THE NIGHTINGALE

Anybody........!?

Meat,
The last bit of news I came across was this below, back on the 27th January. I haven't come across anything since then.


Owner Graham Roach reports The Nightingale to be recovering well following his disappointing run in the King George VI Chase.

The eight-year-old was pulled up in the Kempton Grade One and connections soon realised he was suffering from a fibrillating heart .

"I've had some good news today as they've sorted The Nightingale's heart out, which is great news," said Roach.

"He's been on the same medication as Denman. It wasn't as severe a problem as Denman suffered and he can go back to work in a week's time.

"I'm really happy and we'll see how he gets on at home before we look at Cheltenham or anything like that.

"We clearly tried him over a trip that's too far for him in the King George, but he's in the Ryanair Chase, so we'll see."

let hope Nicholls lets him run this time!

being backed today which is hopefully a good sign!

Found on S Life website today in The Minack article

His colours are also set to be carried at Prestbury Park by The Nightingale, who is 100% after suffering from a fibrillating heart following a disappointing run in the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

"He's on course for the Ryanair all being well," Roach went on.

"I go to Cheltenham expecting nothing and anything is a bonus. Of course you do want them to go well and come back in one piece."

Thanks Rob.

If you look on official ratings The Nightingale is well up there with the prinicpals. Are Poquelin and Tranquil Sea really capable of winning a race like this??

Poquelin must be. Best RPR, Topspeed and OR in the race. Last 6 runs at Cheltenham read 121251. The pick of that form on the New Course. 2151 in the main trials for the Ryaniar (the Boilsparts and the Paddy Power). Second last year to Alberta's Run (having got in to a barging match on the home turn as I recall). Improved 9 lbs on ratings since.

He's not my bet for this, but he's got to be a major contender.

If you look at the past winners of the Ryanair you could argue that they are all 3 milers. They tend to go a brisk pace.

I'm more impressed by the big autumn C&D G3 handicaps as pointers (apart from Albertas each Ryanair winner previously won or placed in the PP or Boilsports). They certainly go a brisk pace in the PP as well. Like I say, I'm not on Poquelin, but consider him a major player.

Its difficult to leave Poquelin out of calculations. Would like to hear a definite decision whether or not Riverside Theatre runs. My gut instinct tells me they wait for Aintree. If thats the case the other leading horses will contract slightly in price so now might be the time to back Poquelin, Tranquil Sea or Alberta's Run if they are your fancy.

If Riverside Theatre runs then theres your winner, seems they will wait for Aintree though

Lets just hope The Nightingale runs this time. Clearly it should have run last year instead Nicholls took him to Aintree on good to firm ground

Meat - do you think he'll be OK though? A fibrilating heart is a serious problem for a horse to come back from in only 2 months. I've read the comments above which say it wasn't as serious as Denman's, but it took him 18 months to get back to near his best.

When a Paul Nicholls horse runs badly - Nicholls always has an excuse usually it needs a breathing operation. I suspect there was nothing wrong with The Nightingale and just ran a bad race at kempton for whatever reason. If you look through the horse's form it either wins or runs a shocker all through his career.

My personal opinion is that it will run a massive race and only Riverside Theatre (not certain to run) and Albertas Run really worry me.

And still no news from the "champion" trainer

And still no news from the "champion" trainer 

Bit of money for it today - interesting.............