After Nichols Canyon won the other week, Wylie said they were trying to find a race for BH and Shaneshill as they were ready to run, but if they couldn't find one, they'll head straight to Cheltenham.

I wonder if shaneshill could A: Run in the supreme and B: Be the dark one that gets quietly gambled on in the days before? Just remembering the champagne fever gamble lol.

Shaneshill will definitely improve for the better ground. Hard to be sure where he'll run though .... probably avoid Nichols Canyon but then where will he run?

My own opinion is both would be best suited to two miles but the fact they have the same connections along with the trainer having a multitude of options means they will be kept apart.

Wish I'd heard the comments Gaz, but would seem odd to go from 2m to 3m then go in between come the festival when the horse appeared a genuine stayer.  Just checked Curtis has 10 entered for this however only BoB lucks to have any chance. Carnigli may be ok in time.  She has 5 entered for the Neptune and again only the 2 mentioned have a squeak.

Time will tell but odds on here look more likely the AB or at least I hope so.

Cheers Gaz. Not long before we find out for certain. My pocket wants AB.  A nice prospect whatever they decide.

Surprised not more talk on this thread re Definitly Red. Thought his last time out win over Fletchers Flyer was seriously impressive
Was a tad novicey at a few and in my view will come on for that run. He would have finished a lot closer to Black Hercules in last year's bumper if he
hadn't been significantly eased inside the last. 3 miles will be the making of him and I reckon his last piece of form is being underrated,and for me is the best
of the Brits. Any cut and he's a huge player IMO.

On at 25's as well. PP lowest at 12-1. Does seem a massive price.

Yeah, Windsor Park pricewised today for the Neptune.  Took the 10's NRNB for that, to go with the 25's for the AB.  I was hoping Tom wouldn't pick him, in case he drifted for the Neptune, but still happy with 10's.

I think he is a serious horse, and fancy him to place at the very least in which ever race he goes for.  If he goes for the Neptune, I think he'll reverse the form with Nichols Canyon - he was making headway after the last, and the Neptune distance will suit him more than Nichols Canyon imo.

With that though, I think he'd also have a massive chance in the Albert Bartlett.  With Black Hercules not being seen for ages, No More Heroes wanting soft ground, Value at Risk stamina doubts and Blaklion getting beat last time, Windsor Park would have a great chance (even though he too may have stamina doubts), even better when 25/1!

I really like Blaklion, but if Windsor Park lined up in this, I'd fancy him to win it (although I admit that the Deloitte to Albert Bartlett isn't the most natural route).

I do think Windsor will end up in the Neptune to be fair.  He's ran over 2.5m, but if Weld thought he was a stayer, it was a strange decision to drop him down to the Deloitte.

It was a strange ride both him and Silver Concorde were given in the Deloitte; never of them really ever put into the race.

Yeah, Weld hasn't the best record (no hurdle wins I think), but he's had some decent places - Unnaccompanied and Hisaabaat placed in Triumphs, and Rite of Passage in the Neptune.  His most recent fancy was Galileo's Choice but he should never have gone off fav for the Supreme.

Even more fingers burnt in the Bumper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk4Wwx0WDtw

3mins 16s - I was in the stands: "....and here comes Rite of Passage and he's travelling well" (Cue a massive roar from the crowd).."but not as well as Dunguib!" (Cue an even bigger roar from his fans).

Fantastic commentary.  I loved the way he built Rite of Passage's fans hopes up, only to crush them one second later

The horses in DUNGUIBS bumper on dec 14th , 3 months before the festy  -- boosted the form no end - a spectacularly strong contest

You are right DECALEC - 1990. 25/1 poke and the ground was rattling quick.

Just think a strongly run Neptune would be more up his street to be honest mate.  Last time at trials day it was a bit of a stop start race, and he travelled and jumped really well, but didn't have the speed to go with them at the end.

However, I think in a Neptune with a good strong gallop, it will play into his strengths where he can use his jumping at pace as an asset.  I don't automatically think a step up to 3m is necessarily what he wants, although I do think I'm in the minority!

He was coming back at at them after being headed, but one of the ones he went past was Vago Collonges, who I thought didn't stay and was dropped back to 2m after, so that might over emphasize VAR's staying ability imo.

I get that Windsor Park is untested at the trip, and he's likely to go to the Neptune anyway, but Windsor is twice the price so worth the risk to find out.

Black Hercules 10-1
Martello Tower 16-1
Thomas Brown 16-1

All in the book. Anyone else on any of these?

On two of those Collector,like Bigben really like Martello Tower, big price imo still.

Don't like the lack of a prep run for Black Hercules. Can see Martello Tower running a big race but don't know if that will be enough

He stated 2 days ago Vyto goes AB, no runners in Neptune

Out Sam was one of my quick nip down to the bookies have a bet on him for the Neptune after his last time out win. Was also the quickest loser this year too! Backed him for AB soon after hearing that news at 16s so in theory got 12s (same stake as neptune) though i don't like him in that half as much as i would have done in the neptune.

"Beast Of Burden is in good form will go for either the Neptune or the Albert Bartlett, probably the Neptune," said Rebecca Curtis.

"Carningli will probably run in the Albert Bartlett and Foryourinformation will probably run in that race as well.

that's good news for me