Cheltenham 2023 - Early fancies

[CJW]

Where do we think Facile Vega will go? I'm hoping the supreme route but few have mentioned ballymore.

[charlie]

Just look at nicky hendersons history with these types though. He has consistently sent his best horse chasing the following season. Of the two, I can see Jonbon lingering in hurdles for another season. I would be baffled if CH stayed hurdling.
If they decide to take on Honeysuckle at Punchestown, to me that will be a solid indication they have an eye on going chasing next season, as this could be the only chance they have at a crack at Honey.

I think you're misreading the situation. Henderson loves a Champion Hurdle horse and the owner is saying thats what they are going to do. Sure, take it with a pinch of salt, but it makes hurdling far more likely, and, if he faces off v honeysuckle and wins, that will be that and he will be aimed at the champion hurdle and Jonbon will go chasing.

[Eggs]

Where do we think Facile Vega will go? I'm hoping the supreme route but few have mentioned ballymore.

…from what’s been said on here, Mullins has already name-checked the Bally for James’ Gate & Gaelic Warrior.

[FinalFurlong91]

Where do we think Facile Vega will go? I'm hoping the supreme route but few have mentioned ballymore.

Seems to have loads of speed to me, can't see why it wouldn't be supreme

[CJW]

Yeah this is my thoughts aswell in regards to FV, supreme bound, all is well. Cheers for replys.

[Ice]

I think you're misreading the situation. Henderson loves a Champion Hurdle horse and the owner is saying thats what they are going to do. Sure, take it with a pinch of salt, but it makes hurdling far more likely, and, if he faces off v honeysuckle and wins, that will be that and he will be aimed at the champion hurdle and Jonbon will go chasing.

Do you think if he does race against Honeysuckle and gets beaten he would then go chasing next season ?

[Stormez]

On the subject of Mercurey, his price could well have an expiry date attached to it which may force a few hands. After he won his bumper Mullins said that he was unlikely to go to Cheltenham but could go for a winners race in Limerick and then on to Punchestown. If he were to win at Punchestown then he’ll be given a significant trim.

That’s a good point. There was plenty of horses we fancied on here pre festival who didn’t make the trip, so the same will apply to them.

[Saxon Warrior]

On the subject of Mercurey, his price could well have an expiry date attached to it which may force a few hands. After he won his bumper Mullins said that he was unlikely to go to Cheltenham but could go for a winners race in Limerick and then on to Punchestown. If he were to win at Punchestown then he’ll be given a significant trim.

I totally agree JackieMoon33 - he is my Supreme pick, driven by price, and the thought that he would collapse into 2nd fav for it if he completed the Bumper route that Willie was thinking of, in the next 7 weeks.

[DenmanSacre]

Can someone get An Tobar priced up for the Supreme, Ballymore and Albert Bartlett? Priced up any race with Sky but not in the individual races.

[Bollinger]

Read the starting post - no after timing please, it matters little to anyone.

Personally speaking, and of course, it’s only my opinion in amongst many thousands , I don’t have a problem with ‘after timing’.

As mentioned, it holds absolutely nothing other than to that person who holds the potential winning ticket,but not always can it be seen as displaying confidence.

I was sitting on a lovely 393/1 treble of Bob Olinger to win the Ballymore/Marsh and Ferny Hollow Arkle. It lost me a good stake.

I’m sitting on a lovely 50/1 for Galopin de Champs to win the Gold Cup……connections may well now serve this and head to the Champion Chase. There’s a sound chance I’m on a losing bet.

I was sitting on huge 33/1 prices for Shishkin last week - a life game changer. He lost.


That’s all after timing, and yet evidence of my losing bets, and another with what appears could be a losing bet.

If people want to point out they’ve got big prices on horses, then they should be allowed to point it out, if they wish to. Some will, some won’t. It’s not a crime guys surely?

[charlie]

Do you think if he does race against Honeysuckle and gets beaten he would then go chasing next season ?

I think that would depend on the manner of her win. If it was comprehensive then yes, marginal, then no.

[Atlantic Viking]

If people want to point out they’ve got big prices on horses, then they should be allowed to point it out, if they wish to. Some will, some won’t. It’s not a crime guys surely?

It isn't but that's presumably why the site owners created a diary section... Save it for there.

[darlojim]

Personally speaking, and of course, it’s only my opinion in amongst many thousands , I don’t have a problem with ‘after timing’.

As mentioned, it holds absolutely nothing other than to that person who holds the potential winning ticket,but not always can it be seen as displaying confidence.

I was sitting on a lovely 393/1 treble of Bob Olinger to win the Ballymore/Marsh and Ferny Hollow Arkle. It lost me a good stake.

I’m sitting on a lovely 50/1 for Galopin de Champs to win the Gold Cup……connections may well now serve this and head to the Champion Chase. There’s a sound chance I’m on a losing bet.

I was sitting on huge 33/1 prices for Shishkin last week - a life game changer. He lost.


That’s all after timing, and yet evidence of my losing bets, and another with what appears could be a losing bet.

If people want to point out they’ve got big prices on horses, then they should be allowed to point it out, if they wish to. Some will, some won’t. It’s not a crime guys surely?

Yepp like Kevloaf said, if people are wanting to point out their amazing prices on some horses, then a diary set up in the members section would be the best place for it.

[robith]

Personally speaking, and of course, it’s only my opinion in amongst many thousands , I don’t have a problem with ‘after timing’.

As mentioned, it holds absolutely nothing other than to that person who holds the potential winning ticket,but not always can it be seen as displaying confidence.

I was sitting on a lovely 393/1 treble of Bob Olinger to win the Ballymore/Marsh and Ferny Hollow Arkle. It lost me a good stake.

I’m sitting on a lovely 50/1 for Galopin de Champs to win the Gold Cup……connections may well now serve this and head to the Champion Chase. There’s a sound chance I’m on a losing bet.

I was sitting on huge 33/1 prices for Shishkin last week - a life game changer. He lost.


That’s all after timing, and yet evidence of my losing bets, and another with what appears could be a losing bet.

If people want to point out they’ve got big prices on horses, then they should be allowed to point it out, if they wish to. Some will, some won’t. It’s not a crime guys surely?

The problem with aftertiming is that racing is full of bullshit and bluster.

In a community of discussion and analysis, it creates a negative vibe of aggrandising behaviour, and that can fester - it starts to implicitly signal a place where baselessly "being right" trumps any opinion .

Log it in your diary, put yourself out there, and you'll be applauded. Allowing "boohoo mate, I had 33/1 on Constitution Hill" and it's a fast track to a useless environment. Hence I'll call it out wherever I see it, and applaud those who've had the courage to put themselves on the block in their diaries when they do well

[7barrows]

I caught Rich Ricci being interviewed live on stage at Cheltenham by Martin Kelly (Sky Sports Racing) and Willie's quote on the Ballymore is in the Racing Post comments in the race analysis


15Mar22 Cheltenham (16.5GS, RPR 132)


"Gaelic Warrior ran a great race. On the whole he jumped well. We would have probably liked a bit more juice in the ground. He is a nice prospect for next season. It didn't help him how he jumped the last but that is racing. There was only a short head in it and you can if an and all day but he ran a great race. I hope there will be plenty of good days with him as he is a real jumping type. We will stay novice hurdling next season as he is still a maiden and he will be back here for the Ballymore next year "- Willie Mullins, trainer.

It looks like Willie has promised Rich Ricci a targeted retrieval mission at Cheltenham, and is going to give up the rest of this season, to avoid losing his novice status, and go with Gaelic Warrior as his plan to come back for the Ballymore.

that's interesting Sax as prior to the handicap mark ricci has him down as a supreme horse. Does this set up the supreme campaign for mercury do you think ?