Queens Gamble easy to back but still gets the job done. The Mares novice over 2 miles could be too short but she is probably not good enough for the 2.5 mile mares.

Quite frustrating, but Rehill Relic made it a small winning day. He was a massive drifter (6/1-18/1), and hard to believe he wouldn't be far more effective on better ground. Williams the latest criticised jock to land a bundle of winners, and well done me to pick the Nicholls' useless horse. The change of tactics - held up, stuck out wide - didn't work at all for Larchmont Lass, and she probably didn't even get close to her previous form. One to avoid. Centara was nursed home, and seemed to benefit from one or two in behind being ridden for another day. I thought Johnnywho was the best in the Challow before the race, and I still think so after the race. Some absolute nonsense from that lightweight fool, Tom Stanley, suggesting JP should aim him at the Pertemps? His preparation hadn't been perfect, he was a big drifter (3/1-13/2), but he has still managed to finish best of all, beaten two lengths in a Grade 1. Turning in he was going to win, but from that point I suspect the preparation has told, before he stayed on when the race was effectively over. Better preparation, same trip (Sidney Banks?), and let's see what happens. Captain Teague was a stone better than Cheltenham. Hugely frustrating for anyone who backed him in that race. What a difference a year makes. Last year we had that nonsense from Cobden about Hermes Allen winning over two miles, but this time he realised this horse hasn't got the gears to win a Ballymore. Unfortunately, I don't think has got the class to beat Gidleigh Park either.

Impressed with Jeriko Du Reponet. The change of gear would suggest that there is no need to go up in trip so I backed him for the Supreme.

A good summary dd, thank you.
The AB is now looking a strong race in March….we’ll see!
Not sure the Huntingdon Sidney Banks will suit JOHNNYWHO, 2m5 right handed tight track.  I’d prefer he went to the staying novice hurdle on trials day in January.

Fair comment.
No Idea what or if anything WM GE or HD have unwrapped.
And I believe William Bills go Non Runner Money Back from Monday on the festival.

Absolutely agree re Storm Heart , second rated 65 third 52 on flat , jumping not finished article either though other way round should suit . Did like Monty's Star though .

Just checked the Stayers market, and Springwell Bay is listed. That seems to suggest someone has already had a sniff. I don't see his profile as that different to Crambo. Anyway, I took the 40/1. It's one of those if he loses tomorrow the bet is likely down the pan, but if he wins he is 20/1, or even shorter. Given that he would be a two-time course winner I can't see another obvious target.

Good luck, but I would be wary of any McConnell runner. Stable has been in terrible form for months.

From a viewing point that was probably the most annoying afternoon I can remember. Split screen after split screen. No other sport would tolerate such nonsense.

It just brought home how the sport appears have next to no control over it's own product.

Racing has two dedicated channels, and the highest cost for any stand alone channel. Yet it produces a total shambles. There should be two channels with half the racing on each channel. The greedy racecourses have wrecked the product. It's the same with the fixture list which should be cut in half.

Steve Jones spouting nonsense about the lack of prize money again. I have highlighted several recent instances of very good prize money attracting next to nothing in terms of quality. The problem is not enough good horses and too many options. There are already several handicaps with prizes that exceed Graded races.

Anyone know what the premierisation of Cheltenham meant? A good idea should be simple, and not need any explanation.

Anyway, back to the racing, and another small profit even after including the losing ante-post bet.

I thought Wedge had thrown the race away by sitting still on the run to the last, but the horse has shown a good attitude to run the leader down. These are his conditions, and he didn't seem to have a problem with the track. A wet spring, and he could have a decent mark for the Grand Annual. Again the fast pace should suit. He could end up a 150+ horse. Has been put in joint favourite, but at this stage 12/1 isn't appealing. Not sure Ed Keeper would have won without the mistake. He just looks a galloper, and would have been better suited making the running. Springwell Bay was disappointing. he raced freely, and didn't get home on that surface. He isn't the biggest, so chasing might not be the best idea. Perhaps the Coral Cup would be a likely fit? A couple of bookmakers have priced him up, but 16/1 is again hardly a giveaway when he could be double figures on the day. Authentic Legacy shaped nicely in the bumper under a pretty ordinary ride. Jock seemed to be intent on just tracking his stablemate, got shuffled back, and ended up the widest of all.

Elsewhere, Inch House never jumped or travelled with the same fluency he had done in his two previous wins. I didn't see the head on, but it looked to as if Blackmore came close to making a complete horlicks on Bob Olinger. The head on would be telling, but it seemed that she ended up forcing the gap. Further confirmation of the mess they have made of Marie's Rock. That wasn't the same horse as last year.

I think we got confirmation at Fairyhouse as to why My Trump Card had previously gone the bumper route. Plenty of size, but not much idea about jumping. Obviously, Staffordshire Knot prefers Fairyhouse heavy to Limerick heavy. The favourite a bitter disappointment. I bet a few had chanced that for the Festival Bumper, and would have been desperately trying to cash out. Liam Quinlan joined the long list of  criticised jocks to land a winner, scoring at Tramore.

Thanks dd - you're analysis always well worth the reading.

Very good dd. Springwell Bay suffers from being trained by one Jonjo and ridden by another although I doubt that he is top class. Butch would be interesting in the Pertemps if he goes there. It is hard to rate the opening novice hurdle but it did not look a good race. Agree with first time poster. It is much easier to get 14 or more runners in a class 5 handicap hurdle than in a £20k race of any sort. There are plenty of bad horses around but not many good ones.

Which "Jones" are you referring too?

Thanks Saxon, I certainly wouldn't back anything for the Pertemps before the overnight decs are in. I don't see Butch as a Grade 1 horse though.

Had a little look through the Festival NRNB prices, and the only one I was tempted by was Nemean Lion at 25/1 (with a possible boost) in the County. If he goes there I can see him going off 16/1, or even shorter. I think he is a bit better than that Greatwood run. Everything that finished above him has since been raised.

I also cashed out Old Ground for a small loss. I will check future entries, but just assume she is out for the season.

That's one I won't be following over a cliff. Market told the story - 20/1-50/1. Seemingly, travelling nicely in sixth with a circuit to go, he then lost around six places in 100 yards without even coming under pressure. Any horse who falls into that sort of hole shouldn't be running on that sort of surface. Lady Jago travelled like the best horse, but didn't get close to seeing her race out. Lady Nell looks another ordinary one.

Nice rest tomorrow. With the exception of the clash between Firefox, Ile Atlantique, and Chapeau Du Soleil, the whole weekend is effectively a washout. Of the three I would favour the last named. I think he is more an Albert Bartlett type, but the intermediate on testing ground at Naas might very well seem like three miles. I know it is a Grade 1, but a bit surprised that Firefox has been upped in trip for this sort of test. With eight declared, hopefully, nothing will pull out. They knew the ground they were likely to get.

Joyeuse probably the best of the yesterday's novice winners. JP owns plenty of rubbish, but very few seem to end up with Henderson.

Added a free bet on Johnnywho for the Albert Bartlett on the basis that target has been confirmed. I may not have bothered had Fry done similar with Gidleigh Park.

Also Let It Rain NRNB for Bumper. Given it's Skelton she won't go, but nothing lost if she doesn't. I think she has the best form of anything over here, and I don't think the irish have produced anything in the spectacular bracket so far.

I wouldn't be surprised if he still ran in the staying race and Mullins saying it was always the plan. I'm not sure how much money would've caused the drop in price, remembering the non runner no bet get out clause and some punters feeling they will cover themselves by backing the horse for both races. Of course the suspicion in cases like this is that connections have caused the 'gamble' and decided this is the race. Interesting if someone asks Mullins the question on Racing TV at Naas on Friday.

DD,don't shoot the messenger! but re Let it Rain,owner good friend,just text me to ask where we stay for Cheltenham as that's where she's running.

ribero,

Right now, given the above nonsense, I need all the positives I can get. It's nice to have at least one owner on the same page. She thoroughly deserves to take her chance, and irrespective of the result - and let's hope it's a win - your friend has a very nice prospect going forward.

Personal Ambition was impressive there. Giving 7lb and laughed at them.