The Randox Health COUNTY Handicap Hurdle

[Jrow]

Whiskey Sour entered in the Betfair Hurdle is currently rated 145 and has placed twice in the County already. I wonder if Willie will get a few down the field runs into him just as he did with Wicklow Brave and get him in here off the high 130's. I know hes 9, but he missed 2 years and watching his latest run the jockey was rather easy on him to my eye. He could be one for the coral/county shortlist

[Rooster Booster]

Whiskey Sour entered in the Betfair Hurdle is currently rated 145 and has placed twice in the County already. I wonder if Willie will get a few down the field runs into him just as he did with Wicklow Brave and get him in here off the high 130's. I know hes 9, but he missed 2 years and watching his latest run the jockey was rather easy on him to my eye. He could be one for the coral/county shortlist

Also I believe he ran in one of the key Irish handicaps that Saxon Warrior pointed out as being significant for this.

[FinalFurlong91]

The problem horses like whiskey sour seem to have recently is there always seems to be an unexposed novice better handicapped than them

[Rooster Booster]

The problem horses like whiskey sour seem to have recently is there always seems to be an unexposed novice better handicapped than them

I agree ...I was going to add a few things but now is not the time

[Jrow]

I always try and pick out Willie's darts for the 2 big hurdle handicaps as early as possible. Another horse who is on my radar for the county is Saint Roi. hes on the same mark as Arctic Fire when he won and his reappearance run was encouraging. Hes not good enough for the CH but may be able to defy top weight in this

[ComplyOrDie]

She's being talked about a fair bit in the Ballymore thread, but is there a small possibility Elle Est Belle could come here?

She's on a mark of 133, so near the lower end of the weights you'd expect. I know the Skeltons have West Cork, but it's not always their first string that wins the race (Mohaayed 2018 as an example), they've also run novices in the race before, again, Mohaayed came here, the year before he won the County, as a novice, and ran respectably.

She obviously already has some Cheltenham form, from the bumper last season, so this would be a positive wherever she ends up.

Main concern would be they don't turn up at all to the festival with her, so maybe one for NRNB once the bookmakers start offering this.

[Rooster Booster]

She's being talked about a fair bit in the Ballymore thread, but is there a small possibility Elle Est Belle could come here?

She's on a mark of 133, so near the lower end of the weights you'd expect. I know the Skeltons have West Cork, but it's not always their first string that wins the race (Mohaayed 2018 as an example), they've also run novices in the race before, again, Mohaayed came here, the year before he won the County, as a novice, and ran respectably.

She obviously already has some Cheltenham form, from the bumper last season, so this would be a positive wherever she ends up.

Main concern would be they don't turn up at all to the festival with her, so maybe one for NRNB once the bookmakers start offering this.

I wish I knew. I’m more bloody confused now than when I started. I started thinking Ballymore most likely and now I’ve got aintree, the Betfair hurdle and the county spinning round my head...and none of these are the one the trainer name checked. I’m finding it difficult to get past the combination of the step up in trip and the allowance but I have to admit exploiting 133 must be tempting. Dan if you’re reading can you give us a clue...much obliged.

[Lobos]

Might be a decent shout COD. Skeltons recent record in the race is brilliant and the current fav West Cork is currently injured so he may need a replacement. Agree, best to wait for NRNB though as it still must be fav that she runs in the MNH.

[ComplyOrDie]

I wish I knew. I’m more bloody confused now than when I started. I started thinking Ballymore most likely and now I’ve got aintree, the Betfair hurdle and the county spinning round my head...and none of these are the one the trainer name checked. I’m finding it difficult to get past the combination of the step up in trip and the allowance but I have to admit exploiting 133 must be tempting. Dan if you’re reading can you give us a clue...much obliged.

Yeah, I won't be adding her for anything unless it's NRNB, or we get a verbal clue as to her target.

[RoadToCheltenham]

Anyone else like Farout for this race? Rated 137 in Ireland so likely to go up to 141ish. Ran well in the Royal Bond and Future Champion - entered in another G1 at the Dublin Racing Festival next month.

Willie has always spoke highly of him but feel like he falls short at G1 level. Wonder if he may be diverted here...

[Lbur4288]

Anyone else like Farout for this race? Rated 137 in Ireland so likely to go up to 141ish. Ran well in the Royal Bond and Future Champion - entered in another G1 at the Dublin Racing Festival next month.

Willie has always spoke highly of him but feel like he falls short at G1 level. Wonder if he may be diverted here...

I think he's some way short of being competitive in the graded stuff so I can see the handicap angle although I think his jumping needs to improve. Not sure I'd be on board for anything at the festival.

[Outlaw]

Epatante, clearly not quite as good as she was a couple years back and can't see how she reverses form with Leading lady Honeysuckle. I'd be very interested in a NRNB price on her (albeit it's speculative, 2nd in a Ch still pays more than winning a County as you'd expect) coming here in and around her mark of 153, you could envisage a Arctic fire type effort if she where to line up. Worth noting that despite "plots" or "blots" We've had "We have a dream" 2nd off 152 in 2019, Aramon 2nd off 149 in 2020, and Petit 2nd last year off 155. If she ran to her rating she'd place at the minimum as you wouldn't be having 3 ahead of her running to 153 RPR's never mind the places on offer come the day. Crazy speculation perhaps but if anyone could request her in the market in the coming weeks it would be appreciated.

[Faugheen_Machine]

Epatante, clearly not quite as good as she was a couple years back and can't see how she reverses form with Leading lady Honeysuckle. I'd be very interested in a NRNB price on her (albeit it's speculative, 2nd in a Ch still pays more than winning a County as you'd expect) coming here in and around her mark of 153, you could envisage a Arctic fire type effort if she where to line up. Worth noting that despite "plots" or "blots" We've had "We have a dream" 2nd off 152 in 2019, Aramon 2nd off 149 in 2020, and Petit 2nd last year off 155. If she ran to her rating she'd place at the minimum as you wouldn't be having 3 ahead of her running to 153 RPR's never mind the places on offer come the day. Crazy speculation perhaps but if anyone could request her in the market in the coming weeks it would be appreciated.

I'll give you marks for thinking outside the box

It won't happen though, will it........

[Outlaw]

I'll give you marks for thinking outside the box

It won't happen though, will it........

Probably not but would JP rather have a festival winner or a few more grand? The former surely, would have a much better chance in a county now that much you could agree on surely.

[Faugheen_Machine]

Probably not but would JP rather have a festival winner or a few more grand? The former surely, would have a much better chance in a county now that much you could agree on surely.

I don't think she has enough in hand off a mark of 153 to win a county hurdle.

I'd actually say she has a better chance of finishing placed in the CH than winning the County Hurdle.