Strange one this - I wouldn't be in a rush to back him at top price 16/1 now, but I wouldn't be too put off anyone who is sitting on a decent voucher.  I just think he came up against a really good one in Death Duty, who reminds me a lot of No More Heroes, where he looks like he'll be a monster staying chaser next year, a typical Giggi type.

I don't see too many reasons why IO could reverse the form, but the likelihood is that they won't reoppose at Cheltenham because Death Duty looks like he'll be in the AB, although they are both entered in a G1 2m4f novice hurdle in Feb.

After today's Challow Hurdle Messire Des Obeaux could depose Death Duty (more likely AB), Robin Roe or IO as fav for the Neptune - he is good, genuine and has the best form to boot too.

It seems the performance of MDO in the Challow has not impressed Betfair - they are the biggest at 14/1; IO is still the fav with most bookies which surprises me - potential over form perhaps.

@can't catch me, you are giving me hope here that it might be worth holding onto the vouchers. The novice races all seem up in the air at the moment with all the horses fancied early in the markets either underperforming, injured or not having been seen yet. The neptune especially seems a complete mess at the moment, no standout runner and no clear direction, if death duty goes his likely route of the AB, can't see any entries for Invitation at the moment but would prefer another run pre-cheltenham

I'm probably clutching at straws but I'm kinda hoping finians rocks up at Wincanton and leaves the Nichols beast in Torworth. I posted it a few days ago

my notes have swayed me a tad in regards that ascot race

just gone back through the ascot race and think i've been a tad harsh on the race tbh... i suppose i was a tad disappointed how much keep in line (backed it that day) found off the bridle when asked but maybe the winner has just deceived me a tad in regards to idling running down towards the last and keep in line probably doesn't want proper national hunt ground although he is probably a ponse...

although i thought it was just an ok race on paper, the time of the race was good considering the pace early so am inclined to change my mind and think it was probably a better race than my first impression of the race, so will now back track a tad in regards the winner and probably say he is ok as was that race at ascot

in regards the tolworth and cheltenham he would have to step up, especially chelt but considering what we have seen this season in regards novices it is not inconceivable he can't although i'm not sure he is more a neptune type but am finding him a difficult type to get a true angle on in all fairness and he isn't short of pace... so saturday is a nice watching brief with the fry horse who is going to be a nice prospect

just on the finians horse and that hereford novice which he won easily i didn't think the race was much but he won it easily...i haven't seen many win from out wide there and that's where fehily took his horse...he tended to jump well, so is in the completely unexposed category although he is pretty short for the tolworth but he can probably step up, he will need to but can

anyway yet to have an ante post for cheltenham as still dissecting the runners in my own brutal way, so no offence to any whoever you are backing, although think the chest will be open soon for the triumph hurdle winner

Surely they'll be looking at the Deliotte in a couple of weeks.

Unless you were on them at fancy prices

I may be clutching at straws a bit here... but another bit of a boost today. The Storyteller won very well in a decent little race at Thurles today beating the likes of Battleford and Some Neck.

Monalee previously beat him quite comfortably at Punch. Adding weight to the fact the Death Dity, Monalee, Invitation Only race could still be red hot form.

Invitation Only mate.

Not yet - but he was very impressive in all his runs until last time, where he was hot favourite against a good field.
If that was his true running then he is probably a little shy of the required standard (decent form though it was as CCM has explained), but if he underperformed a lot that day (going, injury etc) as I hope, then he clearly might still be plenty good enough.

Not suggesting anyone backs him now, but those of us who took the view he was special before his last defeat are still clinging on to that hope.

Entered in the 2m4f Grade 2 at Leop on Sunday. Looks like it could be a very, very hot race. Fancy this will be more his race than the Deloitte.

Neither he nor Bravissimo chosen to run, bit gutted with that as this is the Neptune trial IMO, hopefully both run in the Deloitte though.

2 Weeks today

Can't Catch Me 30 Jan 17 19:11

Starting to lose the faith rapidly.

Now you know how I feel about Klopp.

Anothee boost to the Navan form with Monalee wiining today.

He is only enetered for the Neptune and Albert Bartlett (surely not!!) so my specualtive Supreme bets are down the drain (except the one with Skybet who were nrnb).

Is there anything else for him other than a hot Deloitte?

Boys race?

Yeah, sorry, I'd seen that. You'd hope he wouldn't qualify with his rating. The form of that 3rd looks strong behind DD.

We'll see in an hour or so the plans, see if he's entered for Sunday.

I suppose the last 24 hrs tells us that anything is possible!

The fact Invitation Only is 8/1 with PP for the Deloitte on Sunday probably means he isn't going there you'd think as surely shouldn't be that price. He is entered for first race at Gowran next Thursday though.