Cheltenham 2023 - Early fancies

[Kautostar]

I'm seeing a fair few people add Gaelic Warrior into the book for the Ballymore (also Joe Chambers horse to follow in OJA), can someone try convince me he will be good enough at this level?

Boodles horses don’t tend to go on and win grade 1s. I just can’t see him being good enough. They thought he was thrown in and still couldn’t win, Mullins has an absolute battalion of novice hurdlers so I’d be shocked if GW is his best middle distance novice. Something like the Martin pipe race or the coral cup I’d be more interested in. He’s also had those 4 qualifying runs so wouldn’t have to squeeze 4 runs into the season to qualify to run in the hcaps. Think he’ll land a nice prize but couldn’t have in on my mind for the ballymore.

[Atlantic Viking]

They think the jumping right thing was due to immaturity as he jumped straight in France. Lack of experience, greenness and the trip given as other reasons for defeat last March. So I agree with the above, he's not one i'm mad on and that's a fair old list of excuses already, but at this time of the year with the right noises I felt there's not much harm done in having him onboard with cashout.

[darlojim]

I'd need to see him jump straight on a left handed course before doing so. He gave away so many lengths jumping to the right constantly.

That of course, and the fact he had such a handy weight in the boodles off his mark and didn't exactly set the world alight. The Supreme/Bally will be a whole different ball game to contend with :/

[HoldenTheReins]

I'm seeing a fair few people add Gaelic Warrior into the book for the Ballymore (also Joe Chambers horse to follow in OJA), can someone try convince me he will be good enough at this level?

I'd need to see him jump straight on a left handed course before doing so. He gave away so many lengths jumping to the right constantly.

[darlojim]

I'm seeing a fair few people add Gaelic Warrior into the book for the Ballymore (also Joe Chambers horse to follow in OJA), can someone try convince me he will be good enough at this level?

[fatherjohn]

Anyone any thoughts on Marine Nationale? Owner turned trainer only 2 years ago so not a massive amount to go on there yet (although he's owned a few good ones, including Martello Tower and he paid a good few quid for Our Conor), nor is there on breeding, but his bumper win a month ago was impressive visually (127 RPR. 2nd won NTO, 26L 3rd for Mullins was a previous winner, although found to be lame after the race on this occasion) and he defeated the fancied in some quarters Demandrivingdouvan on debut (The 4th for Mullins won NTO). The Royal Bond has been mooted as an option. Just looks to me one of the more interesting ones out there that there's been little talk about.

form of bumper win was boosted as well yesterday with the 2nd from that race (my gaffer) winning comfortably at listowel yesterday

[ComplyOrDie]

Anyone any thoughts on Marine Nationale? Owner turned trainer only 2 years ago so not a massive amount to go on there yet (although he's owned a few good ones, including Martello Tower and he paid a good few quid for Our Conor), nor is there on breeding, but his bumper win a month ago was impressive visually (127 RPR. 2nd won NTO, 26L 3rd for Mullins was a previous winner, although found to be lame after the race on this occasion) and he defeated the fancied in some quarters Demandrivingdouvan on debut (The 4th for Mullins won NTO). The Royal Bond has been mooted as an option. Just looks to me one of the more interesting ones out there that there's been little talk about.

A difficult one to assess, I'd say.

Not a great deal to go on, as you note, on the breeding side of things. His dam is by Definite Article, so maybe some stamina from her side, but his sire was a fairly speedy type, though his dam did produce 152 rated hurdler, Sea Lord. Think he peaked at the intermediate trip, so I'd be looking down that route, if at all good enough.

Whilst the form looks good so far, I'm always weary of really early season form, whether it be hurdles or bumpers. I can't imagine any of the Mullins horses he beat will be even close to a Festival appearance (though could well be wrong).

I'm never keen on the Royal Bond form for any of the 2m novice hurdle races at the festival, so again, if he takes in that then I think they'd be looking to go out in trip come the festival.

His trainer is pretty much an unknown, at least from a training perspective anyway (not as an owner), but then he's only been going for a couple of years.

He's a horse I'm happy to let slide for now, based on everything I've seen to date and his early figures posted.

[Atlantic Viking]

Anyone any thoughts on Marine Nationale? Owner turned trainer only 2 years ago so not a massive amount to go on there yet (although he's owned a few good ones, including Martello Tower and he paid a good few quid for Our Conor), nor is there on breeding, but his bumper win a month ago was impressive visually (127 RPR. 2nd won NTO, 26L 3rd for Mullins was a previous winner, although found to be lame after the race on this occasion) and he defeated the fancied in some quarters Demandrivingdouvan on debut (The 4th for Mullins won NTO). The Royal Bond has been mooted as an option. Just looks to me one of the more interesting ones out there that there's been little talk about.

[HesTheOne]

Quote regarding Houlanbatordechais from prev Trainer Richard Hobson
“”He’ll wear a hood at all times as he’s busy enough even at home. He has loads of ability and 2 mile hurdling soft ground definitely one to follow””

Rich Ricci/Mullins €150k purchase in ‘21, well backed for Bumper 2022. Raced wildly with no real impression at the end. Blackmore reported after the race the bit had slipped from his mouth during the race making him unsteerable.

Might just be one to keep a close eye on.

[Stormez]

Any news on Nickle Back, who was a dark horse on here last season before injury?

[Winging The Last]

A taking performance that by Magical Zoe on hurdle debut. 2-2 now with HDB and bought for ?140k after her bumper win

[Lobos]

and 50-1 on saturday

Lucky Barsteward !

Not me babe........no online accounts for me . Shops and mates rates only

[Joleg]

Re Spanish Harlem he's just 14/1 with Skybet TWAR but a massive 33/1 with William Hill in the same market.

Similarly, a couple have mentioned positively Bear Ghylls recently. He's 12/1 TWAR with Skybet but over double that at 25/1 with William Hill.

and 50-1 on saturday

[Lobos]

Not Robcour, but I'd thought it would be good to post all of the unraced French Breds that Willie has bought over the last few months so we can keep our eyes out for them

Spanish Harlem - 360k - Arqana summer sale - 4 yo winner of a single hurdle race in June 2022 so should still be a novice - RPR of 111

Absurde - 260k Arqana summer sale - Flat recruit, 4 yo gelding who ran 7th in graded company in France prior to being sold

Daddy Long Legs - 210k - Arqana summer sale - 3 yo colt with a single run on the flat

Quais De Paris - 180k - Arqana 2021 Autumn Sale - 4 yo gelding with a single run over hurdles, finishing 3rd - RPR 118

Bialystok - 160k - Arqana 2021 Arc Sale - in a fact an irish bred raced in France on the flat

Parmenion - 230k - Arqana 2021 Summer Sale - Fancied by a few on here as Willie's triumph horse last year but that turned out to be Vauban

Re Spanish Harlem he's just 14/1 with Skybet TWAR but a massive 33/1 with William Hill in the same market.

Similarly, a couple have mentioned positively Bear Ghylls recently. He's 12/1 TWAR with Skybet but over double that at 25/1 with William Hill.

[Lobos]

It's only huge if they are good enough in the first place! They might need 3 stone, for all we know.

No 4 year old has won the Supreme since 1999, and I'm not sure if a filly or mare have ever won it? Willie sticks to his tried and tested, so I'm not sure why he wouldn't again, especially as he has the top two in the betting currently, with a load sitting in behind.

Yeah, it's an odd one why more don't run in it these days. Plenty have been entered up in recent years though so maybe one day they'll take their chance. I'd like to see it more often. 14 have won in its entire history.