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Just goes to show what i think of the French. Two fucking horses running in the same name and no fucker knows who's who. Just like a conception at a gang bang, Who's the daddy
We need Jeremy Kyle to sort this. How can any of us confidently back GDC at Cheltenham unless they can prove he's the right one running???!
I too have GDC in my Sporting Life tracker and I'm sure they have mixed up two different horses. I did email them yesterday to inform them of this anomaly but as yet haven't heard back.
Definitely a different Galopin Des Champs at Angers on Monday although I had to check twice as the Turley’s/Mullins sent Burning Victory over to France last week to win a egg & spoon race, hoping to ignite some of her old sparkle with a holiday home I imagine!
Talking about trotting, have people seen the racing bloggers video when he was in a trotting race? It's a pinned tweet on his Twitter and is absolutely brilliant.
Just been through the majority of this thread, and as expected, WPM potential runners do take up a fair amount of talk time (no bad thing).
I'm looking at continuing the theme, and hopefully go through the potential runners in a little more depth, and first up, the Supreme Novice Hurdle winner, Appreciate It.
Appreciate It - The obvious Arkle contender, based on his scintillating performance in the Supreme. Looks every inch a chaser, and although WPM believed he'd be better over further (I think like the majority on here did too), the fact remains, he is a quick horse. They could have a potential clash with Bob Olinger in the Marsh, but what would be the point, when the Arkle is there for the taking (on all known novice hurdle form). Unfortunately from a betting perspective 10/3 is skinny, but for those building a book, he is a must have, even at such an early stage. He's definitely one for the multiples too, IMO.
Blue Lord - I think he'd be an admirable stand in for Appreciate It in the Arkle, should anything happen to him throughout the season. He was putting in a real good performance (albeit, still being held) in the Supreme before coming down. His run at Punchestown since then can be ignored, IMO. They changed tactics from Cheltenham and his previous run at DRF, where he was held up, instead going from the front and setting the race up for stablemate, Echoes In Rain. In doing so though it has meant his price is looking good value at 33/1 currently. Willie has said previously that he is looking forward to getting him over a fence.
James Du Berlais - I think he'll be WPM's number 1 Marsh contender. I know the break before the Champion Hurdle can be used as an excuse for the lacklustre performance in the race, but I just think he was taken off his feet and it all happened too quickly for him. His performance at his first try over 3m at Punchestown was very good, but I do think, based on performances in France that his optimum trip is the intermediate one, and the Marsh is the obvious play. He was 33/1, which I can see many on here seem to have snaffled, but even at his current price of 20/1, I think that is great value, based on his overall French form, we know of to date.
Galopin Des Champs - From putting in some average performances over 2m to then looking like a serious, serious horse at both Cheltenham and Punchestown when upped in trip, he really had turned his season around. He could be absolutely anything still, and he deserves his place at the head of the betting for the BANC, IMO. Thanks to some alert, wise heads on the forum, I believe many landed the 40/1 SKyBet special for him to win any race at the festival and to win at Punchestown, meaning his target is almost irrelevant, and whilst they could drop him back in trip, I think, given the nature of his performance at Punchestown over 3m, he will be seen to best effect over 3m at Cheltenham also. Now an 8/1 shot for the BANC, which comes under the 'probably short enough' at this stage.
Gaillard Du Mesnil - Before Galopin Des Champs performances at Cheltenham and then more so at Punchestown, Gaillard Du Mesnil was my idea of WPM's number 1 for the BANC, and whilst I do still think he could turn in to a very good chaser himself, I do wonder whether he's going to be the level of Galopin Des Champs now. As with all of the above, it does remain to be seen whether he stays over hurdles or goes chasing, but it wouldn't surprise me if he had another season hurdling, potentially something like the Stayers Hurdle, before taking up chasing the following season. Despite being a G1 winner (it was a pretty weak race) over 2m 4f, I do think the further he goes the better, so he's not one I'm looking to back at anything less than 2m 5f+ next season.
Jungle Boogie - A very interesting horse. He's going to be 8 by the time the festival comes around next year, and he's had 2 lifetime runs in public. I'm not sure on any potential issues he has had, but he's certainly been impressive enough (although a little disrespectful of the hurdles at times) to date on what we have seen on the track. From his hurdle win, of some 30 lengths, he looks a big gangly type of horse, probably with a bit of filling out to do still, but almost certianly looks a chaser in the making. I really like his sire, who I believe produces more staying types (sire of Galvin/Holywell/Emitom etc...), and although I can see he's been added to 3 of the 4 novice chase races, I have recently managed to get a friend to get him added for the NH Chase, which I think could be the play. One to keep note of throughout the season, either way.
Saint Roi - The early forum Champion Hurdle horse, that unfortunately never materialised. I struggle to see where he currently fits in. I was reluctant to include him in this list, not because of his potential ability, but because of his sire, who seems to have a knack of producing head case chasers, namely Astertion Forlonge, and Barcardys, who ended up looking like one of the most unnatural chasers I think I've ever seen. I'll reserve full judgement on Saint Roi, until we see him again, but for me, at this stage, he's not for me. FWIW I do realise Coastal Path has produced some normal, fairly good chasers, but the better class horses seem to be have issues with a fence or two.
Klassical Dream - Could potentially go over a fence, but his resurgence at Punchestown now leads me to believe he heads for the Stayers Hurdle. That was a mightily impressive performance, for a first time try over 3m, and his RPR for that run would have had him winning the last 5 renewals of the Stayers. I don't see a real reason why WPM, who already has an army for novice chases, would send a potential G1 hurdle winner, in a race he has little in the way of challengers, over a fence now. There's probably more to come from Klassical Dream over 3m now, and this could be the start of a proper revival of his career, after an abysmal 2019 campaign.
Ferny Hollow - Unfinished business springs to mind, when I think of Ferny Hollow. One hurdle run, beating a serious horse, in Bob Olinger, who franked the form multiple times throughout the season. I expect Ferny Hollow to stay over hurdles, and end up a real Champion Hurdle contender, myself. Not one for fences just yet, IMO.
These are obviously just my opinions, I expect many will have differing ones, which I'll look forward to reading/hearing about over the course of the season
One horse which has a bit of mystery to it is Five O Clock. He hasn't been seen since last run at the Festival in 2020 in the Martin Pipe where he was badly hampered with a circuit to go and flew home up the hill.
He was then put up as Ricci and Joe Chamber's horse to follow for the 20/21 season and I backed TWAR at 25s accordingly for this year's festival. I'm not actually sure what happened to him - does anyone know specifically if injured and what happened if so?
Based on that performance, absolutely looked like a longer trip and step up to three miles would bring out the best in the horse, with Mullins also quoting after Thurles in Feb-20 "Five O Clock is a horse I think a lot of. He wasn't impressive on 2m on the inside track at Limerick, he really wants a galloping track. He's an out and out three miles chaser down the line"
As per diary above, I have had a small one on him in the RSA at 66/1 given the bullishness surrounding him last year. I will also likely get Sky to price up TWAR and TWAP for RAB.
It undoubtedly does not come without risk, and I know a lot of folk tend to avoid horses coming back from injury - but if he is fit and as promising as Mullins and Ricci seem to believe, 66/1 would be a massive price in the RSA. This is of course assuming that he goes down that route based on the comments above about wanting a longer trip and not the Marsh.
Just been through the majority of this thread, and as expected, WPM potential runners do take up a fair amount of talk time (no bad thing).
I'm looking at continuing the theme, and hopefully go through the potential runners in a little more depth, and first up, the Supreme Novice Hurdle winner, Appreciate It.
Appreciate It - The obvious Arkle contender, based on his scintillating performance in the Supreme. Looks every inch a chaser, and although WPM believed he'd be better over further (I think like the majority on here did too), the fact remains, he is a quick horse. They could have a potential clash with Bob Olinger in the Marsh, but what would be the point, when the Arkle is there for the taking (on all known novice hurdle form). Unfortunately from a betting perspective 10/3 is skinny, but for those building a book, he is a must have, even at such an early stage. He's definitely one for the multiples too, IMO.
Blue Lord - I think he'd be an admirable stand in for Appreciate It in the Arkle, should anything happen to him throughout the season. He was putting in a real good performance (albeit, still being held) in the Supreme before coming down. His run at Punchestown since then can be ignored, IMO. They changed tactics from Cheltenham and his previous run at DRF, where he was held up, instead going from the front and setting the race up for stablemate, Echoes In Rain. In doing so though it has meant his price is looking good value at 33/1 currently. Willie has said previously that he is looking forward to getting him over a fence.
James Du Berlais - I think he'll be WPM's number 1 Marsh contender. I know the break before the Champion Hurdle can be used as an excuse for the lacklustre performance in the race, but I just think he was taken off his feet and it all happened too quickly for him. His performance at his first try over 3m at Punchestown was very good, but I do think, based on performances in France that his optimum trip is the intermediate one, and the Marsh is the obvious play. He was 33/1, which I can see many on here seem to have snaffled, but even at his current price of 20/1, I think that is great value, based on his overall French form, we know of to date.
Galopin Des Champs - From putting in some average performances over 2m to then looking like a serious, serious horse at both Cheltenham and Punchestown when upped in trip, he really had turned his season around. He could be absolutely anything still, and he deserves his place at the head of the betting for the BANC, IMO. Thanks to some alert, wise heads on the forum, I believe many landed the 40/1 SKyBet special for him to win any race at the festival and to win at Punchestown, meaning his target is almost irrelevant, and whilst they could drop him back in trip, I think, given the nature of his performance at Punchestown over 3m, he will be seen to best effect over 3m at Cheltenham also. Now an 8/1 shot for the BANC, which comes under the 'probably short enough' at this stage.
Gaillard Du Mesnil - Before Galopin Des Champs performances at Cheltenham and then more so at Punchestown, Gaillard Du Mesnil was my idea of WPM's number 1 for the BANC, and whilst I do still think he could turn in to a very good chaser himself, I do wonder whether he's going to be the level of Galopin Des Champs now. As with all of the above, it does remain to be seen whether he stays over hurdles or goes chasing, but it wouldn't surprise me if he had another season hurdling, potentially something like the Stayers Hurdle, before taking up chasing the following season. Despite being a G1 winner (it was a pretty weak race) over 2m 4f, I do think the further he goes the better, so he's not one I'm looking to back at anything less than 2m 5f+ next season.
Jungle Boogie - A very interesting horse. He's going to be 8 by the time the festival comes around next year, and he's had 2 lifetime runs in public. I'm not sure on any potential issues he has had, but he's certainly been impressive enough (although a little disrespectful of the hurdles at times) to date on what we have seen on the track. From his hurdle win, of some 30 lengths, he looks a big gangly type of horse, probably with a bit of filling out to do still, but almost certianly looks a chaser in the making. I really like his sire, who I believe produces more staying types (sire of Galvin/Holywell/Emitom etc...), and although I can see he's been added to 3 of the 4 novice chase races, I have recently managed to get a friend to get him added for the NH Chase, which I think could be the play. One to keep note of throughout the season, either way.
Saint Roi - The early forum Champion Hurdle horse, that unfortunately never materialised. I struggle to see where he currently fits in. I was reluctant to include him in this list, not because of his potential ability, but because of his sire, who seems to have a knack of producing head case chasers, namely Astertion Forlonge, and Barcardys, who ended up looking like one of the most unnatural chasers I think I've ever seen. I'll reserve full judgement on Saint Roi, until we see him again, but for me, at this stage, he's not for me. FWIW I do realise Coastal Path has produced some normal, fairly good chasers, but the better class horses seem to be have issues with a fence or two.
Klassical Dream - Could potentially go over a fence, but his resurgence at Punchestown now leads me to believe he heads for the Stayers Hurdle. That was a mightily impressive performance, for a first time try over 3m, and his RPR for that run would have had him winning the last 5 renewals of the Stayers. I don't see a real reason why WPM, who already has an army for novice chases, would send a potential G1 hurdle winner, in a race he has little in the way of challengers, over a fence now. There's probably more to come from Klassical Dream over 3m now, and this could be the start of a proper revival of his career, after an abysmal 2019 campaign.
Ferny Hollow - Unfinished business springs to mind, when I think of Ferny Hollow. One hurdle run, beating a serious horse, in Bob Olinger, who franked the form multiple times throughout the season. I expect Ferny Hollow to stay over hurdles, and end up a real Champion Hurdle contender, myself. Not one for fences just yet, IMO.
These are obviously just my opinions, I expect many will have differing ones, which I'll look forward to reading/hearing about over the course of the season
I agree with almost all of that CoD. Their are only two that I'd have a different of opinion on.
Jungle Boogie - I can see the case for him going to the NH Chase, but he's unlikely to be one for me if he does, and I wouldn't back him unless it became necessary for my book. It's a race you need experience for, which multiple second season chase winners shows. I think his lack of experience will strongly count against him in next seasons novice chase campaign, and I see the Marsh as second or third string as his most likely destination.
Gaillard Du Mesnil - I completely agree that the further he goes next season they better he'll be. I doubt they'll hang around over hurdles though, particularly as I'm with you that Klassical Dream will be the Stayers Hurdle horse. Therefore I expect to see GdM lining up with Galopin des Champs in the RSA.
The four of Willie's I'm most looking forward to are Appreciate It (Arkle), Ferny Hollow (Champion Hurdle), Galopin Des Champs (RSA), and Klassical Dream (Stayers). The trouble is that knowing Willie all four could end up in entirely different races, although this time I don't think they will.
Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more I sweat, the luckier I get.
One horse which has a bit of mystery to it is Five O Clock. He hasn't been seen since last run at the Festival in 2020 in the Martin Pipe where he was badly hampered with a circuit to go and flew home up the hill.
He was then put up as Ricci and Joe Chamber's horse to follow for the 20/21 season and I backed TWAR at 25s accordingly for this year's festival. I'm not actually sure what happened to him - does anyone know specifically if injured and what happened if so?
Based on that performance, absolutely looked like a longer trip and step up to three miles would bring out the best in the horse, with Mullins also quoting after Thurles in Feb-20 "Five O Clock is a horse I think a lot of. He wasn't impressive on 2m on the inside track at Limerick, he really wants a galloping track. He's an out and out three miles chaser down the line"
As per diary above, I have had a small one on him in the RSA at 66/1 given the bullishness surrounding him last year. I will also likely get Sky to price up TWAR and TWAP for RAB.
It undoubtedly does not come without risk, and I know a lot of folk tend to avoid horses coming back from injury - but if he is fit and as promising as Mullins and Ricci seem to believe, 66/1 would be a massive price in the RSA. This is of course assuming that he goes down that route based on the comments above about wanting a longer trip and not the Marsh.
I have him backed for both the RSA and the NH Chase knockando. I don't see him as a Marsh type at all. He wanted further than that when he ran in the Pipe the season before last.
If pushed on where I he'll end up given they have Galopin des Champs for the RSA, who I suspect is a better horse, plus Gaillard Du Mesnil who I think will be a big improver for three miles, I think we'll see him contest the NH Chase with Stattler. I suspect his Marsh horses will be James de Berlais and Jungle Boogie, who will be massivley up against it facing Bob Olinger and My Drogo. Appreciate It will stick to the minimum, and will be backed up by Blue Lord.
Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more I sweat, the luckier I get.
I agree with almost all of that CoD. Their are only two that I'd have a different of opinion on.
Jungle Boogie - I can see the case for him going to the NH Chase, but he's unlikely to be one for me if he does, and I wouldn't back him unless it became necessary for my book. It's a race you need experience for, which multiple second season chase winners shows. I think his lack of experience will strongly count against him in next seasons novice chase campaign, and I see the Marsh as second or third string as his most likely destination.
Gaillard Du Mesnil - I completely agree that the further he goes next season they better he'll be. I doubt they'll hang around over hurdles though, particularly as I'm with you that Klassical Dream will be the Stayers Hurdle horse. Therefore I expect to see GdM lining up with Galopin des Champs in the RSA.
The four of Willie's I'm most looking forward to are Appreciate It (Arkle), Ferny Hollow (Champion Hurdle), Galopin Des Champs (RSA), and Klassical Dream (Stayers). The trouble is that knowing Willie all four could end up in entirely different races, although this time I don't think they will.
I definitely don't disagree with regards to GDM, I didn't mention it, but a bit like Blue Lord in the Arkle, he could end up as number 2 for the yard in the BANC, should anything happen to GDC.
Jungle Boogie is such a difficult one to place, I don't doubt he could end up literally anywhere at this stage though, it's purely a guess on my part based on his breeding and his physical appearance that he'll end up more a staying chaser though.
Just been through the majority of this thread, and as expected, WPM potential runners do take up a fair amount of talk time (no bad thing).
I'm looking at continuing the theme, and hopefully go through the potential runners in a little more depth, and first up, the Supreme Novice Hurdle winner, Appreciate It.
Appreciate It - The obvious Arkle contender, based on his scintillating performance in the Supreme. Looks every inch a chaser, and although WPM believed he'd be better over further (I think like the majority on here did too), the fact remains, he is a quick horse. They could have a potential clash with Bob Olinger in the Marsh, but what would be the point, when the Arkle is there for the taking (on all known novice hurdle form). Unfortunately from a betting perspective 10/3 is skinny, but for those building a book, he is a must have, even at such an early stage. He's definitely one for the multiples too, IMO.
Blue Lord - I think he'd be an admirable stand in for Appreciate It in the Arkle, should anything happen to him throughout the season. He was putting in a real good performance (albeit, still being held) in the Supreme before coming down. His run at Punchestown since then can be ignored, IMO. They changed tactics from Cheltenham and his previous run at DRF, where he was held up, instead going from the front and setting the race up for stablemate, Echoes In Rain. In doing so though it has meant his price is looking good value at 33/1 currently. Willie has said previously that he is looking forward to getting him over a fence.
James Du Berlais - I think he'll be WPM's number 1 Marsh contender. I know the break before the Champion Hurdle can be used as an excuse for the lacklustre performance in the race, but I just think he was taken off his feet and it all happened too quickly for him. His performance at his first try over 3m at Punchestown was very good, but I do think, based on performances in France that his optimum trip is the intermediate one, and the Marsh is the obvious play. He was 33/1, which I can see many on here seem to have snaffled, but even at his current price of 20/1, I think that is great value, based on his overall French form, we know of to date.
Galopin Des Champs - From putting in some average performances over 2m to then looking like a serious, serious horse at both Cheltenham and Punchestown when upped in trip, he really had turned his season around. He could be absolutely anything still, and he deserves his place at the head of the betting for the BANC, IMO. Thanks to some alert, wise heads on the forum, I believe many landed the 40/1 SKyBet special for him to win any race at the festival and to win at Punchestown, meaning his target is almost irrelevant, and whilst they could drop him back in trip, I think, given the nature of his performance at Punchestown over 3m, he will be seen to best effect over 3m at Cheltenham also. Now an 8/1 shot for the BANC, which comes under the 'probably short enough' at this stage.
Gaillard Du Mesnil - Before Galopin Des Champs performances at Cheltenham and then more so at Punchestown, Gaillard Du Mesnil was my idea of WPM's number 1 for the BANC, and whilst I do still think he could turn in to a very good chaser himself, I do wonder whether he's going to be the level of Galopin Des Champs now. As with all of the above, it does remain to be seen whether he stays over hurdles or goes chasing, but it wouldn't surprise me if he had another season hurdling, potentially something like the Stayers Hurdle, before taking up chasing the following season. Despite being a G1 winner (it was a pretty weak race) over 2m 4f, I do think the further he goes the better, so he's not one I'm looking to back at anything less than 2m 5f+ next season.
Jungle Boogie - A very interesting horse. He's going to be 8 by the time the festival comes around next year, and he's had 2 lifetime runs in public. I'm not sure on any potential issues he has had, but he's certainly been impressive enough (although a little disrespectful of the hurdles at times) to date on what we have seen on the track. From his hurdle win, of some 30 lengths, he looks a big gangly type of horse, probably with a bit of filling out to do still, but almost certianly looks a chaser in the making. I really like his sire, who I believe produces more staying types (sire of Galvin/Holywell/Emitom etc...), and although I can see he's been added to 3 of the 4 novice chase races, I have recently managed to get a friend to get him added for the NH Chase, which I think could be the play. One to keep note of throughout the season, either way.
Saint Roi - The early forum Champion Hurdle horse, that unfortunately never materialised. I struggle to see where he currently fits in. I was reluctant to include him in this list, not because of his potential ability, but because of his sire, who seems to have a knack of producing head case chasers, namely Astertion Forlonge, and Barcardys, who ended up looking like one of the most unnatural chasers I think I've ever seen. I'll reserve full judgement on Saint Roi, until we see him again, but for me, at this stage, he's not for me. FWIW I do realise Coastal Path has produced some normal, fairly good chasers, but the better class horses seem to be have issues with a fence or two.
Klassical Dream - Could potentially go over a fence, but his resurgence at Punchestown now leads me to believe he heads for the Stayers Hurdle. That was a mightily impressive performance, for a first time try over 3m, and his RPR for that run would have had him winning the last 5 renewals of the Stayers. I don't see a real reason why WPM, who already has an army for novice chases, would send a potential G1 hurdle winner, in a race he has little in the way of challengers, over a fence now. There's probably more to come from Klassical Dream over 3m now, and this could be the start of a proper revival of his career, after an abysmal 2019 campaign.
Ferny Hollow - Unfinished business springs to mind, when I think of Ferny Hollow. One hurdle run, beating a serious horse, in Bob Olinger, who franked the form multiple times throughout the season. I expect Ferny Hollow to stay over hurdles, and end up a real Champion Hurdle contender, myself. Not one for fences just yet, IMO.
These are obviously just my opinions, I expect many will have differing ones, which I'll look forward to reading/hearing about over the course of the season
I've backed ferny for the champion hurdle, Klassical dream in the stayers, galopin and gallard for rsa, also toying with appreciate it in the arkle so I'm hoping your analysis is spot on. Great write up, by the way, cod.
'Just been through the majority of this thread, and as expected, WPM potential runners do take up a fair amount of talk time (no bad thing)'
One of the forgotten WPM horses is Elixir D'ainay. After being tried at staying trips he was bought back to 2m to contest the 2020 Supreme and was running a big race until being taken out by his wayward stablemate. I think if he is fit and well he could be a lively outsider for the Arkle.
'Just been through the majority of this thread, and as expected, WPM potential runners do take up a fair amount of talk time (no bad thing)'
One of the forgotten WPM horses is Elixir D'ainay. After being tried at staying trips he was bought back to 2m to contest the 2020 Supreme and was running a big race until being taken out by his wayward stablemate. I think if he is fit and well he could be a lively outsider for the Arkle.
ComplyOrDie You need to pick your game up, this time last year you had the 33/1 Ballymore winner sorted, this season you’re giving us long lists of possibles, not good enough mate….
ComplyOrDie You need to pick your game up, this time last year you had the 33/1 Ballymore winner sorted, this season you’re giving us long lists of possibles, not good enough mate….
He has got the winner.......and also backed him twice.
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