Preview Night

Lucky enough to be at a preview night at the Hatton Arms pub in Cheshire last night. Henderson and Llewelyn were the notable guests. Have scribbled down some notes below for interest. Apologies for typos, grammar etc but don't have the time to write it out nicely :-)

NH had been at the Cheltenham Weights Lunch earlier that day.

For the Supreme, Mullins says Douvan is the best horse he's ever
bought to the Festival, NH quite likes Jollyallan who hasn't had his
ground yet and AP will ride.CL liked Qewy.

Arkle - UDS's to lose. They'll go a breakneck speed. Barry Geraghty
says he's impossible to hold back, so Ruby will probably have to just
let him bowl along. BG thinks Josses Hill has a chance but jumping
must improve. Perhaps it will going at a greater pace. Henderson likes
the horse but conceded UDS will be hard to beat.

Champion Hurdle - CL said TNO was shook up after the Haydock win on
really resting ground and he jumped badly right that day. Has taken a
while to get him back right. He wouldn't rule out Jezki back on good
ground and also likes Arctic Fire each way at the prices.

NH will only run Vaniteux and he wouldn't put you off an each way bet.
Was amazed, almost insulted at the 40/1!

Mares - Suspects there have been some issues with Annie Power and runs
Polly Peacham who he's hopeful will run well.

Think there was a word for Golden Hoof(?) in the last on day one.

QM - SS is "now beatable" - if he runs to 90% of his old form he'll
win. Respects SDG and CF, but would be disappointed if they couldn't
beat Dodging Bullets

Neptune - NH thinks he'll drop Vyto Du Roque back in trip to run in
this instead of the Albert Bartlett.

RSA - Coneygree would squash them in the RSA, but CL reckons he'll go
to Gold Cup as Sarah Bradstock was leaning towards that at the lunch
and 'she wears the trousers'. Jockey Nico De Boinville would rather
see him in the RSA. Nicky said he'd never skip a novice race and go
for the Gold Cup. He won't get an uncontested lead in the Gold Cup. CL
liked Young Master

Bumper - Has 007 and OK Coral entered but doesn't like the race,
thinks it's too hard on young horses. CL said Moon racer and Super
Supersundae were both 'machines'

Coral Cup - top weight Volnay De Thaix is a very good horse and
Whisper won carrying top weight last year.

World Hurdle - Wasn't sure about Whisper who hasn't sparked but it
could just be beginning to happen so perhaps he'll leave it to
Aintree. Blue Fashion will run though. NH reckons ROR is as good a
yardstick as you've got in the race and suspects AP will ride. CL
liked Lt Colonel from Ireland.

Pertemps - Dawalan will definitely run. Bit quirky but extra distance
helps and has to have good ground. Aso had a word for Edeymi being
well handicapped in the race based on last performance against
Dawalan.

Ryanair: Ma Fieulle the 'best mare in chasing at the moment', very hopeful.

Wants to run Ericht in the plate.

As an aside he said that Barry Geraghty is locked in to stay with him
and won't be replacing AP as retained McManus jock.

Triumph - 'Lucky with his 4yos and all three will run'. Doesn't run
them together at home but thinks they all have a good chance. Peace
and Co the obvious standout but he was impressed with Beltor last
weekend. 'Wouldn't know what order they finish in'. CL likes Hargam
and AP will ride.

Gold Cup - Bobs Worth loves Cheltenham but needs good ground. CL likes
Foxrock if he gets supplemented whilst BG is said to be very keen on
Djakadam.

Tanks For That and French Opera will both run in the Grand Annual.

Big vibe for Quick Jack in the Martin Pipe but he might not get in.
Full Shift of JP's will run.

Albert Bartlett - Out Sam his pick, Karachi Apache will run, 'about as
slow a horse I've ever seen' according to Henderson!