Forum Horse Connections

[Lobos]

A clear round would be a start, as would an extra few furlongs. Encouraging that Willie is happy to keep putting him in these big handicaps.

Agree he'd want an extra 1/2 mile at least. Surely the Irish National beckons

[archie]

Agree he'd want an extra 1/2 mile at least. Surely the Irish National beckons

It's counter intuitive but we wouldn't mind a higher rating to be sure of getting in the big races. My personal preference would be the Midlands National at Uttoxeter.

As for today, it's Australia Day so surely an omen.

[Bayoffreedom]

What a difference a year makes: this time last year I was so excited and looking forward to making my Podcast debut. This year I have to make do with watching some of the best racing we have seen for a long time and seeing if our bluff of running over fences has fooled anyone. http://www.cheltenhamdream.com/blog-...top-of-quality

[YoungHustler]

What a difference a year makes: this time last year I was so excited and looking forward to making my Podcast debut. This year I have to make do with watching some of the best racing we have seen for a long time and seeing if our bluff of running over fences has fooled anyone. http://www.cheltenhamdream.com/blog-...top-of-quality

I hope I haven't given him the kiss of death Paul but I had already backed Freedom to Dream before I saw your post!

Running off a mark of 126 after taking into account of Michael's claim means he has got a great chance imo. I don't think the trip will be a problem and I just hope he is fully fit and that this has been the plan rather than a prep for a future race. Good luck!!

[Lobos]

What a difference a year makes: this time last year I was so excited and looking forward to making my Podcast debut. This year I have to make do with watching some of the best racing we have seen for a long time and seeing if our bluff of running over fences has fooled anyone. http://www.cheltenhamdream.com/blog-...top-of-quality

Fabulous read as always BOF and the very best of luck. Have a great few days.

[Glasgow Ronnie]

What a difference a year makes: this time last year I was so excited and looking forward to making my Podcast debut. This year I have to make do with watching some of the best racing we have seen for a long time and seeing if our bluff of running over fences has fooled anyone. http://www.cheltenhamdream.com/blog-...top-of-quality

Enjoyed reading this, good luck for the weekend

[Madmoose]

Nice post that, good luck.

[Birds Nest]

What a difference a year makes: this time last year I was so excited and looking forward to making my Podcast debut. This year I have to make do with watching some of the best racing we have seen for a long time and seeing if our bluff of running over fences has fooled anyone. http://www.cheltenhamdream.com/blog-...top-of-quality

Always a pleasure to read your blog, good luck.

[Bayoffreedom]

Thanks for the messages guys. He is obviously not himself and we will be giving him a full MOT. No point in planning anything until we have him right. He looked very lethargic (even in the parade ring) and it seems there's something paining him which in his head before he races. He wasn't blowing afterwards so he's clearly feeling (or expecting to feel) discomfort. We'll figure it out. I was actually more disappointed for Peter; The Big Dog was running a massive race until he fell and it was just one of those days.

[darlojim]

What are the expectations for Kemboy this weekend archie

[Benjy23]

Best of luck with him! Good to see Townend has stuck by him. Although I'm surprise Carefully Selected is running, thought they'd save him for the Irish National, even off that mark.

[archie]

What are the expectations for Kemboy this weekend archie

Apologies. I have a self-imposed PC curfew at 19.00 and yesterday was quite busy.

It was hope rather than expectation before the race but, in the end, he probably had a bit in hand and wasn't going to be caught. The horse of a lifetime.

[darlojim]

Apologies. I have a self-imposed PC curfew at 19.00 and yesterday was quite busy.

It was hope rather than expectation before the race but, in the end, he probably had a bit in hand and wasn't going to be caught. The horse of a lifetime.

Unreal stuff Archie, loved to see him bowling along out infront again like that, Paul got him into some rhythm down the back. Top class!

[Kevloaf]

Apologies. I have a self-imposed PC curfew at 19.00 and yesterday was quite busy.

It was hope rather than expectation before the race but, in the end, he probably had a bit in hand and wasn't going to be caught. The horse of a lifetime.

Heard Willie say he'd been purchased and expected to just be alright over hurdles ....

Crazy what he's done!

Congrats!

[archie]

Thanks guys. Paul said that they were never getting to him and it was great to give him another day in the sun.

It's not about the money but, according to Irish Racing, he's won 800k euro plus ?157k so, depending on what sterling/euro rate you use, he's won between 975k and 985k euro prize-money. I'm not sure what Willie paid for him but I think that Supreme syndicated him at about 70k. I bought in after his novice hurdle season when he was potentially being trained for the stayers hurdle. A couple of months later he was set on a chasing career.