My interest yesterday was confined to Harpsy Cord at Cheltenham hoping he'd find the first time handicap run and the venue too much. I thought he ran well enough and now for him to get a lower Irish mark.

I finished the day a little behind (e/w bet) after backing True Blue to land the handicap hurdle at Sedgefield. He was unlucky to lose against a Sue Smith touch. He'll surely win soon now.

Today could see the breakthrough for John Ferguson with both Cotton Mill and New Year's Eve having decent chances in the Neptune & bumper. I can't make a selection from five winning Irish pointers in both races but I am interested in Baldadash and Glenwood Present for the not too distant future. I also think Village Vic could run very close in the bumper.

Could Our Island run well in the four-miler without his ground? I'll decide at 1.29pm if the layers get greedy.

I think Adams Island could go well in the Kim Muir today. Formerly with Rebecca Curtis he was moved back to Paul Nolan last summer and following two disappointing runs over fences (unseated at first in the Kerry national)he eventually found some form back over hurdles when third in the Pertemps at Leopardstown over Christmas. This gave connections sufficient confidence to send him off joint-favourite for the Thyestes in which he finished a creditable fourth. The form of the Thyestes hasn't been tested very well but, amongst the also-rans, the back-to-form Paddy Pub, The Bishop Looney and Shakervilz are doing their bit for the form.

Adams Island has run twice before at Cheltenham: he unseated early here last year when fancied in a handicap chase and was then a nice second to this week's cross-country winner Balthazar King over today's trip last April (good). He has a sometime reputation for sloppy jumping but if he can establish a nice rhythm Nolan thinks he will run well. he runs in blinkers and a tongue-tie for the first time. Odds of 25/1 and 5/1 the place look ok to me here.

She's a right little one that Byerley Babe. She looks a good thing for a mares bumper wherever she turns up.

No he hadn't run since that day against Simonsig.

He had makings of decent enough type alright and the trainer sure could have done with one. Hasn't had much luck in recent years.

Thomond O'Mara had raved about Billy Twyford after his point win and oftentimes you have to try to separate the sales spin from the reality. He's probably ok and of more interest when going jumping. I was a bit annoyed for nominating him without doing all the usual research: the winner was the first foal out of the classy Mariah Rollins and should have been noted as a significant runner especially as he was by Old Vic.

I was a little unlucky with my e/w double on the two Ferguson fancies and I'm having a small interest today in Asaid in the Triumph for Ferguson and Geraghty. 50/1+ looks ok! As you can tell I don't tend to get stuck into betting at Cheltenham as I find it too difficult to solve mostly.

Adams Island's (Big Buck's has the apostrophe, Adams Island hasn't-go figure!!)jumping left him down (again!) yesterday and despite any number of errors he travelled very well for most of the race. There was strong support for him beforehand. This suggests he has a touch of class and if they can improve his jumping he could land a big pot like the Whitbread or whatever its called now.

Well done Coleman, patient ride paid off.  Another big one for this thread.

Yes it was legend I hope you followed your opinion today Moyaliff was down to run in navan but NR now... if he's got a problem he might be getting an expensive purchase.......

Don't forget Carrigeen Lechuga in the 3.55, looks value against the Byrnes fav even with the great Barry on board her today. 

Can't leave Liz go unbacked today after 2 nice wins at Thurles.

Moyaliff tomorrow with the great Ruby on bord, doesn't ride too many for CF Swan ! lets make this a winner tomorrow Killarney 2.55pm,

Catch Me ifyoucan 22 Jan 12 16:58
[i]Massini Lotto is half owned by Mr PM Tayor and in the care of JJ Quinn (see my thread pmt's 'RECESSION PROOF' on the Chelt.2012 forum).


Lucky Owner pmt - "that's the 7th big handicap hurdle John has won for me over the last 5 years. crow wood ; john smiths at Musselbrugh, and elite at Wincanton, kings quay john smiths at aintree, summer hurdle at Market rasen,Elite hurdle at wincanton. leslingtaylor swinton at Haydock now recession proof" (Totesport at Newbury).[/i]

Catch Me: Massini Lotto holds high rank on my list of unraced 4yo maiden winners from spring 2011. Although the dam has yet to throw anything of note she is an unraced half-sister to four hurdle winners. Massini Lotto beat Hold Court (Philip Fenton for John Power and now with Evan Williams) by 2L at Athlacca in May and Hold Court has won two bumpers impressively since-only starts. Massini Lotto’s handler was (and may still be?) Kieran Purcell and he rates well up there in my book. He spoke of the horse as bumper material after his victory and it's worth noting his two runs in points have been on good ground; Dr Massini's seem to be adaptable ground-wise. If you are looking for further evidence to follow this horse it might come from the 2009 winner of this race being Al Ferof!

FINALLY COMES GOOD.....missed it ffs !

RoyalAcademy  • December 30, 2011 4:59 PM GMT.....
Thanks for the contributions Jay, kl & Catchme and Happy New Year to all who visit and contribute to the Irish Forum.
...A horse that ran well here was De Faoithesdream for Evan Williams. I've had a technical hitch receiving details on the 2011 pointing qualifiers but hopefully that will be ironed out shortly. This fellow won on the very first day of the season at Rathcannon and is promising. I'm looking forward to reviewing their progress over Christmas over the next few days provided I can stay sober!

RA,
Won for the 7th time...has been worth following