Gold Cup day is great. Stick on the suit and give it the big 'un
I was in the Club mate and it was not an enjoyable experience at all
I can imagine you in your pin stipe and kauto star scarf
That’s a pity. I had a rare old time with @Julio Geordio[/USER] & the sadly departed [USER=116]@The Dunph
I looked unreal, unbelievable
True, there’s a distinct lack of couches to sit on and have a pint
Cheers lads. Does not sound appealing! Trying to convince the entire crew to fork out 100 stg for club tickets might be tricky.
Selections at this point:
Day 1
Supreme Novices - Jollyallan 25-1
Arkle - Vautour 8-1
Festival Handicap Chase - Djakadam 16-1
Champion Hurdle - Faugheen 5-4
Mares Hurdle - Aurore D’Estruval 9-2
National Hunt Chase - Sego Success 12-1
Novices Handicap Chase - Clondow Kaempfer 20-1
Day 2
Neptune - Out Sam 16-1
RSA - Don Poli 11-2
Coral Cup - Activial 14-1
Champion Chase - Sire De Grugy 9-2
Cross Country - Any Currency 5-1
Fred Winter - Chatez 20-1
Champion Bumper - Au Quart De Tour 8-1
Day 3
JLT - Gilgamboa 8-1
Pertemps - Cup Final 14-1
Ryanair - Don Cossack 8-1
World Hurdle - More of That 4-1
Byrne Group - Buywise 14-1
Kim Muir - Barrakilla - 20-1
Day 4
Triumph - Bristol De Mai - 8-1
County - Sign of a victory 20-1
Albert Bartlett - No more heroes 6-1
Gold Cup - Bobs Worth 16-1
Grand Annual - Court Minstrel 16-1
I think cup final is this years talking horse, everybody has him
Is Annie Power going straight to the festival or what’s the story?
Same question for Sire De Grudy
[QUOTE=“TreatyStones, post: 1072171, member: 1786”]Is Annie Power going straight to the festival or what’s the story?
Same question for Sire De Grudy
[/QUOTE]
Per WPM Annie goes straight to Cheltenham
[QUOTE=“TreatyStones, post: 1072171, member: 1786”]Is Annie Power going straight to the festival or what’s the story?
Same question for Sire De Grudy[/QUOTE]
SDG due to run at Newbury weekend after next (I think).
@TreatyStones
[SIZE=5]Moore issues upbeat Sire bulletin[/SIZE]
Monday 12 January 2015
Jamie Moore feels Sire De Grugy is stronger than ever ahead of his imminent return to action in the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury on February 7.
The nine-year-old has not run yet this season due to a setback, but his work will step up a gear this week as Moore’s father Gary gears him up for an eagerly-anticipated clash with Sprinter Sacre at Cheltenham in March.
“He’ll be going upsides on Wednesday morning when he’ll do his first proper bit of work,” the jockey told Betfred TV.
"The reason I was so gutted about his injury was that I honestly thought for the life of me that he was working even better than last year.
"His work building up towards the Shloer Chase was better than at any time last year.
"The little operation he had in the summer, getting the chips out of his ankles, I think has helped him an incredible amount and I really do think he’ll do everything we ask of him this year.
"He’ll be pretty hard fit (for the Game Spirit), he will improve a bit but he was 90% match fit and then he had four weeks walking. I honestly thought we could have had him ready for the Clarence House.
"He’ll be ready for the Game Spirit, he’ll be ready for that no worries.
“If he got beat in the Game Spirit we’d still run in the Queen Mother, we won’t wrap him in cotton wool. If he gets beaten he gets beaten, there’s always another day but I think he’ll be spot on.”
Pricewise puts up Holywell and Carlingford Lough for the Gold Cup
Champagne Fever set to contest the Champion Chase in preference to the Ryanair at Cheltenham.
[QUOTE=“Sandymount Red, post: 1093861, member: 1074”]Champagne Fever set to contest the Champion Chase in preference to the Ryanair at Cheltenham.
[/QUOTE]
Right decision
Its the right decision. I believe I called it back before the King George that it would happen.
Cheltenham Preview Reports 2015: The Goat Bar Dublin Thu, Feb 19th, 2015
Thanks to @rossmoyno7 for these updates from The Goat Cheltenham Preview Night. A great example of how to tweet a Cheltenham Preview Report. Jim Cullotty voiced some strong opinions with Bryan Cooper adopting a more “political” stance in his views.
Panel
Bryan Cooper
Katie Walsh
Jim Culloty
Kevin O’Ryan
Rob from Paddy Power.
Supreme
Bryan thinks TellUsMore would be suited by Supreme but can’t be sure if runs in Supreme or Neptune. Got racing too early LTO.
Alpha Des Obeaux is very well thought of said Bryan, thought he had serious chance the last day and Ruby came doing half speed on Douvan.
Katie says Douvan is quite lazy and relaxed and that’s what you need. Absolute moral, can’t see him beat. Clear he’s a machine.
Kevin says Henry DB said to him thought Sizing John was very good when beaten by Douvan. Post race said either were average or he’s machine Jim says L’ami worth a mention. Will improve for better ground and respected. Worry if Douvan misses any beat along the way.
Rob from Paddy Power saying Tuesday the 10th could be the worst day in the history of Paddy Power.
Willie not one to hype a horse and he finished his media day by saying Douvan is a machine - Rob
Neptune
Bryan says race tailor made for Outlander. Bumper form rock solid & good the last day. But impressed with Nichols Canyon too.
Bryan reports Robbie said if Windsor Park turned up in the Albert Bartlett that he’d win.
Bryan more excited to ride Tell Us More than Outlander. David Casey best judge in Willie’s and couldn’t believe was beaten LTO.
Katie says can’t forget Shaneshill wherever he goes. She would have Shaneshill over Nichols Canyon any day of the week.
Katie saying Ruby has a lot of huge decisions to make with a bunch of magnificent novices, and that he will definitely be wrong with a few.
Ruby isn’t lying when says he doesn’t know who he’ll ride in everything says Katie. Literally all depends on last piece of work.
Katie has ridden every novice of Willie’s and the best horse of them all is Douvan.
Shaneshill is as tough as honours maths and great bet for the Neptune - Katie Jim reckons at a the run race at Cheltenham Windsor Park can reverse form with Nichols Canyon, and the bet for him.
Albert Bartlett
Bryan says No More Heroes ‘a bit special’ '. Said there was no life in him the last day, knew going down was off.
Bryan will be sitting on NMH on Friday morning and will see how that goes and go from there. Barry G also reported that he was ‘special’.
Bryan has respect for Black Hercules as he came second in the Champion Bumper. Apparently he’s not up on bumper horse #Banter Jim Says three mile hurdles are for slow horses that will go all day long. Martello Tower is the one that will relish it.
Katie says Black Hercules is a big beast of thing, will be much better over fences. Not as confident in him as Douvan etc. Fancies NMH.
Novice chases coming up. I’m sweating from typing fast and need a pint #Struggles
Arkle
Katie says UDS as free as the wind. Rider is never in control. He is a nervous horse and gets hot. Hard on himself.
However Katie says UDS has been to France twice and won twice so she isn’t so worried about the Arkle.
He’s just too fast’ - Katie on UDS
Katie says if Vautour was to run she thinks he’d be second to Un de Sceaux. If UDS stands up he’s a certainty and he will stand up.
Bryan vey surprised if Clarcam ran this weekend. Has forgiven him for breaking his leg now, electric over fences.
Bryan says if UDS falls which is a high possibility then Clarcam the one to be on. Thought would have won Fred Winter last year if not fall.
Bryan was comfortable behind UDS most the race LTO but when Ruby changes his hands he was just gone. ‘He emptied me in two strides’
Jim explaining how he lost the novice hurdle on Best Mate. Was told to track the favourite but that jockey wanted to go backwards #Ssshh EW bet for Jim is Josses Hill. Value bet but UDS has to fall for him to win.
Kevin keeps it simple - Josses won’t get around, UDS wins #KevinKnows
RSA
Michael told Bryan he won’t leave him sitting in the weighing room while Patrick has a nice ride in the four miler.
Katie - Don Poli is as much a certainty as Douvan. Thinks he will run in the RSA, won’t get beat.
Bryan a future career in politics. Won’t pick the one ride he’s most excited by. (All think he’s lying and its Don Poli) Who wins when it comes to owner and trainer deciding targets? Asked to Bryan. Michael has made it clear to him he says, the owner.
Katie says the faster Coneygree goes, the further Don Poli beats him.
JLT
Jim talking to Nichols yesterday. Nichols says Ptit Zig has had his ulcer problems sorted out & Paul maintains that can make for a new horse Bryan - Disappointed Valseur beaten the last day. Let Paul slip up the outside. Can reverse form next time out but Vautour hard beat.
Katie says Vautour was beat by the time he jumped out at Christmas. Never looked happy. Her fancy is the Tullow Tank at big prices.
Jim has not too many an opinion on these novice races. Not a keen form student, busy feeding Lord Windermere.
Triumph
Was worried if Petite would stay the last day but she did well. Tough fully and a good ride but Nicky a serious hand in it.
Bryan - None of the Triumph crop this year in the league of Our Conor. Could run it a few times and get a few different results.
Bryan said last years juveniles very average. Didn’t think Tiger Roll would win last year & was poor bunch.
Katie reckons Kalkir lacking a gear. Fast pace will suit Peace & Co and one to beat. PP the most suited of Willie’s for this year.
RyanAir
The Don ticks all the boxes. It was his own fault that he fell at the festival last year. Ground makes no difference.
There’s no such thing as a good thing at Cheltenham but Don Cossack one of the best rides I have - Bryan Katie - Cue Card is going absolutely nowhere. Don Cossack all the way.
Russell used to tell Jim The Don was only a big frame of a horse. Has filled into that frame now.
Champion Hurdle
Katie - 5/4 Faugheen is ridiculous. What has he beat? Absolutely nothing. Ridiculous price. Wide open race.
Katie doesn’t like the New One. Not convinced on this years form, can’t have him. Jezki great price at 6/1.
Hurricane without doubt appreciates it softer says Katie. Struggles at a certain point in races now and can’t do that in Champion.
Buuuuuut if the heavens opened, her 100 euro would still be on Hurricane Fly. Unbelievable horse.
AP told Bryan at Christmas that he could have gone another furlong and a half at Christmas and he wouldn’t have gone by Hurricane Fly.
Jim thinks Cheltenham will suit The New One far better than anything else. Kings Theatre need better ground.
Paddy Power have not laid a cent on Ruby to ride Hurricane Fly. Not a shilling. Will ride Faugheen.
Queen Mother Champion Chase
Lay of the meeting for KOR is Sprinter Sacre. Jim can’t have him either. No room for emotion here.
Hidden Cyclone great EW bet for Kevin, didn’t get home in the RyanAir last year, trotted over the last. Bryan concurs.
‘For me Sprinter Sacre looked like a fucking greyhound the last day’ - Jim C
—
Ross Moynihan (@rossmoyno7) February 18, 2015
For me Sprinter Sacre looked like a f**king greyhound the last day’ - Jim C
World Hurdle
Rock on Ruby the pick for both Jim & Katie in the WH, but all very tentative. Wide open race etc etc.
Before Dessie past away Bryan says thy always thought Lieutenant Colonel was one of the best they had had in a long time. Wouldn’t get off.
Dedigout will not run at Cheltenham unless there is an absolute downpur.
.Gold Cup
Lord Windermere has had no health issues this year which is contrasting to last year says Jim. In front too soon the last day.
Jim was confident he’d finish in the first four last year and that’s how he feels again, first four. Obviously would love to win.
Jim says according to vets if you scope 100 horses, 90 of them will have ulcers. Ulcers excuse suspect re Silviniaco. Wants flat track.
Carlingford Lough is a massive improver says Jim. ‘We probably all know why but we won’t say why. They placed him well we’ll say’
—
Ross Moynihan (@rossmoyno7) February 18, 2015
Lexus rode a far better race than the Hennessy to Cooper, Road to Riches picked up again in the last 20 yards after going that quick the whole way. Hope for first three definitely - Bryan
Decision re Foxrock supplementation will not be made until the five day stage, changing every day says Katie.
Other Races
Bumper - Up for Review I think is the horse they all have to beat. Keeps going forever and you’ve got to stay.
Bryan says Eddie O’Leary has told him that Gigginstown will run one or maybe two in the bumper. Each one as impressive as the next.
Mares - Katie says Annie is great nick and won’t come off the bridle.
Edeymi & Bishops Road the handicap guddens for Bryan #WrappingUp
For the record the Up for Review comment was from Katie, as you might have guessed.
Charity Bets
Bryan goes for Don Cossack.
Katie goes for Annie Power.
Jimbo picks Lord Windermere EW.
Ascot
Sun, Feb 15th, 2015
Ascot Racecourse hosted the first Cheltenham Festival Preview of 2015 in the Horsewalk Inn after racing on 14 February.
The Panel consisted of:
Oli Bell - Chair
Paul Nicholls ( PN)
Aidan Coleman ( AC)
Barry Orr ( BO)
Champion Hurdle
BO: Reckons Ruby Walsh will definitely ride Faugheen, and will leave The Fly. Kitten Rock winner in Ireland today has had support for the Champion Hurdle
AC/PN: Nicholls & Coleman big Faugheen fans too, Nicholls can’t touch The New One.
BO : When panel asked for any big priced choices Barry goes back to Kitten Rock again.
Champion Chase
AC: Sprinter Sacre ran well at Ascot. Some are being unfair to him.
PN : Dodging Bullets has gone under the radar. He is in the form of his life having won the Tingle Creek and Clarence House Chase.He has not been great in the spring before, but we have adapted his training slightly. To me he deserves to be favourite. It should not be done on sentiment but on form and that is my view.
PN : I think Mr Mole will run a big race. He dotted up last week after being left 15 lengths at the start. He has won four races on the trot and won ones that Master Minded did. I always thought he was good but it has taken a bit of convincing. AP (McCoy) didn’t really like him at first but he has got confidence with him now and is on a roll. I think he has the more natural ability, whereas Dodging Bullets is the more hardened and tougher horse.
BO: Champagne Fever won today & could drop back to the Champion Chase, likes Cheltenham. Simply Ned a longer-priced option.
World Hurdle
PN: Can’t give More Of That any chance for World Hurdle and doesn’t fear Annie Power either - both had interrupted campaigns . He thinks Zarkandar should be favourite. He has solid form and and he probably should have won at Ascot before Christmas when he pulled up in front. The more competitive race will suit him and he had a racecourse gallop at Wincanton on Wednesday and it was the best he had seen him for a long time.
Saphir Du Rheu is improving, but in my mind Zarkandar is a bit more battle-hardened and experienced and I feel that Rock On Ruby will give him a good lead into the race so he doesn’t have to get there too soon.
AC: Saphir Du Rheu for him, won well last time, showed a lot of courage & beat a high class field
BO: Lieutenant Colonel is best staying hurdler in Ireland, but look also at Monksland & Jetson.
Gold Cup
PN: have no worries that Silviniaco Conti acts around Cheltenham, as he was travelling when he fell in the race two years ago."He had a few little mishaps training, but he is much more assured now. His last two wins have been two of the best performances of his career and he had a nice racecourse gallop with Sam Winner on Wednesday. On form he is the one to beat.
Sam Winner is the main danger ! He is in good form and loves it around Cheltenham and he needs to be fresh, which he will be. He is the sort of horse that could run into a place at a big price.
BO: Silviniaco Conti is a worthy fav, but Road To Riches the Irish threat
AC: Aidan wouldn’t run the novice Coneygree in the Gold Cup, it is a big jump up. 12-1 for Gold Cup, but would be nearly favourite for RSA
All tip Silviniaco Conti to win, Road To Riches & Hollywell get shouts as alternative options
Other Races/ Horses
BO:Katie T - only NH horse trained by Kevin Prendergast, watch out!
PN : Current Event, Foxhunters and Southern Theatre in RSA - has been the target since September, the RSA will really suit him
great stuff spidey…I see champagne fever will go for champions chase 
as I’ve saidbefore, I think the holywell is a good thing in this