January ‘25 Yankee

[Eggs]

Thought it best let the dust settle on this month before kicking off the new thread. Obviously we need to find a new structure for these.

i’m more than happy to do the leg work in opening and facilitating discussion as well as keeping the ‘sticky’ thread updated. I suggest from this month we seek volunteer Captains who make the selections at the end of each month. That process/structure seemed to work well in MoMs absence and it also appeared popular.

By my reckoning we only have 2 more to progress, although I’m of the opinion that we should consider asking Saxon Warrior to Captain a post-DRF Yankee based on his Race Planner.

So, assuming you’re all onboard with the approach, I’d appreciate a volunteer to Captain this months effort with a commitment to post selections on the last day of January, especially as DRF begins on 1st Feb.

So, let the discussion begin.

[somer1]

Bring on the Sax

[Eggs]

….pop this in here from Irish Rugby;

Two Henry horses for me. The Big Westerner who has now impressed and in differently run races, at Punchestown and now Limerick. Still fancy odds for the AB.

Workahead had a lot to like in the manner of his win in the novice hurdle at Leopardstown on Friday following his 3rd behind Jasmin de Vaux and The Enabler (that won today) early in the month at Navan. Could be similar to Slade Steel and be a bit under the radar for the Supreme.

Both still at lively prices.

[Carnage at Taunton]

….pop this in here from Irish Rugby;

Two Henry horses for me. The Big Westerner who has now impressed and in differently run races, at Punchestown and now Limerick. Still fancy odds for the AB.

Workahead had a lot to like in the manner of his win in the novice hurdle at Leopardstown on Friday following his 3rd behind Jasmin de Vaux and The Enabler (that won today) early in the month at Navan. Could be similar to Slade Steel and be a bit under the radar for the Supreme.

Both still at lively prices.

That’s nice boost for Jasmin form those two.
Hes still available at 9 and 16, Turners and Supreme respectively.

[Istabraq]

Worth remembering there'll be some NRNB available by the time this gets selected, an opportunity to be creative with some insurance maybe...

[Eggs]

….given the alternatives for the two shorties at the head of the market and a bit of uncertainty with Jade de Grugy, it’s 12-1 the field for Mares Hurdle if anybody has any strong views.

Edit; indications are BDA is heading this way, never mind.

[Quevega]

I nominate Faugheen_Machine

I'm going to say something blunt and hurtful to some.
So those that might be offended then stop reading now.

Most of these yankees are muggy and stupid beyond belief. Basically pissing in the wind, hoping to end up dry and warm.
This is not a full reflection on those that finalise selections.

Yankees this far out should focus on horses with solid form or reasoning, a clear enough target and most of all at prices that are very likely to be shorter once the race arrives.

Take the great mans winning yankee placed plenty early enough. And it's not the only one he's had either.

Sir Gerhard - only one target - Bumper, with very good words about him from early on.
Quilixios - a juvenile - triumph - as above
Minella Indo - 2nd in RSA - Gold cup
Galvin - second season novice and 4 miler mentioned plenty early enough by connections.

Now I'm sure the man has placed plenty of his own muggy yankees in his time also. And used the perming method.
But I'd also be sure he'd agree that there is a "better" method for success with these.

The reason I don't do barely any of these is I'm rarely convinced that they are a sensible bet.

And I can cope with missing out and seeing other people happy, as seeing others happy is far more rewarding, although mainly for people you know and love and that's not everyone on here, so I might be a bit annoyed

[Saxon Warrior]

Thought it best let the dust settle on this month before kicking off the new thread. Obviously we need to find a new structure for these.

i’m more than happy to do the leg work in opening and facilitating discussion as well as keeping the ‘sticky’ thread updated. I suggest from this month we seek volunteer Captains who make the selections at the end of each month. That process/structure seemed to work well in MoMs absence and it also appeared popular.

By my reckoning we only have 2 more to progress, although I’m of the opinion that we should consider asking Saxon Warrior to Captain a post-DRF Yankee based on his Race Planner.

So, assuming you’re all onboard with the approach, I’d appreciate a volunteer to Captain this months effort with a commitment to post selections on the last day of January, especially as DRF begins on 1st Feb.

So, let the discussion begin.

I think quite often, one person doing all 4 monthly picks becomes a "bit of a stretch" a reach for the last one (or two) and maybe a dilution of conviction at times for folk to get to that number.

I'd go for 2 sets of eyes / and 2 minds as a preference for most months, and have 2 picking 2 each.

That way we get closer to the solid gold convictions behind those two picks each.

I'm sure folk would be happy to collaborate with each other through the month to fine tune the 2 each, when required. Wouldn't they?

Be interesting to see that play out

[Quevega]

It's a tricky month this one as we have Dublin and trials day as well as Naas coming up shortly.

But early thoughts

Protektorat 25-1 Ryanair
Banbridge 33-1 Gold cup

Both might not run this month, but even if they do and run below par.
If either of them turn up in those races and Protektorat is very likely indeed, then they definitely don't go off at those odds.
Most likely both would be much closer to the 10-1 mark IMO.
NRNB at lower prices might be preferred by some.

Banbridge gets a nudge as his finishing speeds in the King George were very classy and it's a hard thing to do to go after a leader like that basically on your own. That shows a real good heart and likely stamina in the tank. With Blake mentioning the race and him being Josephs man then that's another positive for likely participation.
The ground is more than likely going to be suitable also on the Friday.

I think Majborough at 9-2 is value also given the juvenile form links vs the price on Sir Gino. But he's pretty likely to race again this month.
Some might prefer InthePocket but thats a matter if opinion.

If we get word that Kargese is safe and well then I'd have her also as value at 12-1 with a fairly certain target.

Lossiemouth I thought was a solid pick but the emergence of BDA yesterday - then this is not so much of interest to me at this point.
I think Gaelic is value vs Jonbons current price also, but he may well run this month and leopardstown hasn't been too kind to him. So maybe not just yet.

[Irish Rugby]

Protektorat got some mention in the December thread and you just know the Skelton's will go for the double. So, a horse at 25s, with a solid target, and he's been there and done it before. It's a solid pick.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Yes I wanted him in the Yankee that I did, but he was not really being spoken about much on the thread so I went with the 4 I thought most popular.
He gets my vote for this one.

And by the way Q….. I hope you are not referring to my Yankee as muggy!!

[Faugheen_Machine]

How about Salvator Mundi for the Supreme, and get the week of to a flyer?!

His target almost certain and could easily line up as a short price favourite. I don't think he's been put in one yet.

Cheers for the shout out Quevega, although if you looked at my open bets, there's more than a few I'd describe as muggy!

[Irish Rugby]

Yes, and again, SM has had many mentions here, these last few months. Surprised he didn't get picked last month to be honest.

Now that Sir Gino has taken all the Arkle attention, may I offer Majborough.

[Odin]

How about Salvator Mundi for the Supreme, and get the week of to a flyer?!

His target almost certain and could easily line up as a short price favourite. I don't think he's been put in one yet.

I'm also shocked he hasn't been included in one yet so I'd very much be in favour of his inclusiob. The only horse to finish within 2 lengths of Sir Gino - a fun fact I found yesterday

[Eggs]

….so, with SM looking odds-on, is anybody volunteering to be skipper?