Monkfish was the first horse on the Willie Mullins team Patrick name-checked having schooled the novice early in the week.
"Paul rode him this morning and he was delighted with him[...] He's a horse that has improved, improved, improved.
"What I really like about him at Cheltenham was when it got tight down at the last and after the last he went through it. The penny is starting to drop, you need a horse that understands racing.
"He's 16.3, he's really filled into his frame Monkfish is as exciting a novice chaser as we have in the yard"
October 2029
Monkfish was the first horse on the Willie Mullins team Patrick name-checked having schooled the novice early in the week."Paul rode him this morning and he was delighted with him[...] He's a horse that has improved, improved, improved."What I really
MONKFISH After finishing second on hurdling debut, this Roch Ricci owned gelding registered facile wide-margin successes in novice contests at Fairyhouse and Thurles.
Monkfish was then pitched into Grade 1 company and showed tremendous guts to land a thrilling renewal of the 3m Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The six-year-old looked beaten after jumping the final flight but then rallied gamely in the closing stages under Paul Towned to deny the Paul Nolan-trained Latest Exhibition by a neck, with Gordon Elliott’s Fury Road a further nose behind in third.
Latest Exhibition has some top class form to his name and went into the contest on the back of a Grade 1 success, whilst Fury Road is very highly-regarded.
The fourth home Thyme Hill also had some rock solid form in the book, so it was a fine effort from Monkfish on just his third start over the obstacles in what looked a very strong renewal of the Albert Bartlett.
He is a big raw sort who still looks far from the finished article and whatever he achieved over hurdles was only going to be a bonus as he is built to come into his own when sent chasing.
That is the plan for next season and the 3m RSA Novices Chase, for which he is currently 10/1 second favourite with Coral, looks the obvious target.
However, if Monkfish doesn’t take to chasing as expected then connections have the option of the Stayers Hurdle for which he is a 33/1 with Paddy Power. ”HE LOOKS A REAL CHASER” Speaking after the Albert Bartlett Mullins said : “Monkfish looks a real chaser. I don’t think the race went according to plan for Paul – he was just doing a little too much for him but he found himself there.
“The first time we ran him, we wondered if he would ever win a race. We were so disappointed – you would swear he was never on a racetrack, he was very green and immature.
“Monkfish is maturing all the time and Paul said that he felt there is still more to come – he said you could feel the power coming when he got after him. He is a huge, big horse but, if he has to come back and win a Stayers’ Hurdle, we won’t complain either.”
MONKFISHAfter finishing second on hurdling debut, this Roch Ricci owned gelding registered facile wide-margin successes in novice contests at Fairyhouse and Thurles.Monkfish was then pitched into Grade 1 company and showed tremendous guts to land a t
big bugga ,can only improve for fences youd have thought .rsa all over him ,dint back him in any singles for the fest as he was a bit short got him in a few multis at 10s
big bugga ,can only improve for fences youd have thought .rsa all over him ,dint back him in any singles for the fest as he was a bit short got him in a few multis at 10s
Now a best priced 9/2 for the RSA in March which may seem short but all things considered I think is about fair. Of course he’s still got to get there in one piece but that’s just par for the course with ante post betting.
Was having a look at the potential opposition to Monkfish earlier today. By the looks of things, the 3 horses who followed him home in the Albert Bartlett won’t be opposing him in the RSA - Fury Road and Thyme Hill remain over hurdles/being aimed towards the Stayers Hurdle and Latest Exhibition I would say is more likely to end up in the National Hunt Chase. Those four were 10 lengths clear of the nearest challenger.
In my opinion his biggest dangers could be horses who ran behind Envoi Allen in the Ballymore - The Big Breakaway, The Big Getaway and potentially Easywork. However, the only one you could be fairly certain would be heading to the RSA at this point is TBB.
Like most of Mullins horses, they normally only appear 2/3 times at most prior to Cheltenham and it’s safe to assume after running in a couple of small field novice chases between now and March, his price will continue to shorten. Mullins RSA horses in recent years:
2020 - Allaho (3 runs prior to Cheltenham) and Easy Game (3 runs prior to Cheltenham) 2019 - No runner 2018 - Al Boum Photo (3 runs prior to Cheltenham) and Bonbon Au Miel (2 runs prior to Cheltenham) 2017 - Bellshill (3 runs prior to Cheltenham)
I was very impressed with the way he travelled throughout today’s race and his jumping was more than satisfactory. Given that he is trained by Mullins, you would expect him to improve from that and be primed for the big day in March.
Now a best priced 9/2 for the RSA in March which may seem short but all things considered I think is about fair. Of course he’s still got to get there in one piece but that’s just par for the course with ante post betting.Was having a look at the
Nice debut performance from the horse...it seems a common theme for me though...said horse wins at heavy odds on with nothing to beat and his odds are cut dramatically in the ante post books. We know nothing about the value of the form yet we have to take a ridiculous price in an over broke ante post book... That's monksfish a Lovely horse I might add but just a jog round against who... Shishkin beats a horse not trying at 8 on with the only serious trier breaking a leg Envoi Allen beats horses not capable of winning a 110 chase never mind a beginner's chase yet their prices are cut in half after just merely showing their well being...it really is very uninteresting betting material
Nice debut performance from the horse...it seems a common theme for me though...said horse wins at heavy odds on with nothing to beat and his odds are cut dramatically in the ante post books. We know nothing about the value of the form yet we have to
Nice debut performance from the horse...it seems a common theme for me though...said horse wins at heavy odds on with nothing to beat and his odds are cut dramatically in the ante post books. We know nothing about the value of the form yet we have to take a ridiculous price in an over broke ante post book... That's monksfish a Lovely horse I might add but just a jog round against who... Shishkin beats a horse not trying at 8 on with the only serious trier breaking a leg Envoi Allen beats horses not capable of winning a 110 chase never mind a beginner's chase yet their prices are cut in half after just merely showing their well being...it really is very uninteresting betting material
Nice debut performance from the horse...it seems a common theme for me though...said horse wins at heavy odds on with nothing to beat and his odds are cut dramatically in the ante post books. We know nothing about the value of the form yet we have to
Thing is these are the 3 winners of the 3 novice hurdles at Cheltenham, proven the best in their respective divisions. They have now all jumped really well over the fences, which would have really been the only doubt. So whats a bookie supposed to do once they have removed that doubt?
Maybe they could have been too short before their chase debuts?
Yeh i see what you say Harry.Thing is these are the 3 winners of the 3 novice hurdles at Cheltenham, proven the best in their respective divisions.They have now all jumped really well over the fences, which would have really been the only doubt.So wh
None of them have removed the doubt about whether they can jump under pressure, at a quicker pace, on better ground, all the really important stuff but we over react and they end up priced up as if they've achieved these fundamentals.
It's funny because we read all the time about hurdling and fencing being completely different things but really we are guided religiously to what happened hurdling and judge what we see with that bias.
As an example, the other day Tamaroc Du Mathan put in a performance first time over fences which was right up there in style points for me, but because he wasn't a progressive novice last year and consequently wasn't a player in the top novice races, he gets little credit and is still a 33's shot for the Arkle.
I think something like him at that kind of price with the prospect of further progression is what interests me at this point.
None of them have removed the doubt about whether they can jump under pressure, at a quicker pace, on better ground, all the really important stuff but we over react and they end up priced up as if they've achieved these fundamentals.It's funny becau
Ok Duffy, fair comments. I just saying that the horses were priced up on their hurdle form before they had been seen over fences. They then proved they can jump a fence well, giving the bookies more info, and no surprise to me that a bookie then acts on that info.
Ok Duffy, fair comments.I just saying that the horses were priced up on their hurdle form before they had been seen over fences.They then proved they can jump a fence well, giving the bookies more info, and no surprise to me that a bookie then acts o
That was impressive when he pushed the button.......very impressive
I will walk the course naked if i ever see 20 novice chasers over 2m good enough to run in an Arkle!!
Reckon by the time March comes along, it will be plain to all that taking on EA or Shishkin will only be for top novices, and we wont have many of them.
That was impressive when he pushed the button.......very impressiveI will walk the course naked if i ever see 20 novice chasers over 2m good enough to run in an Arkle!!Reckon by the time March comes along, it will be plain to all that taking on EA or
I was joking there, just pointing out that more will run from EA than from Shishkin IMO, no novices handicap chase to ide away in either this year.
EA was impressive there, they taught him something, it wasn't like a debut going through the motions, they let something come to him to race against, when he pressed the button, Walsh was right, it was like a car.
I was joking there, just pointing out that more will run from EA than from Shishkin IMO, no novices handicap chase to ide away in either this year.EA was impressive there, they taught him something, it wasn't like a debut going through the motions, t
If its a case of scaring off the opposition, i would not like to say which race would have the most runners. Personally i hope its the Arkle cos i love the 2m chases, and over the years i dont remember too many big field Arkles, or Queen Mums for that matter.
If its a case of scaring off the opposition, i would not like to say which race would have the most runners.Personally i hope its the Arkle cos i love the 2m chases, and over the years i dont remember too many big field Arkles, or Queen Mums for that
From what i saw yesterday Foyles, i can see a lot avoiding the festival. Always Aintree and Punchestown.
I cant see too many runners in the Arkle to be honest. Allmankind, Captain Guinness are definites for me, cant see any others right now that i would be so confident of turning up. There looks more types this season that would be more suited to the Marsh,but i can see EA scaring a lot of them off. Proktorat,Fusil Raffles are definites for me,i can see Hitman turning up,and Chatam st lad. Allart will run in one of the races as well.
Any other horses that may turn up in either race will be hoping for some prize money imo.
From what i saw yesterday Foyles, i can see a lot avoiding the festival.Always Aintree and Punchestown.I cant see too many runners in the Arkle to be honest.Allmankind, Captain Guinness are definites for me, cant see any others right now that i would
Re Monkfish Think he will have a few more to face, but to me hes going to take some beating. Albert B form is strong, and his jumping is very good. Proper stayer, big future.
Re MonkfishThink he will have a few more to face, but to me hes going to take some beating.Albert B form is strong, and his jumping is very good.Proper stayer, big future.
monkfish today 1/2 and obviously gonna be hard to beat ,impressive chasing debut and trainer in fine form no negatives really but latest exhibition was only inches behind in the bartlett has strong grade 1 hurdle form and is 9/2 , and should be more suited to this ground than last time ,that was still a decent effort in defeat it looked a strong race ,monkfish as the betting tells us and his profile should win but its novice chasers and fine lines and at the odds i am chancing the nolan runner each way today.
monkfish today 1/2 and obviously gonna be hard to beat ,impressive chasing debut and trainer in fine form no negatives really but latest exhibition was only inches behind in the bartlett has strong grade 1 hurdle form and is 9/2 , and should be more
He'd a proper race today and the runner-up is a very decent horse too, and only a neck separated them last season in the AB; on better ground possibly a different result. If not, could one of Hendo's or Tizzard's turn him over eg Chantry House (33/1) or The Big Breakaway (16/1) respectively?; 9/4 is short enough.
He'd a proper race today and the runner-up is a very decent horse too, and only a neck separated them last season in the AB; on better ground possibly a different result. If not, could one of Hendo's or Tizzard's turn him over eg Chantry House (33/1)
2/1 is looking more than fair to me, visually he had a race today against a decent horse who improved markedly from last time, but I reckon the jockey was never really worried when the 2nd served it up and he responded well when asked to win the race and was a comfortable enough winner in the end.
2/1 is looking more than fair to me, visually he had a race today against a decent horse who improved markedly from last time, but I reckon the jockey was never really worried when the 2nd served it up and he responded well when asked to win the race
What price would you put on amy horse 15 months out running in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
So many of the "better" ones drop out in the last 15 days before the festival .....
So many dont even get there
Three figures at least you naming two of the combatents 15 months out.
I think Covid has made people hope and dream more !
What price would you put on amy horse 15 months out running in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.So many of the "better" ones drop out in the last 15 days before the festival .....So many dont even get there Three figures at least you naming two of the combate
i realise a lot of luck is needed so far in advance but at this stage you would think the 2022 gold cup would be the long term target for both horses.
i am only a novice to horse racing so am trying to learn all the time but i must say a three figure price naming 2 runners to get to a race 15 months in advance seems pretty generous ,however you seem very clever so i will accept there is hardly any chance of them meeting and cut down on hopes and dreams.
i realise a lot of luck is needed so far in advance but at this stage you would think the 2022 gold cup would be the long term target for both horses.i am only a novice to horse racing so am trying to learn all the time but i must say a three figure
If you just take a look at the Gold Cup thread on here for 2020 , six months before the race forum members were touting horses like Burrows Saint, Cyrname, Native River, OK corral, to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup on reflection now its easy to laugh.....but here we are talking 15 months away .....????
If you just take a look at the Gold Cup thread on here for 2020 , six months before the race forum members were touting horses like Burrows Saint, Cyrname, Native River, OK corral, to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup on reflection now its easy to laugh...
Al Boum Photo Santini Envoi Allen Minella Indo Monkfish
I won't be greedy, but can I have 10 x £1 doubles at the 100/1 the double please
Any chance the trebles too, if we can sneak 3 in
Al Boum PhotoSantiniEnvoi AllenMinella IndoMonkfishI won't be greedy, but can I have 10 x £1 doubles at the 100/1 the double pleaseAny chance the trebles too, if we can sneak 3 in
Nowt wrong with thinking about something in the future that right now looks exciting, big part of life looking forward to things.
We all know what can happen though, especially in this sport. Dont think we need telling!!
Meanwhile i shall carry on hoping and dreaming clashes like that happen.
Nowt wrong with thinking about something in the future that right now looks exciting, big part of life looking forward to things.We all know what can happen though, especially in this sport. Dont think we need telling!!Meanwhile i shall carry on hopi
I have been saying for years that anyone who, in November, can nominate 10 horses that will run at Cheltenham in March and the race they will be in can have even money if they get 5 right. That is why backing anything at less than 10/1 before Xmas is a very dangerous game. This year for a change I have managed to lay off several of my ante posts at much lower odds. I have free bets on Politologue, Allmankind and Monmiral and could now do the same for Bravemansgame. Thyme Hill is still about the same as when I backed it while Notebook (CC) and Dusart are a bit longer. My only write off is Eldorado Allen but he could yet turn up in the Arkle. I am agonising about Bravemansgame today as I have a 10/1 free bet if I lay off now but I think he is still value at 6.8. The biggest doubt is will he run? As for backing a horse that has not jumped a fence for the 2022 Gold Cup, no way.
I have been saying for years that anyone who, in November, can nominate 10 horses that will run at Cheltenham in March and the race they will be in can have even money if they get 5 right. That is why backing anything at less than 10/1 before Xmas is
Get 5 runners out of 10 selections and you’ll give me evens. Can I have some of that as well ? Forum has gone nuts.....I’ll have these please.
Shishkin Appreciate it Epatante Concertista Monkfish Politologue Sir Gerhard Santini Envoi Allen Thyme Hill
Get 5 runners out of 10 selections and you’ll give me evens. Can I have some of that as well ?Forum has gone nuts.....I’ll have these please.ShishkinAppreciate itEpatanteConcertista MonkfishPolitologue Sir GerhardSantiniEnvoi AllenThyme Hill
I do not like monkfish. It's an expensive delicacy now courtesy of some idiotic celeb chefs; a poor man's lobster (the real thing) and a bait for crab fishing.
Now, its a racehorse (supposedly)!
I do not like monkfish. It's an expensive delicacy now courtesy of some idiotic celeb chefs; a poor man's lobster (the real thing) and a bait for crab fishing.Now, its a racehorse (supposedly)!
" It was a very good performance from a horse having his second run over fences, to take on more experienced rivals at a Grade One track. I was very pleased with that,. It didn’t seem to be a problem — even when he was meeting one wrong, he shortened himself. He seems to be a natural over fences. There was a lot of pressure on him going to the last, with Latest Exhibition -who has a bit more experience than him. He pulled himself together, fought his way over it, and he just had a little bit in reserve. I’d imagine we’ll look at the Flogas Chase. We’ll focus on that first — and if all goes well we can look at Cheltenham after that. " W P Mullins
The ejit needs to learn ..... " It was a very good performance from a horse having his second run over fences, to take on more experienced rivals at a Grade One track. I was very pleased with that,. It didn’t seem to be a problem — even when he w
Monkfish was being bumped from two out and was well handled after the last by Townend. Two cracks was all he had to give him.
A top quality race worthy Cheltenham form
Monkfish was being bumped from two out and was well handled after the last by Townend. Two cracks was all he had to give him.A top quality race worthy Cheltenham form
He certainly looks the best candidate for the RSA at the moment if the other top novice chasers stick to shorter distances. If he met Envoi Allen and Shishkin over 3 miles I would not think he has enough speed.
He certainly looks the best candidate for the RSA at the moment if the other top novice chasers stick to shorter distances. If he met Envoi Allen and Shishkin over 3 miles I would not think he has enough speed.
Although he’s by far the most likely winner at the moment around 2/1 he’s very short. Add to that the RSA could become the destination of some of the Marsh horses steering well clear of Envoi.....he could not far off 2/1 on the day.
Although he’s by far the most likely winner at the moment around 2/1 he’s very short. Add to that the RSA could become the destination of some of the Marsh horses steering well clear of Envoi.....he could not far off 2/1 on the day.
Monkfish is a proper stayer. Any horse stepping up in distance will have to stay well to beat him. Think they would be better off running over their most comfortable distance as novices, EA like any horse is not unbeatable. If they feel they cannot beat EA they can always skip Cheltenham, no good potentially ruining a good novice.
Monkfish is a proper stayer.Any horse stepping up in distance will have to stay well to beat him.Think they would be better off running over their most comfortable distance as novices, EA like any horse is not unbeatable.If they feel they cannot beat
Many Irish trainers have that option but what they tend to do is go the triumph, county, martin pipe, nicholson or amateur fourmiler etc etc.
Skiping cheltenhan is not an option. Willie picked up four on friday the 13th this year !
Skip cheltenham ?Many Irish trainers have that option but what they tend to do is go the triumph, county, martin pipe, nicholson or amateur fourmiler etc etc.Skiping cheltenhan is not an option. Willie picked up four on friday the 13th this year !
Willie, Henry and Gordon set their training schedules around cheltenham, so does JP , OLEARYS AND RICHIE
only thing that might stop the raiding parties is covid
Willie, Henry and Gordon set their training schedules around cheltenham, so does JP , OLEARYS AND RICHIEonly thing that might stop the raiding parties is covid
Willie Mullins compared Monkfish to his star chasers Florida Pearl and Al Boum Photo at Leopardstown today as the Champion Trainer's Rich Ricci owned gelding maintained his unbeaten chase record with a taking display in the Grade 1 Flogas Novice Chase.
Ridden by Paul Townend, the old-fashioned-looking-chaser son of Stowaway made all, jumped well and handed Latest Exhibition a third career beating, proving 11 lengths too strong in another show-no-mercy display.
Afterwards Mullins, with his third winner of the day, stated “what can you say after a performance like that — Paul thought he should be in the next race (the Irish Gold Cup)!
“I was more impressed with him today than any day. It looks like he’s getting better with each run. The ease of it was impressive.
“This fella has the same potential (as Florida Pearl and Al Boum Photo); everything is so effortless, and he has huge scope no matter how he meets a fence.”
Winning jockey Townend added “all I had to do was sit there and steer him to be honest. He locked eyes on every fence and took them on, the loose horse took me on and set him alight a little bit but I wasn't worried because he is just a very good horse.
“The feel he gives me, he isn't a plodder and has a little bit of class.”
Monkfish won last year's Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival and following today's latest win, Paddy Power cut Monkfish to even money (from 7/4) for the Festival Novices Chase at Cheltenham in March.
Willie Mullins compared Monkfish to his star chasers Florida Pearl and Al Boum Photo at Leopardstown today as the Champion Trainer's Rich Ricci owned gelding maintained his unbeaten chase record with a taking display in the Grade 1 Flogas Novice Chas
Once a crab pot bait is turning out to be quite good. How good we'll see when pitched against the big boys next season. A Cheltenham banker. all things being equal; quite a few at Cheltenham this year. it seems.
Once a crab pot bait is turning out to be quite good. How good we'll see when pitched against the big boys next season. A Cheltenham banker. all things being equal; quite a few at Cheltenham this year. it seems.
buddeliea29 Dec 20 17:00Joined: 19 Mar 04 | Topic/replies: 15,776 | Blogger: buddeliea's blog Already thinking about him taking on EA in next seasons Gold Cup!! Rate reply: | reportblock user irishone irishone29 Dec 20 17:40Joined: 22 Sep 06 | Topic/replies: 46,661 | Blogger: irishone's blog Really budd ?
Be lucky to both be running in it !
AS PREDICTED ......buddeliea29 Dec 20 17:00Joined: 19 Mar 04 | Topic/replies: 15,776 | Blogger: buddeliea's blogAlready thinking about him taking on EA in next seasons Gold Cup!!Rate reply:| reportblock useririshoneirishone29 Dec 20 17:40Joined: 22 S
We all know that but there is absolutely nothing wrong with savouring the prospect of these horses taking each other on which is all budd was musing over...chill out
We all know that but there is absolutely nothing wrong with savouring the prospect of these horses taking each other on which is all budd was musing over...chill out
Shock horror...........a horse gets injured!! Saying a horse can get injured, thats really clever!!!
As Duffy says, we all know what can happen. But the day i stop looking forward to cheltenham and potential clashes is the day i give up the game.
Duffy is right, you need to chill Irish.
Shock horror...........a horse gets injured!!Saying a horse can get injured, thats really clever!!!As Duffy says, we all know what can happen.But the day i stop looking forward to cheltenham and potential clashes is the day i give up the game.Duffy i
Well I have finished my daily walk along the beach.
If you keep a record of your fancies and opinions it would do you the world of good.
Save you a lot of time posting garbage on here and a lot of money.
Well I have finished my daily walk along the beach.If you keep a record of your fancies and opinions it would do you the world of good.Save you a lot of time posting garbage on here and a lot of money.
Not in ireland it aint budd Nice attempt ar deflection though lads Its one thing coming on here looking forward to a clash But its a betting forum Are you profitable over time ? Very much doubt it from what I have witnessed.
Not in ireland it aint buddNice attempt ar deflection though ladsIts one thing coming on here looking forward to a clash But its a betting forumAre you profitable over time ?Very much doubt it from what I have witnessed.
Never made significant profit in this game Irish, but then I don’t bet big. I would say I make a slight profit every March, but for me it’s more about me and my brother getting together for the week.
Never made significant profit in this game Irish, but then I don’t bet big.I would say I make a slight profit every March, but for me it’s more about me and my brother getting together for the week.
Having paid a tenner for a glass of wine at the track and twenty quid for a bit of sausage and mash i wont be in a rush to return to the showcase, you may be better off calling it a hobby budd
Having paid a tenner for a glass of wine at the track and twenty quid for a bit of sausage and mash i wont be in a rush to return to the showcase, you may be better off calling it a hobby budd
I go to a few meetings like Kempton, Sandown and Ascot during the NH season, take my camera to get photos of the good horses to add to my collection, and see them up close. Have a few small bets. Ain’t been to the festival since Alderbrook won the CHurdle. Probably never go again.
I go to a few meetings like Kempton, Sandown and Ascot during the NH season, take my camera to get photos of the good horses to add to my collection, and see them up close. Have a few small bets.Ain’t been to the festival since Alderbrook won the C
I try to make the festival ever year. It is probably one of the most important things in my life. Its is great to see old friends and talk about the horses. The experience of watching quevega, davy russell on percy in the rsa, penhill , speaking to willie mullins, never to be forgotten. I thought the greatest achievement in my life was my kids or working at a football club that won the F A cup, but they pale into insignificance when it comes to backing an Irish winner at Cheltenham.
I try to make the festival ever year.It is probably one of the most important things in my life.Its is great to see old friends and talk about the horses.The experience of watching quevega, davy russell on percy in the rsa, penhill , speaking to will