Ballymore Nov' Hdle...

It is possible Three Stripe Life will go for the Ballymore but you could say the same about his stablemate, Mighty Potter, who beat him in the Royal Bond. The stable does, of course, have other candidates for the Ballymore such as Ginto and Hollow Games, who are both in the same ownership so might run one in the Ballymore and one in the Albert Bartlett. It does look a bit light in the Supreme though, presumably why Elliott is considering running the juvenile Pied Piper (same ownership as Mighty Potter and Fil Dor).

In six weeks' time, we'll know. Until then, trying to guess how big stables like Mullins, Elliott and Henderson, and big owners like JP, will shuffle their cards is above my pay grade. All will have more than one runner in most of the big races. In the past we have even seen owners move horses between races simply so their favourite jockey (cough Ruby Walsh cough) can ride, and it looks like the same this year with ThreeUnderThruFive being aimed at the Brown Advisory rather than the National Hunt Chase in order that Adrian Heskin can ride.

If you can get 20/1 NRNB there are probably worse bets out there.

I thought he was a bit unlucky lto against
Mighty Potter,he made a mistake 2 out,in
my view could have cost him the race,would've
certainly been closer.
I've backed him on here at a price,if he don't
go I've done my money but thats A/P betting.
Good post by the way.(Ramruma)
   GL ALL

Mighty Potter will probably go for the Supreme, if that helps:-
https://www.racingpost.com/news/members/latest/pied-piper-v-fil-dor-triumph-tussle-between-owners-big-two-looking-likely/535142

Would have thought pied piper would go no where near that supreme would break the horses heart

Been on Three Stripe Life for the Ballymore all season, he ran a very good race last time after losing ground just when the pace was quickening, however, it will be interesting to see how he goes at the weekend with a view to a possible run in the Martin Pipe all be it off likely top weight.

He isn't quick enough for a 2 mile supreme, particularly this one IMO.

I think Ginto could be this way bound. He's drifted alarmingly for the Potato race.

Sir Gerhard should turn up in the Ballymore as he’ll get more of an uncontested lead that in the supreme. Since moving to Mullins, the only time he got beat was when taken on for the lead at Punchestown.

Journey with me looks like it may prefer soft or heavy on pedigree.

Stage star looks dangerous, but then if Bravemansgame from the same yard can’t win this , why would anything else? It’s more about development for chasing next year for Nicholls rather than ripping the guts out of a horse to win a novice hurdle, plus the yard is still under a cloud.
It’s final half mile against the clock in one of its races was amazingly quick.

Yes Elliot favouring Ballymore now , but leaving in Bartlett , thank god I hedged .

Journey With Me and Ginto would need a real test at this trip IMO, they look like grinders to me who probably want to go up in trip, I've backed Ginto for the AB.

If SG ran in this they would not be able to afford to allow him to do what he did in the Bumper and let this race turn into what we see sometimes here in that it is steadily run and then a relative speed test late, that is what SG would be looking at doing in this and that would not suit JWM or Ginto.

Gerhard going here and DD going Supreme looking at betting today.

If so, I think De Broomhead will be disappointed. A rethink for Journey With Me perhaps.

Colonel Mustard Wish they’d step that up in trip

@Hibore -- "Gerhard going here and DD going Supreme looking at betting today."

Yes but Betfair markets are thin so it could be just a single layer taking a view. Of the books, Paddies are ducking Sir Gerhard for both races, so presumably they are not seeing clues from stable staff accounts.

There doesn't seem to be much reason other than the Betfair markets to believe Willie Mullins has decided yet. At the confirmation stage this week he reduced his Supreme entries from 21 to 16. He also has 16 left in the Ballymore.

Yes Ram, changes by the day but still looks likely. I’m on Ginto so would prefer everyone in Supreme

Gerhard ..doesnt matter d

Its goung to win anyway

Walking on Air out to 28 on here

Aintree bound

Looking like SG and TSL going here and Ginto going to the AB

GE said Ginto going AB spoken to Noel&Valerie so availed 3's for a ton different class to this bunch

Ginto running scared of Sir Gerhard.

Correct but going for a race it has an outstanding chance in so what's your problem sunshine

Noel and Valerie ?

Dont you mean N&VM .....

Of course granda but some ejit says you're the only person that understands me

Agree with BR, Ginto in its right race, and TSL too, really pleased to see him stepped up, actually got an ante post runner running in the race I punted it...for once...fingers crossed.

It'll be hard enough to beat SG but I hope that they don't allow SG to simply poodle along in front before scooting away...hope someone makes it a test.

I do realize at the risk of contradicting myself that Ginto could have been able to do that.

Agree with duffy.

Sir Gerhard does not look (imo) to have been crying out for a step up in trip but if all his serious rivals run scared to the Albert Bartlett, then he can win anyway. I've backed Ginto for both races so am fine from that point of view but I want to see brilliant horses in competitive races at Cheltenham, not a succession of odds-on favourites scoring bloodless victories.

Unfortunately that is the fate of more races Ram

Elliot was fairly categoric which race Ginto would run in earlier (at a podcast, I believe). Sir Gerhard has scared the sh1t off him; Sir Gerhard ducked the contest against Constitution Hill and Jonbon in the Supreme.

Will Hollow Games be sacrificed here instead given sharing the same owner?

Pretty sure he goes fir the pipe , impossible

Nothing to do with SG, Minella Crooner out meant that Ginto naturally becomes Elliott's representative in this race and TSL takes his spot in the Ballymore.

'brandyontherocks', thanks. He's 3rd fav for the 'pipe'.

9 Declared
Sir Gerard
Journey
Stage Star
3 Stripe Life

main protagonists.

Sir Gerard banker with  3 stripe life e/way bet of the meet.

A jolly weak contest this renewal. I think Sir Gerhard has frightened off a few; backers will be hoping he stays sufficiently to win.

If they let him lead and set a crawl he'll just out pace them late, if journey with me takes him on and forces the pace making it a proper test at the trip and make him have to stay the trip well then he's vulnerable.

Many think this is the wrong race for him, surely making it a grind at the trip is the best way to get him beat.

Been on TSL all season myself and looking forward to see him upped in trip..fingers crossed.

Indeed. I was hoping Ginto would do just that instead Elliot ducked the duel.

He didn't duck it as such, crooner out of the AB left him light in that race so he just shuffled the pack, anyway, he may well have a better opponent in TSL here against him at this trip.

I understand Crooner suffered a setback but Elliot did nominate Ginto for this prior. I think Hollow Games a creditable deputy in the Potato race given the extra distance; TSL needs a miracle to feature here, I firmly believe, on known form.

And the known form of Hollow games is what

Think Hollow Games is running in the MP anyhow...same ownership as Ginto and gets in the handicap off of his mark

Ran a good race today and a bit gutted they
ran Sir Gerhard in this.