Only By Night did win on the bridle. Just to repeat what I said after the first win, let's hope she can see out her season this time. On that evidence she wouldn't be out of place in an Arkle. Better that than stepping up in trip. As per usual, bookmakers no imagination, and only quoting her for the Mares'. She is so obviously speed over stamina.

Djelo made a couple of supposed Grade 1 horses look like plodders. He isn't a Grade 1 so the others very disappointing.

I don't like to see jocks falling off, but given his pathetic performance last time, it would have been a disgrace had Banbridge prevailed for bookmakers favourite, Joseph O'Brien.

If it was at Sandown, you would be all over Jonbon, but he seems to have more problems with the fences at Cheltenham. At the prices I wouldn't be rushing to back either. Gaelic Warrior not exactly what you would call a safe bet. I was hoping Ferny Hollow might have shown a little more - he would have been fourth or fifth - but it's probably odds on he won't make it. I would imagine that Banbridge will turn up, but which version?

Supreme Malinas, surprise surprise, ridden completely differently, won a shade comfortably, despite Skelton coming close to departing. St Irene, picked up the pieces, aided by a wayward Kapability and Cobden. Another outside ride, another duffer.

Any reason for not backing it each-way? It was available at 25/1 last night, and even at 18/1 you could have made a tidy profit?

so how do you get excited about bumpers at gaff tracks  which are now basically legalized schooling sessions ?

I agree that aspect has got worse with supposed top trainers taking them less seriously, than they once did. Henderson the very obvious example. That said plenty of the sport is guesswork with lots of horses being sent out for a run round. The sport just isn't policed properly, but that's what punters have to put up with on a daily basis. The sport doesn't want punters to win, at least not on a consistent basis. Personally, I much prefer races where bookmakers have less to go on. You have to put the work in, but it's still just about possible to win. Some people get excited about veterans' races. I have never understood that. Why would you want to bet on races where you could easily get a different result if the race was run the following day? Some pundits get very excited about difficult handicaps. Great when you solve one, but let's forget about all the times you don't. It boils down to personal choice, and doing what you are best at.

Trainer doesn't talk his horses down so I would take with a large amount of salt.

Just caught the backend of Hayley Moore talking to Patrick Mullins. I am assuming she didn't even bother to ask about Ferny Hollow?

Pauling was over the moon with the run, happy as Larry.
It's not clear who is the stable jockey as Woods seems to ride as many as Jones.

Two early each-way bets for Punchestown. Dancing City has three Grade 1 wins, but at no stage did I think I can't wait to see him over a fence. At 7, I am a little surprised, given how uncompetitive the Stayers division is, that they didn't at least try him down that route. If it goes pear-shaped perhaps they will. I backed Shannon Royale at double figures yesterday on the basis that if he reproduces his chasing debut, he should at least be in the mix for a place. That looked a step up on his hurdles form. Probably worth keeping an eye on Buachaillbocht to see if the step up in trip, and slower ground makes a significant difference. The Great Nudie ran away with a late season point. Although she probably didn't beat much, it was perhaps surprising that she wasn't sold on. It's a family that has had more misses than hits, but it does trace back to The Dikler. I had her down as a good ground horse, but she was disappointing in two bumpers on a quicker surface. Upped in trip for her hurdling debut, and on much softer ground, I thought she did well to see off the Mullins favourite, the pair clear. Her jumping was sharp, and it was to her disadvantage that flights were omitted. Double figures looks reasonable.

Both of mine quite weak. Perhaps the market thinks they want softer ground? Not so sure with The Great Nudie. That improvement could easily have come from the step up in trip, and a professional jock.

Only race I was interested in other here was whether Hollygrove Cha Cha would remain unbeaten. Katira Du Mestivel has been strong, weak, and now strong again in the market. Not sure the point form is much good. She was headed and beaten when coming down at the last in her point. The winner, Easy Love, was a disappointing favourite in her bumper, looking pretty slow. The leader also ran out at the second last in that point. I would be disappointed if the favourite didn't win again.

Agree with Dancing City, looked pretty good and Townsed was confident enough to go on with him. Will take some beating no idea what Mullins will run against him at this point. Good starting point

Decent performance from Jingko Blue beating those on debut and giving weight away. Surely have a look at a graded race after that. Scilly Isles maybe

Hollygrove Cha Cha made life much more difficult for herself by jumping so badly. That would be exposed upped in class. 4/4 But remains very much a work in progress.

Another bridle job for Cromwell in the last at Punchestown. Glenashling had earlier looked a big, slow boat. A long way removed from Special Tiara.

Now the Turner's is no more, isn't the 5/1 about Ballyburn for the Brown Advisory a little too tempting, isn't it a case of deciding what price is big enough to take in the hope that further races over the minimum trip begin to highlight/suggest that it is now time to step him up in trip ?

What makes you think that Ballyburn wont turn up in the Arkle?

Obviously if Mullins decides to run Ballyburn over two miles then it wont be a mistake, he is the maestro.

No, I wouldnt dream of backing any Mullins horse anti post, best to wait until they are actually declared close to the race day, although I do think that the Arkle is the way they will go.

another day of fav fav fav

The bumper at Hereford, Imo that's the only time the Nicholls horse beats Skelton's horse. Harry ran up the arse of about 5 other horses and give it the same ride as the winner and wins easy enough for me

Just the one bet tomorrow, Telepathique, each-way at double figures in the mares' listed. She jumps well, goes well at Warwick, and the step back up in trip shouldn't be an issue. Hopefully, there isn't a non runner. I think the market is overrating You Wear It Well whose best form appears to be over two miles on soft. Sutherland, the interesting one in the bumper, but hard to back given the way Henderson is seemingly playing with these races, and that's before the hood is considered.