Cheltenham Festival Preview Nights 2020

[Jrow]

Supreme Novices :
TM -> Closutton talking up other horses rather than Asterion Forlong, fancies Shishkin

Interesting, did he mention which ones? Assuming you was there yourself that is

Interestingly Mullins stated hes thinking of running Berkshire Royal in the supreme as his first run during his chelt run down

[theporge]

Interesting, did he mention which ones? Assuming you was there yourself that is

Interestingly Mullins stated hes thinking of running Berkshire Royal in the supreme as his first run during his chelt run down

Didn't mention anyones in particular, just that the lads at the yard have been mentioning a lot of different horses with regards to chances at the festival but no-one's talking up Asterion Forlonge

[theporge]

Forgot to mention, I'm fond of asking a question or 2 at these nights. The question I asked was did the panel think that the Dublin Racing festival and in particular the going there would leave its mark on the Irish horses as some horses were practically walking over the line. Brian Cooper in particular was very dismissive of this notion and said the ground rode good on the first day and good to soft on the second. No issues.

[Istabraq]

Forgot to mention, I'm fond of asking a question or 2 at these nights. The question I asked was did the panel think that the Dublin Racing festival and in particular the going there would leave its mark on the Irish horses as some horses were practically walking over the line. Brian Cooper in particular was very dismissive of this notion and said the ground rode good on the first day and good to soft on the second. No issues.

Not sure what to make of that, it suggests that every pilot got the pace wrong and went off too quick.
I'm with you, course was watered and it created false ground, very definitely deep patches where water stood...

[Pendil]

Not sure what to make of that, it suggests that every pilot got the pace wrong and went off too quick.
I'm with you, course was watered and it created false ground, very definitely deep patches where water stood...

The ground was heavily watered overnight on Sat 1st of February to avoid the 2019 fiasco of many high profile withdrawals on the 2nd day because of the ground being unsafe. The result (this year) was that there was a false patch of ground on the lowest part of the track. In Leopardstown this is around the final bend between the 2nd last and last hurdle/fence. Some horses I feel were floundering on this section of the course and finishing tired.

[kinloch brae]

Not sure what to make of that, it suggests that every pilot got the pace wrong and went off too quick.
I'm with you, course was watered and it created false ground, very definitely deep patches where water stood...

Didn't several horses on that second day make virtually all? Asterion Forlonge and Treacysenniscorthy were two.

This idea about horses having very hard races was an angle suggested by Segal. Let's see if he's right.

[qzy]

Newbridge...

Panel

Kevin O'Ryan MC
Gordon Elliott
Davy Russell
Mark Walsh
Jamie Codd
David Casey
Fran Berry

SUPREME
Gordon stated that if the ground turned heavy, then Envoi Allen could turn up here. He also said that Abracadabra was in good form . Davy said that Irish horses were much better than their English counterparts. Mark liked Asterion Forlonge saying that it rode a good race the last day and they went a cracking paste. David Casey liked Shishkin.Jamie Codd said that is the best horse that he has ever ridden but would prefer to see him go for Supreme as the Ballymore looks a much hotter race.

ARKLE
All had doubts about Notebook with his temperament and also appeared to jump a bit right the last day but he was still Davy's fancy with Global citizen as an each way bet. David Casey liked Mister Fisher each way especially if the ground dried out. Mark and Jamie liked Fakir D'oudaries and Gordon was very keen on Cash Back.

CHAMPION HURDLE
Davy was very keen on Honeysuckle especially on soft ground and the whole panel could not see the ground being any quicker than soft the first day. Fran also liked Honeysuckle. Gordon thought Coeur Sublime was a great each way bet at a big price. He has had a wind op since his last run and said that last time out was not one of davy's finest moments, to which Davy agreed. David Casey said that he would be amazed if Benie des Dieux turned up here and that Sharjah needs good ground. Both Jamie and Mark were very keen on Supasundae and added that Puppy said he would win and was very confident.

BALLYMORE NOVICES HURDLE
Gordon says that Envoi Allen runs here unless it's heavy ground and is in great form. Davy, Fran and David all liked Envoi Allen as did Mark who gave a big word for The Big Breakway each way. Jamie again says that he hopes Envoi Allen goes for supreme and had been in Philip Hobbs during the week and really fancied Sporting John without Envoi Allen.

RSA CHASE
Gordon says Battleoverdoyen is only 50/50 to run here and has to speak to the O'Leary's but if he has his way he won't run. He likes Allaho here. David Casey also was very keen on Allaho but stated he may still go for the Marsh novices as no decision has been made yet. Davy thought it was between Champ and Minella Indo with his preference being for the latter.

CHAMPION CHASE
David Casey said Chacun Pour Soi was in good form but seemed to think that Altior was the one to beat as he seemed back to his best the last day but soft ground was a worry. Fran and Jamie liked Chacun Pour Soi while Davy was worried about his stamina for Chacun Pour Soi but David Casey had no worries on that. Davy and Gordon were both very keen on Defi Du Seuil.

BUMPER
David Casey seemed very very sweet on Appreciate It. Gordon and Fran were very keen on Queens Brook each way. Jamie liked Queens Brook each way and also mentioned at a price Good Time Johnny. When asked which of Gordon's that he would like to ride, Jamie said Daddy's Darling which certainly seemed to take Gordon by surprise.

CROSS COUNTRY
As expected Davy and Gordon were very keen on Tiger Roll

BOODLES
Gordon said that Aramax would prefer better ground and that Davy would have the choice of rides but would advise him to choose between Tromador and Royal Rendezvous in preference.

MARSH NOVICES CHASE
Gordon mentioned Samcro each way and said that while he would love to see Ollie Murphy win, he was not at all keen on Itchy Feet saying that he did not think that his form was good enough. David Casey seemed very sweet on Melon here saying that he loved Cheltenham and the extra distance should really suit. Fran liked Faugheen here while Davy liked Itchy Feet or Mister Fisher.

RYANAIR CHASE
Davy and Jamie were keen on Ridersonthestormsaying that if Sam could hold onto him a bit longer would suit, to which Gordon stated that no chance he would. David, Fran and Gordon all liked A Plus Tard here.

STAYERS HURDLE
David, Jamie and Gordon were all keen on Paisley Park while Davy fancied Penhill each way and Mark said City Island for a place. Jamie said Paisley Park was a certainty.

TRIUMPH HURDLE
Gordon stated that Battle of Wills will not run here and he and Davy and David were all very keen on Solo. Jamie liked Cerberus.

ALBERT BARTLETT HURDLE
Fran liked Latest Exhibition while Jamie liked Harry Senior. David threw in an each way bet here at a big price in Jandili.

GOLD CUP
Jamie, Gordon and David were all on the side of Al Boum Photo although Gordon did say that Delta Work was in great form . Davy liked Delta Work but was more hopeful than confident about the chances of Presenting Percy. They all agreed that it was a very open race.

CHARITY BETS
Davy - Minella Indo
Mark - Supasundae
Fran - Queens Brook E/W
Jamie - Cerberus
Kevin - Fakin D'oudaries
David - Solo and when pressed for a Willie Mullins horse, he said Appreciate It
Gordon - Defi De Seuil and when pressed for one of his own , Appreciate It

[kinloch brae]

Thanks

A few points of interest.

Does anyone actually believe that Envoi Allen will run in the Supreme if the going is heavy?

Last time Coeur Sublime was coming there on the bridle and Davy just gave up. Are they now saying he could have won that race?

I see Davy has now switched from Santini to Delta Work. Not taken too long.

[Big Bucks]

I take it the last bit was a typo? Gordon picking one of his own? Who did he pick?

[punterorplonker]

Anything tonight ? Stream or tweets?

[Kevloaf]

I take it the last bit was a typo? Gordon picking one of his own? Who did he pick?

I'd assume he was making a joke

[Hurricane fly]

BC : With the soft ground expected, really fancies Al Boum Photo, Monalee won’t stay and not a case that Davy Russell chose Percy over Delta Work but more that Davy was not asked to ride Delta Work

That’s an interesting tidbit

[Splinterboy82]

Interesting comment by the BHA handicappers on last night’s Road to Cheltenham regarding Glenloe. They used him by name when referring to a horse whose mark would be very different in the UK versus his Irish mark i.e. his chase mark would be much higher in the UK than Ireland. I just wonder whether the ‘slight setback’ is a red herring and in fact they’re hacked off with the mark assigned by the UK handicapper. Do we know what mark he was assigned?

I made a similar comment over in the Kim Muir thread CNC as I too picked up on something at the bottom of the entries / weights page published on Wed. Glenloe was at the bottom indicating ‘not qualified’ so my gut like yours tells me Glenloe setback is not horse health related. Could be completely wrong but the words ‘set-back’ are clever enough that he can ‘recover quickly’ to win the Irish National (or any other Irish staying hcap chase worth a lot of cash in the next 8 wks!)

[Kevloaf]

That’s an interesting tidbit

Was never in doubt in my mind.

Doesn't mean he fancies Delta Work either.

[jack1092]

Thanks

A few points of interest.

Does anyone actually believe that Envoi Allen will run in the Supreme if the going is heavy?

Last time Coeur Sublime was coming there on the bridle and Davy just gave up. Are they now saying he could have won that race?

I see Davy has now switched from Santini to Delta Work. Not taken too long.

Davy said the horse was making a noise that's why he didn't get after him too seriously. They are saying if he's back to what he was before tht, he's in with a good chance.