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2016 Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle

I'd recommend taking nrnb LR. Just read that he isn't certain to travel to Cheltenham.
 
I'm very keen to get with Affair D'Honneur in this but noted last years bottom weight was rated 134, AF is currently rated 133, so it has to be touch and go if he gets in, weights out Thursday will confirm how the 'capper has assessed the Irish but after the first 6 home in this last year were Irish there is a chance he won't sneak in....
 
I'm very keen to get with Affair D'Honneur in this but noted last years bottom weight was rated 134, AF is currently rated 133, so it has to be touch and go if he gets in, weights out Thursday will confirm how the 'capper has assessed the Irish but after the first 6 home in this last year were Irish there is a chance he won't sneak in....

Think I read somewhere yesterday, the trainer was looking at Aintree/Sandown, and had all but ruled out Cheltenham.
 
Think I read somewhere yesterday, the trainer was looking at Aintree/Sandown, and had all but ruled out Cheltenham.

Affaire D'Honneur is set to seek compensation in the Imperial Cup at Sandown on March 12 following his somewhat unfortunate fourth in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday.

The five-year-old French import made eyecatching late headway after losing many lengths at the start to finish fourth behind Agrapart.

That was only his second run in Britain and trainer Harry Whittington is looking to the future with Affaire D'Honneur, who is still a novice and a maiden.

"I was absolutely thrilled with him. He's run a blinder," the Sparsholt trainer told At The Races.

"You could see from the replay at the start he spooked at the tape and reared up.


"He has come out of it really well. Gavin (Sheehan) wasn't really hard on him. We're thinking of the Imperial Cup and go from there."
 
All about Some Plan for me in this race. Very well handicapped and been entered in several races this year but been pulled each time.

Think Nicholls has been waiting for this race.

Will be fresh as well.
 
Tim/mayo - thanks for that, hadn't seen those comments
 
Starchitect and Superb Story for me at this stage. Both at their best on good ground.
 
Dicosimo is the latest WM horse I have on the top of my list for this race. We never know how he would have done in the Betfair Hurdle, though he was backed that day. He has been dropped a couple lbs now and should go for the County. He was running well in last year's Triumph until 2 out, so I hope the County pace will suit better.

I remember Wicklow Brave being backed for the Betfair and Imperial prior to the fest, he ran shockers and then bolted up in the County.
 
If AD runs in, and wins, the Imperial cup doesn't that set up a 100k bonus for winning a race at the fez, this must surely be a big factor in his participation
 
If AD runs in, and wins, the Imperial cup doesn't that set up a 100k bonus for winning a race at the fez, this must surely be a big factor in his participation

another quote MMG

"The plan is to go to Sandown," Whittington told the Racing Post on Monday. "He's gone up 1lb to 133. It would be touch and go for the County Hurdle, he'd probably just miss out. I don't like to run horses under a penalty, so to do two huge handicaps in a week would be asking a lot, but it is not out of the question. The Imperial Cup is his target."

Id say if it looks nearer the time that he will get in County they might wait ?
 
Mullins entries

the ones with no quotes might just scrape in - 134 was lowest rated runner last year 132 in 2014

Arbre De Vie, "The Coral Cup would look his job."

Bamako Moriviere,

no quote - PU in Pierse Irish rating 133

Clondaw Warrior,

no quote

nor run over hurdles since 3rd over 128 at Punchestown

Dicosimo,

Dicosimo might go for the County Hurdle

Great Field,

It will be interesting to see how Great Field gets rated after his win in Leopardstown on Sunday. He has a few options.

Ivan Grozny,

Ivan Grozny is one we're trying to get to the County Hurdle

Kalkir,

Kalkir will go for the Coral.

Royal Caviar,

No quotes - Novice rated 130 in Ireland

no quotes

Townshend

Townshend might go there ( County) as well
 
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Desoto County

He was a bit unlucky last time, he missed the start but flew home on just his second run for us. He's got a mark of 137 so we won't run him again and he'll go straight for the County Hurdle. He's come out of Leopardstown really well and he looks great, I'm really happy with him.
 
Vercingetorix

He works like a machine at home. Some day he's going to win one of those big handicap hurdles. He works so well, he just doesn't do it when he goes to the track, unfortunately that happens with a lot of horses. He ran well in the Ladbroke at Ascot when he finished seventh, so something like the County Hurdle should suit him.
 
I backed Dicosimo last night at 25's nrnb with 365 and they cut him to 16's this morning.

I cannot see him going off at 25's if Ruby rides him. He was on board last year in the Triumph.
 
Fethard Player - looks to me like this has long been the plan and was a neck 2nd at Aintree last year off a similar lay off - only the 1 entry for Cheltenham 33/1 for the brave or 25/1 NRNB. Think jockey Mullins gave it a mention at an early preview night.
 
Fethard Player - looks to me like this has long been the plan and was a neck 2nd at Aintree last year off a similar lay off - only the 1 entry for Cheltenham 33/1 for the brave or 25/1 NRNB. Think jockey Mullins gave it a mention at an early preview night.

He has some solid handicap form CK. I wonder if he will skip Cheltenham for Aintree again?
 
He has some solid handicap form CK. I wonder if he will skip Cheltenham for Aintree again?

I've taken the NRNB option to be safe but Mullins, who rode it last time, seemed confident this was the target and its weighted to get in I think.
 
The Mullins comment made me laugh last week, saying that he wasn't well represented in the race and only had 9 entries.....
 
I've taken the NRNB option to be safe but Mullins, who rode it last time, seemed confident this was the target and its weighted to get in I think.

He will definitely be weighted to get in and looks like a good shout CK. The more I look at his form the more I like him and wonder why he isn't rated higher for a horse this honest.
 
The Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle
Grade 3, £90,000 Total Prize Fund. Cheltenham, 2.10pm, Friday, March 18, two miles and one furlong (2m 179yds). For five-year-olds and upwards. Penalties: after February 28, a winner of a hurdle race 5lb. No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed February 23 (96 entries), entries released February 25, weights revealed March 2. Six-day confirmation stage March 12, final declaration stage 10.00am, March 17. Maximum field of 26.

Horse Age Wgt Owner Trainer
IRVING 8 11-12 Axom XLIX Paul Nicholls
SIGN OF A VICTORY (IRE) 7 11-05 Matt & Lauren Morgan Nicky Henderson
CHELTENIAN (FR) 10 11-04 Roger Brookhouse Philip Hobbs
THE STOMP (FR) 6 11-03 Jean Claude Rouget Francois Nicolle FR
ARBRE DE VIE (FR) 6 11-02 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
ZAMDY MAN 7 11-02 Muhammad Nadeem Khan Venetia Williams
DICOSIMO (FR) 5 11-02 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
ARISTO DU PLESSIS (FR) 6 11-02 Mrs J M Dodd James Ewart
DEVILMENT 5 11-01 Bloomfields John Ferguson
RAYVIN BLACK 7 11-01 R White & V J Walsh Oliver Sherwood
DUBAI PRINCE (IRE) 8 11-00 Bloomfields John Ferguson
TIGER ROLL (IRE) 6 11-00 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
WAR SOUND 7 11-00 The Englands and Heywoods Philip Hobbs
HENRY HIGGINS (IRE) 6 10-13 J P McManus Charles O'Brien IRE
CHARBEL (IRE) 5 10-13 Julie & David Martin Kim Bailey
KALKIR (FR) 5 10-13 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
THE GAME CHANGER (IRE) 7 10-13 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
GREAT FIELD (FR) 5 10-13 J P McManus Willie Mullins IRE
ALL YOURS (FR) 5 10-13 Mr&MrsPKBarber&Potensis Bloodstock Ltd Paul Nicholls
BALL D'ARC (FR) 5 10-12 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
PENGLAI PAVILION (USA) 6 10-12 Bloomfields John Ferguson
BLUE HELL (FR) 6 10-12 Barry Connell Alan Fleming IRE
FETHARD PLAYER (IRE) 9 10-11 W F Treacy William Treacy IRE
SOME PLAN (IRE) 8 10-11 Roger Brookhouse Paul Nicholls
ITTIRAD (USA) 8 10-11 Bloomfields John Ferguson
BENTELIMAR (IRE) 7 10-11 James Ryan Shay Barry IRE
SIZING TENNESSEE (IRE) 8 10-09 Ann & Alan Potts Partnership Henry de Bromhead IRE
HAWK HIGH (IRE) 6 10-09 Trevor Hemmings Tim Easterby
IVAN GROZNY (FR) 6 10-09 Andrea & Graham Wylie Willie Mullins IRE
QEWY (IRE) 6 10-08 Bloomfields John Ferguson
ZAIDIYN (FR) 6 10-08 P J Martin Brian Ellison
WAXIES DARGLE 7 10-08 J P McManus Noel Meade IRE
AURORE D'ESTRUVAL (FR) 6 10-08 Carl Hinchy Rebecca Curtis
HOLLY BUSH HENRY (IRE) 5 10-08 Lady Bamford & Alice Bamford Graeme McPherson
STERNRUBIN (GER) 5 10-08 Terry Warner Philip Hobbs
STARCHITECT (IRE) 5 10-07 Paul & Clare Rooney David Pipe
THREE KINGDOMS (IRE) 7 10-07 Bloomfields John Ferguson
ITS'AFREEBEE (IRE) 6 10-07 Rebel Jumping Dan Skelton
DAYS OF HEAVEN (FR) 6 10-07 Michael Buckley Nicky Henderson
SQUOUATEUR (FR) 5 10-07 J P McManus Gordon Elliott IRE
MAD JACK MYTTON (IRE) 6 10-06 J C & S R Hitchins Jonjo O'Neill
DRACO 7 10-06 J P McManus Aidan O'Brien IRE
CARDINAL WALTER (IRE) 7 10-06 Fitri Hay Nicky Henderson
ASTRE DE LA COUR (FR) 6 10-06 The Front Runners Partnership Robert Walford
FRANCIS OF ASSISI (IRE) 6 10-06 Bloomfields John Ferguson
TULLY EAST (IRE) 6 10-06 Barry Connell Alan Fleming IRE
SGT RECKLESS 9 10-06 Tim Radford Mick Channon
TYCOON PRINCE (IRE) 6 10-05 Gigginstown House Stud Gordon Elliott IRE
JOHN CONSTABLE (IRE) 5 10-05 Walters Plant Hire Ltd Evan Williams
MODUS 6 10-05 J P McManus Paul Nicholls
WAIT FOR ME (FR) 6 10-05 Andrew L Cohen Philip Hobbs
KAYF BLANCO 7 10-04 Mrs LDay, HBurdett & GMcPherson Graeme McPherson
SUPERB STORY (IRE) 5 10-04 A Holt, J Robinson, A Taylor & S Miller Dan Skelton
VIEUX LILLE (IRE) 6 10-04 Louisville Syndicate III Philip Hobbs
SLOWFOOT (GER) 8 10-04 Slowfoot Partnership Jim Best
MONTBAZON (FR) 9 10-04 David Sewell Alan King
STEPHANIE FRANCES (IRE) 8 10-04 Miss Mandy Hall Dan Skelton
A HARE BREATH (IRE) 8 10-03 Mrs S N J Embiricos Ben Pauling
DESOTO COUNTY 7 10-03 Paul & Clare Rooney Gordon Elliott IRE

CYRIUS MORIVIERE (FR) 6 10-02 The Pillar P Partnership Ben Pauling
NABUCCO 7 10-02 Bloomfields John Ferguson
MARRACUDJA (FR) 5 10-02 Potensis Bloodstock Limited Paul Nicholls
MATORICO (IRE) 5 10-02 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
TOWNSHEND (GER) 5 10-01 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
ART OF PAYROLL (GER) 7 10-01 Bishopsgate Syndicate Sandra Hughes IRE
DELL' ARCA (IRE) 7 10-01 Prof Caroline Tisdall David Pipe
MONTDRAGON (FR) 6 10-01 J P McManus Jonjo O'Neill
ALLEE BLEUE (IRE) 6 10-01 Andrew L Cohen Philip Hobbs
TARA FLOW 6 10-01 Kate & Andrew Brooks Venetia Williams
BIGMARTRE (FR) 5 10-00 P J Dixon Harry Whittington
CLONDAW WARRIOR (IRE) 9 10-00 Act D Wagg Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
TOTALIZE 7 10-00 D Gilbert, M Lawrence, A Bruce Brian Ellison
THE PLAN MAN (IRE) 6 10-00 Gigginstown House Stud Tony Martin IRE
SOLSTICE STAR 6 10-00 E&G Racing Ltd Martin Keighley
VERCINGETORIX (IRE) 5 10-00 Simon Munir/Isaac Souede Gordon Elliott IRE
TEMPO MAC (IRE) 6 9-13 John P McGovern Gordon Elliott IRE
FLYING ANGEL (IRE) 5 9-13 R J Rexton Nigel Twiston-Davies
AFFAIRE D'HONNEUR (FR) 5 9-13 Holt Robinson Kronbauer Macnabb O'Connor Harry Whittington
ORDINARY WORLD (IRE) 6 9-13 C Jones Henry de Bromhead IRE
ONE FOR THE GUV'NR (IRE) 7 9-13 Bradley Partnership Nicky Henderson
WINNER MASSAGOT (FR) 5 9-12 Masterson Holdings Limited Alan King
ROYAL CAVIAR (IRE) 8 9-11 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
CASTLEMORRIS KING 8 9-11 Darrel Elswood Brian Barr
GRAND PARTNER (IRE) 8 9-11 Mrs H Mullins Thomas Mullins IRE
EBONY EXPRESS 7 9-10 ValueRacingClubcouk Dr Richard Newland
FOR GOOD MEASURE (IRE) 5 9-10 J P McManus Philip Hobbs
CURIOUS CARLOS 7 9-10 Carl Pyne Peter Bowen
LOUGH KENT 7 9-08 Caroline Mould Nicky Henderson
THEATRE FLAME (IRE) 6 9-06 CWB LLP David Bridgwater
SIR SCORPION (IRE) 7 9-06 J P McManus Thomas Mullins IRE
GABRIAL THE GREAT (IRE) 7 9-06 Paul & Clare Rooney David Pipe
FLEMENTIME (IRE) 8 9-04 Figjam II Martin Keighley
BLUE RAMBLER 6 9-04 Bloomfields John Ferguson
BANK BONUS 7 9-00 STU Syndicate Gordon Elliott IRE
EBADANI (IRE) 6 8-13 The Brook House Syndicate Jamie Snowden
95 entries remain
30 Irish-trained
1 French-trained

BAMAKO MORIVIERE (FR) HAS BEEN EXPUNGED UNDER RULE (F) 80