Ballyburn

Yes DD,i was impressed, not sure the around 8/1 is good value for the cham bumper but that race could suit with a should be fast pace, top of my list i think after that.

It will be interesting to see what happens. The form of today's race might be as good as the favourite, and then you have the mark up for the trip he had. I compile a list of horses from the Points and he was the first name for this season. He has a lovely pedigree. The mare seems to have just visited Flemensfirth, and the family goes back to Mole Board. Emma Lavelle lost a full brother who created a huge impression in winning his only bumper start. Fingers crossed Patrick decides to ride this one, and hands the current favourite to Jacob. I was lucky enough to get on 20/1 NRNB before the race. My only other bet in the race is Encanto Bruno, but I was a little put off by Scudamore retiring as I assumed he would be jocked up for the Festival.

Had a bit of 25s yesterday and was pleasantly surprised , have a small double with one that may or may not run in the Plate , fingers xd . Also have Encanto Bruno but only because I got his name mixed up with Dysart Enos .....I know .....

Good luck.

I think the 25/1 was still available with Betfair, but because I was a couple of hundred up with them they only allow me peanuts, so that was never an option. They are also not NRNB. Hard to believe the 12/1 with Bet 365 will last.

Yes I agree , the head carriage and pulling is a slight worry but hopefully can be minimised , have no acc with Billy (fcuk up with email addresses), but did also manage  the 20s NRNB . Downside is I never back the Bumper winner .

Other than cashing out Ferny Hollow at 25/1 it's been a good race for me. I would be disappointed if hadn't been as these are the types of horses I concentrate most of my time on. Cue Card was my biggest ever winner, and I think the best winnner of the race.

Florida Pearl was even better,

achieved so much afterwards that people forget the champion bumper win !

I was talking about on the day. In that there is no comparison, Cue Card cruised round on the bridle thrashing next year's Supreme winner.

It's debatable which of two went on to achieve the most.

yes, visually very impressive and the other ones I liked were Dato Star and Cousin Vinny, probably because I backed them both

Just read a preview which states Ballyburn doesn't run. Great news! I would love to know what has changed in a few days having apparantly booked his ticket. He is fourth favourite and it usual practice for the stable to run everything.

I have a decent record in the Festival Bumper, but not with this outfit, Blue Sari runner up, Ferny Hollow cashed out, and now this one all at 20/1+. Painful stuff.

Willie Mullins' column on Sporting Life:-

Ballyburn made things hard for himself in Punchestown, pulling very hard through the race. The fact he was able to show a good turn of speed at the end of that shows that he is a real top-class horse and one we’re looking forward to in winners’ bumpers later in the season.
https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/willie-mullins-column-weekend-preview/207600

Bumper entries will be announced on Tuesday, along with the Cross-country and Hunter Chase.

I read that quote, and initially I thought that's a bit wishy-washy, he has backtracked in a couple of days. The same source had  suggested he had booked his ticket. The Festival Bumper is of course a winners Bumper. Why not just say he isn't going, and provide some sort clarity as to why? On the basis of that run they couldn't say he isn't good enough. The fixed price market hasn't moved yet.

Bet 365 will be delighted.

You can never tell with Willie Mullins as he shuffles his embarrassment of riches. Owners? Jockeys? Patrick needing a boost for the Irish Amateur Championship? We'll discover on Tuesday if he has been entered. Has the preview circuit started yet?

The horse 'not running' is from a report of a preview night. I would say this was the headline take out.

Ballyburn is not entered in the Champion Bumper.

To add insult to injury, Willie has 14 others entered.

https://www.racingpost.com/news/festivals/cheltenham-festival/who-is-entered-for-the-champion-bumper-glenfarclas-cross-country-chase-and-hunters-chase-aXQR52X8PbTX/

Upping The Ante suggested it was the owner's decision. No idea who this guy is in cahoots with Bartlett, and of course Bartlett is part of the Henderson set up who doesn't run anything in the Bumper. Maybe that has rubbed off. Seems madness to me as I think the experience would probably have been a plus, rather than a negative. Fourteen other owners not too bothered. You would think most just leave it to the trainer. Willie still talked about him as if he was on the team in his Sporting Life piece yesterday.

I am well used to kicks in teeth when comes to ante-post betting. He is just one of three or four this year. At least I haven't lost any money, it just feels like it. Anyone would have preferred a run at 20/1 than money back.

Confirmed the initial impression. Hard not to like the way he sticks his head down and wants to win. I have gambled that he will have enough pace for a Ballymore.

Ballyburn has top form.  The Elliott horse he beat last time out was just touched off by Giovinco the good horse of Lucinda's in a PtP who hacked up on the bridle yesterday in a Listed hurdle race at Perth.  A lot of good pointers for Ballyburn