ponte alexndre

Last I heard on a podcast featuring Patrick Mullins was that the RSA is the intended target. However, Patrick did mention PA wouldn't be seen until late December as they were a bit behind schedule.

I feel like the recent issues with Simonsig and Sprinter Sacre really highlight the danger in punting these highly promising horses to come back from injury...14s would be short enough imo, particularly if he's behind schedule.

due to appear around Christmas according to stable tour on 3/11/14.

Joist is spot on, horses that miss a season or chunk of one with an injury never come back as good. I'm struggling to think of any recent big race Festival winner who missed a season with injury. Solwhit maybe. Inglis Drever I think missed the 2006 season and came back. It's rare though.

The same stable's Felix Yonger a good example last season. Al Ferof for Paul Nicholls another that springs to mind. It's probably a debate anyway whether these horses would've reached the top were it not for injury too. But regarding horses coming back from season-ending injuries, I always tend to avoid them.

Did Santa steal Pont Alexandre as a replacement for Rudolph? Seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth.

i thought i read he was supposed to be back in feb?

That's news to me. The last I heard was that he was gonna be out around Christmas but that was some time ago and haven't been paying much attention since.

55's for the RSA on here probably says it all.

Surely won't go near Cheltenham this season, if he does run in Feb, they'll aim at Fairyhouse and then Punchestown with him.

RSA no chance now. National Hunt, here he comes.

or world hurdle???

Wouldn't give him any chance in that either Tim.

Mullins never reverses from fences to hurdles in the same season. Plus he coulnd't beat RDF, what are the chances he'll be anywhere good enough for the WH. I think the 4 mile race is the way to go now.

^^^^ vroum. I still think PA will go for the RSA. Better ground and all the rest of it.

Not sure he wants better ground though Graeme!

PA travelled well through the race, it's simply a case of a horse finding little off the bridle.....don't think it is necessarily a stamina thing, perhaps the 4 miler will actually be his race where he'll simply outclass the field and be able to win it on the bridal????

Is Pont actually that good?
Must admit never thought he was that good a horse to be honest.

@Graeme83 yep got them mixed, never changes from hurdles to fences in same season.

Backed her for the RSA and was disappointed with that and can't see her winning if she even runs! The cow bust my treble today with letsgotovegas and edwulf for good measure!

Cant catch - I think he would be better on a sounder surface. Whether he's better right handed is also a question. I think he will still run in the rsa, and if he switched races it would be jlt and 4 miler.

* and not 4 miler

But didn't they say they were unsure about the better ground when he disappointed at Chelts?

Not sure. Owner and trainer are optimists. They will be thinking he can produce on the day if they 'change one or two things'. He's a big price. Don't write him off completely.

Never wrote him in in the first place personally.
Have to admit,I am confused.
Can someone tell me why this horse seems to be rated so highly by some? Is it another of these .............connections told us so,cos I cannot find any class form.

It is still a good horse (so is RDF) but not a super one as connections had hoped; in my opinion the Cheltenham Festival could be too early after a'break' of over two years, but Aintree is a probability if recent quick assertions had not taken their toll. It is also very rare that a horse after an injury 'break' eg Sprinter Sacre, recovers its previous lofty ratings.

Without doubt he had the potential to go to the very top if he hadn't got injured, but it will always be a tough ask after 2.5 years off. Recent ones like Last Instalment and Weapons Amnesty spring to mind, and I'd put Pont in that category of unfulfilled potential.

He was a good hurdler, who probably should have been in the Albert Bartlett looking back, but he always looked like he'd be a really good chaser.

I personally think he is being written off a bit quickly. That was his 6th race of his life and second over fences! I think there is more to come and Willie thinks he'll improve a lot. Considering Mullins can do no wrong at the moment, you'd have to take him at his word.

Agree Impossible.

Disert this horse at your peril its a good one and done nothing this year to suggest he will not be a force in the staying novice arena this year

RSA CHASE
PONT ALEXANDRE – Looked good when making a winning comeback after two years off the track at Punchestown recently and this former Grade 1 winner over hurdles is likely to end up the stable’s number one choice for this contest with a trouble-free passage to the festival.

Dragon. That is outdated now as it was put up before his last run.