Rule The World

Looking forward to seeing this one today, up against a good one. He's been running well for me, on ground he's not supposed to like. Needs a good performance if he's to go to the festival.

New fav for the neptune then

You'd have to think Champagne Fever was well below his best there, still a very good performance mind. Didn't back it today but was tempted earlier when looking through the form. It has put me onto another horse Roads To Riches though who could be worth a go in the Albert Bartlett, form looks even better after this and available at 25 on here. I've no idea if the AB is the aim but he has already won over 3 miles.

If you got a price on Rule The World before today MAC then fair play to you, another good pick

No money down so not pocket talk - you'd have to think something was amiss with champagne fever as he stuffed Minsk last time and went out like a light today

Yep, Mouse Morris does tend to get a few runs in early then put them away if they're good enough. Should have a decent chance in either race, won as he pleased today and assuming Minsk has at least run up to form then that's a pretty good performance

Not a big surprise, he just stopped looked way too bad to be true. Doesn't take away from Rule The Worlds performance though as Minsk still offers a decent yardstick to measure him by

first time I've seen him though the clue is in the name! I was very impressed - he's enormous! Staying chaser in the making surely?

Was cantering all over them three out - Champagne Fever went out like a light so obviously something amiss there (respiratory tract infection apparently) but the winner was so good he would have had a job on in any event.

Champagne was clearly below his best but he would have had to go some to beat the winner today. Was very impressed and you would have to say he's a real player in the Neptune. I wouldn't fancy him in the AB looked a non stayer in his defeat.

our vinnies form got a boost today.ive backed him 17.5 for AB.da race in cork has thrown up a good few winners.it wasn't run to suit rule the world or our vinnie that day with no pace on early.i think there could be more improvement in him on better ground n a truly run race.he already has Cheltenham form and his trainer has a good record in race.he won't be the flashiest horse lining up come march but he's tough and he stays and judging from last two wins he loves a battle.all qualities needed for the AB   imo.

Is that after its run in and won the neptune

SCINTILLATING Naas scorer Rule The World is likely to head straight to the Cheltenham Festival in March should connections give a trip to Prestbury Park the green light.

The six-year-old appeared to have plenty on his plate stepping up to Grade Two level for the Slaney Novice Hurdle on Sunday, tackling two horses who had already proven their worth at the highest level in the Willie Mullins-trained Champagne Fever and Dessie Hughes' Minsk.

The former was subsequently found to be suffering from a respiratory tract infection, but there did not appear to be any excuses for Minsk, who was brushed aside by Rule The World in impressive fashion.

As a result of his weekend performance, Rule The World is prominent in ante-post lists for both the Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham, but trainer Mouse Morris is in no rush to confirm his participation in either race.

Morris said: "It was a very good performance on the day. I know there were excuses for Willie's horse, but we still beat Dessie Hughes' horse 16 lengths and he'd shown some good form.

"I don't think the ground really matters to our horse, but he might be a bit better on better ground.

"We haven't made any definite plans. I'll talk to the owners (Gigginstown House Stud) and we'll see where we are in a couple of weeks.

"I wouldn't say at this stage he'll definitely go to Cheltenham, but if he does he'll be going straight there.

"He'll probably be entered for the two-and-a-half-mile race (Neptune) and the three-miler (Albert Bartlett), so we'll see. Two and a half miles might be as far as he'd want to go round Cheltenham at the moment.

"He is still quite an immature horse and if we decide not to go to Cheltenham, there is always Fairyhouse and Punchestown at home."

Not sure what they would gain by bypassing the Festival to be honest, worst thing that can happen is that he gets beat.

Presumably he'll go novice chasing next winter and they'll want to take on one of the Festival races then so why not let him have a look at the track,surroundings, see how he copes with the travel etc.

I'm not one who thinks Festival is be all and end all and I appreciate Fairyhouse and Punchestown are big meetings in their own right but surely Cheltenham plus one of those is the way to go (probably Punchestown given proximity of Fairyhouse Easter meeting to the Festival this year).