Cheltenham Festival 2021 - Horses Targets/Trainer Quotes

[BigChaang]

Bear Ghylls to go Straight to the Festival , today on Racing T.V.

[Kevloaf]

Bear Ghylls to go Straight to the Festival , today on Racing T.V.

Did they say to where?


Last I read they were going to see what he was like up in class to see where he'd go.... meeting cancelled so straight there?!

[Spectre]

It surely has to be the Ballymore. At least I hope so.

[Quevega]

Should be a handicap off that mark

[Kevloaf]

Should be a handicap off that mark

Says Mr Vinndication?



Handicap would be my best guess though - I wanted to see if he'd learned how to jump any better.

[Quevega]

Says Mr Vinndication?



Handicap would be my best guess though - I wanted to see if he'd learned how to jump any better.

He’s up against at least three horses he’s got to find at least a stone to beat in the ballymore.
so chances look better in a handicap like the pipe but they might not want to disappoint the jockey

[Kevloaf]

He’s up against at least three horses he’s got to find at least a stone to beat in the ballymore.
so chances look better in a handicap like the pipe but they might not want to disappoint the jockey

I'd say hindsight will show he had a harder job beating whatever Gordon wins it with

Get him in the proper race. Ban novices from handicaps.... all aboard!

[BigChaang]

Did they say to where?


Last I read they were going to see what he was like up in class to see where he'd go.... meeting cancelled so straight there?!

Ballymore Kev, two cancelled races they wanted to take in , so with less than 5 weeks to go ,it's straight to the Ballymore ........

[Kevloaf]

Ballymore Kev, two cancelled races they wanted to take in , so with less than 5 weeks to go ,it's straight to the Ballymore ........

Excellent, probably be a bigger price than in on at though now

[Eggs]

...Harry Whittington on his Festival plans:

https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/...l-plans/189145

[KingSprinterSacre]

And speaking on Thursday morning, the Seven Barrows handler gave his backing to restaging the meeting, which also includes the lucrative Betfair Hurdle, should it be on Sunday week.

Henderson said: “It’s fine by me. It’s the plan to run both Altior and Champ – they’ve got to have runs.

“We’re discussing everything with owners and things and it’s frustrating, but really nothing changes.

“I need to talk to Patricia Pugh about Altior and JP (McManus) about Champ, obviously. (But) if they send the whole card there (February 21), then we’ll be there.

“It’s amazing really that he (Keith Ottesen, clerk of the course at Newbury) says he doesn’t expect the ground to be that bad, which would help, as we wouldn’t want it very soft with that timing.

“I must say it will be a great effort on behalf of Newbury, the British Horseracing Authority, the sponsors and ITV should it all come off.”

He added: “The horses were all geared up for this weekend and we’re just going to have to explain to them that Henderson has got his dates wrong!

[Quevega]

And speaking on Thursday morning, the Seven Barrows handler gave his backing to restaging the meeting, which also includes the lucrative Betfair Hurdle, should it be on Sunday week.

Henderson said: “It’s fine by me. It’s the plan to run both Altior and Champ – they’ve got to have runs.

“We’re discussing everything with owners and things and it’s frustrating, but really nothing changes.

“I need to talk to Patricia Pugh about Altior and JP (McManus) about Champ, obviously. (But) if they send the whole card there (February 21), then we’ll be there.

“It’s amazing really that he (Keith Ottesen, clerk of the course at Newbury) says he doesn’t expect the ground to be that bad, which would help, as we wouldn’t want it very soft with that timing.

“I must say it will be a great effort on behalf of Newbury, the British Horseracing Authority, the sponsors and ITV should it all come off.”

He added: “The horses were all geared up for this weekend and we’re just going to have to explain to them that Henderson has got his dates wrong!

If it comes up heavy and he runs Altior.

I'm not sure I could cope with my irrational anger at things that don't really matter and I don't really care about.
I would explode for no apparent reason, like how the universe came about.

[KingSprinterSacre]

Another take from hendo - backtracking in space of a few hours

Henderson said: “It’s highly commendable that the card could be going to be re-run and we’re grateful the opportunity to run Champ and Altior is available.

“As far as Altior is concerned, I need to discuss further with Patricia and Christopher Pugh to sum up the pros and cons of a race at this stage, particularly with a view to the going we might encounter on Sunday week, which is all important. This is relevant to the reduced time gap between the two races.

“As far as Champ is concerned, he is coming off a longer lay off and it is more important that he has a race prior to the Gold Cup, which, in fairness, is only two days short of a month between the two.

“Obviously we will keep all options open and everybody up to date with our plans.”

Henderson added: “I must say it will be a great effort on behalf of Newbury, the British Horseracing Authority, the sponsors and ITV should it all come off.

“It will be a big effort from everybody involved and we’re very grateful.”

[Run4Home]

Kemboys owner on targets

New York-based businessman Graham told the Racing Post on Thursday: "Kemboy now has a great group of owners who have bonded together to wrestle control of the horse back and Sunday was the first time he won in our colours. There are about 20 of us involved in the horse now and everyone has got along swimmingly.

"The Supreme stuff did dent my confidence in the sport, but I was not going to go down without a fight; I was not going to let them win. I was beginning to wonder was it a fight for nothing for a while as things didn't really go the way we had hoped last season, but Sunday made it all worthwhile.

"We were all just thrilled. It was the first time we could watch Kemboy winning in our own colours and I couldn't breath properly for about seven minutes. Even after the last we couldn't take it for granted after what happened in the Savills at Christmas.

"The joy of winning never left me. There is nothing like watching your own horse go out and win and I thought that was Kemboy back to his best on Sunday. He is at his best when he can dictate, when he gets into his jumping rhythm. He gets other horses into trouble and takes them out of their comfort zone."


Kemboy is now as short as 8-1 with Sky Bet to win the Gold Cup, but he has already had two failed attempts in that race and the Stayers' is being strongly considered despite the fact he has not run over hurdles since April 2017. Indeed he has only had four starts over the smaller obstacles in his entire career, but the Stayers' entry is far more than just a fanciful one.

Graham said: "Kemboy just hasn't thrived at Cheltenham for whatever reason. He slipped at the first fence in the Gold Cup two years ago and he just wasn't the same horse last year so Patrick [Mullins] just nursed him round.

"The Stayers' Hurdle is an interesting and very possible option for him. He never really had a hurdling career, but when I first went to see Kemboy I was told he was going to be too small to jump a fence and he was a daisy-cutter as a hurdler. None of his career has followed the path I'd expected but, then again, what a wonderful path it has been.

"Part of me would love to see Kemboy go for the French Champion Hurdle and it is something myself and Willie have spoken about over the years. It was when I was studying in Paris that I was first exposed to jump racing at Auteuil and I would love to see him turning up there. Who knows? We'll see.

"He could also go straight to Aintree and you have to remember he has the Betway Bowl and the Punchestown Gold Cup to defend."

Graham is happy for Mullins to make the call on where Kemboy goes, stressing that the champion trainer gets most of the decisions right.

"We will leave it up to Willie to make the decision on where to go and we're confident he will make the right call. It's a decision which will be made much closer to the time, but we're used to Willie making last-minute decisions and we're fine with that.

"He would drive you crazy sometimes when he changes his mind about things, but he gets it right far more than he gets it wrong. I want him to go wherever Willie wants him to go."

[jonthehammer]

You gave just enough clues

The race looks like cutting up:

Galvin - on target
Royal Pagaille - GC
Latest Exhibition - possibly but I'd say probably
Next Destination - Festival chase
Dickie Diver - not qualified yet
Coko beach - maybe
Eklat De Rire - festival chase
Secret Reprieve - Aintree
Escaria Ten - sounds likely
ITCF - ??
Asterion Forlonge - not qualified
Pencilfuloflead - another GE runner?
Lord Royal - probable

I've highlighted 6 that I think will run but there are doubts about most of them.

Lord Royal won't be 33/1 if this cuts up as much as it looks like doing.

Longhouse poet? I think he has a great chance if he rocks up here, looks a proper staying type and jumps well and has good form in the book