Cheltenham Handicap Shortlists

[Faugheen_Machine]

Moon Over Germany

He has run two eye catching races this season, behind graded horses and looks favourably treated off his mark. He travels strongly in his races and I'm not sure he has been asked for maximum effort yet. Owned by Philip Reynolds, trained by HDB, it looks to me that they'll be targeting the Novice handicap or Grand Annual.

Bet365 are stand out 25/1 for the Close Brothers so I've taken that and will add him for the GA once NRNB is available

[Quevega]

Moon Over Germany

He has run two eye catching races this season, behind graded horses and looks favourably treated off his mark. He travels strongly in his races and I'm not sure he has been asked for maximum effort yet. Owned by Philip Reynolds, trained by HDB, it looks to me that they'll be targeting the Novice handicap or Grand Annual.

Bet365 are stand out 25/1 for the Close Brothers so I've taken that and will add him for the GA once NRNB is available

Looked at that the other day for close brothers handicap, but the trainer record stopped me short of a bet, and couldn't see why it would shorten just yet.
Even though I didn't look into it (de bromheads record in the race) further than memory, and it's probably not relevant anyway.
I've got it in my tracker for any entries.
could be a player

[Faugheen_Machine]

Looked at that the other day for close brothers handicap, but the trainer record stopped me short of a bet, and couldn't see why it would shorten just yet.
Even though I didn't look into it (de bromheads record in the race) further than memory, and it's probably not relevant anyway.
I've got it in my tracker for any entries.
could be a player

The race of relatively new so Im not too fussed about HDB record.

His next race will be telling, hopefully it's another sighter.

[ComplyOrDie]

White Moon - Close Brothers Handicap

A small NRNB cut today by SkyBet and looking at his profile you wouldn't be put off.

Currently rated 143, entered in the Listed Chase @ Warwick on Saturday over a purposeful 3m, he won't win IF he runs (currently jocked up, so no reason to think otherwise), and he won't be dropped more than 5lb by the handicapper, so likelihood is he'll remain firmly within the rating bracket to have a crack at this, Mister Whitaker won last season off 137.

Despite not winning on chase debut he was looking like running a nice race until coming down, I think many on here commented as him being one to take out of the race at the time, but he probably lacks the class to contest the main novice chases, but the handicap route could ensure he at least is competitive at the festival. The fact his debut was at the course is another positive, despite the fall, as he seemed to show a liking, nearing the end of the race, for the uphill finish.

Apologies in advance if someone had already mentioned him for this.

Ran an OK race today, was up against some very good opposition, suspect connections will drop him back to 2m 1/2 again, and hopefully straight to the festival now, drifted slightly NRNB for this today so am getting involved in that, 14/1 with SkyBet.

Hopefully get another couple of lb's help from the handicapper but probably unlikely.

[Faugheen_Machine]

Ran an OK race today, was up against some very good opposition, suspect connections will drop him back to 2m 1/2 again, and hopefully straight to the festival now, drifted slightly NRNB for this today so am getting involved in that, 14/1 with SkyBet.

Hopefully get another couple of lb's help from the handicapper but probably unlikely.

He's a horse I like too CoD and have backed him to win any race. Do you think the intermediate trip suits him better? He ran well for a long way but was slightly out of his depth.

[ComplyOrDie]

He's a horse I like too CoD and have backed him to win any race. Do you think the intermediate trip suits him better? He ran well for a long way but was slightly out of his depth.

Could well be a case for the 3m handicap too, but his chase debut, when he was staying on, is, for me, still his best run, prior to his fall, and that was at Cheltenham, so no reason why they won't drop him back in trip after that today. He certainly isn't good enough for the main novice chases though, and they have Lostintranslation for the JLT anyway now.

[jonthehammer]

John Constable
County Hurdle

Ran in the CH last season and was rated 156 (achieved that mark for a 'flattering' 1.75L defeat to Buveur D'air the time before)

He's been rubbish since, rubbish... but is down to 139 (runs today)... I'll be keeping a very close eye on him.

He's had a run in too many races to genuinly be gone at the game (mad theory but... if he had no ability, they've have pulled up stumps for the season, or given him a break, instead, he''s going for his 8th run this season tomorrow/today! - to me, that means they've trying very hard to lower his mark ASAP.

Wouldn't be shocked to see him freshened up after today with one race in mind...

I'm half tempted by the 25/1 NRNB on offer already...

Kev, this has been my take on JC for a while but was very disappointed after his run today, I didn't want him hosing up but I wanted a bit more enthusiasm from him. He looks like a horse who has fallen out with the jumping game. I really don't know what to do now.

[jonthehammer]

He is 50/1 now with 365 Kev

[Stormez]

John Constable
County Hurdle

Ran in the CH last season and was rated 156 (achieved that mark for a 'flattering' 1.75L defeat to Buveur D'air the time before)

He's been rubbish since, rubbish... but is down to 139 (runs today)... I'll be keeping a very close eye on him.

He's had a run in too many races to genuinly be gone at the game (mad theory but... if he had no ability, they've have pulled up stumps for the season, or given him a break, instead, he''s going for his 8th run this season tomorrow/today! - to me, that means they've trying very hard to lower his mark ASAP.

Wouldn't be shocked to see him freshened up after today with one race in mind...

I'm half tempted by the 25/1 NRNB on offer already...

They were talking him up on the northern gamblers podcast in the week, but as Jon said was disappointing today

[cpfcpatriot]

Diamond King is with Olly Murphy and out over an insufficient 2 miles today.

Would be interesting if he retains his full ability.

[Kevloaf]

They were talking him up on the northern gamblers podcast in the week, but as Jon said was disappointing today

I haven't listened to that, is it any good?

I'm undecided. One minute I'll look at it and see it as a plot job, the next minute I think the horse has just been rubbish for ages and I should just look at what's blindly obvious, he's not going to win a race anytime soon

[BigChaang]

Reading Lydia Hislops - Road to Cheltenham , She mentions Kapcorse , owned by J.P,
For the Close bros h/cap chs, apparently ran over hurdles last time
To protect the mark ?. Briony frost to ride ?.

[Innoko]

Interesting to see if Jetz (33-1) blows his mark for the Clos Brothers today. Also, like Discorama (25-1) for this, runs at the end of the month, will then gain a mark. I think the Drinmore form is one to follow.

[Quevega]

Reading Lydia Hislops - Road to Cheltenham , She mentions Kapcorse , owned by J.P,
For the Close bros h/cap chs, apparently ran over hurdles last time
To protect the mark ?. Briony frost to ride ?.

saw that, and the hurdle run. Not quoted on many firms and 20-1 AP.
But looks suspicious and he won very easy last time.

[Toffees]

Duca possibly just ruined his mark with that last win today, fingers crossed, he'd probably be competitive in a graded race or in the brown advisory or Grand annual off a biggish weight

Also on Duca de Thaix any race. He could still line up in a Grand Annual. 154 was top weight last year. You could question Cheltenham form, but he didnt run a race at all after Christmas last season.

I know Gordon likes to throw a few darts at a handicap if he's targeting one (bar The Storyteller last year who was just a Cert). And he didnt have a runner in this last year. Cubomania is the one to take out of the race but he could be entered in all the the handicaps from 2m - 2m 5f. He stayed on well and looks like the step up will suit. Or is he good enough over a strongly run 2 miles?

What else could Gordon target at the Grand Annual?
Mitchouka? Had a nightmare in the Fred Winter but went off 8/1...
Doctor Phoenix? Would be top weight, too old on stats. Could see him being pulled up as, favourite
Dakota Moirette, Veinard...