November ‘23 Yankee

[Irish Rugby]

I’ve picked one each from the four weekend meetings throughout the month.

Down Royal (Found a Fifty)
Navan (American Mike)
Cheltenham (Stage Star) and
Punchestown (Favori De Champdou)

Favori De Champdou – National Hunt Chase
American Mike - BANC
Found a Fifty - Turners
Stage Star – Ryanair

Stellar Story at Navan was a very close 2^nd to American Mike from my Navan list, with Captain Guinness not too far away either. I’ve avoided Mullins bingo.

[DenmanSacre]

I'd add Mighty Bandit to the consideration.

First ever racecourse appearance, Gordon said they had to go easy on his work as he lost weight and didn't know what to expect and he's finished like an absolute train.

Overall time and final few furlongs compare well to State Man and Predators Gold.

In behind, Lark in the Mornin has a flat rating of 95 and Harsh an 88 flat rating on RPRs so they aren't slow. Mighty Bandit put a lot of daylight into those two after the last under hands and heels from Jack.

On his first racecourse appearance, he's achieved more than any of the other juveniles so far this year (including the French ones with Willie and Nicky) IMO.

Due to his inexperience, they could have easily left him for 4 year old bumpers after the new year and then novice hurdling next season but they haven't. As far as I can see, there isn't another top Elliott juvenile with his profile of never having raced prior to his first run for Gordon.

Gordon mentioned his next race would be at Christmas and I'm hoping it's the Knight Frank grade 2.

If we look at most of Gordons best 4 year olds, the key race is the Knight Frank at Leopardstown at Xmas.

Over the last few years, he has had the following turn up in it:

2022- nothing (his juveniles weren't top class). No runner in the Triumph.

2021 - Fil Dor (won and then 2nd at Cheltenham). His other top juvenile Pied Piper hadn't gone over hurdles yet.

2020 - Zanahiyr (fav for the Triumph when disappointing). Quilixios did win the Triumph though. He started off at Punchestown in the same race Wodhooh won this year.

2019 - Aramax (stable debut and fell in this). Went on to win the Fred Winter. No runner in the Triumph.

2018 - Chief Justice, Couer Sublime and Coko Beach all at the head of the market in this race. Couer Sublime 2nd in the Triumph, Coko Beach 2nd in the Fred Winter and Chief Justice nowhere in the Fred Winter.

2017 - Farclas 2nd in this race then won the Triumph. Mitchouka more fancied in this race and then pulled up in the Fred Winter. Espoir DAllen won the race and would have won the Triumph if not injured.

2016 - Mega Fortune 3rd in this then 2nd in the Triumph.

2015 - Campeador 4th in this and fell in the Fred Winter. No Triumph runner.

2014 - Thunder Zone a well beaten 4th. No Triumph runner.

2013 - Clarcam 2nd and fell in the Fred Winter. 2nd at Aintree afterwards. Tiger Roll won the Triumph but hadn't gone over hurdles yet.

If Elliott has a fancied one in this race it generally runs well and then does well at Cheltenham.

16/1 is more than fair for his performance on Saturday. If he turns up in the grade 2 with Jack on board, he'll be much shorter when he sluices up in the race.

[HoldenTheReins]

I'd add Mighty Bandit to the consideration.

First ever racecourse appearance, Gordon said they had to go easy on his work as he lost weight and didn't know what to expect and he's finished like an absolute train.

Overall time and final few furlongs compare well to State Man and Predators Gold.

In behind, Lark in the Mornin has a flat rating of 95 and Harsh an 88 flat rating on RPRs so they aren't slow. Mighty Bandit put a lot of daylight into those two after the last under hands and heels from Jack.

On his first racecourse appearance, he's achieved more than any of the other juveniles so far this year (including the French ones with Willie and Nicky) IMO.

Due to his inexperience, they could have easily left him for 4 year old bumpers after the new year and then novice hurdling next season but they haven't. As fast as I can see, there isn't another top Elliott juvenile with his profile of never having raced prior to his first run for Gordon.

Gordon mentioned his next race would be at Christmas and I'm hoping it's the Knight Frank grade 2.

If we look at most of Gordons best 4 year olds, the key race is the Knight Frank at Leopardstown at Xmas.

Over the last few years, he has had the following turn up in it:

2022- nothing (his juveniles weren't top class). No runner in the Triumph.

2021 - Fil Dor (won and then 2nd at Cheltenham). His other top juvenile Pied Piper hadn't gone over hurdles yet.

2020 - Zanahiyr (fav for the Triumph when disappointing). Quilixios did win the Triumph though. He started off at Punchestown in the same race Wodhooh won this year.

2019 - Aramax (stable debut and fell in this). Went on to win the Fred Winter. No runner in the Triumph.

2018 - Chief Justice, Couer Sublime and Coko Beach all at the head of the market in this race. Couer Sublime 2nd in the Triumph, Coko Beach 2nd in the Fred Winter and Chief Justice nowhere in the Fred Winter.

2017 - Farclas 2nd in this race then won the Triumph. Mitchouka more fancied in this race and then pulled up in the Fred Winter. Espoir DAllen won the race and would have won the Triumph if not injured.

2016 - Mega Fortune 3rd in this then 2nd in the Triumph.

2015 - Campeador 4th in this and fell in the Fred Winter. No Triumph runner.

2014 - Thunder Zone a well beaten 4th. No Triumph runner.

2013 - Clarcam 2nd and fell in the Fred Winter. 2nd at Aintree afterwards. Tiger Roll won the Triumph but hadn't gone over hurdles yet.

If Elliott has a fancied one in this race it generally runs well and then does well at Cheltenham.

16/1 is more than fair for his performance on Saturday. If he turns up in the grade 2 with Jack on board, he'll be much shorter when he sluices up in the race.

Yep, couldn't of said it any better. Definitely one that needs covering for the Triumph

[ComplyOrDie]

I'd add Mighty Bandit to the consideration.

First ever racecourse appearance, Gordon said they had to go easy on his work as he lost weight and didn't know what to expect and he's finished like an absolute train.

All that good racing and he was the one that stands out in my memory.

His turn of foot after a couple of taps with the whip and he was gone!

I backed him on Saturday but thought Punchestown might be a bit on the sharp side for him being by Order Of St George, who was a proper stayer on the flat, but that didn't inconvenience him in the end.

He rates extremely highly in my list of potential winners of the Triumph even just after the one start.

I got him onside at 18/1 and may go back in again if the Knight Frank declaration happens.

[DenmanSacre]

All that good racing and he was the one that stands out in my memory.

His turn of foot after a couple of taps with the whip and he was gone!

I backed him on Saturday but thought Punchestown might be a bit on the sharp side for him being by Order Of St George, who was a proper stayer on the flat, but that didn't inconvenience him in the end.

He rates extremely highly in my list of potential winners of the Triumph even just after the one start.

I got him onside at 18/1 and may go back in again if the Knight Frank declaration happens.

I missed it live but saw the result before watching. Seeing him come to the last, I was wondering how he's managed to win by so far up a fairly short final straight. As you say, Jack asks him and he absolutely flew. Sign of a top class horse is putting that much daylight into other horses so quickly. Only a few I can remember doing that over the last few years.

As you say, so much good racing and he was the clear number 1 horse of the weekend for me.

[Eggs]

….last day of Nov so giving this a bump.

[knockando]

I know it’s not a sexy profile, but I can’t get away from Broadway Boy being a good price at 25s for BANC. Likely aimed there and almost confirmed as much in the RTV piece.

Quite a few at top of the market may not even go here, BB had a great run behind Flooring Porter and his run at PP meeting was excellent.

[Lobos]

Love Envoi @ 12/1 before she gives The Hill a fright in the Fighting Fifth.

Willmount Supreme. Best Novice Hurdler I've seen so far this season.

Gentlemansgame Gold Cup. He's the biggest danger to GDC.





IMO of course.

[Kautostar]

I know it’s not a sexy profile, but I can’t get away from Broadway Boy being a good price at 25s for BANC. Likely aimed there and almost confirmed as much in the RTV piece.

Quite a few at top of the market may not even go here, BB had a great run behind Flooring Porter and his run at PP meeting was excellent.

He beat non stayers and handicappers at the Cheltenham meeting and was put in his place first time out against flooring porter. Nice horse but I’d be amazed if he placed.

[Brooksie]

Love Envoi @ 12/1 before she gives The Hill a fright in the Fighting Fifth.

Willmount Supreme. Best Novice Hurdler I've seen so far this season.

Gentlemansgame Gold Cup. He's the biggest danger to GDC.





IMO of course.

I agree with Gentlemansgame, once he beats fastorslow and GDC at Christmas he'll be 2nd fav behind Gerri.

Throw in Jeriko Du Reponet for the lols more than anything.

[Lobos]

He beat non stayers and handicappers at the Cheltenham meeting and was put in his place first time out against flooring porter. Nice horse but I’d be amazed if he placed.

Agree. You sense he was well flattered

[Eggs]

….Sup/Bally look a real puzzle to me. Ile Atlantique (Bally) is the one I like but I’d be interested if MoM feels strongly about one to include it.

[knockando]

Agree. You sense he was well flattered

Fair enough . One for my knockando solo Yankee then!

[Lobos]

Me and my big mouth.......

12's gone on Love Envoi.

Best 10's now.

Bugger.

[Kevloaf]

Dashel Drasher is 66/1 for the Stayers

Obviously 2nd last year


Career runs over obstacles

3341111/2U1/3111/312P/122226-3

25 runs

21 of those 25 races he's been in the first 3. Winning 10 of them.
Cheltenham 4 times, finishing 1222 (thanks @Lobos)


That is not bad at all is it
Wildly over priced anyway? Might get beaten by Marie's Rock this weekend, but if he doesn't (and he's 2nd fav for that race).... meh.
The horse he was ahead of in the Stayers, Teahupoo, is the 6/1 current 2nd fav



Not sexy and won't get much love, but I'm going to back him each way at 66/1
and if they push him to 80/1 or even 100/1 after a defeat, I'll definitely be backing him again for the Stayers





Can't be out the frame Middle_Of_March