Caspian Caviar Gold Cup (Cheltenham 10th December)

I'm quite keen to give Buywise another chance @ 16/1 e/w but the trainer has stated that Kings Odyssey has been aimed at the race and Buywise might instead be sent over hurdles so will wait until the final decs before playing.

CCM, I think Village Vic is solid in this, and been chipping away at the 16's the last couple of weeks (also bet a N/R)

I've added Tenor Nivernais 16/20's, and Quite By Chance 20's, both ew, and the more I look at the latter, the more I like, think 20's is big.

Yeah Ive had a bit on at 10's Fab... shortening all the time. He has got to give plenty of weight all round, but can't see VV being out of the frame.

Interesting if the first 5 in the Betvictor turn up again. It is 80 yards farther which might stretch Village Vic so Taquin is well capable of winning again off only 5lb more. Roman Flight might be interesting.

I should do this before I put any bets on but I’ve done a quick sheet on the Caspian.

Aged between 4-8, has had a break between 21-36 days, racing off 158 or below (including jockey claim), has won a race over at least 20f and no more than 21.5f and had a top 5 finish last time out.

You are left with (current top price)

ASO (9)
KINGS ODYSSEY (12)
KYLEMORE LOUGH (14)

Dec 5, 2016 -- 5:53PM, sageform wrote:

Interesting if the first 5 in the Betvictor turn up again. It is 80 yards farther which might stretch Village Vic so Taquin is well capable of winning again off only 5lb more. Roman Flight might be interesting.

it's on the stiffer new course too but neither of those factors stopped Village Vic winning this race last season - the fact that he's now 22 lbs higher in the handicap might prevent a repeat but he keeps defying the rises and running monster races.

Will take a closer look later in the week - Art Mauresque looks the one reopposing from November who would benefit from the better ground the forecast suggests is likely - it may be significant that he was withdrawn from the Peterborough Chase yesterday. Module could be interesting if he can build on his comeback run in the Shloer but most of his best form is with cut in the ground.

Warren Greatrex has warned that Aloomomo is far from certain to take his place in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The Lambourn handler may bypass the Grade Three prize with the six-year-old, who is ante-post favourite with a number of betting firms, on account of the ground being too quick.

Should Aloomomo miss his intended outing at the weekend he could be re-routed to the Lavazza Jolie Silver Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot a week on Saturday.

Greatrex said: "The big problem is the ground. There is every chance we might be forced not to run as he wants the ground softer than it is at the moment.

"It is just my luck to have a favourite for a big race and for the ground to be like this. I would love to have a go as he is in serious order.

"It was a great effort on his comeback run at Ascot. He needed it probably more than I thought as it did look like he would win but he got tired from the last to the line.

"When the ground wasn't soft enough at the Cheltenham Festival he didn't handle it and he is entered the week after at Ascot in the Silver Cup.

"I will speak to the owners and they will have the last call but I am of the opinion we wait for the week after and wait for the rain. Wherever he goes he will be competitive."

Im with Fabulous on this backed VILLAGE VIC 16s last week - despite his last run think there is more improvement coming from him - he may set the race up for Taquin, but you have to give his front running style and jumping some credit.  I think he will attack the race from the front and may well be too much for some.

Of the others - I still have faith in FRODON think he hit a fence hard last time in Paddy Power - I do expect him to jump better this time round - the experience last time would have helped... only question mark I have is the other running over big fields... But Nichols had a good weekend ... so who knows!

Thomas Brown at 10/1,is my bet at this stage.

Anyone know whether TURBAN is an intended runner - ex Mullins horse, has had a race this season seems like was to blow cobwebs away...

With the likelihood of 13/14 runners... thought it may well be risking him for a each way selection at 66/1 with 4 places now...

Inclement weather has been forecast at Cheltenham.
Is Kylemore Lough an intended runner? He is also entered for the John Durkan at Punchestown.

VC just chopped him from 16's to 11's which suggests they think he is.

VILLAGE VIC -hopefully does not get too soft

Kylemore Lough has been declared with Jamie Moore riding, and persistent light rain anticipated on saturday.

Sorry 'brendrew'.

Added Aloomomo - BOG 9/1 ( NRNB)

* not BOG

Dec 8, 2016 -- 5:20PM, impossible123 wrote:

Kylemore Lough has been declared with Jamie Moore riding, and persistent light rain anticipated on saturday.Sorry 'brendrew'.

metcheck predicts a total of 2.2mm between now and race time - Claisse would put more than that down if he was still watering surely? Latest going stick reading 7.3, going stick reading prior to Village Vic winning last year 6.9 - I doubt the ground will stop Village Vic, the weight might.

ReaselHeath
I did not recourse to breakdown chart and only saw the pictorial one which indicated persistent light rain from 3am saturday till at least 6pm.

On closer look 'myweather2.com is indicating 10ml from 3am to 6pm saturday.

indeed but most of that is after 3pm. The race is at 1.50 pm. They forecast 4mm between now and then. They might be wrong, there could be more (or less).

You've clearly backed Kylemore Lough and are hoping for rain, I don't have a bet in the race yet.

Any rain after 2pm won't matter.

Sorry, as you probably have noticed I'm trying very hard to get involved (a small bet) but totally forget about race time. Anyway, I'm on Kylemore Lough, probably little chance if only a smidgeon of rain prevails.

Good luck with your bet here.

with Taquin not running, I am leaning towards Aso and Roman Flight.

Forecast Fav at 6/1, followed by 7 horses no bigger than 10/1.
Dreadful value from so called bookmakers !

I am very confident, with a couple of hours of form study this evening, that I can find a decent priced loser in this race.

lol, good luck john

any rain about, lads

Johnn!   Having a few quid win and place Quite by Chance  I have no idea whether he stays or not as there is no consistency with his trip or form
Hoping they have got to the bottom of him as 2 very encouraging runs this term so far.

Giddy, astonishingly that is where the pin has landed for me too. At least looks to act on the going and he'll do for me, albeit to minimal stakes. Good luck to all today.

frodon for me

The pin is as good a method as any in this race. Good luck all!

an impossible puzzle, King's Odyssey and Thomas Brown, both ew for me, small stakes obvs.

Good luck!

I have not had a bet on the race but would not rule out a good run from Turban. He is offered at around 280 on here and that is far too big a price. Inconsistent but nicely treated on his better efforts.

Backed Aso each way four places and Quite By Chance and Roman Flight each way five places.

I think Full Shift is the forgotten horse, still widely available at 33/1. Anyone laying that price for a Henderson horse going in bottom weight for a big Cheltenham handicap is taking a chance. His form this season hasn't been up to much, but again anyone thinking a Henderson horse runs to it's ability when a big race is the target wants their head examining. I thought he coped well over course and distance when fourth at the Festival. Empire of Dirt won the race and hosed up in the 25 runner Troytown chase last week off a 6lb higher mark so you can't knock that piece of Cheltenham form. Geraghty rides the other McManus horse so you could argue that's a negative but I'm not sure if he still gets down to 10 stone and anyway why would he when he could choose the Nicholls ante-post favourite? The icing on the cake is first time cheek pieces. The horse may simply be out of form but I've loaded up each way between 33 and 40 and am happy to take the risk at the price.

Massive resistance to Kylemore Lough despite the rain coming down now.

Quite by Chance gone from 19 to 34 on here

Rain has come for Aso and  Bouvreil. No excuses for these two now. Although Venetia's form a big worry.

Very well done Iris

The Dragon too.

Well done with the pin Johnn. May have gone close without the interference by the faller

Good call Iris and other winners

Village Vic must be the most likable horse in training at the moment

Hear here!

Not sure why Bouvreuil is supposed to want the rain. Clearly didn't get home on that ground. The winner did it well but Aso didn't get a great run round and did well to finish second.

I thought BUYWISE was the eye catcher - ran a fantastic race really... considering had the stuffing knocked out with him... when he hit the fence hard... slowed down - jockey managed to stay on him (only just) and still looking quite menacing in the final stages of the race...

I can see why Paul Moloney chose him over the Kings Odyssey - don't think the visor/blinker had anything to do with the blunder as he jumped really well otherwise....

I think they should leave it on - i'm sure this horse will make amends...

feel sorry for the each way backers for this horse... they must be disappointed... but my fave horse in training...

well done Iris and the Dragon.

chees guys great result and got an amazing 14/1