which was obvious beforehand). Joncol did jump right at most fences, which is abit of a concern. Nice run from Carthalawn too, to be fair.
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Golden Silver ran well considering Mullins states his are a bit behind in fitness terms - strong suggestion he'll be campaigned exclusively in Ireland because he needs softish ground too.
On another note, Joncol finishing behind would n't worry me but the jumping to the right does with Cheltenham in mind - seen nothing from him to date to suggest he's a likely Gold Cup winner. |
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Don't fancy Joncol at all for the Gold Cup, but do fancy him for races like Lexus and Irish Hennessy.
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had n't seen your post JOCI - commforting that someone else saw it pretty much the same way!
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Midnight Chase improving fast. Expect him to win at cheltenham tomorrow and then who knows?
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Hope you all followed!
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^^^ nothing worse than a trumpet blower
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Didn't make Twisters place then Howdi?
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