yeah Carlisle is a tough track

regarding ballyandy who a few seem to like he seems to have lost all enthusiasm for the game , i can see why you  like him based on the past , but , the current suggests hes gone at the game , which is strong given his age and amount of runs , but , thats how it reads to me

my selection benatar and the other more fancied moore horse baron alco have both been ridden by jamie moore in nearly all of their runs . baron alco is 10-1 ish and benatar is 12-1 ish jamie has picked benatar

give me Mr Mcgrath over the Moore boys anyday!

yeah i had a sneaky ew pony on him from yesterdays profits as a saver...best of luck to you too!!

I like the look of KING'S SOCK, he has a similar profile to the stables former festival winner Ballynagour in that he went into the Byrne plate seemingly well handicapped after (in differing ways) encouraging debut runs in this country after arriving from France. I'm hoping the similarity continues with the potential being realized at a later date as Ballynagour came back to win the plate the following year quite impressively and hopefully KS will run a big race on Saturday.

As we saw he was given an easy race on debut over here and went off strongly fancied at the festival, he travelled like the best horse through the race IMO but faltered up the hill, he then went to Aintree where he ran no race but dropped back to the minimum, on that track he was taken off of his feet from the off. I have to admit I'm a bit worried that he wants it softer with his action.

He's tongue tied for the first time and a fascinating horse that I "think" is probably on a good mark "if" he can put it all together.

think this mister whitaker is a lovely horse and should be followed until beaten. the fast pace should suit him down to the ground.

will have a saver on the hendo horse as well.

Baron Alco is in top form and will put on a show of front running. He often finds only a grade 1 horse to beat him so we are afraid of Mr Whitaker. On similar ground he was trying to give weight when beaten by only Road to Respect at the festival.

It doesn't get much better than that, what a thrill. nothing better than one of your favourites winning.

Congrats pmt.

Well done PMT, a fantastic run from Baron Alco. I've never known a Mackeson like it - carnage, out front was certainly the place to be.

Benatar had a blood problem.
Gutted to see Frodon run so well when I was on at 26 but that must make him a contender for the Ryanair-and he is not even in the AP market!

Well done pmt, smashing horse.

sageform ask betfair to add him, he certainly has a chance in the ryanair.

IS, the odd thing is that Frodon is in the GC market which seems as likely to happen as Vince Cable being the next Prime Minister.

I love the offspring of Dom Alco, the mighty Al Ferof was also by him. If you have watched the replay on on RUK their is a brilliant image on the far side where your horse has the sun shining through his tail and mane, it would make a brilliant picture if that was possible.

You have a serious horse on your hands pmt.

Recession Proof was a classy horse too, you lucky man.

Baron Alco jumped at speed, like a stag. Well done to all connections with this horse. The RYANAIR at the Festival is the obvious long range target, the horse is proven to love the track and trip, and the top of that race market is full of horses unlikely to run, and has plenty of room for an improver like this horse to be one of the favs for the race, as the race draws nearer.

I wouldn't back him for the Ryanair, the one to back there is Frodon. Baron Alco was in receipt of 15lb for a 2 length victory, which would put Frodon about 13lbs ahead off level weights. I am sure Baron Alco can improve too, but that's a big turnaround against a horse that is 25/1 in a place for the Ryanair

I can't see any other race at the Festival for Frodon, they either swerve or go for the Ryanair, I don't think there's much room with his handicap mark (given he will go up a few more pounds after Saturday) to race in anything else. I will have a few quid at 25/1

recovering from my hangover following a nice weekend....roll on next weekend!!

thanks nocturnal, he ate up on saturday night and his legs were fine the next morning so its onwards and upwards for the Caspian Caviar back at Cheltenham in the December meeting. He has been raised 6lbs to 152  which i think is fair. he might be put away for a break after the Caspian race and wait for the 3 mile handicap(old Racing Post chase) at kempton end february. We are debating whether to run in the Topham at Aintree . He isn't considered to have the engine for the Ryanair and is a stone off that standard as yet.

Great news he has come out sound after the race.

Only caught a glimpse of the interview post race,pretty clear GM was a a little concerned re ground.

So much more to this sport beyond the betting angle,this lad is a fine example.

Thread a few pages back discussing Native River around xmas time last year,wondering just how much a decent break  can affect a horse,and how they respond.Something worth thinking about going forward,different stages of their careers,and yes different class,but could that injury to Baron Alco have been a blessing in disguise.

The daily rigours must take it out of some horses,lord knows how much goes into getting them fully fit,especially early on in their careers,he really does look like he,s flourished.

No comment on 152.......Souldancer will be on my case (WP by the way).

Heap of guesswork with that Topham shout,an interesting call for someone to make.

Goes without saying,just need him to stay sound,everything from here is a bonus.

GL

Baron Alco being well handicapped rather than the break played the part. At Chepstow I thought he ran a bit free, didn't jump early on.
    I do think horses that have a couple of years off often keep improving later than the norm.