October ‘24 ‘Roger Diamond Geezer Hunter’ Yankee

[Istabraq]

….forum favourite Langer Dan @ 25-1 might appeal to some given Skelton says he’s being aimed at the Stayers.

Great news, means I can’t back him in the Pipe for the 5th year running….

[Kautostar]

….forum favourite Langer Dan @ 25-1 might appeal to some given Skelton says he’s being aimed at the Stayers.

He was in last months yankee

[Eggs]

He was in last months yankee

…..he was but nothing to stop us going again with target confirmed.

[Kautostar]

…..he was but nothing to stop us going again with target confirmed.

Might as well just bang teahupoo in every Yankee then

[Killiney]

Having looked at Sceptre’s suggestion of Gale Mahler I agree it is well worth looking at especially after the Persian War. The winner of that was Flying Fortune who was btn 2 1/2 l in receipt of 6lb by Gale Mahler. Both have improved since but at the very least it is a useful indicator that GM is a serious mare. We must hope that connections can see the sense in putting her away for the spring campaign.

[Lobos]

Having looked at Sceptre’s suggestion of Gale Mahler I agree it is well worth looking at especially after the Persian War. The winner of that was Flying Fortune who was btn 2 1/2 l in receipt of 6lb by Gale Mahler. Both have improved since but at the very least it is a useful indicator that GM is a serious mare. We must hope that connections can see the sense in putting her away for the spring campaign.

They've already said that she will be saved for a Spring campaign specifically mentioning the Spring festivals. May be that she's not up to Mares Novice Hurdle class and that she's just a very good Handicapper but they'll test the water before that and find out.

[BookieBasher]

They've already said that she will be saved for a Spring campaign specifically mentioning the Spring festivals. May be that she's not up to Mares Hurdle class and that she's just a very good Handicapper but they'll test the water before that and find out.

Gale Mahler is Mares Novice isn’t she? At least that’s what I’ve backed her for

[Lobos]

Gale Mahler is Mares Novice isn’t she? At least that’s what I’ve backed her for

Yep. Mares Novice Hurdle.

[Killiney]

Is she (GM) good enough for the Mares Novice. I think Spectre pointed out that she has already achieved the average rating. At the moment it’s 135. Golden Ace won off 124 which is admittedly a bit lower than the average. Previously the winners were 135; 136, 138 and in 2020 141. So on those stats it looks as though she is good enough to run.

[ComplyOrDie]

Is she (GM) good enough for the Mares Novice. I think Spectre pointed out that she has already achieved the average rating. At the moment it’s 135. Golden Ace won off 124 which is admittedly a bit lower than the average. Previously the winners were 135; 136, 138 and in 2020 141. So on those stats it looks as though she is good enough to run.

The MNH is one of the races I throw ratings out the window (Willie Mullins the exception, see below note).

It's a complete mish mash of horses usually rated between 120-145 (give or take a few lbs depending on the renewal) and the winners have come from all over the place on ratings.

Lowest rated winner 124 (Golden Ace)
Highest rated winner 147 (Let's Dance)

There are a whole heap of horses rated in the 140's that not only didn't win, but didn't even place in the race since it's inception;

Smart Talk 149 (first ever running of the MNH)
Airlie Beach 143
Forge Meadow 140
Coillte Lass 140
Maria's Benefit 147
Posh Trish 145
Epatante 143
Sinoria 142
Floressa 141
Minella Melody 143
Skyace 140
Roseys Hollow 142
Royal Kahala 143
Gauloise 140
Perfect Myth 140
Party Central 141
Luccia 142
Jade De Grugy 141

The thing to note about the majority of them was that they were carrying the 5lb penalty, but many of them were also beaten out of sight. It may be that with the penalty gone, the potentially classier mares will start to produce the goods, in which case Gale Mahler would have to improve a fair bit more for me, though this is purely conjecture, and it still may turn out to be a complete mix of all types winning the race.

Gale Mahler owes me nothing, shameful after timing, but I had her backed for Galway (at decent enough odds), but even so, that race was brutally awful, IMO.I wouldn't get too carried away with that, personally. I think she's been a fantastic money spinner for connections, and probably plenty more to come from her over further, but I am waiting for her to come out and beat something of note. Some will point to Gaucher, but he's not been close to living up to the expected hype that he had attached to him when he joined Willie, and the Grade 3 he won at Tipperary was about as bad a Grade 3 as you're likely to see. A now 109 rated just some 7 lengths back in 3rd.

I guess the argument for Gale Mahler could be made that at least she has some level of form in the book. The majority (including ones I have backed) have very little to go on, and are shorter odds. But there are differing reasons for backing these ones over her.

I really was debating whether or not to add her or not, my heart was saying yes, because of what she'd already done for me at Galway, but my head said no, and in this case my head ruled over my heart.

On a side note, and nothing to do with GM, when Willie Mullins wins the race, Eglantine Du Seuil aside (she didn't have a rating), it's with his highest rated mare. Limini, Let's Dance, Laurina & Concertista, all above 140.

[Runragged]

Not sure it is wise to be backing a ground dependant horse this far in advance of Cheltenham. Got my fingers burned the last couple of years with horses who needed better ground only to get pulled or run poorly when it has come up soft/heavy. Her half brother Rebellious Gale has also shown a favouring for faster ground with 4 of his top 5 RPRs coming on good or yielding ground.

[Lobos]

Gale Mahler to run at Cheltenham next week in Grade 2 Novice Hurdle and may then target Greatwood Hurdle in November.

[ComplyOrDie]

Gale Mahler to run at Cheltenham next week in Grade 2 Novice Hurdle and may then target Greatwood Hurdle in November.

Thought they might have given her more of a break, but I suspect they want to get her out whilst the ground is still on the good side, rather than the winter ground, likely, if they waited any longer.

[Lobos]

Thought they might have given her more of a break, but I suspect they want to get her out whilst the ground is still on the good side, rather than the winter ground, likely, if they waited any longer.

Yep, as others said strike while she's in such good form. I do think she's likely to come up short of Fez class but there's a chance she could keep on improving.

[Killiney]

Another positive is that she will get course experience in the process. If the current rain keeps up she will also test her serif on some softer than g- ydg (Galway)