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Aintree thoughts if your bored and fancy a read.
Protektorat gets back on track after two very poor performances. He’s smart on his day when he goes left handed on decent ground. He even surprised Skelton to bounce back and be interesting to see if he can back it up in grade 1 company (if you can call it that) again.
The Shunter must be upgraded after his 3rd successive tough race and plenty of mistakes. He’s certainly up to this class but if he’s going to take a grade 1 in the future he will definitely need to improve his jumping.
Hitman has travelled like the best horse in the race and you would call him the winner going to 2 out. To me he didn’t stay and his trainer tends to agree mentioning the Tingle Creek as a possible early season big target next season. As many will know 5 year olds generally struggle taking on their elders in open company so I certainly wouldn’t be giving up on him yet. It could take him a couple of years to reach his full potential.
Monmiral and Adagio looked a match pre race and certainly panned out like one. The flashy but still green Monmiral tanked through the race before the hardened and professional Adagio came with a strong challenger at the last. He fluffed his lines but even if he pinged the last I still think Monmiral had matters under control. Monmiral is an out an out chaser of the future but it’s baby steps for now and they might give him another year over hurdles. Adagio is likely to struggle next year but could take a handicap depending if they can get his mark down.
Clan Des Obeaux looked spectacular with the first time cheek pieces. The race has totally fell apart but this flat track bully made light work of improving handicapper Clondaw Castle. Be interesting to see where he goes from here with 365 Gold cup mentioned as a possible target.
Abracadabras finally got his head in front in a messy final 2 furlongs. This monkey done his best to pull himself up but was always doing just enough. Buzz ran a blinder starting the season on just 136. Also a massive run from improving handicapper millers Bank in 3rd with the legend Buv running a blinder before getting hampered.
Mcfabulous drifted all morning and ran poorly. He could make a nice chaser on flat right handed tracks. Wouldn’t be won you’d want in a battle though.
Quick note on the foxhunters. Brilliant display from the winner at a huge price. The two to take out of it are the 2nd and 3rd. Both babies in the Hunter chase world and they will have a big say in future Hunter chases. Cat Tiger could be a force to be reckoned with if he proves his stamina which would also go for his Pilot Mr Maxwell. Nice to recover from that shuddering mistake but was blowing out of his ass before trying to ride a finish. Billaway is one to forget at short prices. Jumps like a wardrobe and that will always be his downfall.
Cracking front running display from Joshua Moore and Editeur De Gite. Improved all year and managed to hold off the two big Jp challenges after the last. Those two were both well treated so interested to see what the handicapper does.
Me Too please is a very nice mare and her performance can be upgraded after pulling hard early and running green in closing stages. The 2nd didn’t get a very well timed ride and Hardy will want that back. Eileendover was disappointing and I persythink she’s overrated. Where Maud Gone is another to keep on side. Very free early and stumbled badly around 5 out. Done well in circumstances.
Tronador in a different league all together and another raider who was chucked in. Not many behind look well treated. Little mention for Stolen Silver who outran his big price and remains well treated going forward with a likely drop to around 133.
Belfast Banter travelled to 2 out like he had just joined in. Irish different class again and Belfast gave another form boost to Echoes in rain who made very light work of him and will be a force to be reckoned with going forward.
Chantry got the job done first time at 3m but although he was handed the win with the fall (maybe tired) of Espoir de Romay I think he might of outstayed him on the run in. All opinions though and EDR definitely didn’t deserve that after such a good ride up til then. Both could be big players in this years King George with EDR. Just went and checked prices and only Paddy/Betfair quoted EDR which isn’t big enough to interest me yet.
Fakir was trounced by the unstoppable Allaho at the fez but got a deserved win here in a messy race. He was still much the best and still only young. He should only improve again from here and I’d want him on side as long as Allaho isn’t around. Poor old Politologue stopped as if shot and probably bled again? I think I’d call it a day with him with nothing to prove.
Live life laugh literally did laugh at these and was giving a ballsy ride by Patrick. Cracking run by outsider pink eyed Pedro but another Irish raider that made light work of the field.
Ahoy senor! Sloppy on my part but I didn’t even look at him. Nice ride slowed it down before kicking again and they couldn’t get to him. Bravemansgame with his massive reputation travelled like the winner but whether Cheltenham took its toll or he just isn’t good enough he was slightly one paced on the run in. Wouldn’t give up on him as it’s highly likely he improves for a fence and he’s still yet to fully fill his frame.
Rowland ward dug deep to run down the lightly raced Camprond and that man Stuart Edmunds can really land a punt. 33s in the morning SP 12/1. Big hard luck story with copperless here as was travelling all over the field before tripping up at the last. Unlucky loser imo.
Hometown Boy and it’s that man Stuart Edmunds again. 12s last night and heavily supported late to go off 6/1. Always in the van sitting 2nd before taking it up around 4 out and hosing up. Nearly tripped up at the last and cost him momentum but he had so much in hand it’ll didn’t matter. No doubt he’ll get whacked 10 pound for that.
My Drogo all I can say is class! Travelled beautifully and hurdles like a missile. He’s built for chasing and that’s where he will go (been confirmed) but my god he hurdles fast. All roads lead to the Marsh. I hope!
Shiskin stays unbeaten when standing up. Bit laboured but we can forgive him that after Cheltenham. Is he too short for next season Champion Chase? Definitely at 6/4 a year out imo.
Thyme hill and that’s justice! Cost me and many a few quid missing Cheltenham but he’s dug deep to grind down Roksana (maybe hit the front too soon) late on and great to see Tom Obrien land one at the top level on the big stage.
Hi personally hope he stays hurdling. If anyone knows the plan let me know please.
Happygolucky another who deserved this victory after running so well at Cheltenham. I think the early part of the race cost him at Cheltenham by getting into a poor position. Johnbb ran well and spiritofthegames continues to be a bridesmaid.
Well it’s the Golden Girl again and what a ride. Nearly foot perfect and perfectly positioned from flag fall. Nothing that girl can’t do is there? Monster run from Balko who I wasn’t sure would stay. Any second now was the hard luck story of the race. A horse fell right in front of him around halfway and all but brought him down. It cost him vital momentum and a race losing hamper.
Only seen a little clip of the last but see the winner Knappers Hill finish strong to hold off fergals horse. Couldn’t say for sure but I don’t think it’s the strongest of bumpers.
Over and out. On to Punchestown!
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