General Chat

[Istabraq]

I don't think anyone who goes for the week doesn't end up knackered! Arriving on Monday and leaving on Saturday doesn't make the week any shorter but am now starting to emerge back to real life.

We went to the preview night at the Whaddon Road footy ground on Monday night and after singing its praises from last year, this year's I'm afraid was much worse. The crowd seemed split between those boozing and talking over the panel and those concentrating and shushing which didn't really help the atmosphere. There were a few empty seats before the end and even Davy seemed a bit downbeat about it all for some reason.

I wasn't able to attend this preview but it's always been a very good evening, but yes, sadly there are always those who prefer the sound of their own voices to the views of professional jockeys and trainers.
In the interests of being constructive Ball Mark I'm sure would be happy to receive feedback and maybe find ways of improving the experience for those who are there for the right reasons.
As far as I know this is the only preview where all proceeds go to charity (usually IJF and a local charity to Mark) so it would be disastrous if it stopped getting supported...

[That Horse]

Muhtathir

Has had a winner every festival for the last 5/6 years, Envoi Allen this festival. Not many runners either, James du Berlais and Westport Cove the others.

[Atlantic Viking]

2 quid for me, need a 4 goal thriller (or a one sided 4-0, i'm not fussy) in Arsenal v Palace tomorrow for the extra wonga.

Up the Arsenal!

[Ballybeen]

Paddy Kehoe the owner of princess Zoe has directly tweeted Tony Mullins today on twitter with this. Seems very harsh and bad way to do it.

What a load of rubbish. You did not give proper instructions to jokey who will never ride Zoe again. @tonymullins84

[Exar Essay]

Paddy Kehoe the owner of princess Zoe has directly tweeted Tony Mullins today on twitter with this. Seems very harsh and bad way to do it.

What a load of rubbish. You did not give proper instructions to jokey who will never ride Zoe again. @tonymullins84

Crikey. That's hugely unimpressive. Seems a bit contradictory too. Why is Danny not to ride her again if the issue was Tony's instructions?

[riccirich]

Crikey. That's hugely unimpressive. Seems a bit contradictory too. Why is Danny not to ride her again if the issue was Tony's instructions?

If I remember right the owner placed a bet of 5k each way on the horse at a preview night, I’m guessing he didn’t get 5 places judging by his bitterness....

[Dandrew99]

First day back at work today, the post Cheltenham blues are hitting me hard...

[Exar Essay]

Gordon ran a few of his new horses in maiden hurdles early season, some with eye catching runs, and then reverted to bumpers. Firefox and Will Do were the two that sprang to mind, but there were others. My Trump Card was put away quickly too. I wonder if this is the early stages of his handicap plotting for next season, to sidestep the four runs issue? The only downside to the approach is they can't run in the Champion Bumper, but that's only going to effect a couple of tens of new horses each year. I can't remember him having done this with horses often previously.

[Exar Essay]

Paddy Kehoe the owner of princess Zoe has directly tweeted Tony Mullins today on twitter with this. Seems very harsh and bad way to do it.

What a load of rubbish. You did not give proper instructions to jokey who will never ride Zoe again. @tonymullins84

He's gone again.

"Danny is 2-0 on Zoey. Look back at race in Punchestown. Why would an experienced jockey like Danny jump off in the middle of the field on an inexperienced horse"

[Always a Claimer]

This guy needs to lay off the brandy at lunch time

[Ballybeen]

He's gone again.

"Danny is 2-0 on Zoey. Look back at race in Punchestown. Why would an experienced jockey like Danny jump off in the middle of the field on an inexperienced horse"

Very classless this from him. There’s not many jockeys I’d want ahead of Danny Mullins nowadays.

[Hurricane fly]

Gordon ran a few of his new horses in maiden hurdles early season, some with eye catching runs, and then reverted to bumpers. Firefox and Will Do were the two that sprang to mind, but there were others. My Trump Card was put away quickly too. I wonder if this is the early stages of his handicap plotting for next season, to sidestep the four runs issue? The only downside to the approach is they can't run in the Champion Bumper, but that's only going to affect a couple of tens of new horses each year. I can't remember him having done this with horses often previously.

Good spot and could be a new tactic to get the 4 runs into novices for handicaps

[Eggs]

…..article re Timeform ratings;

https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/cheltenham-festival-timeform-ratings-reaction-including-galopin-des-champs/208144

[Atlantic Viking]

Indeevar Bleu looks like he'll be a fun one for Olly Murphy, very impressive, really nicely bred.

[HoldenTheReins]

Indeevar Bleu looks like he'll be a fun one for Olly Murphy, very impressive, really nicely bred.

Trainer puts me well off him but he looked good there.