The Randox Health COUNTY Handicap Hurdle

[Pigeon Island]

West Cork dropped to 135.

I think it’s 134 isn’t it?
Either way wow……. I thought Skelton gave him a very interesting ride last week at Kelso, he definitely didn’t ride him with an all action display like he usually does on one they fancy to go in!!! Back to his mark he win the 2022 greatwood and 7lb below his 5 lengths behind state man in last years county I think he will be a big winner for me and my number 1 fancy.
I see he is entered for the morebattle so maybe win that and up 5lb and still well in for the bonus?

[Rooster Booster]

It won't worry me who sits on West Cork, Harry and Bridget have both won the race so know what it takes.
I haven't seen much of Bridget this season but she rode a big handicap winner for Skelton a couple of months ago (can't remember the horse) and thought she gave it great ride, clearly very able.
West Cork wouldn't have your usual profile for a County winner but he's certainly been given every chance, but let's see how many Mullins future multiple G1 winners there are lurking near the bottom when weights get released !

West balboa....a bit too good for my liking as I was on red risk

im not a big fan if West Cork however I don’t think he’s entirely genuine. Bit of the Mtoto coming through for me. Also wind surgery and they’ve kept the tongue tie on and still not finishing off his races. For all that he is nicely handicapped now and totally get the appeal. I may well give in to temptation as I’m very often wrong

[Istabraq]

West balboa....a bit too good for my liking as I was on red risk

im not a big fan if West Cork however I don’t think he’s entirely genuine. Bit of the Mtoto coming through for me. Also wind surgery and they’ve kept the tongue tie on and still not finishing off his races. For all that he is nicely handicapped now and totally get the appeal. I may well give in to temptation as I’m very often wrong

I'm sure the chasing experiment was genuine but when he clouted everything in his way and the handicapper started adjusting his hurdle mark because of it I'm sure they would have then have had the County on their mind.
Ran a belter last year, was bang there at the last, gets to run in same race this year either 7lb better off or 2lb better off (if he wins at Kelso) and you'd like to think there's no State Man lurking this year...

[Rooster Booster]

I'm sure the chasing experiment was genuine but when he clouted everything in his way and the handicapper started adjusting his hurdle mark because of it I'm sure they would have then have had the County on their mind.
Ran a belter last year, was bang there at the last, gets to run in same race this year either 7lb better off or 2lb better off (if he wins at Kelso) and you'd like to think there's no State Man lurking this year...

Yep,totally understand the form angle from his Cheltenham runs and his new mark...it’s there for all to see....I just think he is a weak finisher and doesn’t put it all in these days which can happen a fair bit with the mtoto line. I will likely get him onside no doubt as on paper he looks an obvious candidate and like I say I’m usually wrong and it would be ridiculously conceited of me to ignore a well handicapped Skelton horse in the county hurdle.

Also with regard to his jumping it wasn’t so much that he didn’t take to it that bothered me it was the extent to which he was jumping out to the right and so Im also not entirely convinced all is A1 with the horse.

Be interesting to see if he pitches up at Kelso ...the ideal kind of bet for me would be place in the morebattle and place/win county.

One way or another I will figure out a way to get him onside but I just wanted to share my reservations for what they are worth.

I would also add that I think Bridget does particulalrly well with the let’s say mercurial types. She gives Too Friendly the perfect ride for example and she will win a nice one with him one day so it’s entirely possible she will get a better tune out of WC than Harry.

[Istabraq]

Just watched his County run last year again, he was forced to come up the middle of the course when everything went over to the rails, no doubt the ground was better by the rail as everything that could go there, did.
And that happened in the Triumph 40 mins earlier.
So perhaps a small upgrade on that performance is necessary ?
Either way he's handicapped to win it...

[Outlaw]

It won't worry me who sits on West Cork, Harry and Bridget have both won the race so know what it takes.
I haven't seen much of Bridget this season but she rode a big handicap winner for Skelton a couple of months ago (can't remember the horse) and thought she gave it great ride, clearly very able.
West Cork wouldn't have your usual profile for a County winner but he's certainly been given every chance, but let's see how many Mullins future multiple G1 winners there are lurking near the bottom when weights get released !

Wasn’t a dig about her more that as perceived second string and unusual profile(for all I can see the appeal) should remain a price etc.

[jack1092]

According to Dan Overall, West Cork isn't entered yet...has to 12 to do so...

[RoadToCheltenham]

According to Dan Overall, West Cork isn't entered yet...has to 12 to do so...

He's right - still not in there

[Pigeon Island]

Is he entered in the grand annual RTC?

[Rooster Booster]

More to the point is Pembroke entered yet as you’d think they’d do them at the same time

[Pigeon Island]

More to the point is Pembroke entered yet as you’d think they’d do them at the same time

saying yes on Twitter

[RoadToCheltenham]

More to the point is Pembroke entered yet as you’d think they’d do them at the same time

Exactly. Skelton has 4 in the County as things stand - Faivoir, Knickerbockerglory, Pembroke & Playful Saint.

[The Fellow]

Where are you seeing the entries RTC , can't find them on BHA site

[Rooster Booster]

Exactly. Skelton has 4 in the County as things stand - Faivoir, Knickerbockerglory, Pembroke & Playful Saint.

You’d think faivoir would be bridgets ride and dropped 9 pounds in 3 runs. He drifted alarmingly lto and ran accordingly

[ComplyOrDie]

You’d think faivoir would be bridgets ride and dropped 9 pounds in 3 runs. He drifted alarmingly lto and ran accordingly

Haha I've just backed him, as per my diary