Festival Previews - Any original or interesting insights?

The most interesting one I read was Davy Russell being absolutely adamant that 'everyone knows Vautour is going for the Ryanair'.

2015 Davy Russell specials... I dont know if he just throws so much that some sticks or he actually knows what he is talking about lol..... (CORRECTION - just seen his 2014 selections/advice and it was pretty awful)


RSA Davy actually can't have Don Poli. Rode him in a maiden and thought he'd never win a race. Coneygree for him. Theyre mad to go Gold Cup.If Conegree's trainer runs him in the Gold Cup, then he should have his licence taking away!!!!

RYANAIR.
Davy: Don Cossack and Johns Spirit. The Don is
now the horse we always thought he'd be and Johns loves Cheltenham

QMCC Davy big on Dodging Bullets. Do not back
SS because of the bleed. He can win without u having a bet. Don't touch a
bleeder. Dodging to beat
Bumper
Davy discussing Weld Bumper horses. Vigil
is a good one.

CHAMPION
HURDLE. Davy fancies The Fly
over Faugheen. Davy's CH tip is also Jezki.

Davy will ride Jetson but finds it hard
to get away from Lieutenant Colonel. Really improving this year. Gigg horses
improve with age.

JLT Chase :

(DR) Nothing there of the calibre of Vautour - See more at:

WHUDLE
If you want to buy money this year according to Davy lay Zarkandar!!!

Handicap tips:

(DR) Taquin De Seuil
CHARITY BETS
(DR) No More Heroes (Neptune or Albert Bartlett)

I'd be inclined to take everything that Davy Russell says at these preview evenings with a large pinch of salt. Entertaining he may be but I recall him saying a number of years ago (2008 possibly when Tiger Cry won the Grand Annual) that he knew in February that his horse was a good thing for the Festival and found himself biting his lip during the Preview season in order to stop himself from saying too much and giving too much away.

Tony Mullins said Limini will win by 200yds.

The Davy Russell "biting lip" story has been mentioned a couple of times by (I think) Paul Jones in his Weatherbys Cheltenham preview books.

Was at the Rich Ricci preview last night and his race manager (can't think of his name) said Killer Crow in the Novice handicap on day one. Basically the Irish trainers enter a load of horses for trials day with no intention of running them just to see what mark Phil Smith gives them. After getting a mark of 134, Killer Crow was withdrawn rather hastily and hasn't been seen since. Take what you will from that. Generally 12s & 14s

Couple of additional extras which I can remember before the £2 lagers took over.
- Bleu Et Rouge would be interesting in potato race with head gear
- STD was all over Diego Du Charmil. Was working upsides Dodging Bullets at home
- Chapman spoke to Hobbs yesterday and Garde La Victoire was all but confirmed for JLT. Was of interest to the whole panel in that race

Diego Du Charmil worked very well with Zubayr at Wincanton.   Triumph hope Clan Des Obeaux who worked with Dodging Bullets

Went to one last night specifically as Barry O'Connell was on the panel and thought he had some interesting runners probably under the radar.

He gives a big shout to Ballychorus - excellent form albeit 2 falls. Receives 7 lbs and Shane Shorthall rides - very good value at 16s/20s.  My concern was two final fence falls - probably tiring - but has experience.

Also Foxrock has been schooled twice in Punchestown recently - 2nd time there he was electric.  Conditions races v handicap now so he is well in if he takes to the course

Still seems bullish on Blue Hell's chances in the county even though he has gone up in the weights significantly - they think the world of him - could be grade 1 horse

Martello Tower is in great form but has it all to do as he thinks a lot of Thistlecrack

Tully East goes for the Martin Pipe with Shane Shorthall riding - form is good and thinks he could be well in

Finally he thinks Velvet Maker is 2nd best 2 mile novice in Ireland and that may be good enough to win the Grand Annual


So how about that for a six timer !  Realistically would be happy with one winner but all go with chances and good value

Was also there last night and Joe Chambers is his racing manager....good to see Sky Sports Natalie Sawyer and Harry Findlay there!

Would take anything Davy Russell or Tony Mullins would say with a grain of salt. Both very entertaining ... and thats it.

Most of what Tony Mullins says is banter but when he never shuts up about one horse then i take notice. Last couple of years were Faugheen and Douvan and this year is Limini. Ironically she is also Davy Russell NAP of the festival.

Kevin Blake (KB), Geoff Lester (GL), Mickey Fogarty (MF), Jane Mangan (JM), Gavin Lynch (GL), Johnny Ward (JW)

Supreme:
JW – Min is the real deal. Works better on Good ground, and in a different class to Yorkhill. Could be a 2nd Douvan. Alitor can hit a flat spot in his races. If Min settles he wins easily. Ruby will probably make the running on him. David Casey won’t let anyone else up on him at home.
KB – Min could be a bigger price on the day. Can’t really think of anything to take Min on with, even though he can be too free for his own good. Yorkhill is an EW shout, not wild on Nicky’s 2.
GL – Nicky loves Alitor, and he worked very well last week – “Kicked Buveur D’Air out of his way”. Reckoned that Nicky was offered Min but he failed the vet.
MF – Min will be better on good ground, and is “the real deal”. Willie’s lads like Yorkehill EW.
JM – Put up Bleu Et Rouge as an EW shout

Arkle:
MF – Douvan is the best horse in training
JW – Douvan is the best since Arkle. Sizing John is the bet W/O, Henry says to ignore the last day. The Game Changer should 1600/1 and not 16/1. Couldn’t get up the hill in Galway
JM – L’Ami Serge hangs like a gate, could go out over the railings
GL – Vaniteux will be 2nd, worked well the other day

Champion Hurdle:
MF – Annie Power’s jumping won’t be an issue in a CH. Identity Thief and Nichols Canyon were bottomed by the race in Leopardstown last time. Sempre Medici is a bit of EW value, going well at home. Has never seen Annie Power off the bridle at Willies.
GL – Annie will win this. The New One was trained in the pool last year and has had a much better prep this year. Hargam worked better that My Tent Or Yours last week. Peace And Co has had more problems that David Cameron and Hargam is there to keep the pace high.
JM – My Tent Or Yours is a Stupid Horse, just won’t drop the bit
JW – Sempre Medici is not good enough to lead out Annie Power at home. Annie Power is better than Artic Fire and would win this off level weights.
Neptune:
JM – Yanworth is all class, blown away with him. He could win over 1m4 on the flat. Like all Norse Dancer’s has a kink in him.
JW – Has had a good bet EW on A Toi Phil. Long Dog is not good enough.
MF – Would like to ride Long Dog, he is tough
KB – Thought Long Dog won a bit snugly last time, pulled out plenty when asked.

RSA Chace:
JM – A match between No More Heroes and More Of That
GL – Jonjo wanted to enter More Of That in the Gold Cup.
KB – More Of That has had a series of physical issues and is very hard to keep right. No More Heros is better on good ground. Is everything you want in a staying chaser. Scoped badly before Cheltenham (4/5 he reckons) and still rn a blinder.
JW – More Of That will go off favourite. JP reckons he won’t be beaten. Roi De Francs is a very decent EW price.
JM – Monksland is a prick of a horse, jumps into every fence like a bulldozer.
MF – Does not think that No More Heros is as good as Brian Cooper thinks he is. Cooper said “nothing has ever given him the feel this one has”. Thinks More Of That is a better horse. Black Hercules has no chance in this. However, rode in the bit of work behind Don Cossack and No More Heroes in a group of 135+ horses and they were all flat out off the bridle behind the 2.

Queen Mother:
JM – Un De Sceaux wins if he stays up. Sprinter Sacre has a bad heart and can’t breath. Special Tiara needs quick ground.
JW – Sizing Granite EW, Colm is very happy with him
KB – Reckons that Sprinter Sacre has more issues that Jonny Ward! Sizing Granite a decent EW bet in the race
MF – Wouldn’r back Felix Younger w/o, not good enough.
GL – UK horses can’t beat Un De Sceaux. Dodging Bullets has more holes in him that Donald Trump

Bumper:
MF - Augusta Kate does not work well at home
KB – New To This Town was very impressive in Gowran, his choice

JLT:
MF – Outlander will let you down. Not a fan of Black Hercules but working well – Ruby will ride him as he is a better jumper.
JW – Davy Russell says Zabana is not good enough
GL – Bristol De Mai will win this

Ryanair:
JW – Road To Riches is a massive price (5/1) NRNB
KB – Willie thinks that Valseur Lido will stay all day, has a good chance. Vatour would win this by half the track
JM – Josses Hill jumps like a camel, can’t give him a chance
MF – A terrible race. Road To Riches was bottomed at Leopardstown so won’t win
GL – A terrible race, a lot of soft horses in here.

World Hurdle:
KB – Thistlecrack is the best Odds against horse of the week.
JW – Mouse Morris and Eddie O’Leary think Alpha Des Obeaux will win this. Serious EW bet
GL – Nicky loves Saphir Du Rheu, backing him EW. Cole Harden will loke the ground and won’t be far away
Triumph:
MF – Connections love Ivanovic Gorbatov, will be much fitter on the day.
GL – Sceu Royal is a proper horse, confident he will run a massive race. Ivanovic Gorbatov the worst fav at the meeting
JB – O’Brien has trained Ivanovic Gorbatov for one day, ignore the last day
MF – Race will go to the UK. Does not like ex Ballydoyle horses, they have had a hard time when very young and are soured
JB – Who Dares Wins is too slow to win a Triumph
KB – Lets Dance EW, the Mullins lads love her. Fav should be 10/1 after the last day

Albert Bartlett:
MF – Loves Gangster but he is not easy to train. Brian Cooper is very sweet on him – will be placed at least

Gold Cup:
KB – Never liked a horse as much as Don Poli. Can’t see him falling, most efficient jumper he has ever seen. The Cheltenham form is not there for Don Cossack – he would need a really good day to win it. Vatour won’t get home
JM – Likes Djackadam, he will be happier going faster, does not hit a flat spot
MF – Vatour won’t win a Gold Cup. If Don Poli is within 4 lenghts at the 2nd last he wins. Brian Cooper will ride him. Ruby will ride Djackadam he thinks!!!
GL – The Irish will win it. Cue Card and Smad Place not good enough. Best Gold Cup since 2008. Disagrees with Mikey Fogarty and said Ruby will ride “the horse with class” Vatour

Other bits…
MF thinks Limini is a certainty, her work has been savage and it’s a **** race
KB – Blue Hall in the County, has lots in hand. Cause Of Causes in the Kim Muir
GL – Back Desoto County, got no run the last day. Dr Harper will win wherever he turns up. VVM is a penalty kick in the Mares race. Leave at Dawn will win the Pertemps if the ground is good.
JM – Nina is booked for Our Father so that will do her

More information comes from what they don't say if you ask me.They aint going to say anything revealing it will fly round social media in seconds and the bookies will have slashed a horses price in record time.
A streamed preview last year from Ireland Ted Walsh and someone else going about Windsor Park being a non trier all season, i seem to remember Davy keeping a bit quiet,this and his face told the real story.

PANEL: Kevin Blake (KB), Geoff Lester (GL), Mickey Fogarty (MF), Jane Mangan (JM), Gavin Lynch (GL), Johnny Ward (JW)

And I thought WE were opinionated....  LOL LOL LOL



thanks vm delsie777 for posting that up.

O’LEARY ON HIS FESTIVAL TEAM

Identity Thief
I think he’ll be my first runner in the Champion Hurdle. It’s extraordinary for the amount of runners we’ve had, we’ve never really had a two-miler with the exception of Trifolium. Whether this fellow wins the Champion Hurdle or not, he’s going chasing next season.
I’m generally pessimistic and there’s no point travelling with any expectation, but I don’t think he’s good enough. He couldn’t beat Nichols Canyon at Christmas when we ran him to see if he was good enough, and I don’t think it was inexperience that beat him.
That said, he showed he’s good enough to go to the Champion Hurdle, so we’ll hope for the best.

No More Heroes
He’s been great and I’d agree that he’s exactly the kind of horse we try to buy. He’s where we want him to be but the RSA looks a good race this year and he’ll have it all to do.
More Of That brings World Hurdle form to the race and maybe we’re a bit unfortunate to be taking on a very good World Hurdle winner. Roi Des Francs will run too, I think; he has clearly earned a shot at a Grade 1 title and especially one that will involve stamina.

Alpha Des Obeaux
I’d have preferred him to have gone chasing this season but he had a bit of an interrupted preparation and if they haven’t won a beginners by the end of November and are in the mix for the Graded chases at Christmas, it’s a case of “right, let’s wait”.
Besides he was only five-rising-six, so you have that extra year. His form last season was quite good and he was upsides Thistlecrack when he fell at the last at Aintree, so that gives him a shot at the Ryanair World Hurdle.

Outlander
He’s always been a good horse. He was very good in bumpers and had a reasonable novice hurdle campaign but it didn’t work out for him when he went to the Neptune last year and finished sixth – then his form had tailed off by Punchestown.
He was always going to be a better chaser and, while he wasn’t that impressive at Limerick at Christmas, he was very good at Leopardstown. The form suggests he’s good enough to go for the JLT and he’s clearly our best two-and-a-half-mile novice chaser.

A Toi Phil
He’s on the boat and Willie [Mullins] wants to take him to the Neptune. My worry would be his inexperience but his form suggests he deserves to take a chance.

Tombstone
He goes there as a live outsider but needs to improve greatly on what he showed us at Leopardstown at Christmas and also in the Deloitte. Neither of those runs would be good enough. He might improve for the better ground but I would question his resolution.

Thanks Delsie and Scooby. Interesting how negative O'Leary is there about most of the team. What about his Gold Cup runners?

Taquin Du Seuil being supplemented for the Ryanair Chase so will most probably run in that rather than the Plate over same course and distance later on the same day.

Preview season drawing to a close.  Any nuggets revealed in the last few previews?

Plenty of nuggets on the gravy train.

Was at the Wheatsheaf again last night, where Kim Bailey gave Darna last year. He was pretty downbeat about that horses chances of a repeat win, but was very positive about Un Ace in the Pertemps. In fact so positive, that he just said it will win!

did he mention twelve roses at all CCM?

No he didn't mate. He was a bit p1ssed to be fair!

heh! cheers.. Have a good one.

Lay of the festival:

Davy Russell - Sprinter Sacre

Russell said weeks ago Vautour goes Ryanair & Battleford wins The Bumper!
Not bad, I'd say.

Yeah i watched the battleford one, shame it didnt get back up

Russell also wouldn't hear of defeat yorkhill if they went Neptune.