Hi Booby.

IC strikes me as a horse who has to be in the right mood, so I'd probably be reluctant to go back to Kempton where he's had two bad experiences. I'd certainly pencil in the lexus because it is actually a fast draining track and quite often the ground is just fine, but I agree you shouldn't pull him about on heavy if it goes that was, so you need a plan b around christmas.

I wouldn't be afraid of looking at handicaps. There are only a handful of 3m chasers rated over 160 atm, so in all probability he'd keep everything out of the weights and run off lower than his true mark. People get carried away talking about "humping big weights" in handicaps, but that doesn't really happen now with the restriction on top weight. In fact he would hump less weight than in the gold cup.

You could do worse than take a look at the Rowland Merwick at Wetherby I think, if its open next year. It can get soft there too of course, but doesn't seem to get really bad too often, and the track would suit him perfectly imho. Or next best thing to Cheltenham anyway.

Down Royal might be worth thinking about rather than haydock too, as it gives more time to his second race.

The other track I think he's like is Doncaster, and they often have better ground. Don't think there's a suitable race, but I bet if you asked them in good time they'd frame one for you. You might as well make the most of your exhaulted status next season, as unless your incredibly lucky you'll probably never be in this position again.

brought down, sob sob

**, nearly missed Frontier Dancer today :0
Over the cliff I go............

same here das, I was looking in here for comments on Frontier Dancer. I've backed him the last two times, have to go in for a 3rd then give up.

Bobby I see your horse DE is entered for Punchestown, is he likely to run? How has he been looking at home since Fairyhouse? He seems to go on most types of ground so that shouldn't be an issue.

BarryM - he will be trained for one race the GC. In his last two years we have had a prep race in November, gone to the KG and rhen won the Ryanair and the GC. Can't see anything broken so personally dont see any need to tinker with it or**it. The timing of the races suits perfectly with hsi required treatment and we avoid the risks of travel to Ireland and the heavy ground conditions.

Sorry missed the thread onb Frontier was a guest of Cheltenham racecourse on Friday nght followed by heavy night in the Hollow Bottom.

Definiitve Edge has been fine at home - blue like a tank engine after the race at Fairyhouse, needed it badly and the ground was verging on unraceable.

Le Roi Max is going very very well and is one ?i will be going max on !

How comes the change of plans with Le roi Bobby?

That last day at Perth became an absolute farce once the rains came.

good thread, nearing the bottom thought id save

Any news on Frontier Dancer Bobby, thought we would not see him to next season??

saved

any word on LRM? seen it entered couple of times but never ran yet, ground still to firm for it?

best of luck Bobby Dazzler....fingers crossed.

massive drifthey ho.

hey bobby, hope all is well...

do you follow the flat much?

Hi bobby anyword on oscars ballad or highland flash? seen HF had a run in the p2p.  Thought that was a promising run yesterday from LRM considering the ground wasnt to his liking.  will definately follow next time out.

sure the horse has learnt alot from the outing

ttt.

Just read this thread from the start again, what a joy, and a lesson to all that when everyone pulls together we can come up with great results like IC.

I never contributed to it but enjoyed evey post in the build up to the GC,and with Bobbies and eveyone elses insight had the winner along with most of you guys.

Congrats to Bobbie and to everyone else who made this the best and most informative thread in the build up to Cheltenham

wd

For the boys from the north

Twisters horses are flying. Grand Slam Hero for the hennessy imo