Hunt Ball

Agree with that. I''ve never really been convinced by or rated him that much but travelled like a dream on the wrong ground over a trip too far. Very pleased he franked Menorah's form for the Ryanair.

It's the race he should go for yeah and I think he will tbh.

not even entered in the ryanair. trainer wanted to go for this race as the ideal trip but owner insisted on gold cup!

Is it too late to enter him? If not the race at Aintree where he came 3rd last year would suit.

He did me a big favour at last years festival and I've followed him closely this year.

Hasnt the owner backed him to win the gold cup ?

Don't know but he won't win it.

Just got to hope yesterday has changed their mind.

Exactly

There's a supplementary entry stage for the Ryanair on March 8.

I was going to start a similar thread myself but you beat me to it. As already stated the horse is only entered in the GC. Yesterday proved again just like Aintree last year the horse does not stay 3 miles regardless of the ground. The horse has been built up steadily all year and I really hope connections see sense and run him in the Ryanair as I for one think he will win it.

Agree with previous posters. I think Hunt Ball would have a very good chance of winning this year's Ryanair which is looking substandard with doubts surrounding the participation of previous winners Albertas Run and Riverside Theatre. On the other hand Hunt Ball will not get up the hill in the Gold Cup - whatever the ground conditions - and connections seem to have missed a trick in not declaring him for the Ryanair.

Not sure how the Ryanair's looking sub standard. One of the races of the meeting from what I can see.

If he were mine I think I'd want to try for the GC.

Can't be easy for them having to decide.

Very pleased he franked Menorah's form for the Ryanair.

huh? is that the same Menorah that's been 20+ lengths behind Cue Card in the Arkle and the Haldon Gold Cup?

Substandard race??? Cue Card, Finnians Rainbow, Champion Court, Menorah and probably either Sir Des Champs or First Lieutenant likely to line up. Shaping up to be a bit more than  sub-standard in my eyes!

Anybody can see the horse doesn't get 3 miles. Therefore only a moron would run him over a quarter mile further at championship pace and at Cheltenham. Of course I defend the owners right to be a moron but that doesn't make him any less of a moron if he forces the horse to run in a race he can't win and from which in all probability he will come back punch drunk.

interesting match bet on the spreads , hunt ball/sir des champs

eeter why are they a moron?? horse emptied yes and in all probability he won't get home but to judge him totally on that ground is harsh for me...he is a horse i like as is so fluent at his fences and looks grade 1 material...he moves like a proper good ground horse to me and bottomless ground didn't see him in a good light, he came out of the race with a lot of credit, is a long shot in the gold cup but am happy to accommodate the 9-1 the place on the day on better ground...one of the best jumpers i have seen for a long time over a fence

on good ground this horse will not disgrace himself imo...don't think he has the class to win however but is 50-1 so easy to say he can't

also must mention the trainer said he hadn't been able to work the horse with the snow... make what you will of that.

have to agree Harry mate, you alright?

hey judo am ok pal hope your well...well a poor couple of weeks for me pal... have just invested my biggest bet for a while in albert bartlett on what i think is border line certainty so have had a good drink to take away the pain of the investment and am feeling better...plus quiscover entered for the national was also pleasurable to say the least just hope we can make the trade...sweet my lord was one of the biggest penetrations for a while even though we made the trade but the pain of him not winning was hard to bare...anything you fancy for chelt?? menorah can't win the ryannair but don't think you were fancying him anyway

poor weeks even

The issue with this horse unfortunately lies with the owner who is a clown. He seems unprepared to allow the trainer to do the right thing by the horse and is running him over a trip that to most people's eyes he clearly doesn't stay. I have no vested interest in whether he runs in the GC or not but he travelled extremely well to the bottom of the hill in the argento so the Ryanair would seem the logical choice.

alright harry buddy, sounds good

I am just starting to put my thoughts together for the festival, much will depend where various Irish trained runners go so until that is sorted I'm not betting. Love Cue Card and fancy him strongly and SDC  for the Gold Cup which looks less and less competitive every time I check

will be going through everything in extreme detail from around the 20th Feb right up to the meeting, will be loads of hours, will send you the spreadsheets and analysis a la King George

And the same Menorah who won a Supremw Novece Hurdle, ran a 9 lengths 5th in a Champion Hudle and 3rd in an Arkle but, just as importantly, jumped like he was really getting his act together over fences last time. Add in his preference for decent spring ground and I'm more than happy with my 19 obtained on her thank you, Judorick.

On here, not on her.

it's got no chance of beating Cue Card

yeh hes a better jumper now it seems booster,that will make a big difference to him,and his chances of winning against horses he has been beaten by in the past certainly increase.

Agreed. I think Cue Card is the better horse but I've always thought he is more of a two-miler so the gap could be further narrowed in the Ryanair.

I've got Cue Card as a bridle horse and I don't like the jockey.

Not saying Hunt Ball will win the Ryanair just that its his best chance at the festival