Cheltenham Festival
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Queen Mother 2018
Queen Mother 2018
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That must be it imp
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It has been reported "Mullins would have no qualms about Douvan and Min taking each other on in the Champion Chase."
I believe that when it happens. It is akin to the Pope being a Muslim! |
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Makes perfect sense to me.
They are both quality 2 milers,and would give connections 2 chances of beating Altior. Tactical options? Maybe sacrifice one for the other??!!! |
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We (Rich Ricci, owner) spoke about the possibility of running him and Min in the Queen Mother and we said it would be a nice problem to have if it comes around.
"To me, the two of them are two-milers. Douvan is nicely on course for the race but Min is unbeaten this season so he has to go there. "I can't see us putting Douvan in the Ryanair, so it's not ideal and an owner would like to divide his horses, but sometimes it's no harm having a reserve. "That's their trip and to me that's what they should go for." |
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I'd still be very surprised if Douvan made the line up in the QMCC. More likely to be saved for Punchestown and possibly the Melling at Aintree - I think we'll get a bulletin in a week or two saying 'he's not quite there', or the QMCC 'will come a week to soon for him' - conveniently saving Mullins and Ricci the dilemma of them running against each other.
If he says 'I can't see us putting Douvan in the Ryanair', I'd be surprised if he's not in it next year; I think a step up in trip is inevitable. I think Min would struggle past 2m, so he is most likely to take on Footpad next year, but with Jacob being his retained jockey, that'll cause less issues next year. |
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Ricci's comments re. Douvan sound like someone who has had enough and is taking a stand i.e. telling WPM/Ruby that Douvan better run in the QMCC. To me it's ridiculous that they would even consider Douvan for the Ryanair when you could have two shots at trying to beat Altior in a prestigious race like the QMCC.
How long before Ricci decides he wants to stable a few horses with trainers in England? Going to happen soon in my opinion. He'll use the "wants more runners in England" excuse. |
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I think that if they genuinely believe that Douvan is 100% right they'll run him in the CC, they'd have to!! If they don't run him I think it just means they're not happy with him bearing in mind you've got two serious rivals up against him.
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I think the chances of Douvan doing battle with Altior and/or Min is similar to winning the jackpot of the National Lottery 2x in succession given the past history of his connections, I'd imagine.
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I'm not greedy, I'd take a little shorter than 196 million /1 on it personally.
You'd never get matched waiting for that imp. |
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Ricci went through a purple patch for a few years whereby it made the decision to re-route horses to other races very easy. Right now Ricci is in a completely different position so you can throw past history out the window. WPM/Ruby might want more chances of winning more races at Cheltenham but they won't be sacrificing Ricci's horses to do it this time around. As Duffy said "they'd have to" run him in the QMCC if 100% fit. Here's hoping he makes it now.
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You know what I think of the Mullins/Walsh/Ricci marriage? The guys speak with forked tongues; Douvan has been entered for the King George and the Ryanair but ran in the Champion Chase (CC) and never the others yet they'd been entered, why? Could one ever envisage Douvan running in any other race outside the CC? Not in a million years, in my book. These individuals may be at the top of their professions but at least show some respect for the followers of their sport/professions and not disdain - "we" might not be as involved day-to-day but we ain't stupid as to consume all orsome of the tosh they'd spounted on a regular basis on air/media.
The Sandown stewards fining Mullins for his very late withdrawal of VVM spoke volume; Mullins can do what he likes in Ireland, but here there is another important code of conduct and practice which any deliberate deviation from to suit is just not acceptable. |
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UDS still in
Keeping an eye on the weather no doubt. |
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This is from Patrick Mullins, son and assistant trainer at Closutton Stable.
P Mullins: "Min is in the Champion Chase, and UDS is in the Ryanair, so I don't know about (race plans) for Douvan, but he's in great form." Min and Douvan could swerve each other then. If so, the latter could be Ryanair bound. |
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Ground will decide where UDS runs.
Personally think UDS would give them the best chance in both races if its soft. Douvan wont win either imo,whatever the ground. |
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Re Min.....if its half decent ground i can see him running a big race in the Queen Mum.may not be good enough to beat Altior,but wont be far off imo.
Certainly aint a gimme i think. |
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I agree about Douvan. I think he is 2nd preference to Min for this race (if sound). However, if I was the owner of UDS I'd be livid if UDS ran (sacrificed) here against Altior...unless it is heavy or worse - little chance, if not.
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would they really run douvan if they thought he couldnt beat min ?
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Rich Ricci usually spouts a load of fkin nonsense (regarding racing) but he said one thing regarding this race that was 100% spot on in my opinion.
He said that if R. Walsh was beside Min when the final decs come in he will ask Willie why are we running Douvan. Myself I still do not think Douvan will show up, to be honest I will not believe he is a runner until I see him jump off. |
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To be totally honest I do not think Douvan and Min will ever take each other on here, why? Just not in the dna of connections; market odds would be 5/1 against.
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"Douvan and Faugheen please in work as Cheltenham looms"
The above was reported by 'attheraces'. Usually a sure sign one or both will miss their intended target given both are inmates at Closutton, the stable of "spin". |
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Ricci had two in the Mares last year and this is a far bigger race.
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If it does get really soft (I'm not convinced it will yet), connections would have to consider UDS for this race imo. He looked like he only just got the Ryanair trip to me last year. I think it'd be pushing his stamina on soft. He would however have a great chance in the Queen Mum. I've taken a bit of the 14/1 nrnb just in case we get a monsoon. No risk: there's no way he'll run if we don't.
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If it was really soft Douvan a probable absentee with UDS rerouted as sacrificial lamb to Altior, I believe; Min and Yorkhill in the Ryanair if Faugheen runs in the Champion Hurdle (CH) otherwise, Yorkhill 1st preference is the CH.
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I cannot imagine any scenario where UDS will be taken out of the Ryanair after todays declarations. None of the Mullins horses will beat Altior so why would they give up the chance of winning what looks like a weak Ryanair with the reigning champion and red hot favourite. Not a chance. Come rain or shine or a plague of locusts UDS will run and win the Ryanair. I am off the fence !
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You're probably right and I'll get my money back, but I'm willing to give them my score for a few days.
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I do not envisage both Min and Douvan turning up.
Douvan has not has a race in a year ,since he was injured . Taking on Altior with out a prep run , not a chance he will even get close ......but then again I don't think he will run. |
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Re UDS.....its simple really.
Unless its at least soft he will run in Ryanair. If soft or worse,the possibility of the QM increases. The Owners said this after his win in Ireland,and they will be wanting him in the QM if conditions suit. To be fair he is tailor made for a soft ground Champion Chase. |
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I123 - there is not a fuc*ing chance in hell that Mo s runs anywhere but the QM.
I will leave the forum if he does.  |
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^Min
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Altior at 'evens' must be a very good bet, all things being equal, against a horse he'd beaten convincingly over hurdles ie Min, and another who suffers from intermittent lameness ie Douvan.
On the flip side should Douvan do a runner at 3/1, the R4 is enormous which will render 'evens' no longer a bargain. |
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Assuming there are no late defectors then I'll be looking to back Min e/w at around 4/1 as a bet to nothing.
Hopefully all 3 of them make it and it's the first of a series of really great races - like when Viking Flagship / Marthas Son / Deep Sensation were taking each other on. Best race ever imo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LkEqgsGo7M |
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Altior lame this morning, 50/50 to make Wednesday :(
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And the hits just keep on coming
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No way they would risk it - wonder if the lameness has anything to do with the heavy ground and Douvan being declared!!
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Once they've drained the pus out the lameness should be gone within 24hrs, it's quite common during wet weather.
It's definitely not ideal though and has to seriously knock confidence in even Altior's biggest fans |
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What a shame if Altior misses the race. The connections of UDS none too please either...a great chance missed!
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Just remembered they still have 48 hours before the off so yes it is possible and Henderson did suggest they were hopeful.
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Assuming Altior misses the gig and Min and Douvan are running here which of the two Mullins/Ricci's horses would you back? Personally, Min for me despite Walsh has chosen Douvan.
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Would you be happy if you had a horse as good as UDS and it wasnt running on Wednesday
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^^I would, if Altior was out. He'd have a great chance beating Min and/or Douvan.
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