Cheltenham Festival
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08 Jan 12
17:16
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Date Joined:
10 Nov 07
I have to say I was quite taken by the horse...getting 3lbs he won easy and for a horse who didn't jump with any real fluency at all, he must have some engine...he can go on to better things, if the tail swishing which was apparent on the run in isn't a sign of things to come, in regards temperament...time will tell us on that front, but has to be rated to be pretty decent and 16-1 is a nice price for the neptune considering better ground is bound to suit him much better...the horses in behind had useful form and if the jumping improves which it might given better ground he can go on to better things...he isn't flashy but he certainly looks a nice prospect...
Anyone else like him?
Anyone else like him?
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Replies: 16
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Was quite impressed, other than the tail swishing. 25s with PP for Neptune looks reasonable given trainer has stated this is the aim.
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I was quite taken by how he travelled and how easily he went past the field, though the tail flashing would be a slight worry as would trying to assess the quality of what he beat, plus as is often the case with Irish novices they need some cut and Monksland doesn't appear to have an action that suggests he;ll be better on a sound surface.
I'm not convinced it'll be a vintage Neptune this year, Fingal Bay is the obvious favourite but he made hard work of getting past a very ordinary horse LTO. Neptune would be his likely target I guess... |
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The Noel Meade trained Monksland justified 4/6 favouritism to win the opening Kells Maiden Hurdle at Navan today.
Jockey Paul Carberry held the son of Beneficial up in mid-division and although the pair came under pressure in fifth at the second last, stayed on well in the closing stages for a length win over Bombadero. Afterwards Meade stated “Paul said Monksfield was really struggling on that ground but said he always felt the he’d win. “He’ll be much better suited by better ground and actually did well to win as he’s been held up with a bruise in his foot after he ran in the North. He is obviously a very clear-winded horse and could go further, but better ground is really the main thing with him.” |
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Winning trainer Noel Meade said afterwards: "That went exactly to plan. I thought he'd win to be honest as he is very good.
"He was involved in a serious piece of work at Fairyhouse where he finished second to Bog Warrior  and I think he had a bit up his sleeve."He has done everything right since and jumps well. He is good enough for Cheltenham and he will go there for the two and a half mile hurdle (Neptune Investment Novices' Hurdle). "I'm not sure whether he will run before that as he is easy to get fit. "He worked well on Tuesday morning on soft ground and showed plenty of boot today and should handle better ground. "He had earplugs in as he used to be very nervous but he has relaxed and never turned a hair today." |
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I backed it straight after the race today for the Neptune; was very taken with how it travelled and how easily it drew clear despite jumping lacking fluency, none more so than at the last. Meade seems confident that he'll be better on a sound surface, and though his wins have all come on soft ground, his ptp was on g to f, when by the comments it seems he was coming to win his race when running out at the last (3m). Looks a lovely type to me, and in a race where I'm keen to take on the fav, think he can go v v close.
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No chance at Cheltenham on quickish ground.
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Fair enough Catch me - the horse looks to have a heavy action to me, the action of a soft ground stayer, if he is to go on good ground I'd expect him to be effective over much further only.
Of course I could easily be wrong, judging a horse on one appearance you don't always get the right answer... |
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Will be interesting to see what else lines up as I was quite taken with him today. As much as I respect Fingal Bay, I just have the feeling he is vulnerable on goodish ground to something with more speed.
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R66 Joined: 25 Jul 03
Replies: 145 08 Jan 12 21:39 No chance at Cheltenham on quickish ground. First race of the meeting with hosepipe Claisse around? |
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Forget that 1st race of second day.
I'll get my coat  |
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All the 25s and 20s gone from PP, shortened into 14s and 16s generally.
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Definitely a good shout Harry (we agree on something at last
 )- especially at 25/1 straight after the race. |
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Don't worry punkle we have the 25's but at the time of writing he was 16...
Well some interesting comments I have to question you horse 9 in regards to the action you saw on Monksland because he didn't show me to be a soft ground lover...I certainly would not of mentioned him to the lads on here if I didn't think he would be a horse who wouldn't go on better ground...For what its worth I think he is going to be a better horse for better ground...he is a very athletic horse and I would see no reason why he wouldn't act on better ground...at the end of the day I'm afraid it is the same problem punters face every year in regards to the Irish novices who run on bad ground all winter then come to the festival...any horse that wins on soft doesn't mind soft thats obvious, it is the ones that can show they can handle better ground come the day and that is the conundrum we all face...but like I say he is worthy of a small poke in a race where I have been angling for a while... I agree with you in regards he will want further in time but he doesn't seem to lack pace and loomed up without carberry showing him the office... I am the biggest critic in terms of the form book there ever was and would say the 140 horses that finished in the money gave the form a decent look to it and he quickened away nicely...the main concern is the tail swishing and he also ran out in his point so obviously he has his quirks... Neol Meade certainly hasn't got the best Cheltenham record for such a top trainer that is for sure but he seems to be training this horse like a good horse and is giving him every chance to fulfill his potential judging by the way he is mapping his preparation for the race...I think he maybe going straight there as meade is keen not to overface him, which I also like...time will tell, but here's hoping he can prove to be worthy of taking his chance...the ground and temperament issues we will know after that... but he is a nice long shot..and an unbeaten one. |
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You may be right Harry, perhaps I'm comparing him/his stride against the field and haven't considered him on his merits. Good luck with it - come March I may well follow you !
Irish form is always a head scratcher and for a couple of years I've heard people sounding the death knell, then they're reminded that the Irish had 13 winners at last years festival including a Champion Hurdle, Arkle and Champion Chase, so I wouldn't describe the game as being in crisis over there... |
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Been looking for something at a price to take Fingal Bay on with, this could be the one especially as it seems there won't be multiple entries
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lyreen legend didn't do the form any harm there
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