Cheltenham Gold Cup - 2019.

[Kevloaf]

Wasn't soft ground a worry for Presenting Percy in his novice chase season.

I distinctly remember a theme that he'd be better on good spring ground.

It feels like this season a lot of trainers don't want their horses to run with 'good' in the going, first time out.

I've never noticed it before this season though

[boopa]

Doesn't have a soft ground action. Goes on any ground.

I haven't backed PP but I wouldn't be concerned. He will have 2 runs and will be race fit when it matters. I'm hoping they push the price out if he is beat..

[Scooby91]

Lovely from ABP giving 10 pounds to the 2nd and smashing them up.

Down to pp now to show if he's as good as ABP. Hopefully for the lads on at short prices, he's improved.

[Scooby91]

Al Boum Photo made a winning return to action as he led home a Willie Mullins clean sweep of the first three in the Listed Savills Chase at Tramore.

The seven-year-old was an unlucky loser on his last start when he crashed into the wing and ran out at the last while leading in the Grade One Growise Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown at the end of last season.

Reunited with Ruby Walsh after that blip under Paul Townend nine months ago, the 2/1 favourite delivered just one marginally anxious moment this time when he appeared to briefly unbalance his jockey on landing over the last.

The race was won by then, though — barring any more serious incident — and Al Boum Photo had six lengths to spare at the line over former Ladbrokes Trophy winner Total Recall.

Invitation Only was a further 16 lengths back in third for Mullins, who was winning this two-mile-five-and-a-half-furlong race for the fifth time in the last seven years.

His assistant David Casey said: "We are delighted with (Al Boum Photo) — we are delighted with the three of them obviously.

"That was a good performance, especially giving the weight away to Total Recall — he had to give him 10lb. I think he has improved again this year, and we hope it’s onward and upwards with him now. We’ll see if he can make the step up to the next grade.”

Al Boum Photo has put himself in that bracket with this winning return, having fallen and injured Walsh the last time they teamed up in the RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

"We are delighted with his first start anyway — a couple of ours have been needing it," said Casey.

“It’s good to see him win the way he did. I think he owed Ruby that from Cheltenham.

"He was a bit unlucky last year. He was going to win in Limerick when he fell — then Punchestown was Punchestown.

"He was always a good jumper, an accurate jumper — I schooled him the other day and he was very good.

"If he can build on his potential, we hope he will climb the ladder a bit. I’d say the (Cheltenham) Gold Cup will be his aim. The extra couple of furlongs would be right up his alley and hopefully he’ll make it there, with a bit of luck."

Total Recall, like the winner making his seasonal reappearance and in his case after two successive non-completions last spring, ran a fine race.

Al Boum Photo took over going ominously well at the start of the final circuit on this sharp track, but did have to withstand a challenge from the runner-up early in the straight.

Walsh said: "At the top of the hill, he was travelling super and jumping super. He stays further and I was fairly happy at the top of the hill.

"Rating wise he wasn’t entitled to beat Total Recall, so he will probably get a penalty. That will shove him to the mid-160s, and that’s where you have to go — you’re in Grade One company from there on.”

The winner ran here on softer ground rather than in higher-profile company over Christmas.

Walsh added: "With the way the ground is, Leopardstown’s loss is Tramore’s gain. It’s great that they got the turn-out they did for the race today."

[Al Ferof]

For me, Irish Challengers:

Presenting Percy
Road To Respect

English:
Native River only if it’s soft.
Clan Des Obeaux (improving)

PP, RTR have great course form. I don’t think either are inconvenienced by proper spring ground, especially RTR and they’ll both have the cruising speed.

Native River is a true stayer and needs it soft. He doesn’t win this without rain.

Clan Des Obeaux is the right age, has been in hot company and is the lurker- might be capable of another career best.


Would be really surprised if we see anything outside of that 3 (or 4 if it rains).

[archie]

They're talking of sending Kemboy straight to Cheltenham which presumably means ABP getting his open G1 chance at the Dublin Festival.

Timeform master ratings up to 31/12:

https://www.timeform.com/horse-racing/features/top-horses/timeforms_top_chasers

[Hurricane fly]

How an Earth is Footpad the #2 chaser

No doubt he could be, but let’s just lower that number and put a p next to it!

[archie]

You can't have it both ways with Percy. Either they're worried about the ground or they're not. If they are but consider he would be better on quicker ground then he may have a physical issue with quicker ground.

What we have to bear in mind is that nearly all the quotes on his well-being and likely programme have come from his owner who probably rates at least one Timeform squiggle. His admirable trainer has been totally mute.

[jack1092]

The trainer is often mute Archie i think! He's a man of few words, doesn't like interviews etc.

[boopa]

They're worried about starting on quick ground. Most trainers have been saying the same.

Interesting they'll go straight there with Kemboy. I'd be a little concerned he might be too fresh...

[archie]

Interesting they'll go straight there with Kemboy. I'd be a little concerned he might be too fresh...

Me too but, to be fair, Willie has trained a few more winners than I have. He's also been known to change his mind on the odd occasion.

[Old Vic]

Me too but, to be fair, Willie has trained a few more winners than I have. He's also been known to change his mind on the odd occasion.

[BigChaang]

You are fully entitled to your opinion.

Are you not worried about the ducking and diving?

YES !! , I am Archie , P.percy's not the only one iv'e backed , but yes i am getting a bit nervous
that we haven't seen him.. Genius Trainer or not.

[Scooby91]

YES !! , I am Archie , P.percy's not the only one iv'e backed , but yes i am getting a bit nervous
that we haven't seen him.. Genius Trainer or not.

Id be nervous too if I had 60 pts on him antepost ew at 6/1. Huge call that.

[BigChaang]

Indeed !!. Hindsight's a wonderful thing . But It's done now . No going back.