Cheltenham Festival Handicaps

[Faugheen_Machine]

Dandridge race an eye catching race over hurdles today. I'm assuming he'll be targeting the grand annual again this season.

[doctorwu]

Dandridge race an eye catching race over hurdles today. I'm assuming he'll be targeting the grand annual again this season.

FM,
you might want to look at another horse in that race that was even more eye catching imo. check out the runners/weights in last years Grand Annual.......

[Faugheen_Machine]

You thinking about the runner-up?

[Faugheen_Machine]

You thinking about the runner-up?

Sorry, I mean 3rd

[Istabraq]

Doc - I assume you're referring to Velvet Maker.

Interesting they ran over hurdles, I know you can read so much into these things but I would think they're quite happy with the mark and don't want to ruin it.
Well fancied last year and very lightly raced, very interesting....

[Faugheen_Machine]

Not quoted in the betting for the GA as of yet - unless I can't see him for looking at him. Agree though, nice performance too.

[mayo]

Grand Annual range

2016 Rated 137-152 winner 140
2015 Rated 130-153 winner 143
2014 Rated 136-154 winner 147
2013 Rated 133-155 winner 140
2012 Rated 132-162 winner 138

Top Weight this time Dodging Bullets say 152 ?

[doctorwu]

Sorry, I mean 3rd

Yes FM & Ista

[Jonnymac05]

Boredom has taken me to have a look at the CLose Brothers Handicap and i was very taken with Hells Kitchen, pulled the hands off for most of the race and still was bang there cruising near the finish when emptying in the final 2 furlongs. 12/1 looks a decent price.
big field will help him settle the bit as well

[Morning Glory]

Boredom has taken me to have a look at the CLose Brothers Handicap and i was very taken with Hells Kitchen, pulled the hands off for most of the race and still was bang there cruising near the finish when emptying in the final 2 furlongs. 12/1 looks a decent price.
big field will help him settle the bit as well

He got to 139 over hurdles so going to be dependent on what side of the bed Phil gets out of but an interesting shot.

[JackieMoon33]

Boredom has taken me to have a look at the CLose Brothers Handicap and i was very taken with Hells Kitchen, pulled the hands off for most of the race and still was bang there cruising near the finish when emptying in the final 2 furlongs. 12/1 looks a decent price.
big field will help him settle the bit as well

The big field and likely faster pace should help but I'd be slightly concerned by his absence since November and lack of experience. He has only had one chase start and only four starts in his whole career. On the plus side he does have a chase rating of 139 so he'd make the cut.

[JackieMoon33]

He got to 139 over hurdles so going to be dependent on what side of the bed Phil gets out of but an interesting shot.

He has an official chase rating of 139 too which was published 31st January. He must have been entered somewhere and pulled before the final decs.

[Wainright]

Ivanovich Gorbatov

It looks like Ivanovich Gorbatov could be going for the County. What could he be carrying in this being last years Triumph winner?
25/1 nrnb.

I.V. Is rated 148 by Noel oBrien. Wouldn't have thought this years performances merited a higher mark in the U.K.

[Faugheen_Machine]

Almost without exception they get at least 5lbs more than their Irish rating so he'll surely be on 153 at best.

[Faugheen_Machine]

Almost without exception they get at least 5lbs more than their Irish rating so he'll surely be on 153 at best.

Which I think is very fair based on his triumph win last season.