Ballygar

Johnny Burke (JB), Paul Carberry (PC), Gavin Lynch (GL), Johnny Ward (JW), Kevin Blake (KB), Sean Boyce (SB), Graham Rossiter (GR) of Starsports

Supreme.
KB. Douvan is going to be very short for a horse that has been training quite light. Apparently they struggle to keep condition on him. Rick concerned that he has been on the go a long time. Fan of the horse but wont back him at 7/4. Having said all that, Willie sees no flaws in the horse.
JW - Willie says its "as nice a horse as we have ever sent to Cheltenham". A lovely big horse that settles very well. Hurricane Fly's lass says this is as nice a horse as the Fly. An Arkle winner next year
PC - The fav is very good, a big scopey horse, but wondering if this is a bit quick for him this year? Horses this size normally take a good year to grow up and settle into the job properly.
GL - Willies team are very bullish, but worries that he has not won left handed yet
JB - We tried to take on Douvan at Gowran - he is exceptional. Sizing John was much better at Leop (ran a bit dead at Gowran) though and has a sporting chance. Looking forward to the rematch.
SB -Points out that this is not a great race for favourites over the years.
GR - Hendersons like L'Ami Serge a lot, and expect improvement on better ground.

Arkle.
JB. Un De Sceaux is a freak. He has vever went so fast in a chase as he dis against him last time. Can't be beaten.
PC. UDS is a machine - took him on with Foildubh, but had to stop him to a trot to get some air. Made Clarcam look like a handicapper - only a fall will stop him.
KB. Willie is not worried about the ground at all - this is "bar a fall" stuff.
GL. This will be the most exciting 4 mins you will have in 2015 (speak for yourself...SB). Didn't run last year to give the Fly a chance. Most exciting jumper since Carvills Hill. You can keep your Frankels and the rest - this is racing. Everyone else riding theirs for 2nd.
JW. Smashing is a really good EW bet at about 33/1. Josses Hill is a horrible jumper
GR. Court Minstrel travels well and could finish 2nd or 3rd

Champion Hurdle.
KB. Faughen is a stupid price. You can pick holes in his form all day long. He has never been properly tested and is not a slick jumper. Jessie was delighted last year that AP was required elsewhere and Barry could ride Jezki. Jezki is rock solid EW, not at all worried about the prep. Plinth made an arse of the front running last time.
JW. I was offered a leg in Faugheen one night at the dogs (locally bred in Galway). All the family were duds, and this is the beauty of NH racing. will be 7/4 on the Tuesday.
PC. Faugheen is hard to oppose. Artic Fire has a squeek and may be 2nd. AP set it up for the Fly last twice on Jezki.
GL. Faugheen is 8/8 and was brilliant at Leop last year. Dan Skelton saddled him at Ascot and reckoned he was the fattest horse he ever saddled. Ruby was embarrassed by his size at Kempton. The New One only beat Diakali about a neck at Aintree, and he is kept away from the good horses at Willies in case they pick up "a dose of the slows". Faugheen wins 6L. Artic Fire the EW bet as both the ground and the track will suit.
Mares.
PC. Annie looks a fair machine, will be very hard to beat if she runs here.
JW. AP was wearing a hood in her work last time at Willies. She is not quite straightforward but is vastly superior to Quevaga! She is buzzy at home so wait until the day to make sure she is in one piece.
KB. Annie is an absolute good thing. She is easier to train that Quevega, she never actually got injured but was rested as the felt there was one coming on. Put in all your doubles, trebles etc.
GL. AP is working very well and will be 4/5 on the day. Se has a stone in hand on ratings. Glens Melody w/o is the bet at 7/4 off Skybet, except they won't take a fiver off ya!

Best Bets and other Day 1 stuff...
KB. Jezki EW
JW. Douvan is the best bet. Very Wood or Wounded Warrior in the 4miler, whichever goes there.
PC. Wounded Warrior in the RSA, Very Wood in the 4 miler. Actually both should run in the 4miler rather than take on Don Poli. UDS will win also.
GL. Faugheen. the Young Master in the 4miler if he runs. Only has Meades horses to beat and going left handed will suit
JB. Smashing EW
GR. Generous Ransom in the Novice Chase. Is ahead of the handicapper

Neptune.
JW. Nichols Canyon has a horrible leg action but loved what he did at Leops last time. Outlander may be better value though.
KB. NC looks like he is doing the breaststroke, the action is a big worry on good ground. However, he has won two G1s and settled much better last time. Willie says he won't front run at Chelt and should stay. Tell us More is working much better inn the last week also.
GL. Willie has won this 3 times in the last 7 years, yet NC has a low profile for some reason. This is probably because he is not a flash work horse, but he is honest and will stay. Only 3 count in this - Outlander, NC and Windsor Park (not off a yard last time). Reckons that NC would bite you if you tried to pass him.
SB. Prefers Outlander to NC
PC. Impressed with NC last time, but when he asked Ruby about him and compared him a bit to the Fly, Ruby said "he's no Hurricane Fly".
GR. Not a fan of NC on good ground. John Gosden kept him to soft ground for a reason.
JB. An Outlander fan. Windsor Park has not tried this year though. Mentioned Beast of Burden but PC said he choked when he rode him in a bumper so unless he got his wind done...

RSA.
SB. Coneygree looks like going to the Gold Cup
GL. Would love to back Don Poli for next years Gold Cup - fine big 3m chaser. Worried he has only ran over fences twice though. Should win and could be only 7/4 on the day. Kings Palace has been in more small fields than a farmer in Clare and is not a good enough jumper for Cheltenham. Should be a million.
GR. Big Don Poli fan, a great run as a 5yo last year.
PC. Kings Palace will really struggle to get past DP. Apache Stronghold didn't get home against DP.
JW. Ruby said after Gowran he should run in the 4miler. If he runs here though 7/2 is a massive price, he is flawless. A lump on job. (Note: JW is enjoying his Guinness by this stage.)
JB. The only competition here to DP is Coneygree if he rund, a joy to watch. Would love to ride him over a fence.

Champion Chase.
JB. Barry thinks SS is bombing it again. Just got tired last time and not knocked about.
PC. Not really impressed with SS last time. Middle part of the race good but not the start or end. Can't have a horse that burst for a CChase.
GL. SS has had more heart palpatations than JW on a saturday night in Coppers - not going to do it. Was all over Champagne Fever but gone off him in favour of Sire De Grugy. Still getting over last years Arkle. A bad Tingle Creek so not keen on Dodging Bullets.
KB. Didn't like SS last time - Barry was afraid to put him under any pressure. A big hole in him now. 3 races quickly might catch up on SDG. CF a solid EW bet.
Day 2 best bets...
GR. 7/2 Don Poli an incredible bet
JB. Coneygree if he runs
PC. Outlander in the Neptune
GL. Nichols Canyon. Zarin in the Fred Winter off 133. 3rd to Peace and Co. Hostile Fire in the same race - not overly tried yet
JW. Don Poli is the bet of the week
KB. Don Poli
SB. All Yours in the Fred Winter if he runs

JLT.
PC. Rides out Apache Stronghold every day. Hard to beat if at his best on the day. the hill will help him. Works with Road to Riches. All Noels horse are in good health and great form.
KB. Vautour is one of the hype horses of the week. Dosen't like the way he jumps. Big fan of AS.
JW. Vautour was flawless at Navan, but jumped terrible the next time. Willie is sure he can jump better. Has lost his "wow" for Vautour.
GL. Will only bet in running depending how Vautour and Apache Stronghold settle early on.
GR. They are not seeing any money for Vautour yet. Between AS and Valseur Lido
JB. Vautour only ok the last day. Also between AS and Valseur Lido

Ryanair.
GR. All of Johns Sprit's wins have been on the old course, and he is 0/3 on the new course
KB. Don Cossack is a funny horse, a big massive scopey horse and has finally started to finish his races well. Does nothing in front though so the pace of the race should help.
JW. Saw DC up the north, a tank of a horse. Very taken by him. 7/2 is skimpy enough though, could be 5s on the day.
GL. Likes Ballynagour EW. Easiest winner at Cheltenham last year, travels great. Needs a big break between races though. If Tom Scu can stay on board he is a decent ew bet.
SB. Points out that Ireland are 0/10 in this race. Massive fan of MA Filleule, who comes alive in the spring
GR. Getting 6lb makes MF a cert in his eyes
JB. DC has finally got his act together. Certain he would have beaten Champagne Fever last time. Balder Success a good EW bet though.

Stayers Hurdle.
SB. Remember this is being run on a different course now!
GL. Not having a bet, could pick 5 and get it wrong. Annie Power should run here and she would win it.
KB. Have a swing at a big price on Jetson at about 20/1 (cue slagging from JW about coming all the way to Ballygar and giving the working punters Jetson. Jetson is a rat of a horse!)
JW. Likes Monksland EW. jumped very well in the Galmoy, and the rest are much of a muchness.
PC. Monksland has been a nightmare to keep sound, has legs like glass. Worked well at Fairyhouse last week. Hates sticky ground. Has a real good chance. Let slip that Rich Coast worked well with Monksland and Road to Riches and he rode him in the work. Runs in the County.
JB. Rode work upsides Lieutenant Colonel about 10 days ago and he is in very good form.
SB. Saphir Du Rheu wins this. Zarkandar a doubtful stayer.

Day 3 Naps..
KB. Jetson EW
JW. Apache Stronghold
GL. Edeymi and Light Duties in the Pertemps
PC. Que Card in the Ryanair. Loves AS but won't tip him
JB. Lieutenant Colonel based on his work.
GR. MA Filleule, almost unfair that she gets 6lb.
GB. Saphir Du Rheu in the stayers.

Triumph.
GR. Peace and Co is rock solid. Very strong vibes from Nicky. They think its a machine. Hargam will travel as well as anything so maybe back to lay on Betfair.
GL. You can't win the Triumph on the bridle, and Willies horses are all stayers. Kalkir has not been right to date, and is interesting at the price. This is 2m1 up a steep hill. You need to stay.
KB. Not a fan of PandC, too freegoing to win a Triumph. Dicosimo a real big chasing type so this won't suit.
JW. PandC as the Irish lot aren't very good. He will be swinging coming into the straight and there is no faulting his attitude. Beltor is a good honest hurdler and will give you an EW run for your money.
PC. You need to stay 1m4 to 1m6 on the flat to win a Triumph - stayers win this race. No need for a bet here.
JB. Golden Doyen EW at a big price.

Albert Bartlett.
JW. Black Hercules was the hype horse in last years bumper but didn't do the business. No More Heroes is a nice bet for this race - the apple of Gordon Elliots eye.
GR. Value At Risk has a definite chance, the horses only entry and he gallops all day.
GL. BH will take a lot of beating, lots of talk about him in Willies.
JB. VAR is a great bet at 10s
KB. No More Heros - things went wrong at Leop and he scoped very badly afterwards (4/5). They think he is a Gold Cup horse.
PC. NMH schooled at punch recently and they told him his bottle had gone jumping wise. Windsor Park schooled the same session and he won it on Waxies Dargle!

Gold Cup.
GL. This was a poor race last year, and it seems winning a handicap gives you a good chance this year too. Silviniaco Conti is 0/3 at Chelt. Djakadam worth a small EW bet.
JB. There are no negatives about Road To Riches. Lord Windemere was gifted the Gold Cup last year.
PC. Last year was the slowest Gold Cup he has ever ridden in.
KB. Very wide open, and better than last year. Happy to take on SC - he was wobbling like JW after 4 Bacardi Breezers up the hill last year - won't get home. Djakadam may have the X Factor the rest don't have. Fat as a pig in the Hennesy, and won at Gowran when not fit either off top weight. Shocked if Ruby won't ride him. May fail through inexperience but price worth it.
PC. R2R won the Galway Palte well, and will be better going left handed. Should love the ground. No negatives against him. Had desperate ulcers for a long while but that is sorted now. Still improving.
SB. Very keen on R2R.

25e Charity Bets...
KB. Djakadam
JW. Don Poli
GL. Roi Des Francs in the Martin Pipe, only been with Willie a few months
PC. Rich Coast in the County (after some badgering earlier)
JB. Value At Risk in the AB
GR. Monksland in the Stayers
SB. Some Plan in the Supreme

no worries fella, got a few more on my pc at work.
Need to get them on here :)

Great stuff Jonthehammer12

I went to the Aintree one tonight. I did a full on write up last year, but I'm not going to do that this year. I daresay someone else will but the panel was

Charlie Longsdon
Ben Pauling
John Parrott
Andy Holding (speed)
John Morris
compered by Darren Owen

I'm not going to go into who fanccied what for each race but if anyone wants to know a particular horse or race and I've got it I'll let you know. the things that came over loud and strong are what I'll put up.

Pauling thinks Ferguson is training his horses as proper jumps horses now instead of flat animals and thinks he could have a blinder of a week. Mentioned this with regards to Qewy but thinks he could outrun his perceived chances. Most of the panel hate Josses Hill in the Arkle and think it shouldn't be going there. Panel were split for the Champion between TNO, Jezki & Faugheen but Pauling says O'Grady wouldn't be shouting about Kitten Rock if it was a mug.

Panel liked Parlour Games for the Neptune, strongly. Longsdon & Holding very keen. Beast of Burden an each way shout. For the RSA Holding could not have been more positive about Don Poli. By the speed figures alone it wins by miles. Banker of the week. If Coneygree runs - good - it only sets it up for Don Poli. Panel looking forward to the QMCC but no-one and strong feelings. A watch but don't bet race but all fairly dismissive of Dodging Bullets and Mr Mole.

Morris' NAP of the week is Don Cossack in the Ryanair. Beneficcient and Radjhani Express got positive each way shouts although as the latter was by me don't back that. The World Hurdle was weird: Longsdon & Parrott both talked up Whisper. Pauling said Hendo was "banging on about" Blue Fashion and (rightly?) asked "Why?" if Whisper is all that? Holding says you could do worse than back Monksland an/or Jetson ew.

My notes get less thorough as we get towards Friday for some reason, but the most emphatic I heard anyone all night was Pauling's empassioned case for Coneygree in the Gold Cup. Longsden, Parrot and Morris all fancy Holywell, which should be enough to get that one beat. The panel didn't add a lotto the Triumph or Potato races.

Longsdon reckons Pendra must have a chance in the festival chase. That's about it. We legged it for our train before the charity bets but as Parrot has napped Quevega every year I'm fairly sure his would have been Annie Power. In some of the races where I hadn't looked at them or made my mind up it probably helped. I am definitely more likely to back Coneygree than before for the big one, and as I had haven't got involved in the Neptune yet I will have a proper look at Parlour Games after the panel's endorsement.

Good laugh & wets the appetite. And I won £30 Laddies vouchers in the raffle.

MC, did Longsdon mention anything other than Pendra for handicaps? Quite interested in Kilalla Quay

Thought you mentioned the Novices Handicap on the other thread mate?

...misread the question (too early!)

Heading to the star sports preview tonight, looking forward to it

@bonnie the one in the london holiday inn over in kensington it think. Opened up a SS account today they kindly gave me £500 on Annie Power at 4/5 NRNB which i thought was v fair. If your going to the london one im dragging the gf along il be in a purple shirt and tie if you wana say hi. The panel looked fairly good!

Willie not one to hype a horse and he finished his media day by saying Douvan is a machine - Rob

lol not a purple tie that would be pretty toxic

Many thanks to all those that have gone to effort of typing up notes. Much appreciated 

did she like the snooker table you booked for valentines,

1st time poster • March 3, 2015 6:22 PM GMT
did she like the snooker table you booked for valentines, Wink

Notes from last night, this covers the first two days and main races of those days of the meeting. There was a fair bit of chat about horses which were ruled out of Cheltenham that day (Roi Du Mee as an example) which was a shame and not a great deal on the some of the other races.

Champion Hurdle
LH - disappointing performance last time out from Jezki, arguments could be made that he had improved on the first two starts vs HF but last time poor. Can't find a flaw in Faugheen although the price has gone.

Fair bit of discussion on the TNO, feeling was that the fall of OC didn't help lost about 4L but had made the ground up by the top of the hill and then got outpaced again. Panel were fairly keen on Faugheen on the back of Kempton form.

Supreme
PS made the point that Douvan has improved dramatically on his form in France as had Lami Surge, obviously different training conditions etc and difficult to draw parallels, always difficult to handicap French 5 year olds as they could improve a lot rated Douvan 151 and 154 on the last two runs although would still need to improve to win the last 5 supremes with an OR of 155 required. Not much discussion of the other runners. Qewy was mentioned as one with a lot of potential

Arkle
General feeling that can't back UDS @ the prices but clearly the most likely winner and everyone seemed to agree he was clearly a standout horse in the race. PS suggested the previous run would have won all of the last 6 arkles bar one (the SS one) Racing post ratings, all of the last 20 Arkles, bar Sprinters. 

Suggestion that should wait for the prices to settle now, might be interesting to see the without UDS market and think about the running of the race pace etc, might be an angle that if VV were to go with UDS and be burned off that might open up other horses to place (potential for Clarcam to pick up the pieces)

Star sports bookmaker thought had to take UDS on at the prices in a Novice chase given his run style, no one particularly impressed with Josses hill and only Three Kingdoms put up as an outsider.

Mares
Annie Power doesn't have as much in hand on ORs as previous mares hurdle races and shouldn't be thought of as the next Quevega. Length of abscence seen as being a concern. Polly Peachum given a positive mention last run @ Kempton best ignored, too short for Bitofapuzzel and Carole's spirit both horses need 3m. Star sports happy to lay her for the race and were top priced 4/5 throughout the night.

Champion Chase
Difficult to know where in the scale of OR SS might end up, PS thought acceptable comeback run, others not sure. LH raised the possibility that the shoes for SDG might be an issue as he has a problem when being shoed. Blacksmith expected to go with him to Cheltenham in case of any issues but LH raised this as a potential negative. DB course form not good enough and would still need to improve to win a typical CC. Panel if Mr Mole wins would need to be one of the worst CCs in recent times. Supposedly SS is working well on the gallops. Most saw it as between the first four in the market although concern that Champagne may be re-directed to the Ryanair given the number of non-runners i.e. cue card, dynaste etc.

RSA
Was noted as a really strong trends race, the panel seemed to like the chances of Don Poli who was thought of as the best horse in the race, many thought that Conygree could well be sent to the GC although PS thought this was a crazy idea. Looked like it would be a contested pace, LH believed this was a negative for Kings Palace whose jumping is likely to come under pressure. Young Master form was agreed to stack up, strong handicap form better value than small field novice form according to PS.

Do you have any other notes on Mark Dwyer's opinions ashleigh? Great bloke and always worth listening to.

I never made it in the end ash was there many there?

Hes appearing in Cafe en seine in Dublin cc tonight, free entry, updates on betquack twitter feed

Does anyone know when the Betfair preview is on? Or if I missed it would anyone have a link?

geraghty had a £100 e/w double on Jezki and MOT for his charity bet at one preview last year

almera

they never had one this year.