A mate of mine was also in Athlone, he just sent me his notes.....
Present of the night were Kevin O'Ryan ( MC ) Gordon Elliott, Noel Meade and Eddie O'Leary.
SUPREME:
Gordon- said it was on open race and he would be running Vision D'honneur which he thought had an each way chance.
Eddie - thought Aramon had an each way chance but thought it was between Angels Breath and Al Dancer in that order. He said that his Vision D'honneur had a small each way chance.
Noel- Said it was a wide open race and that the Irish were not as strong as usual and also that 4-y-o had not a good record in this. He fancied Al dancer to win.
ARKLE:
Gordon- said that he would be running Hardline in this and that he had an each way chance but thought that Duc de genievres was his idea of the winner.
Eddie-liked Duc de genievres and Glen forsa here
Noel-Liked Glen forsa and Defu du seuil here but Eddie said that Defu de seuil definetly goes for JLT
CHAMPION HURDLE:
Gordon-Said Aples jade was in good form and was being closely monitored daily to check if she was going in season
Eddie- said that the plan was always the Mares hurdle until her last run in Leopardstown. He was very worried in case she would go in season and said that even the travelling over could bring that on . said that you woul like to see her bouncing in the parade ring beforehand to be happy that she was in good order.
Noel-Doesn't fancy Laurina at all. Thinks Apples jade will win but says that Buveur dair will be a tough nut to crack
MARES HURDLE:
Gordon-says that Willie has a super strong hand here
Kevin- states that David Casey and Patrick Mullins are napping Benie Des Dieux at all the preview nights.
NATIONAL HUNT CHASE:
Gordon-says that he will run two here. Gun Digger jumps and stays well and will love the trip and Champagne Classic who he thinks the four miles will also suit. Jamie Codd and Lisa O'Neill will ride them with Lisa having the choice. He ays Ok corral and Ballyward are the ones to beat.
Eddie- says that Ballyward is his fancy here
Kevin-says that Discorama has a big chance here and that Barry O'Neill is already booked to ride.
BALLYMORE:
Gordon-says that Battleoverdoyen runs here and that the race will suit him and he is in great form. He reckons Champ is beatable and gives City island a chance.
Eddie- thinks Dunvegan has a solid each way chance as he was a sick horse the second day he ran. He says Champagne Platinum is a non runner here and gives City island a good chance too.
Noel- is not impressed with Champ and likes City island.
Kevin- says that 7-y-o have a bad record in this race.
Conor Brassil was in the audience and said he rode a bit of work on City island and he is in great form at home but they are not sure if Mark Walsh is available to ride him and that he has a great each way chance.
RSA:
Gordon-says Delta Work worked well yesterday but does not do anything too fancy at home. He says that Chris's dream is not good enough but Eddie says that Chris's dream was not running here and going to Aintree.
Eddie- respects Santini but says a sneaky one here is Mortal. He had a great run behind Delta work at Leopardstown but was ridden too forward the last day and would be ridden off the pace here. He seemed fairly sweet on him and reckoned a great each way bet at a big price.
Noel-said that Delta Work was one of the bets of the week.
CORAL CUP:
Gordon-says he runs at least two here, Farclas is coming to himself and his choice would be Cracking smart of the two. He also said that if Eclair De Beaufeu got in, he would have a great chance here.
QUEEN MOTHER:
No real discussion here with all reckoning Altior was past the post.
CROSS COUNTRY:
Gordon-says that Tiger Roll was in super form and if he could only have one winner at Cheltenham, then this would be his choice.
FRED WINTER JUVENILE:
Gordon- says that Lethal steps has a good each way shout here but that Chief Justice will not like coming up the hill.
Eddie-says Star Max has a real good chance here at a price , another sneaky one as he calls it.
Noel-runs future proof here and has an each way chance but thinks Band of Outlaws is the one to beat.
BUMPER:
Gordon-says Malone Road is out for the season and he runs two with solid chances Envoi Allen and Abracadabra. He also says that David Pipe thinks a lot of his horse here.
Eddie-says regarding Blue Sari, that it is a huge task for a 4-y-o
Noel-does not like Blue Sari at all, he says that he cannot see him coming up the hill.
JLT:
Gordon-says that Mengli Khan runs here. He says that he has a lot of ability and he thinks that maybe Leopardstown is not his course as all his bad runs have been there.
Noel-has no opinion on this race
Eddie-mentions that there is a small chance that Mortal may be diverted here and if so has a big chance. He mentions two horses each way at prices, Articulum and Pravalaguna. He also says that Defi Du Seuil runs here.
RYANAIR:
Gordon-says Monalee is made for this race rather than the Gold Cup. He might run The Storyteller here with an each way chance. Shattered Love definetly goes for Gold Cup. He says Min will take all the beating here.
Noel and Eddie-both like Min.
STAYERS HURDLE:
Gordon-does not like Paisley Park at the price, very bad value. He says Samcro is doubtful to get here but Supasundae each way is the bet.
Eddie-says he is a Paisley Park fan and would love to see him win. Another sneaky one here from him is Petite Mouchir who he says runs here and might improve for the step up in trip at a huge price.
Noel-likes Paisley Park but thinks he is very short and thinks Supasundae each way is the way to go.
I myself spoke to Jessie Harrington last week about Supasundae and she said he would be left in this and the Champion hurdle and a decision would not be made until late in the day.
MARES NOVICE:
Gordon-runs two here , Black Tears is probably not good enough and he might run Surin who would have a big chance if he does
TRIUMPH:
All three think Sir Eric will win with Noel saying this is his Banker of the meeting.
ALBERT BARTLETT:
Gordon-says he runs Commander Of Fleet here, says he stays well but is still a big baby. He says Birchdale is a smart horse and if the ground turns soft, Derrinross has a big each way chance.
Eddie-says 5-y-o have a bad record in this race
Noel-likes Alaho but says his First Approach has an each way shout especially if the ground eases a bit.
GOLD CUP:
Gordon-says his mare Shattered Love has a big each way chance if she stays. says Presenting Percy is the horse to beat but gives each way shouts to Elegant Escape and Road to Respect.
Eddie-very sweet on shattered Love if she gets the trip and seems confident on her breeding that she should relish it. Ground was much too quick for her at Leopardstown. Also likes Elegant Escape each way and says if he is near them at the second last , will be coming home strongly.
Noel-says Road To Respect is in terrific form and blamed the ground at Leopardstown, seemed confident he would turn the form around with Bellshill but has a slight concern about the extra couple of furlongs here. He said that Presenting Percy was a worthy favorite.
MARTIN PIPE:
Gordon-says he runs at least two here and Donagh Meyler and Conor Brassil will ride them. He seems to really fancy Dallas Des Pictons here but said that Cartwright was in great form too.
Eddie-reckons that Dallas Des Pictons needs further.
PERTEMPS:
Gordon-mentions A Toi Phil here saying he ran a cracker in the trial and has a great each way chance at a price.
Noel-says Cap York runs here and he is improving but is not well treated by the handicapper but this trip will suit him.
FOXHUNTERS:
Gordon-says Kruzhlinin will not run here and goes straight to Aintree bur seems to really fancy Ucello Conti and says Jamie Codd is already booked to ride.
ASKED ABOUT THEIR BEST BETS FOR THE MEETING:
Noel-says his best chance is Road To Respect and best each way shout is Cap York in the Pertemps. He likes Ucello Conti in the Foxhunters and his nap is Sir Eric in the Triumph.
Gordon- his other runners in handicaps were Eclair Du Beaufeu if he gets in the Coral Cup has a great chance and also Cracking Smart in the same race, he runs two in the Kim Muir, Its All Guesswork but he may lack experience and Measuremydreams but both have solid chances. His best chance of a winner without Tiger Roll were Delta Work, Battleoverdoyen, Ucella Conti and Envoir Allen. His best handicap chance was Dallas Des Pictons in the Martin pipe
Eddie- His best chance was Delta Work in the RSA and surprisingly Petite Mouchir , each way in the Stayers Hurdle. He also likes Battleoverdoyen and mentions in the Novice Handicap Chase , Riders on the Storm.
ASKED ABOUT ONE FOR THE WEEKEND:
Gordon says that Duca DE Thaix at Navan on Saturday and also his horse in the Bumper at Navan which I could not catch the name of. Noel was asked the same and laughed saying that He thought he would win the Bumper at Navan until he heard Gordon's statement. He also said he liked his horse in the Leopardstown Bumper on Sunday called Six Shooter.
