annie power v big bucks GAME ON.

"Connections"

ANNIE POWER NOW FAV.2/1

Ruby made that call I'd say...

Course he did. Anyone that thought AP would be running in CH had rocks in their heads.

Lads whether Ruby or WM made the call is immaterial she was not going to win the CH anyway. A terrible lot of bull has been written on here about the owners having no say. The more WM wins the more his owners win. Now tell me how many Nat Hunt horses currently in training have won more money than Thousand Stars who has won something like £836,000. (HF SE LR and BW are four). Perhaps there are others. Come to think of it there are probably not many who have won more than Blackstairmountain.

With the allowance in the champion hurdle...hmm ok

ok a possible Gold cup horse  and going for the stayers ..


Arklearkle  - its not about the money...at this level , you get one shot you go for the best race..simple really

Rich Ricci is an expert in wheeling and dealing in the financial world but he's been outfoxed by the wily Walsh and Mullins in this case.

Kerrygold agree its not all about money but if you dont win money its unlikely youll win any prizes and I would repeat that she was not going to win the CH anyway. I would imagine we will see herself and TNO running over fences next season.

glad to say I called it right regarding which race she would run in, we had people on here calling us idiots cos she has only run over the short distance so there was no way she would go for the 3m race?..this will be a cracker of a race...

In your opinion arkle she would not have won it but I think what most people are saying is why not give it a go ?

This could be wrong......but I assume that the Northern Irish Guy (can't think of his name) who sources all the French Horses for Mullins is key to the whole success of the operation.  Why would Ricci rock the boat by throwing his weight around and insisting on where his horses run? He would be risking upsetting the whole applecart, the flow of good horses into his name, and the fact that he has the best trainer/Jockey combination working for him? And for years to come.

To suggest he has been hoodwinked by Willie and Ruby is a little naive.  I think he has played the game, and done the right thing, long term (and possibly also short term) by going along with their wishes.

Best trainer and jockey ozy, please prove it, best horses no doubt..?

I'd say you have it spot on Ozy.

Plenty more success to be enjoyed with WP without ruining the relationship over one race.

Where else would he go?

The buying of these horses is incredible, leaving aside the training and the riding of them.

Annie Power will eat him alive, 7 lbs is a big advantage over 3 miles, and she's already destroyed Zarkander over 2,5

Rich Richie has had amazing success and has potentially 3 Gold Cup horses next season (AP, CF, Ballycasey) ... it's incredible the amount of success he's had with WM, so no need to upset that, when it's clear that the World Hurdle is a big prize and there for the taking, and best decision for the stable.

Wonder if Richie will buy out UDS ??? He'd have some fun next season if he did that !

you go for the best races - you might only get one chance to win a champion hurdle...forget about stable - plenty of trainers out there can train , NH racing is a brutal game for injury issues with horses..people talking about gold cups lol

hope they get demolished in the stayers

Silvergreaser you want it proved that Willie M and Ruby are the best trainer/jockey combo around? Ok which statistic would you like? Champion trainer titles? Graded wins? Cheltenham festival wins? Punchestown festival wins? Take your pick..

Don't get him started Kauto ffs.....he'll try and convince you that Micky Quinn is just as good.....

I've gave my reasons umpteen times already KK this is hardly an appropriate thread to bring it up better to stick to the subject matter.

Kerry why may I ask do you "hope they get demolished in the stayers".

Ha,sorry lads im not a regular reader/poster. But you did bring it up Silvergreaser not me I must have a dig to see what your rationale is, I can only imagine it ignores every common measure of training and riding success..

Back to the subject matter, I think Annie Power will beat Big Bucks. The ground looks to be going against Fishers Cross who i think needs it soft. More of That is promising but just too inexperienced for me. I think 10/1 is a big ew price about Rule the world. Mouse Morris is an expert at preparing horse for the festival.

I fancy bb big time..my only worry is 7lb..theres no doubt the mare looks to be very good indeed but I think theres been a lot of Shiite said about bb lto..he'd been off a long time..looked all over the winner ..just got tired..he'll be ready for her on thursday..if he runs to near his best level that'll be enough imo..I think the mare  has to prove she stays..theres no doubt she looks like she will..but she hasn't done it yet..for that reason I want to be against her..also I think the ground will be back to slow side of good..not heavy..suit bb better imo..

Nicholls is as good a trainer as you get. Just look at Tidal Bay since he got him from Howard Johnson. Also, the way he campaigned Kauto Star & Denman, year after year, never mind Big Bucks himself....If anyone can get BB back in tip top form it's him.

IMO 3/1+ is a good price on him doing it, under 2/1 is not, so a bet or not really depends on the value on the day.

Thought BB had a very hard race LTO which might leave a mark,Annie Powers jumping will be a concern over this trip and track and will have to jump better than at Doncaster LTO,not a clear cut duel imo.

AT FISHERS CROSS IS MY IDEA WINNER AND THINK BETTER GROUND WILL IMPROVE HIS JUMPING

he,ll have a fare time to get over it punchy? nicholls said he is 20 k heavier than he was..

I know he was better lto norn and ap has chose him..but I carnt have him..i just don't think he jumps wellenough..

Arklearkle- its the wrong race for this horse, they bullied the owner into it .

the CH is the race -you run your best horses in the best races...simple really

also a financial reason

Maybe Tony but I don't like seeing horses being bottomed first time out after a long break.

Kerry did the owner tell you that.

at least some justice there with the fly being unplaced...ricci seething

tried to be cute and they got hurt....