the Obriens in this weekends group1 over 40 runners

Agree 100 %

Normally I would be going to one or both days. Nearly always go to Moyglare day. Not this year with your post '40 runners' being the abiding reason. Very surprised 'Item' is coming over. Note where he is drawn. In the 2025 Moyglare 'Burkes' good filly got trap 1 (rails). Kept TO rails till chance was gone. I'm sure connections noted that and wont be rushing horses over again, (unless they have a machine). BTW who makes these draws? I know the Irish Greyhound system for draws, from experience btw, was often questionable. Yes I am disappointed by my non-attendance with the Curragh track people notifying me almost daily about attending the big 'Champions day'. Horse racing has changed and imo this change is not for the good of racing. Come to Listowel for a proper festival of horse racing. In any event I will be watching Shane Lowry in the Irish Open having had a lovely meal in his new restaurant on the 'Canal' in his home town recently. Confident Staff were telling us he was resting so come on Shane, no collapse' please. You draw I draw. Rant over.

This is the weekend we find out if Ballydoyle really is out of form.

My bets will be on the basis that it is but recognise the possible need to reverse ferret.

Why is it ridiculous? If he has horses that are good enough to compete then why shouldnt they?

Because it upsets the odds-on backers when the second string wins.

The Scatter Gun approach suits them when the haven't got an outstanding horse.
Not good for the purist but good business sense

It's not ridiculous for them. But it's a race to the bottom, swamping prestige races so that eventually people realise they can't complete, and don't bother trying. Plus of course mafioso tactics in the races themselves. Anyone who does risk challenging with a strong perceived chance has much more to be concerned with, other than having the fastest horse.

To be fair, I have not witnessed the mafioso stuff from J, yet. But he obviously does use the scattergun.

He's just a 20% strike rate so far this year in the UK and Ireland which is his lowest since 2021, however his strike rate with clear favourites sits at 49.57% showing a small profit at Bfsp, his highest % since 2014. When Ryan Moore is riding (any price) he's a decent strike rate of 28.54% (32.16 this year) and shows a profit to Bfsp ever year since and including 2022. Those who whinge should look closer at the stable.

This is Skelton's plan on the jumps, to swamp important races with runners. He hasn't had the material to achieve that with as yet, but obviously getting more runners every year.

Skelton is also using the Martin Pipe tactic of mopping up early season races before his rivals have landed back at Heathrow.

I hate them with multiple runners in a race esp those used as pacers in big races because they also act as blockers. The horses deployed are baits too, and most are finished as racehorses.

But, beggars cannot be choosers even for AOB / Coolmore.

Speaking of Skelton mopping up early, here are the top 10 in this season's trainers championship:-

1	Dan Skelton	82	111	241	£660,454
2	Mickey Bowen	30	79	146	£332,005
3	Olly Murphy	28	71	128	£242,609
4	Jamie Snowden	19	39	76	£179,698
5	Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill	20	57	117	£174,587
6	James Owen	16	46	74	£170,772
7	Jennie Candlish	19	43	89	£160,180
8	David Pipe	13	45	74	£129,328
9	Nick Scholfield	12	50	80	£124,196
10	Donald McCain	11	48	95	£112,225

No Hendo, Nicholls, Mullins...

No column headers either. Should be wins, places, runs and the rest are obvious.

Appleby 2, AOB 0.

The filly at 40s on here is a huge price which wouldn't be a shock to me if she was yet another G1 winning rag and third string.
I fancy her to get the trip and there are ALWAYS doubts about the main protagonists in this race.

33/1 E/W is of interest...especially as her pedigree suggests she may well get the trip.

Yep, if she'd reproduce her Chester form.

Money for X'mas Day from Mr Tabor? But, the lads are not here. Mr Buckley is.

The scum at it again with nappy

Well done Herbie

The magic parsnips have quite clearly been passed on from daddy to nappy o'brien.

The scum at it again with nappy

Did jocking up a lady riding groom make you think it was a non-trier?