Black Hercules drifting for NH Chase

I would assume uncertainty over target, as he's been shortened up with a few firms for the rsa and ruby mentioned rsa and even saying he would have the pace  for the jlt at preview night.  More of that being a possible for jlt would further enhance these claims

And paddies pushed out to 5s top price for 4 miler

Might be something to do with recent trainer comments?

Recent talk is shaneshill rsa and back hercules jlt.
Don't shoot the messenger as not my opinion

Wow, that'd some shuffle if that happened.

Topped up on Roi de Francs for the 4 miler NRNB incase Blercules goes elsewhere.

Also, to be honest, when I saw Danny Mullins was injured and ofts, I thought the chances of  Blercules being switched increased, as he would have been his ride in the 4 miler

Would probably have been Patrick's ride actually, chief. Fact is Ruby is looking for rides with chances in both the JLT and the RSA. I think scoob told us that Roi Des Francs is going RSA too, mate.

If black hercules dosent go to the 4 miler and I'm saying if.
Measure of my dreams would be a good ride imo.
Partly talking through my pocket as on at 220.0

Cheers delsie. I get confused, there are too many of them!

On the ATR interview earlier today,trainer seemed to intimate that BH style of running he may be better off in the RSA than going 4 miles.
Think he's a big threat in the RSA.

Black Hercules to miss 4m NH Chase and go to either RSA or JLT according to Mullins

From 4 miles to 2.5 or 3 miles - what an indecisive of a trainer WPM is?

Black Hercules (BH) is a stayer yet Mr Mullins mentioned the JLT as a possible target. I think WPM is taking the 'michael' with punters (not for the 1st time or last) but I sincerely hope GW does not fall for it, why? BH does not have the pace of MOT, BDM or Outlander or GLV - BH ran in the AB last year.

BH in the 4 miler is amatuer ridden, but in the other 2 RUBY can ride. Simple, he gets his way very often.

4 miler.
Measure of my dreams and sambremont.
Roi des francs a possibility if they can persuade connectons but giggingstown  prefer rsa.

Backed BH months ago for any race and I' gutted by this.

He had a right favourites chance in the 4 miler, but I cannot see im winning an RSA or JLT.  Place claims in the RSAdefinitely, but couln't have him in the JLT at all.

When Ruby needs a ride Wellchief we all know what's likely to happen and now he has Shaneshill & Black Hercules for JLT & RSA.  He might yet have Nichols Canyon for the World Hurdle!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can understand the RSA option - he has looked good this year over 3m, but JLT?  I don't think for a minute he'd run in the JLT, but strange to mention it.

I was hoping Wylie would want him in the 4 miler, like Back in Focus, but then again, that was only to split BiF and Boston Bob.

Gutted I layed almost half my stake off on BH for the rsa at 18.5 a while back. But could have been worse, should always back your own judgement and have to say iv fancied him strongly for the rsa all season.

Jesus. Mullins kicking JB in the nuts is becoming a weekly occurrence

Shocking news

Wonder if they are just mentioning the JLT as a ruse to prove the RSA is the perfect fit as its the middle option. No way is Shaneshill ruining in anything other than the JLT and you could see the logic of BH in the RSA and Ruby getting a ride.

Even more shocking news for More of That RSA backers as well

I think everyone can understand the logic of the Annie switch as they could the vautour to JLT last year but to switch black Hercules to JLT would seem madness to me and I don't think it will happen, he has always been campaigned as a stayer last 2 races over 3 miles would of won them both bar the fall. If they are even considering the JLT for him then I can only assume there is something wrong with shaneshill as surely that is his ideal race having looked like he didn't stay 3 miles over hurdles and was ruled out for the arkle after his last run!

WILLIE MULLINS revealed on Monday that Black Hercules, ante-post favourite for the National Hunt Chase, is looking unlikely to target the 4m race, with the 2m4f JLT Novices' Chase now emerging as his most likely target.

The National Hunt Chase or RSA Chase over 3m had been on the agenda but following a final-fence fall at Navan on his last run before Cheltenham, Mullins has had a rethink.

"The target for Black Hercules has been occupying my mind probably most of all," said Mullins as he hosted a pre-Cheltenham press day at his yard on Monday.

He added: "The National Hunt Chase had been the race we were aiming him for but he was very keen at Navan last time and if he was to be that keen again it would make getting four miles a lot more difficult.
"So we're thinking seriously about either the RSA or the JLT for him  instead. It's all still up for discussion but it's quite possible we might opt for the JLT."

Bookmakers were quick to react to the news. Black Hercules was cut across the board for the JLT and is as short as 7-1 and a top price 12-1 with ****, Ladbrokes and William Hill. Paddy Power also pushed out favourite Bristol De Mai to 4-1 (from 5).

In the National Hunt Chase, Reynoldstown runner-up Minella Rocco is now favourite at 6-1 with Betfair. Black Hercules remains favourite in some books, including those to have gone non-runner no bet, but he is now 9-1 (from 5) with Paddy Power.

The RSA market offered some interesting disparities in the immediate aftermath of the news. Black Hercules is a general 8-1 shot, though as short as 6-1 with bet365 and longest at 14-1 with Paddy Power.

I genuinely think it's 50/50 shaneshill/black hercules jlt rsa.
Wylie thinks jlt. Ruby wants to ride BH in jlt as he mentioned at preview night.
Paddies standout BH rsa at 14/1. 6 pts bigger than any one else and as seen today shaneshill is fine and will go for either race.
My guess would be ruby wants to ride.
BH jlt
Rdf rsa
He put them both up at preview night in those races.

Meant to day wylie thinks shaneshill jlt.

Surely Outlander is the Mullins JLT horse - thought he'd go off about 9/4 fav!

Outlander confirmed jlt.
Won't be the only one though

Mullins is told where to run Giggy horses. They'll decide where Outlander runs, not Ruby

Thought RSA was right race after he won at Doncaster but if you look at the collateral through Definitly Red, Blaklion's form looks better than BH's. It's a flat pedigree but if you look at the strike rate of the Sire progeny and the Damsire progeny over staying distances, they are both very prolific.

I'm confused, 8/1 a bit on the short side for RSA i WOULD HAVE THOUGHT.

Not sure 8/1 nrnb is short. I thought 12s looked huge. Just my opinion

yep 8/1 NRNB fair if you fancy him I suppose but only Skybet - why should he be shorter than Blaklion who has good chase course form, better collateral form, did n't fall last time out and is a definite runner?

I think Pont Alexandre being poor might have forced their hand a bit too, as they were hoping he'd be Ruby's RSA horse.

If More of That doesn't run, I think Outlander is much the best in the race.

What a total nonsense school of thought. What's the point of Ruby wanting to ride a horse that imo has no chance and why would the owner allow this to happen. You can understand Ruby wanting a ride in the JLT but switching a horse with a favourites chance in another race just to facilitate that is lunacy.

think what is becoming pretty clear now, is that this yard needs to be treated with extreme caution when considering ante post without NRNB.
It was bad enough in previous years,but the last couple of weeks its notched up to another level.

The top of the market is now populated by 6yo's (rarely win this....a lot pull up in the race) and older suspect stayers.

Good value to be had lower down the market now. Local Show for me.

LUFC your right a nice bit of value lurking further down but i'm happy to wait myself although i'm getting twitchy on a couple

I really like Black Hercules (he'd be in the RSA if he was mine) but I'd be very concerned about him on quicker ground (he's almost always run on heavy), and, on the back of a fall, I'd not be in any tearing hurry to be backing him in anything at the moment.

aec is spot on, although it has been said many times before.
Before Bobsworth no horse had won three different races at the Festival since Flyingbolt. This year we have three at the head of the market for the Gold Cup looking to emulate that and next year doubtless there will be more. Extra races dilute competition, simple as that. The Festival and its races are both poorer for it.
Wednesday gripe over, as you were......