Cheltenham Handicap Shortlists

[charlie]

His festival form is on soft. I think he's quite ground dependent.

The G1 @ Punc and more recent Florida Pearl dispel any concern I have about soft ground dependency.

[Scooby91]

His festival form is on soft. I think he's quite ground dependent.

fter race at*Cheltenham Fri, 16th Mar, 2018 (1st)**He got a soft lead and fair play to the horse, he was a Grade One winner. He looked well handicapped, but I thought the ground was too soft for him.
Gordon Elliot

After race at*Fairyhouse Mon, 28th Mar, 2016 (1st)**He's a fine big horse, a real chasing type. I suppose he'll go hurdling next year, Eddie (O'Leary) said three mile hurdling, but he's every inch a chaser - a real staying chaser. I'd say he'd want a good dig in the ground just by his size but he is by Robin Des Champs and they go on better.**W P Mullins

[boopa]

Only 1 of his wins had good in the going. Wouldn't fancy him on good ground, too slow.

[charlie]

Only 1 of his wins had good in the going. Wouldn't fancy him on good ground, too slow.

Based on whats been presented to you, I get the feeling he could win by 25 lengths next time out on proper good ground and you would still not fancy him on good ground at cheltenham

[boopa]

Based on whats been presented to you, I get the feeling he could win by 25 lengths next time out on proper good ground and you would still not fancy him on good ground at cheltenham

7 wins only 1 had good in description. He's a boat.

[archie]

7 wins only 1 had good in description. He's a boat.

If Gordon has any kind of plot going, and it would be unusual to use G1s for plotting, I still reckon it's for the Irish National via the NH Chase. We won't know the Festival handicap mark until the end of February but there has to be a chance that it will rule him out of the Kim Muir and the Close Bros.

[charlie]

7 wins only 1 had good in description. He's a boat.

He is being campaigned on good ground in races he is not expected to win, so I don't hold losing to Delta Work over 2m4f on good ground against him. He ran much better in the Neville Hotels Novice Chase on good ground but still wants further because he is a boat (I agree with that). I don't think taking his frequency of runs on soft ground as an indicator to that being what he prefers/needs makes much sense based on connections comments & G1 win on good ground. Don Poli has more ability than BBB but he is a boat that had only ever raced on Sft/Hvy before winning the Martin Pipe on good ground, same race won by BBB. Other than Punchestown in April, Don Poli only ever raced on Sft/Hvy before winning the RSA on good ground. People often make the mistake of seeing horses frequently run on Sft/Hvy and come to the conclusion that that's what they need. I actually think good ground over 4 miles would suit BBB down to the ground. Anyway, we share differing opinions which is all good - I get your point of view despite disagreeing with it. I just hope he ends up in the 4 miler.

[boopa]

The trainer comments don't amount to much. Mullins said he wants a good dig. Elliot said he thought the ground was too soft even though he won easily on it. I agree that running on soft ground can be due to circumstances but he looks a big slow horse and it all happens too quick on good ground.

[charlie]

The trainer comments don't amount to much. Mullins said he wants a good dig. Elliot said he thought the ground was too soft even though he won easily on it. I agree that running on soft ground can be due to circumstances but he looks a big slow horse and it all happens too quick on good ground.

The 4 miler, by its very nature, will not happen too quickly for him regardless of whether the ground is good or heavy.

[Can't Catch Me]

I've a sneaky feeling Total Recall might be targeted at the Ultima and he would be a very classy entry to this race.

Un Temps Pour Tout won it off a mark of 155 two years ago and I wouldn't be surprised if TR is dropped a couple of pounds from his mark of 156 after the weekends run. The trip would look ideal for him.

Might be that the English handicapper takes a dim view of him, as he was still going well when he came down in the GC last year, but one Im keeping my eye on anyway.

[FaugheenTheMachine]

Gordy got a few handicap entries for Cheltenham on Saturday. Just fishing to see the marks with no intention of running?

[archie]

Gordy got a few handicap entries for Cheltenham on Saturday. Just fishing to see the marks with no intention of running?

Absolutely. Includes Blow By Blow which will be of interest to a few.

[charlie]

Absolutely. Includes Blow By Blow which will be of interest to a few.

Cheers for the info

[Quevega]

Bearing in mind gordon's entries for cheltenham on saturday. To see what mark they get.
I'll be looking at the ratings at 7am in the morning.
Might be worth adding one or two. where theres gaps on oddschecker.

Gun Runner - Brown advisory
Ben dundee - Close brothers.
Dallas des pictons - M Pipe, maybe coral cup
Eclair de beaufea - as above

my best guesses
Blow by blow, hopefully rated below 145 and then it's blue oddschecker for kim muir.

[Scooby91]

Bearing in mind gordon's entries for cheltenham on saturday. To see what mark they get.
I'll be looking at the ratings at 7am in the morning.
Might be worth adding one or two. where theres gaps on oddschecker.

Gun Runner - Brown advisory
Ben dundee - Close brothers.
Dallas des pictons - M Pipe, maybe coral cup
Eclair de beaufea - as above

my best guesses
Blow by blow, hopefully rated below 145 and then it's blue oddschecker for kim muir.

Gun digger could be Kim Muir id have thought. He looks like he wants further than 2 1/2 and ran him over shorter to handicap him.

I could be wrong.