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Originally posted by darlojim
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Ground related? He’s been backed heavily from 2’s to 13/8. -
Yepp, they're expecting a tonne of improvement on spring ground. He's probably just on the cusp of getting in or not in the boodles at 120 BHA. I'd say they wouldn't mind trying to secure a couple lbs if they can, thats the targetOriginally posted by Craigy14 View Post
Also probably just 365 readjusting price inline more with all the other bookies who put him up at 11/10Last edited by darlojim; 6 February 2024, 07:24 PM.Comment
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Fair enough. Likely be pulled Saturday as well then if it remains soft enough.Originally posted by darlojim View Post
Cossack probably has enough to get in so he may not run if he was to pull one of them.Comment
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Madara connections favouring Plate ....
“He looks to be improving and is remarkable really – 100 per cent, I have never experienced anything like Saturday before, it was on another level,” said Leech.
“He has really settled into our way of doing things and has thrived. He’s so laid back and just takes everything in his stride. He’s old beyond his years and just a wonderful horse to be around really – he’s just a joy.
“It’s difficult to know (how high he could go) and I never imagined he would get to where he is now. But he looks to still have something in hand, so hopefully he can keep on improving.”
On Cheltenham, Leech added: “100 per cent, the dream is still alive. I think the more we think about it, we are probably erring more towards the Plate.
“However, if it was heavy ground, he could probably drop back to two miles, so he will have an entry in both (the Plate and Grand Annual) to give him all options.”
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The big doyen has to be of interest for whichever handicap he goes in. I’m guessing maybe the coral cup. Will have a nice English mark around 137/138. Like how’s he’s been round Cheltenham for a look. Travelled best that day and Donoghue didn’t fully go for him in the finish. Obviously Captain Teague has franked the form since and we know Fahey loves a plot job. If the ground has good in the description he’ll have a great chance imoComment
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I'd be leaving The Big Doyen alone for the time being...Comment
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What are people’s thoughts on Nube Negra?
Does he fall into a similar category as Funambule Sivola as in, is he tumbling down for a handicap or is he not quite good enough.
He ran a cracker at Kempton recently off 155 and has since finished 4 of 5 in the Clarence House. A decent ground festival would he have a chance in the Grand Annual? Looks around 20/1 is best I think.Comment
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Last win was at 1/10 on the Old Course at Cheltenham in the Grade 2 Schloer chase Nov 2022Originally posted by Craigy14 View Post
Has never won a race in March .....a 2nd 0.5L behind Put The Kettle On in a QMCC though
Was a mid 150's horse until he beat Altior and now is dropping back to where he was.
Definitely won't be improving at 10 years old will he, I want to like it.... but I dunnoComment
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The other trouble I have with Nube Negra, who is a horse I have always liked, is that for years he apparently was best if/ needed to be fresh. So running him again and again this season to either stumble on a nice win or to get his mark down to a winnable one sort of negates another condition which would need to be in his favour for success in March. As we know with these Cheltenham handicaps, you kind of need everything to fall in your favour in terms of preparation and on the day, so for me there's enough to be against him at this point.
It would need to be the plot of all Skelton plots to get him low enough in the weights, then give him time off track, then for it to be good spring ground and him come back and win the Grand Annual in 2025 as an 11 year old! But...stranger things have happened.Last edited by Evesham Road; 7 February 2024, 01:54 PM.Comment
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Aye he’s definitely not improving and as you say he shot up to a silly mark because he beat Altior. Was at his peak at that point, through 2022 running respectable enough in plenty of races.Originally posted by Kevloaf View Post
I just don’t see why they keep putting him in all these Grade 1’s when he has no chance. To me that’s says he’s still showing them enough ability that they are inclined to reduce his mark down to a level he ‘could’ possibly win off. Whether that comes in time at Cheltenham or elsewhere that’s the problem I suppose.Comment
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Owned by an old romantic who loves to see his horse competing at the top, used to be plenty more like him in the game too....Originally posted by Craigy14 View PostComment
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Haha my point probably came across the wrong way it was meant. No issue with him running for the owner if that’s what it was.Originally posted by Istabraq View Post
Think I was looking at it more sinister if there was a handicap identified the Skeltons were aiming at.Comment
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