**Ladbroke Hurdle**

Dell' Arca, Sametegal, Rawnaq and Flaxen Flare, the first four home in the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, are among 57 entries for The Ladbroke at Ascot on Saturday, December 21.
The sponsor has installed the first two home as the 12/1 co-favourites of six for the two-mile £150,000 Grade Three handicap hurdle, alongside Nicky Henderson's Blue Fashion and Rolling Star, and potential Irish raiders City Slicker and Quick Jack.

Henderson is the most successful trainer in the contest, having captured the prestigious and valuable prize with Sentry Duty (2008), Jack The Giant (2007), and Chauvinist (2002).

His eight-strong entry also includes the classy River Maigue, Snake Eyes and Chatterbox, who finished second to Ifbutandwhynot on his seasonal return in the Gerry Feilden at Newbury last week.

The progressive Dell' Arca made the perfect British debut when landing the Grade Three Greatwood Hurdle. His trainer David Pipe is also responsible for Shotavodka, Ronaldo des Mottes, Swing Bowler, Waterunder and Dan Breen.

Auteuil Grade One scorer Ptit Zig is among six entries for seven-time champion jump trainer Paul Nicholls, while Alan King, successful with Raya Star in 2011, has entered Grumeti and impressive Newbury victor Vendor.

Gordon Elliott was victorious last year with Cause Of Causes and could bid for a repeat victory with this year's Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle hero Flaxen Flare, who was last seen coming fourth in the Greatwood Hurdle and is one of seven Irish-trained entries.

Rawnaq fared best of the Irish raiders at Prestbury Park and trainer Michael Smith is hoping his charge can reproduce that effort at Ascot. The six-year-old completed a hat-trick of wins during the summer months, before finishing a respectable seventh on heavy ground in the Galway Hurdle.

Smith, who has just eight horses in training, reported: "All being well, Rawnaq will run in The Ladbroke.

"He has come out Cheltenham well and is in good form. I was delighted with his performance there but we were expecting a big run as he was in such good form.

"We expected the same in the Galway Hurdle, but he came back sick and ran a great race for a horse that wasn't well. It was bottomless as well and he is much better on better ground.

"During the summer, he won a Flat race and two hurdle races really impressively and then ran two good races on the Flat before Cheltenham.

"I've had my licence for nearly a year now and it's great to be associated with a horse like him.

"He is still improving and we think he will be even better over a longer trip. We will wait and see how he gets on in Ascot, but we have always thought further the better for him because he does stay two miles on the Flat."

Other notable entries include Elite Hurdle victor Melodic Rendezvous and Pine Creek who landed a Listed handicap hurdle decisively over the course and distance last month.

THE LADBROKE
Saturday 21st December 2013ALL ODDS
Favourites:City Slicker (12), Dell Arca (12), Quick Jack (12), Blue Fashion (14), Chatterbox (14), Rolling Star (14), Sametegal (14), Caid Du Berlais (16), Call Me Bubbles (16), Chris Pea Green (16), Flaxen Flare (16), Ifandbutwhynot (16), Melodic Rendezvous (16), Pine Creek (16), Ptit Zig (16), Snake Eyes (16), Swing Bowler (16), Upazo (16), Vendor (16), Cash And Go (20)

111-15    Melodic Rendezvous21      7    11-12    Jeremy Scott     152    150    160
131-21    Ptit Zig41      4    11-11    Paul Nicholls     151    125    147
31/4-3    Grumeti21      5    11-11    Alan King     151    135    159
1165-1    Rolling Star28      4    11-10    Nicky Henderson     150    130    157
332-12    Sametegal34      4    11-10    Paul Nicholls     150    138    153
411-87    Court Minstrel34      6    11-9    Evan Williams     149    136    157
15-112    Call Me Bubbles48F      4    11-9    W P Mullins     149    137    155
PP0-08    Get Me Out Of Here34      9    11-9    Jonjo O´Neill     149    136    155
141-42    Blue Fashion28      4    11-8    Nicky Henderson     148    —    155
17-922    Shotavodka21      7    11-4    David Pipe     144    134    152
21173    Rawnaq34      6    11-3    Matthew J Smith     143    138    154
114-2    Chatterbox23      5    11-3    Nicky Henderson     143    138    159
292-21    Caid Du Berlais15    4    11-3    Paul Nicholls     143    142    154
2128-3    River Maigue14      6    11-2    Nicky Henderson     142    133    152
1213-F    Irish Saint23      4    11-2    Paul Nicholls     142    142    153
167-23    Chris Pea Green23      4    11-2    Gary Moore     142    138    154
4-2134    Flaxen Flare34      4    11-1    Gordon Elliott     141    141    154
376-04    Ruacana14      4    11-1    John Ferguson     141    136    152
213-20    Zuider Zee28      6    11-0    John Ferguson     140    134    154
331-52    Doyly Carte28      5    11-0    Donald McCain     140    125    155
9F-301    Ifandbutwhynot23      7    10-13    David O´Meara     139    137    152
63U-01    Vendor21      5    10-12    Alan King     138    123    152
2U70-0    Cash And Go34      6    10-12    Nicky Henderson     138    126    158
11P-93    Clondaw Kaempfer14      5    10-12    Donald McCain     138    121    155
423-11    City Slicker34      5    10-12    W P Mullins     138    127    155
P64/41    Dunraven Storm29      8    10-11    Philip Hobbs     137    127    152
14615    Waterunder14      6    10-11    David Pipe     137    146    152
4P03-9    Ronaldo Des Mottes14      8    10-11    David Pipe     137    111    160
115-16    Pine Creek34      5    10-11    John Ferguson     137    137    156
1/130-    Swing Bowler284      6    10-10    David Pipe     136    145    157
7/003-    Kazlian14F      5    10-10    Johnny Farrelly     136    139    156
145F3-    Landscape244      5    10-10    Venetia Williams     136    101    155
2121    Dell´ Arca34      4    10-10    David Pipe     136    137    152
2000-1    Ranjaan26      5    10-9    Paul Nicholls     135    124    152
307-04    Dan Breen29      8    10-9    David Pipe     135    137    158
28-050    Vulcanite14      6    10-8    Charlie Longsdon     134    94    140
315-3F    Kaylif Aramis36    6    10-8    Nigel Twiston-Davies     134    131    155
2275-1    Upazo21    5    10-8    W P Mullins     134    106    145
1115/0    Recession Proof35      7    10-8    John Quinn     134    68    143
1655/8    Alaivan14      7    10-8    Jonjo O´Neill     134    137    146
11/B-7    Lexi´s Boy14      5    10-8    Donald McCain     134    140    151
2O10-    Bordoni283      4    10-6    John Ferguson     132    108    148
3/25-3    Dildar49    5    10-6    Paul Nicholls     132    142    155
26-117    Makari49      6    10-5    Nicky Henderson     131    125    155
500-11    Quick Jack36      4    10-5    A J Martin     131    135    150
2115-    Totalize48F      4    10-5    Brian Ellison     131    137    153
7486-1    Knight Of Pleasure34      4    10-5    Gary Moore     131    136    157
U05-68    Sarabad37      5    10-4    W P Mullins     130    112    152
52P-11    Willow´s Saviour43      6    10-4    Dan Skelton     130    143    159
84233-    Chesil Beach Boy254      10    10-3    John Coombe     129    121    156
2111-    Karazhan328      5    10-3    Nicky Henderson     129    —    —
113    Franciscan29      5    10-2    Donald McCain     128    118    155
1450/1    Moujik Borget28      5    10-1    Venetia Williams     127    —    156
224-20    Seventh Sky14    6    10-0    Charlie Mann     126    142    158
4-F238    Milord14    4    9-12    Kim Bailey     124    138    154
3/24-4    Snake Eyes51      5    9-11    Nicky Henderson     123    125    143
2P6-80    Whitby Jack14      6    9-7    Gary Moore     119    120    157

Lads are NRNB

I would be very interested in Blue Fashion in this. He may be better suited by 2m4f, but that's the only negative I could put on him. Yes Hendo has a bucket load entered, but he will probably run 3 or 4, and there isn't much else for him to run in at the moment. Second to the hugely progressive More of That lto, he has been given a 5lb raise, but that looks very fair in the light of yesterdays win for his conqueror. BF and MOT, travelled like much the best horses in that highly competitive handicap, and considering Hendos have been coming on plenty for their first run, I would expect the same of this lad. Plenty of 2 and half milers have won this event before, and at 16s, he looks worth an investment. Obviously if anyone knows that this is definitely the target, it makes it much better.
Sint, Lads have decided not to price this lad up, otherwise would gladly take 14s, or even 12s there.

chatterbox for me, lightly raced sure to improove for the run im on..

Agree alleged 14/1 nr no bet cracking price, given rain that has fallen as well, im in!

Just had some 14/1 nrnb CHATTERBOX though that concession may prove not to be as good as it looks hence they are rule 4 may apply notice up on their screens in store!

Quick Jack likely to stay in Ireland apparently.

I can't make head nor tale of this race at the moment. Going to wait for next dec stage.

backed Zuider Zee,on here and 33/1 e/w
With crookes(nr/nb).
Dont think this get 2 1/2 miles,strong
run 2m should suit,imo.
   GL ALL

Really like Recession Proof here , had a nice tootle around Cheltenham at the Paddy Power meeting on his return off a long absence over a distance about a mile further than he's ever been before.

Back on the same mark he won the Totesport Trophy off in 2011.

His only hurdles run inbetween those two efforts was the 2011 Supreme Novices hurdle - he was 5th beaten 8 lengths, the first four were Al Ferof, Spirit Son, Sprinter Sacre and Cue Card.

Of course, he might not be as good as he was but 33/1 is a reasonable price to pay to find out.

ZZ,n/r.

I had a horse in mind for this race and like Double Ross last week I  had my write up ready to post once he was in the 5 day Decs. Alas Dildar is not among the 5 day decs and that write up is now gone to waste haha so we move onto the remainder of the shortlist.

I had two antepost plays in this already, City Slicker was one I was keen on as Mullins had said he would go for this race next after his win at Punchestown last month. The other antepost play as I said was Dildar who is not in the 5 day decs. City Slicker is now best priced 8/1 and given there is plenty of rain about I’m struggling to see any value in that antepost price. If he were that price day of the race though he could still be tempting. But as he’s entered on Friday also in a Nov hurdle he could take up that option if he gets better ground.

Instead we need to look elsewhere. With the key for me being the likely going, there seems to be rain every day this week including plenty of Friday which will likely mean soft ground. Which gives us the perfect angle to tackle this race, horses who will improve for this ground. Three jump out at me straight away. Chris Pea Green 16/1, Shotavodka 25/1 & Ruacanna 40/1 all three have run fine races on their last start and all three will really benefit from soft ground.

We’ll start things off with 1pt Chris Pea Green, 0.5pt Shotavodka & 0.5pt e/w Ruacana.

I’ll do a full write up on the weekend preview section of http://jumpsadvisor.com/weekend-preview.html

Stars no rule 4 mentioned on-line matey,re Ladbrokes.

Willows Saviour is mildly interesting as he looks progressive for his new trainer but he too is entered in the Grade 2 noivce race on the Friday.

Pine Creek won well on his previous run at Ascot and is interesting too. Has won twice on Soft but for some reason get the impression he is better on a sounder surface? Dunno.

Missed the boat a bit with the Chatterboc price but taken some 10/1 at Lads. The Gerry Fielden has a good record of throwing up winners of this race and he has smart form on Soft/Heavy, beating MTOY, and if he improves for his first run of the season he should be right in the mix for NJH who has a great record in the race. Well done to those who snaffled the 14's quickly.

Illegal to apply Rule 4 to ante-post wagers with or without NRNB.

Why is it illegal? It may not mention it online, but certainly is in shop!

certainly DOES in shop

Cant apply a r4 till after final decs, just cant be done

Tattersalls Rule 4 states that NO DEDUCTION shall applied to ante-post bets.

Ascot Racecourse ‏@AscotInsider 26m
Track Update: The current Going is now Good to Soft, Soft in places; following 12mm rain during the past 24 hours to 10am Tuesday.


Totalize is a massive standout at the prices (25s) imo given its gonna be tough going if the forecasts are correct

Fit from the flat after minding his jumps mark, loves cut and there is definitely a lot of upside off a mark of 131

Some of you might find this interesting:

The Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle takes place at Ascot on Saturday, 18th December. Always a highly competitive affair, it is generally won by more unexposed improving types. Last year’s race was abandoned.

Below we take a look at the 8 runnings in the past decade.

Age (Win-Place-Runners)
4yo: 0-7-27
5yo: 5-6-52
6yo: 1-7-32
7yo: 2-2-18
8yo: 0-1-15
9yo+: 0-1-10
8 of 8 winners have been aged 5 to 7
Horses aged 8+ (0-2-25) have a very poor record having gained no wins and just 2 places from 25 runners.


Weight (Win-Place-Runners)

Horses carrying 10-9 or more: 7-13-97
Horses carrying 10-8 or less: 1-11-57
Horses carrying 10-9+ have won 7 of the last 8 (including the last 6) and have filled 19 of 24 places in the last 6 renewals.

Official Ratings

Horses rated 140 or higher: 1-2-16
Horses rated 130 to 139: 4-10-77
Horses rated 129 or lower: 3-12-61
No strong trends on official ratings.


Recent/Past Form

5 of 8 winners won last time out
7 of 8 winners finished in first 3 last time out
6 of 8 winners gained their highest RPR on their last outing
7 of 8 winners was having seasonal debut or had run once that season
7 of 8 winners ran in 4 to 10 times over hurdles beforehand
7 of 8 winners had run in 5 or fewer handicap hurdles
6 of 8 winners were second season hurdlers (2 exceptions were third season hurdlers)
5 of 8 winners (last 5) ran at that year’s Cheltenham Festival


Other races

Previous year's winner: 70 (0-0-2)
WilliamHill.com H'cap Hurdle winner (Tocca Ferro):  1 (1-0-1)
Gerry Feilden Hurdle winner (Tocca Ferro): 5 (0-0-1)
Totesport Trophy Hurdle winner (Get Me Out Of Here): 0 (0-0-1)
3 of 8 winners ran in the Caspar Caviar H'cap Hurdle last time, finishing 321
2 of 8 winners ran in the Swinton Hurdle, finishing 01
2 of 8 winners ran in the County Hurdle, finishing 70
5 of 8 winners ran at the Cheltenham Festival (2 County Hurdle, 1 Arkle, 1 Triumph & 1 Supreme Novices)


Trainers

Nicky Henderson (3-2-13) has won 3 of 8 runnings to date, including the last 2.
The Pipe stable (3-2-21) have also won the race 3 times since its inception in 2001.
Venetia Williams (1-1-6) is the only other trainer with an entrant to have previously won the race.
Trainers who have saddled multiple placed runners are Gary Moore (0-3-10), Philip Hobbs (0-3-12) and Paul Nicholls (0-2-7).
Irish trained runners (0-2-15) have gained just 2 places from 15 representatives.


Price

5 of 8 winners have been priced between 7/1 and 14/1
Favourites (1-0-8) have a poor record having won just once in eight runnings, leaving a level stakes loss of 4.75.



Summary:

Based on the trends from the past 10 years you are looking for a horse:

Aged 5 to 7
Finished in first 3 last time (ideally won)
Posted their highest RPR last time
Carrying 10-9+
Run no more than once this season
Run in 5 or less handicap hurdles
Ran at the 2010 Cheltenham Festival
Second season hurdler
From either the Pipe or Henderson stables


Still like Chatterbox for this

Nicked from

http://tippinggames.racinguk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=8829

And just noticed it's from the year 2010 Will much have changed since then

Totalize smashed up this evenin

Ruacana ​has run with credit on unsuitable quick ground ever since he was a good 3rd to Our Conor & Diakali on soft ground in a Grade 1 in Feb. He ran a good race in the Fred Winter and they were always going a yard too quick and he kept plugging on. Found proper good ground too much either side of the summer but ran a fine race lto at Sandown when 4th off a big weight. With the forecast of rain including likely all day rain on Saturday it should be soft ground ground which he hasn't had since that fine run at Leopardstown.

Another horse who has run with lots of credit on ground quicker than he would like is Chris Pea Green, his 2 runs so far this season have been very promising. Especially his run at Ascot. That race won by Pine Creek looks like it was a hot contest with both Dunraven Storm and Makari winning nto and Jumps Road running a blinder in the international on Saturday behind The New One. Importantly he looks one who will improve for soft ground and I like his consistency.

Finally a very interesting runner is Jonjos sole entry Alaivan. ​The horse had a prep race 2 weeks ago and all his wins came on soft or heavy ground. He was off the track for over 2 years and has been dropped 8lbs from his last Irish mark. He ran a blinder off 144 in the County Hurdle in 2011 when 2l behind Final Approach and on soft ground off this mark he could be competitive. It's equally possible they will take it easy with him and further lower his mark possibly for a tilt at another handicap later in the year.

Ladbrokes are non runner no bet on this race.

Selections
1pt e/w Ruacana 40/1
1.5pts Chris Pea Green 16/1 
0.5pts Alaivan 33/1 


http://jumpsadvisor.com/weekend-preview.html

Cause of Causes won it as a 4 yo last year and Raya Star carried only 10-01 the year before that

BRIAN ELLISON, the trainer of the first plunge horse in the last big betting contest before Christmas, did nothing to dampen punters' enthusiasm for Totalize on Tuesday stating: "he's got a good chance".

Damp weather is what the unexposed four-year-old wants in the build up to the £150,000 Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot on Saturday, and Brian Ellison hopes the softening ground will play to the strengths of the son of Authorized, who is proving hugely popular with punters.

The race sponsor initially went 16-1 from 25-1, but were later forced into 12s.

After 26mm of rain fell on Ascot in 48 hours, the going was on Tuesday eased to good to soft, soft in places, from good to soft - having been good on Sunday morning - with clerk of the course Chris Stickels prepared for further softening in the face of a largely wet forecast through to Saturday.

Totalize, beaten favourite when badly drawn in a valuable Leopardstown handicap on the Flat last month, needs two to drop out to be guaranteed his first start over hurdles since finishing fifth in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival in March, which was only his fourth start over hurdles.

"We'll have to see if he gets in but if he does he'll run well," said Ellison. "He won a couple, then ran a great race at Cheltenham. He won at Pontefract and was then badly drawn in the Movember Handicap at Leopardstown.

"He's got a good chance and the more rain the better. He's by Authorized so he loves soft ground."

Stickels said on Tuesday: "The course has taken the rain well and we're now good to soft, soft in places. It's forecast to be wet from late afternoon tomorrow through the night, better on Thursday and then wet again on Friday night and through Saturday.

"There's a possibility the ground will ease. At best it will be similar to how it is now."

The Willie Mullins-trained City Slicker is a solid 7-1 second favourite with the sponsor behind market leader Rolling Star and on Tuesday received a strong endorsement from jockey Ruby Walsh - though he will not be on board.

Walsh told Racing UK: "City Slicker is likely to run in the Ladbroke Hurdle and as he's owned by JP McManus my old friend AP McCoy is likely to ride him.

"He has a good chance and was a good handicap hurdle winner the last day at Punchestown, so Ascot will suit him going right-handed. It's obviously a competitive Ladbroke, but not an outstanding one. We'd have a chance."



That would explain the money!

I am treading caution on the move for Totalize, though it is interesting all the same. The reason being is just the betting volume. It's moved all rates down from 44 yet has only shown a total of
Total matched on this event:     £12,998
Betting summary - Volume:     £914
Last price matched:     13.50

Would be interesting to see what price he is Saturday morning and how strong he is in the market.

Chris Stickels is a joke like a lot of COC's. Playing down just how testing the ground might be. He did the same on Champions Day. It doesn't take Stephen Hawking to predict it will be Soft at best by race time on Saturday.

All over Chatterbox, secured the 14s Monday morning nrnb so happy bunny. Now to just wait for Saturday morning see whats strong and whats not in the market and pinch some juicy prices from the PW table for a couple of savers bets

I can see the argument for Ruacana at the price on the ground CV. He does like testing ground looking at his form. But he was fortunate to win at Chepstow when Swynmor was decked at the last hurdle by Johnson and he is 10lb worse off with Totalize from their novice hurdle in Dec last season. That said, 40/1 covers the doubts about his mark/chance.

Looks like you've got a decent bet at 25/1 BJG. Tops 14/1 now.

Totalize got in alright.

Going off Oddschecker those not declared are Chesil Beach Boy, Ruacana, Snake Eyes, Dunraven Storm, Samtegal and Moujik Borget

Ascot stick readings from last season :

21-Dec-12 Heavy (Soft in places) C: 5.9
H: 5.9
21-Dec-12 Heavy C: 6.4
H: 6.5
on Thursday at 08:30
24-Nov-12 Heavy C: 6.3
H: 6.9
24-Nov-12 Soft C: 6.4
H: 6.7
on Friday at 09:00
23-Nov-12 Soft C: 6.8
H: 6.6


Currently 6.6 on hurdle track as of 8-30 this morning.. Almost certain to be heavy

Shotavodka runs though. Added another 1pt @ 25/1

Interesting jockey booking on Totalize .. Wayne Hutchinson. He won the race on Raya Star.

Williow's Saviour gets in right at the bottom too. Would be quite something if Dan Skelton could land a race like this in his first season.

I am satisfied with young Brendan Powell on Recession Proof too - as far as I can ascertain, he's not ridden for Quinn before.

Need another string to my bow but gotta go through the race in detail first.

Interesting that BJG opts for Rolling Star though David Bass has a good record for NJH too.

the owner has probably had his say, never mind barry, bass will do us a favour

I think he might be riding RS with a view to future races, but I could be wrong. They do rate him highly.

David Bass rides Chatterbox in a lot of his homework apparently so that's why he is riding.

Current going is Soft, with rain forecast from 11pm tomorrow night until race time the next day. Could be looking at Heavy ground.

Chatterbox form looks solid,if he had not run in his last race (when the stable were out of form), he would be a 5/2 shot.

Geraghty is usually on the best of Hendersons. No figures for that just going by memory, pretty sure that's right, though.

I've sided with Rolling Star.
Jockey normally chooses the right one and has got experience on the heavy from his French days.

A line through Far West with Melodic Rendevous, and improvement he should have from his first run, makes him capable of running to a low 160. That should give him 10+lb in hand here.

bjg has chosen the wrong one imo

Surely its the owners, the reason why BG has chosen Rolling Star ahead of Chatterbox? He may not have a relationship the same as McCoy has with JP, but imo anything Buckley has in a race is ridden by Geraghty regardless of what else Hendo has. I have no proof of this however and could be wildly wrong but just a thinking???

A couple to consider at big odds,each way ,of course.
Ronaldo Des Mottes, he has four bits of form that make him 151 and he races off of 137. He has lost his way of late but with cheeks and the Pipe team behind him I think he could run a decent race.

Alaivan,ran at Wetherby after a lay off of more than two and a half years. It looks like the official handicapper has keyed that race around Skint and if so then Alaivan has run to 128+. I think it is reasonable to hope for more than a 6lb improvement and as he races off of 134 that would make him fairly treated. He ran off of 144 in the County Hurdle and was beaten less than three lengths. Soft ground should be no problem so I think he looks an interesting e/w prospect at 33/1.

Ptit Zig for me. Got a ton of weight and the 4 year old stat to overcome. Improved massively from last term and bypassed HQ last
week to run in this. The softer the better, and persistent rain due until race time

Added Totalize to my poke on Chatterbox. Could have taken double figure prices in the week but at the time wasn't sure. Have now seen the jockey has a 10% strike rate at Ascot from 51 rides which is pretty good given he's usually riding outsiders, so im guessing the trainer has done his homework to book Hutch. All other points have been discussed, 2/2 on Heavy etc. No 4yo has won this race yetso he'll have to buck that trend,but 7 have placed.

Clearly you had a couple of pre-Xmas drinks last night sint

Only have to go back to last year to find a 4yo winner

Totalize for me, another one who looked at the 20's and decided to wait.
  Evan Williams in Mirror today.
"Even here in the Vale of Glamorgan we can hear the positive sounds coming out of the yard - I know they really fancy their horse to run a big race today."

when  RS beat  Irish saint  last year  there was a big gap back to the others  Irish Saint  is eight pounds better off , he will do for me in an  ultra competitive Race .

backed Recession Proof earlier in week at 33/1 ew, encouraged by stable form but slightly discouraged by lack of market support and first time blinkers.

Added Flaxen Flare at 14/1 ew this morning (now bigger prices available, typical!) - just think he has the big field handicap form and less doubts about him running up to scratch than some of the others.

Have to say the top two, Ptit Zig and Rolling Star will have to be close to top drawer to win this, 4yos with lumps of weight in testing conditions.

Not for me, but if one of them wins, connections would be thinking Champion Hurdle surely?

had forgot that one Roo.

DELL 'ARCA all day for this race, its really hard to look beyond a Greatwood Hurdle winner, off a rating of 136.  He travelled well at Cheltenham, unlike Pipe horses generally he hunted around in mid-div before looing up to the leaders on the turn into the straight, jumped the last big (showing he had petrol in the tank), took the lead narrowly on the run-in and was ridden hands and heels to the line.

He could easily be the type of horse with 10lb or more in hand today, and Id rather be in this horse than any other.

STER Looming Up of course not "looing" up - that would be odd.

Track Update: The current Going is Soft, Heavy in places following 6mm rain since racing yesterday.

Right horses but wrong bets. I backed Ptit Zig and Chris Pea Green win only and Willows Saviour place only! Still a small profit as I laid Ptit Zig off but could have been a big payday if I had done them all e/w.

Unlike you to aftertime Sage!

Both Totalize & Chatterbox were pulled-up. I didn't get to see the race but clearly thet ran shockers.

I toyed with the idea of backing Willow's Saviour on Tuesday but he wasn't entered for the Grade 2 Novice on the Friday so left it,no excuses though as the price was still there to be taken once he had been declared. Hey ho.

* he was entered

chatterbox was struggling after 2 hurdles

sint, I after time when I lose as well as win. Just being honest. I was away from the computer until just before the race yesterday. I thought that Ptit Zig was huge at 22 earlier in the week but it went even longer so I didn't bet it again or for a place. Having seen Dan Skelton on the morning line and the heavy going, I thought that the bottom weight might run into a place but didn't bargain for it sailing past my 20/1 win bet!

Fair dos Sage. You know me, take it a bit too seriously.

Your a bit like me in them respects Sage, i wasn't going to post about my bet in this after the even yesterday cos someone would post me as a after timer, BUT on the same post where i said i was happy with my Chatterbox i did say i was waiting for the day then doing a bit of price pinching using the PW boxes in the rp every morning of a big race meet when on terrestrial tv, hence my very nice 16/1 the winner

Chatterbox RIP

Oh that is sad news

RIP Chatterbox

rip chatterbox

Always a shame to see a nice horse killed or fatally injured. Sympathy for the owners.

RIP Chatterbox, does anyone know what happened to him?

Major tendon damage picked up early in the race