Poquelin

Not up to this, never has been never will be.

Not been suited by slow pace last 2 years, his record in fast run races round Cheltenham is outstanding and the likes of Little Josh and Great Endeavour will set it up for him to run a huge race.  Fantastic value each way.

Thanks for your considered opinion thieves.

Would you be concerned about Nicholls' week thus far?

You don't give much chance to the double title holder Alberta's, but this plug is fantastic value?

I have backed it everytime it runs

It has a bit to find, but if a few run below par then it wont be a surprise, will it.

Give a big chance to an 11yo coming back from layoff due to injury who has has had race run to suit on the past but won't have this time?  Erm no.  Poquelin's record in fast run races round Cheltenham is superb.  His RPR last time of 172 equals his best ever and makes him RPR joint top for the race.  Also he has come here off 96 day breaks the last 2 years, stats show that breaks of over 84 days before Grade 1 races here are too much.  This time he comes off a break of just 47 days.

He's up against some progressive horse's,and would need a career best imo

glossy - nicholls horses seem mostly to be running ok?  Al Ferof ran well until his mistake, Zarkandar, Prospect Wells ran well, Rock on Ruby certainly ran well enough? Join Together had a difficult task off such a long break and his form looks less good now than at the time having beaten a mixture of slow staying horses and poor jumpers.

jasey - the progressive horses have to improve past him, can they?

Yes triple festival winner Alberta's has had it all go his own way up to now ffs

Poor unlucky Poquelin, I feel really sorry for him now.

Theives i think they can,previous festival winners are always dangerous to oppose.

theives - I suppose when you put it like that, he's had a reasonable enough festival (Rock on Ruby aside). It's just everything that I've backed of his (ROR aside again), has been disappointing.

Stuck Poq in an e/w lucky 15 anyway. Will be more than happy with a place but he's clearly up against it in a strong field, hence the price I guess!

20s does look big I agree. But I think this rests between Somersby, Medermit and Captain Chris. Somersbys win over Finians Rainbow now looks better than it was - and he has looked a better horse this year IMO.

I'm not too concerned on the stables form.  They won the champ hurdle and apart from that they have not had any really fancied runners.  Al Ferof hit a fence and his chance was gone after that.

Poquelin has a squeak if he runs to his best, but I think there will be at least 3 or 4 too good.