Cheltenham Festival
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I had seen this one in the entries for the Royal Bond but it's been taken out as Mullins has another two running....just wondered if anyone had any views or had heard owt about it. It didnt beat much last time out but was very impressive and the quotes from Wylie (owner) and Mullins after it's run seemed pretty bullish...see below...
"He had a good blow afterwards and should improve. I believe Willie is looking at running him in either the Grade One at Navan (Navan Novice Hurdle) or the Grade One at Fairyhouse (Royal Bond Novice Hurdle)." - Owner Graham Wylie
Then trainer Mullins said “He looks a very nice recruit. The way he jumped he'll make a nice chaser but I think he will have a good novice hurdling career and I won't be afraid to go anywhere with him."
...anyone know any more of have any opinions ?...not like Mullins to seem like he’s bullish about it. Wonder where it'll turn up next...I'd imagine Wyllie would hope to have it aimed at the Festival, especially if Mullins was discussing it in terms of Grade 1 races for it with Wylie.
"He had a good blow afterwards and should improve. I believe Willie is looking at running him in either the Grade One at Navan (Navan Novice Hurdle) or the Grade One at Fairyhouse (Royal Bond Novice Hurdle)." - Owner Graham Wylie
Then trainer Mullins said “He looks a very nice recruit. The way he jumped he'll make a nice chaser but I think he will have a good novice hurdling career and I won't be afraid to go anywhere with him."
...anyone know any more of have any opinions ?...not like Mullins to seem like he’s bullish about it. Wonder where it'll turn up next...I'd imagine Wyllie would hope to have it aimed at the Festival, especially if Mullins was discussing it in terms of Grade 1 races for it with Wylie.
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I had this one on my radar and was a tad dissapointed to see it had been taken out at the 5 day stage. Very interesting wherever it turns up next and definitely one to keep an eye on with a view to the Supreme I would have thought. As you say it was very unlike WM to be so upbeat about one first time out although I suppose he could just be making all the right noises as it's a new owner in the yard in the shape of Wyllie. Eyes peeled.
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I now see it's entered for the Grade 1 Navan Novice Hurdle on 18th Dec, the race won by Oscars Well last year before it went on to very nearly win at the Festival. Same race also won by Mickael D'aghaneut 3 years ago.
Be interesting to see if it runs and how well it does. |
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Boston Bob one of only 4 entered for the big Grade 1 hurdle at Navan on Sunday.......looks like it's more of a Neptune trial than a Supreme but ye never know with Mullins. Should be interesting.
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had a dabble at current odds on here for Neptune,might look a nice price after his next run
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Im tempted, no idea what he beat LTO but the way it quickened was impressive.
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Impressed with him today,finished his race off really well finding plenty when asked.
But what race at the Festival?? |
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This really was a poor Grade 1 hurdle today...
Mount Benbullen, hanging and jumping right the whole way and really looking like something was bothering him and Ipsos du Berlais took an eternity to pick up, looking like wanting 3 miles already.. I'd say this didn't take much winning, but you can't take much away from Boston Bob who the further they went, the better he looked. Not displaying a high knee action and looking like having a really good attitude he can go on to better things.. I would say he might handle better ground ok and has bags of scope for improvement..The Albert Bartlett would look the long term Cheltenham aim, I would say, although I could be wrong, as he was under the pump round the home turn looking a proper stayer in the making, to my eyes anyways.. |
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Deffo not a Supreme horse that's for sure. Suppose it will depend on what else WM has come the festival but looks like the Neptune or the Tattie race for sure.
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WPM said Neptune seemed more likely on Atr today
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great stuff,hope he dont change his mind.
Mullins-umm!! |
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Navan winner Boston Bob missed an engagement at Naas last weekend, but should be back in racecourse action again in the near future.
"His aim would probably be the Neptune (at Cheltenham), I'd imagine," said Mullins. "He's won at two and a half miles and he won a point-to-point. It will be one of the longer novice races anyway - the Neptune or the Albert Bartlett. I'd love to get another run into him. I just felt the race in Naas the other day was coming too quick, as he hard a hard race against Mount Benbulben at Navan, and Mount Benbulben probably wasn't at his best that day." |
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Well I knocked the Grade 1 that Boston Bob won but the form is certainly starting to look rosey now with Jetson winning since and Ipsos du berlais winning today...Boston Bob who has bags of scope has to now be of interest wherever he turns up...Whether he is a horse who is going to want cut we will have to find out...The neptune is the call at the moment but not sure the Albert Bartlett would be a better option...
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 impressive |
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Afterwards Mullins said “there was a day we galloped a few at Thurles some time ago - horses we thought were top horses. One of the young lads in the yard was riding Boston Bob and he came through the other horses going easily and we thought that day we had a racehorse.
“I thought he had the size and scope to carry today’s penalty but three out I wasn’t so sure! Ruby said he hated the ground and his pedigree says he should go on better ground. “He looks a big strong chaser and we look forward to him going chasing next season. He could have gone chasing this season but we just decided to go ‘through the motions’ over hurdles for now and it has taught him to race. “I imagine he will go for the Neptune or Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdles at Cheltenham but we’ll see what happens after the Deloitte Novice Hurdle on February 12 and where I go my other horses. I imagine Ruby will ride him wherever he goes.” |
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Conditions were absolutley atrocious (nigh on unracebale) and unless he gets proper soft going at Cheltenham he'd be better off going for the Albert Bartlett - he just outstayed them.
Make Your Mark went through the race like the best horse but being 2 years younger amnd less battle hardened he just didn't get home. The worry for him is will that race leave a mental scar.  |
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Bit hard to tell in that ground what it means in terms of his race at Cheltenham.Just have to wait and see.Whichever they choose hes a big player,just hope for my bet its the neptune.Hes certainly showed he has what it takes to contest the shorter race imo.
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I dont think there's any question but he will go for Neptune.Other race is for slow horses and he aint one.
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yup strong for the Neptune now
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Definitely sounds like Make Your Mark won't be going to Cheltenham at all.
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Still think sea of thunder will be the best to come out of that race
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Fantastic performance today. He's just about top of my list of novices this season. I think he'd be best in the AB myself though.
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Take a look at that Navan race he won and you will see his speed-that would be lost in AB-not an option and perhaps could be outstayed at that distance at this stage of his career
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Albert Barlett is for boats and this isn't one. Unless Mullins has anything better lurking, which it seems he doesn't, then this will be in the Neptune
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Albert Barlett is for boats
What, like recent winners Bobs Worth, Berties Dream and Weapons Amnesty? We're all entitled to our opinion chaps. I think he will go for the Neptune, and will go very close. But I think he'd hose up in the AB. Yes he's got speed, but he has got stamina in abundance and thats his biggest asset to my eyes..... He'll be in the RSA next year, thats for sure. |
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Well put Judorick
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I would say Neptune. I reckon he is too good of a horse for the AB. I liked when WM said "I imagine Ruby will ride him wherever he goes"
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Looked very good in bad ground,trainer stated his pedigree says that he should go on better going.
Neptune not looking too strong imo,with Fingal Bay current market leader stable appearing out of sorts. |
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I meant compared to speedsters like Peddlers Cross, Rock on Ruby etc that run in the Neptune - they are different sorts to those in the AB
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I dont understand the negativity surrounding the AB myself. For the majority of runners, the Neptune and the AB will merely be stepping stones towards their chasing career. As illustrated with the 3 previous winners, its a perfect stepping stone for the RSA, and then the GC if you have a horse that truly stays 3m, as it appears BB does.
If he were mine, I'd just want him to win a hurdle race at the Festival, I wouldnt care which race it was, as he looks as if he is destined to spend most of his career over fences. And the AB will almost certainly be easier to win. |
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Ruby said something like "oh he'll get 3 miles easy" in his interview yesterday - not a shadow of doubt in his mind. He also said, however, it's much too early to decide on his Festival target.
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Yes cant blame them for not deciding yet. Will be a case of sitting down and seeing how the rest of his team has fared in the next couple of weeks. The Deloitte is a big one for WPM. If he runs Allure of Illusion and Sous Les Cieux in that, he can then decide whether they are both Supreme horses or if one might go for the Neptune. If thats the case, I think BB will go for the AB.
In all honesty, I think he'd probably be good enough to win either the 2m5f or the 3m race. But I still think stamina is his most important attribute. If I had to back a horse for the 2013 RSA at this stage, it would most definitely be him. |
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Weather forecast is mainly dry and cold for the next few weeks so the ground could easily end up like last year, or even faster.
If thats the case I can see a lot of chopping and changing in running plans for horses that have the option of Supreme / Neptune or Neptune / AB. If it's really quick there has to be a chance some horses (Fingals Bay maybe?) won't run at all. Combine that with most connections being utterly indecisive and it makes antepost betting a bloody nightmare. Roll on NRNB (sorry Eric  ) |
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At this stage the Neptune still carries more kudos than the AB and with it not looking a deep renewal this year (to my eyes at the mo at least) i'd be surprised if Fingal Bay went for the latter race.
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5/1 to win any race at the festival with hills is the safe way to play this i think
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stormey1, where is that bet available?
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Hills
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I have seen a few of these bets and avoided tham as I've always thought the outright price would still be better, even after the target had been announced.
But think this is a bit different. Could see him being 4/1 or 9/2 if confirmed for the Neptune and 5/2 for the AB if confirmed there. Cheers stormey, might throw a few quid at that. |
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Didnt realise he was as short as 7/1 and 6/1 already.... makes the 5's look a great bet.
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looks like others thought same as theyve just cut it to 9/2.
it was 5/1 a couple of hours ago |