Hadrians approach - Kempton on Saturday

Henderson cannot be trusted. He has no regard for the punter whatsoever. I suspect this will be his vets fault too!

Rajdhani Express his only entry now, don't know what changed.

The Racing Post should check stories if the information had come from an earlier day, especially where betting is concerned.
As far as I could see, the info came from yesterday,and was posted as a story on the web site today.
I am not blaming Nicky Henderson, the blame lays with the RP for not picking up the phone and checking the story.

Henderson said it at 5 yest evenin

Speaking after his treble on the jumpers' bumper card at the course on Sunday, the champion trainer said: "Hadrian's Approach would be my most probable runner - he worked well and schooled well on Saturday.

"He and Rajdhani Express will get left in on Monday," added Henderson, who entered seven in the early-closing Grade 3 chase over three miles that he has won only once - with Marlborough in 2004.


And then today

Trainer Nicky Henderson had indicated on Sunday the seven-year-old was a likely runner, but his sole remaining entry is Rajdhani Express.
"We decided this morning to keep Hadrian's Approach for Cheltenham," Henderson said on Monday. "I strongly believe you don't want to be giving Cheltenham horses a race on heavy ground so close to the Festival."

perhaps he thought they were going to run it on the all weather track until this morning

And they wonder why ante post is utterly dead.

I hope they keep Rajdhani Express for the 3m h/c Chase on the tuesday at Cheltenham. Clearly loves the track, will improve for 3 miles and hopefully can get some good ground as being by Presenting he'll improve for it.

Hadrians Approach = Juveigneur(short head)+Kim Muir  = Marlborough.

^
For race 3 day 1.

CVByrne, I personally cannot see Rajdhani Express getting getting home either on Saturday or in the 3 miler on day 1 at Chelt!

GL, I always enjoy reading your well reasoned thoughts!

Can't possibly see why he won't get home over 3m on good ground, by Presenting who is a staying chaser sire and he was staying on at end of Paddy Power, looked to lack pace there tbh. His Jock can claim 5lbs off him so he wouldn't run under top weight.

Thanks by the way Saxon.

forecast has changed now, yesterday they were forecasting 25mm of rain for Kempton for the rest of the week - now it's 8-10mm having had 3mm last night.

Still likely to be soft I would have thought and does seem strange that they're prepared to step RE up in trip on soft ground - the owner is never short of an opinion of course.

He could run down the field here,not impair his mark and still have a decent chance at the festival over 3m on better ground,...or he could leave his festival race at Kempton...or he could win here, take a hike in the ratings and harm his festival chance. He's also entered in the Ryanair but it's hard to see him taking his chance there after this race.

I've no idea really but I don't think I'd want to back him over 3m on soft ground just now.

actually, just noticed his dam is a Cadoudal mare which would make you more confident he'd relish the trip even on soft ground!

He was always going to stay 3 miles on breeding, and by Presenting he's better on better ground. I think this race will put him spot on for the Festival, he's only had the 1 run this season and hopefully he'll end 5th or 6th in this with a clear round, gets dropped a couple of lbs and be a big price for the festival.

I hope anyway. Though I think I need to stop discussing horses I'm going to back until I actually have backed them, Pendra was hit after me talking him up, tweeting about him and getting mates to back him.

not sure I'm interested in backing him for anything yet but he's a progressive, interesting animal.

Won't make my mind up until later in the week for the Kempton race but Tour Des Champs looks nicely handicapped on the best of his 3 mile chase form. Definitely something going on there.

Agree about Tour Des Champs, but he's proper stayer. 3m round Kempton is too sharp for him imo.

RE taken out by a lot of firms is he running???

Nope - he's the only one taken out - 13 run

RE now entered in Byrne Group Plate at Festival (already held Ryanair entry) so looks like they've put the step up to 3 miles on hold.

Again, you do wonder what changes from Sunday to Monday and then again from Monday to Thursday.

Presumably they've concluded that his mark is still favourable at 2m 4f.

I've taken 16s BOG on the Sportsbook here on Tour Des Champs. I agree that he has the profile of an out and out stayer but he's won 4 races, 2 at 23f and 2 at 24f. It could be a bit sharp for him around Kempton and his jumping is not always the most sound but stable has recent form for bringing 'em down in trip and he has first time visor to help him focus.

The negatives seem more than catered for in the price and he gets in off 127 here in what looks a poor renewal to me - certainly in comparison with most of the races he's been running in since his last victory.


Good luck.

I've gone for Midnight Appeal @ 14/1 - he was badly hampered over c&d the last day when trying to lug top weight in heavy ground and stays on same 139 h/c mark. I think he'll like the better ground and stronger pace he'll get here. Unfortunately Albatros Thornton is in the saddle as Hutch has gone for Bless the Wings.

I'm also backing Grandioso at 9/1 as he has course form, he'll get the 3 miles and he'll prefer this better ground than he had at Ascot the last day. Nicholls had talked him up off this mark for the Dec h/c where he ran no race. I think this step up will show improvement.

I am tempted by Tour Des Champs off such a low weight but going to go with my belief he'll need a tougher test of stamina than this and better ground.

funnily enough ,CV, Grandioso is the other one that tempts me but will probably wait until Saturday morning now.

Let's hope at least one of us is right!

Aye, I'll not be too annoyed if Tour Des Champs wins, I'm full of pragmatism these days and actually think if the horse you nearly backed wins it shows your analysis is good.

That's why I do 3 steps to a race, put a line though horses who won't win, make a shortlist from the remainder, then look at the odds, see what appeals and place bets.

I feel much better if a shortlist horse wins than one I put a line through early. Means I'm on the right track.

twiston davies yard bangin out the winners

Goodwood Mirage, Cup Final also backed at Kempton

I've backed Bless the Wings at 16's and had a saver on Planet of Sound.

Added Grandioso at 9/1 this morning after further encouragement from Nick Schofield's Morning Line comments.

TDS price gone from sublime to ridiculous now, never trust these wholesale gambles

Hope Planet front runs,should get a good run for my money if he does.
Think the horse enjoys being out in front.

Good luck all.

Backed Baile Anrai have to really after going in at Donny though I also backed TDS for Welsh National. If I was coming to the race fresh then I think Bally Legend is a big price

I thought dickie was very easy on POS once he knew he wasn't going to be in the top 3, national in mind?

Or even the  3m handicap chase at Cheltenham...