General Chat

[BookieBasher]

Willie ran 5 in this years Irish Arkle so could maybe see something similar as to who looks like needing a step up to the Turners

[billymag]

Not sure about early but will be difficult to keep them apart at DRF if they are racking up wins. Might depend alot on the Irish weather, if they get a few cancellations that might force their hand before DRF as well. Worth mentioning that FV at punchestown improved again 4lbs according to RPRs on his chelt run and matched Marine Nationales 158RPR. Should be a great rematch if we get to see that.

[SeanRock]

I think Facile Vega looks absolutely made for the Arkle with how he travels in his races and youd be hopeful hes improving all the time and a fence could see him improve again, so personally wouldnt say that he wants further. If hes beaten fair and square in a trial leading up to the arkle then I think youll be proved right but Im not sure we will see it.

I’m of the same opinion about Facile Vega, think fences will be the making of him this year & will put manners on him!

[HesTheOne]

For IEP I can see why they wanna stay over hurdles.

If either Stateman or CH do not make the full season the race is there for the taking.

Could see IEP strolling home in the Hattons Grace to start the season then maybe meet SM in the Irish Champion Hurdle. He could come out of that race likely the no.2 Irish contender or possibly no.1..

More than likely he’ll be looking at the Hill jumping the last at Cheltenham provided Con stays up right (thinking back how close he was to disaster at the last..).

For my race planning career proposal to double green , I’d be adamant IEP lines up in the French champion hurdle and wins that as the main end of season target.

Just depends if he takes in Aintree or Punchestown as well..

For me the season with him would be:

Dec - Hattons Grace 2m4f
Feb - Irish Champion Hurdle 2m
March - Champion Hurdle 2m
April - Aintree/Punchestown 2m4f or 3m?
June - French Champion hurdle 3m

There is enough grade 1s and prize money to be won over hurdles for it not to be a complete waste of a season as everyone may suspect

[Spectre]

Dec - Hattons Grace 2m4f
Feb - Irish Champion Hurdle 2m
March - Champion Hurdle 2m
April - Aintree/Punchestown 2m4f or 3m?
June - French Champion hurdle 3m

I think that is spot on, and exactly what I had in my mind, with the possibility of the Stayers instead of the Champion Hurdle if defeated in the ICH.

[charlie]

Send IEP to the stayers. GW can go chasing for Ricci to daydream about the GC in 2025.

Is there a bin emoji mods?

[Atlantic Viking]

Is there a bin emoji mods?

Won a Ballymore comfortably, Willie was quite openly disappointed with him at Punchestown over shorter, makes more sense winning a Stayers that looks there for the taking then dropping back to 2m to try finish 3rd in a CH. His form over 2m and shorter is against, relatively speaking, pigs.

[HoldenTheReins]

I know there was questions around where Jamie Codd is, I have just seen this quote from Patrick Mullins.

Patrick Mullins: "I probably should have a few more, but the aim is to get to 1,000 so I have a more years to go. We have had a huge amount of summer bumper fillies in this year and obviously with Jamie (Codd) taking the summer off it is a big help."

[BookieBasher]

Won a Ballymore comfortably, Willie was quite openly disappointed with him at Punchestown over shorter, makes more sense winning a Stayers that looks there for the taking then dropping back to 2m to try finish 3rd in a CH. His form over 2m and shorter is against, relatively speaking, pigs.

I think it’s because there’s a few FJs quite invested in Gaelic for the Stayers and therefore don’t wanna see IEP rock up

[charlie]

Won a Ballymore comfortably, Willie was quite openly disappointed with him at Punchestown over shorter, makes more sense winning a Stayers that looks there for the taking then dropping back to 2m to try finish 3rd in a CH. His form over 2m and shorter is against, relatively speaking, pigs.

I thought you were joking! No chance, far too much speed. Judging Cheltenham winners for the following year based on performances at spring festivals is fraught with risk. We see it happen every year.

[Atlantic Viking]

I thought you were joking! No chance, far too much speed. Judging Cheltenham winners for the following year based on performances at spring festivals is fraught with risk. We see it happen every year.

My opinion is based on the strong rumours he's not going chasing, which obviously makes it one of two choices, CH or Stayers. One realistically isn't winnable but the other might be. Spring festivals can be monkeys but it was only his 4th run for a season that started just shy of Christmas, and he won it anyway. But the master of this little World was expecting more, talks of him loving the hill and offers up a flat track as a possible reason for the 'disappointing' performance.
Some good quotes in this: https://www.racingtv.com/news/impair...at-punchestown
Maybe he goes to the CH for his education, he'll only be 6 after all, but Constitution Hill wont be going anywhere the year after either, plus you've got State Man who is a champ in his own right. Even IET' 2m win was on heavy ground. Get him to the very winnable Stayers, mid trip chasing the following season, then GC. Easy.

[Lobos]

I think it’s because there’s a few FJs quite invested in Gaelic for the Stayers and therefore don’t wanna see IEP rock up

Not sure Willie gives a shit about who FJ have backed!

[SeanRock]

Not sure Willie gives a shit about who FJ have backed!

My two pence worth…

If IEP is staying hurdling as has been mooted, I think he has the talent to win all season at any distance bar over 2m next March against the almighty. He’ll probably rock up in the Hattons Grace & Willie will plot a plan avoiding State Man for the season with him stepping up for the Stayers at Cheltenham. No chance Willie will waste two top quality bullets filling places behind CH.

Regarding Gaelic Warrior, Rich Ricci must dream weekly about finally getting his paws on the holy grail & I don’t see how a third year over hurdles would be beneficial if they see him as the horse to break the hoodoo. I think he’ll be their BANC horse this year. Willie doesn’t appear to have much strength in depth in that division at the minute. A second year over hurdles with IEP wouldn’t be to hard to see before taking up chasing the following year.

Get on the GW/BANC…IEP/Stayers double lads

[The Giant Bolster]

While my pocket wants Impaire et Passe in the Turners, I'm coming to accept he might stay over hurdles (though he does remain the antepost favourite for the Turners). I think age is a factor here. IeP will only be six so they can still go chasing at six having given him further time to mature. If he does stay over hurdles, I think the Champion or Stayers Hurdle are definite options.

Starting him on 3 December in the Hatton Grace makes a lot of sense; gives him a trip he likes and keeps him apart from State Man who will surely run in the Morgiana. They then might consider running him against State Man in the Matheson Hurdle on 29 December. A win and he goes to the Champion Hurdle. A loss and maybe they have time to try him over an extended trip again (maybe in the Boyne) before going to the Stayers at Cheltenham. Alternatively they clash at the DRF. Of course a lot also depends on the manner of his wins and losses.

I think the interesting thing here is who will end up in the Turners for Mullins if IeP stays over hurdles. Facile Vega, Gaelic Warrior and Champ Kiely are his best rated potential runners coming from novice hurdle ranks but Forum consensus is that they are more likely to end up elsewhere. So we may well be wrong or we might see a less established or lower rated hurdler coming here for Mullins. Or maybe they think Sharjah can win it. You feel they must have something they like for this race if IeP doesn't come here.

[SeanRock]

While my pocket wants Impaire et Passe in the Turners, I'm coming to accept he might stay over hurdles (though he does remain the antepost favourite for the Turners). I think age is a factor here. IeP will only be six so they can still go chasing at six having given him further time to mature. If he does stay over hurdles, I think the Champion or Stayers Hurdle are definite options.

Starting him on 3 December in the Hatton Grace makes a lot of sense; gives him a trip he likes and keeps him apart from State Man who will surely run in the Morgiana. They then might consider running him against State Man in the Matheson Hurdle on 29 December. A win and he goes to the Champion Hurdle. A loss and maybe they have time to try him over an extended trip again (maybe in the Boyne) before going to the Stayers at Cheltenham. Alternatively they clash at the DRF. Of course a lot also depends on the manner of his wins and losses.

I think the interesting thing here is who will end up in the Turners for Mullins if IeP stays over hurdles. Facile Vega, Gaelic Warrior and Champ Kiely are his best rated potential runners coming from novice hurdle ranks but Forum consensus is that they are more likely to end up elsewhere. So we may well be wrong or we might see a less established or lower rated hurdler coming here for Mullins. Or maybe they think Sharjah can win it. You feel they must have something they like for this race if IeP doesn't come here.

I can’t see Champ Kiely going anywhere bar the Tuners!