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Cheltenham Festival Previews 2017

:highly_amused: Until you pluck up the courage today to ask out Dickie you can do nothing but dream

It was Zara I was after.
Funny enough, a while after they split up I was on a charity golf day and got pitched on her table, a few wise cracks and innuendos later attracted the attention of two bodyguards so I slipped dessert and slinked off to the bar....
 
Any nuggets coming from the Haddock evening ?
I can't find anything....
 
It was Zara I was after.
Funny enough, a while after they split up I was on a charity golf day and got pitched on her table, a few wise cracks and innuendos later attracted the attention of two bodyguards so I slipped dessert and slinked off to the bar....

Hahahaha :D
 
Enjoyed the ATR preview there - they should let Boycey have a few jars when he's doing the day's racing on ATR - he was good craic.
 
These preview nights going in circles
..Elliott tipping everything he has in handicaps. 3 people in Belfast have 3 versions of what David casey said on melon!
 
Sean Grahams Night at the Europa

Richard Hoiles
Noel Fehily
Neil Mulholland
Gary O'Brien
The Couch
David Casey
Gordon E
Ronan Graham

AS EVER WE KICK THINGS OFF WITH THE SUPREME NOVICES HURDLE...
RICHARD: MOON RACER REPRESENTS THE BEST VALUE IF HE DOES ROCK UP HERE. BEST OF THE ENGLISH FORM
GORDON: MOVEWITHTIMES HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE. HE'LL DO FOR ME.
DAVID: BUNK OFF EARLY IS A CLASSY HORSE. HE JUMPS WELL. HOPEFULLY HE'LL HAVE A CHANCE COMING UP THE HILL. MAYBE NOT THE BEST VALUE
NOEL: NEON WOLF WOULD HAVE TO BE VERY SOFT TO TURN UP HERE. BEYOND CONCEIT CHANCE IF IT COMES UP SLOW. SCUDAMORE LIKES MOON RACER A LOT
COUCH: NEON WOLF OUTSTANDING AT HAYDOCK. ELGIN AT 50/1 ISN'T OUT OF IT EITHER.
BRIAN MENTIONS RIVER WYLDE FORM TIES IN WITH NEON WOLF AND ALTIOR. NICE EACH WAY PRICE AND IS UNBEATEN

ARKLE NEXT:
NOEL SAYS ALTIOR COULD WELL BE THE BEST HORSE HE'S EVER RIDDEN!
(He has ridden Kauto Star)
COUCH SAYS WE WANT TO SEE ALTIOR V DOUVAN. ROYAL CAVIAR WITHOUT THE FAV
BRIAN AGAIN GIVES A GOOD WORD FOR ROYAL CAVIAR WITHOUT. DAVID COMPLETELY DISAGREES! LOOK FOR ONE THAT MIGHT DROP IN HE SAYS AND COME LATE
RICHARD: A HARE BREATH HAS A GOOD CRUISING SPEED. HE COULD COME ROUND THE BACK AND PICK UP THE PIECES FOR WITHOUT MARKET

ONTO THE DAY ONE FEATURE THE CHAMPION HURDLE:
RICHARD: YANWROTH ISN'T STRAIGHT FORWARD,
RICHARD: IT'S WIDE OPEN. HOPEFULLY THEY SUPPLEMENT LIMINI. SENT OFF FAVOURITE TO BEAT BUVEUR D'AIR AT AINTREE PULLED TOO HARD
NOEL: BUVEUR D'AIR IS A GOOD HORSE, WOULD LIKE THE GROUND TO BE ON SLOW SIDE. NOT IMPRESSED WITH YANWORTH AT WINCANTON. LIMINI IS DANGER
COUCH: BRAIN POWER HAS IMPROVED MASSIVELY. LAST RUN AT ASCOT FORM IS ROCK SOLID. BUVEUR IS VERY GROUND DEPENDANT. CAN'T HAVE PETIT MOUCHOIR
DAVID: PETIT WON'T GET UP THE HILL. FOOTPAD IS A 2M4F HORSE. NOT SURE IF LIMINI IS SUPPLEMENTED. I WOULDN'T. VVM IS A BETTER MARE.
NEIL: MOON RACER HAS GOOD FORM WITH THE NOVICES. GOOD COURSE FORM. DARK HORSE IF HE ROCKS UP. NOT IMPRESSED WITH YANWORTH AT WINCANTON
GORDON: YANWORTH KEEPS DOING WHAT HE HAS TO DO. SOLID ENOUGH.

ONTO THE NEPTUNE. RICHARD NOT KEEN ON FINIANS OSCAR. CAPITANE HAS LET THE FORM DOWN
NOEL: NEON WOLF P2P WINNER, TRIP WILL SUIT. GREAT TURN OF FOOT AT HAYDOCK. FINIAN OSCAR DONE NOTHING WRONG BUT FORM IS TERRIBLE
GORDON: SHATTERED LOVE AND BRELADE WILL BOTH RUN HERE. BACARDYS AND MONALEE GOOD SHOUTS FOR IRELAND
COUCH: NEON WOLF IS A CERT. TIME AT HAYDOCK FANTASTIC. GREAT RACE FOR FAVS. FINIAN OSCAR DESPERATE FORM IN THE TOLWORTH
DAVID: BACARDYS OUR MAIN HOPE. DONE WELL TO WIN DELOITTE. INTERUPTED PREP. BIG FAN OF NEON WOLF.

RSA CHASE NEXT:
RICHARD: FLAT TRACK BULLY IS MIGHT BITE. SHORT ENOUGH ON HIS FORM. AMERICAN REALLY GOOD AT WARWICK. LIKE HIS JUMPING. BEEN BIT FRAGILE
DAVID: BELLSHILL CAME OUT OF FALL FINE IN SCHOOLING. HARD TO BE CONFIDENT THOUGH. DON'T LIKE THE FAVOURITE. LIKE WHISPER EACH WAY
NOEL: AMERICAN RUNS IF ITS A BIT SOFT. NEEDS TO IMPROVE ON WARIWCK RUN. NO REASON WHY HE CAN'T. CAN'T HAVE MIGHT BITE. JUMPING SHAKY
NOEL: LIKE WHISPER. LIKES GOOD GROUND. DAVY GOOD RIDER FOR HIM. WOULDN'T PUT ANYONE OFF AMERICAN
COUCH: CAN'T HAVE MIGHT BITE AT ALL. ACAPELLA DID A GREAT TIME. ALPHA HAS THE BEST FORM IN THE RACE. MOUSE IS BACK IN FORM. GOOD RECORD
BRIAN: WHISPER - FOUR COURSE WINS, RATED 164 OVER HURDLES. THIS RACE WILL BE RUN TO SUIT. VERY HARD TO BEAT.

THE CHAMPION CHASE - THIS SHOULDN'T TAKE TO LONG.
RICHARD: SPECIAL TIARA WITHOUT THE FAV EACH WAY.
NOEL: SOME SMASH UP BETWEEN ALTIOR AND DOUVAN WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN

CHAMPION BUMPER: DAVID: DIDN'T THINK WE HAD GOOD BUMPER HORSE AT START OF YEAR THEN THEY ALL STARTED WINNING.
NOEL: QUICK GRAB EM I WILL RIDE. DAPHNE DU CLOS DOESN'T GO

OK THAT WAS THE HALF-TIME INTERVAL. WE KICK BACK OFF WITH THE RYANAIR
DAVID CASEY: UDS IS A BET, IN GREAT FORM WORKING WELL. SOLID FORM ROUND CHELTENHAM. ANY BIT OF CUT IN GROUND BIG PLUS.
NEIL: FOX NORTON 2M 5F COULD IMPROVE HIM. HAS TO BE A MAJOR PLAYER.
NOEL: UDS WINS ON SLOW GROUND SIMPLE. JOSSES HILL GOOD AT HUNTINGDON. NOT AS GOOD GOING LEFT HANDED. I RIDE VANITEUX. EACH WAY CHANCE
RICHARD: UXIZANDRE GOOD EFFORT LAST TIME. BEST OF ENGLISH JOSSES HILL JUMPING A CONCERN. EMPIRE OF DIRT GREAT CHANCE IN GOLD CUP
COUCH: EMPIRE OF DIRT IN THE WRONG RACE. IF UDS GETS TAKEN ON HE'S A BIT OF A SULKER. GORDON WONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB TAKING ON WILLIE
GOB SAYS WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF O'LEARY LETTING YOU RUN EMPIRE OF DIRT IN GOLD CUP. GORON REPLIES: SLIM!

ONTO THE STAYERS HURDLE WHERE NOEL FEHILY RIES UNOWHATIMEANHARRY
NOEL: NOT A VERY BIG HORSE BUT HE JUST KEEPS ON FINDING MORE IMPROVEMENT. BEST PERFORMANCE THE LAST DAY.
RICHARD: CAMPING GROUND IMPROVED ON FIRST RUN FOR GARY MOORE, COULD BE THE DARK HORSE IN THE FIELD
DAVID: SHANESHILL 3 SECONDS AT THE FESTIVAL. JEZKI BEST FORM IN THE RACE. BEAT THE LAST DAY. GROUND DIDN'T SUIT. FAV HARD TO BEAT
NEIL: FAV JUST KEEPS WINNING. ALWAYS DOES ENOUGH. BALLYOPTIC HAD A LITTLE WIND OP SO MIGHT FIND IMPROVEMENT FOR THE FORECAST
COUCH: UNOWHATIMEANHARRY REMINDS ME OF BIG BUCKS, INGLIS DREVER ETC. COLE HARDEN GETTING 8 LBS LAST TIME AND DIDN'T GET CLOSE. BOMBPROOF
RONAN PUTS UP A SHOUT FOR WEST APPROACH, PRICE DOESN'T CORRELATE WITH COLE HARDEN.

FIRST RACE ON ST PATRICK'S DAY. TRIUMPH HURDLE
RONAN: IMPRESSED WITH MEGA FORTUNE IN LEOPARDSTOWN. GOTTA TAKE THE SHORT ONES ON.
COUCH: INTERESTED IN WHAT DAVID HAS TO WAY ABOUT MERI DEVIE, IMPRESSED WITH HER AT LEOPARDSTOWN
COUCH: DON;T THINK DEFI HAS BEATEN ANYTHING. GOB THINK IT'S THE NAP OF THE WEEK
GORDON: MEGA FORTUNE IS IN GOOD FORM BUT IRISH HORSES ARE BEATING EACH OTHER. QUICK GROUND A WORRY. EW CHANCE. IMPROVED FOR HEADGEAR
DAVID: HUGE FAN OF THE FAV. IRISH HAVE ALL RAN AGAINST EACH OTHER AND BEAT EACH OTHER. NO OUTSTANDING IRISH. DEFI DONE IT WELL. TRACK HELPS
@SPGBETTING THINK THIS IS THE BIGGEST CPN YET... STANDING AT ANNEX TAKING IN WHAT OTHER PUNTERS THINK...
NOEL: FAVOURITE IS WAY AHEAD. I RODE CHARLIE FIRST TIME HE WAS IMPRESSIVE BUT A FALL LAST TIME ISN'T GREAT PREP.

ONTO THE ALBERT BARTLETT:
RICHARD: WEST APPROACH MADE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF GROUND IN THE CLEEVE. DROPPING BACK TO NOVICE COMPANY HELPS. STRONG RENEWAL OF THE RACE.
DAVID: AUGUSTA KATE WOULD OF WON THE LAST DAY IF SHE DIDN'T FALL. GOES TO THE RACE FRESH. WORKING WELL. LIKES A BIT OF CUT.
DAVID: PENHILL ISN'T OUT OF IT EITHER. STEP UP TO 3 MILES HAS HELPED HIS JUMPING. KEMBOY ALSO RUNS, NICE SPREAD. AUGUSTA BEST CHANCE
GORDON: DEATH DUTY I LOVE HIM. GALLOPS SETTLES JUMPS. THINK THE WORLD OF HIM. RESPECT AUGUSTA, BUT AT THIS STAGE HE BETTER THAN DON COSSACK
NOEL: DEATH DUTY A TOUGH HORSE WILL SUIT HTE RACE. WEST APPROACH VERY GOOD FORM BEHIND HARRY.

GOLD CUP TIME: RICHARD SAYS THERE'S NO VALUE ON CUE CARD. NOT CONVINCED WITH NATIVE RIVER. HORSE THAT RUN ON HEAVY ARE 0/79 ON GC DAY
GORDON: DJAKADAM A GOOD THING IN THE GOLD CUP. BETTER PREP THIS YEAR THAN LAST. OUTLANDER SHOULDNT BE GOOD ENOUGH.
NOEL: NATIVE RIVER > CUE CARD - DJAKADAM RAN IN GOOD GOLD CUP LAST YEAR STONGER THAN THIS YEAR. BETTER PREP THIS YEAR. TAKE ON TOP TWO
DAVID: DJAKADAM FLYING I RODE HIM WORK OTHER DAY. WILL TAKE A HELL OF A LOT OF BEATING. CUE CARD HAS NO CHANCE
DAVID: MORE OF THAT OUTSIDE CHANCE. WON STAYERS HURDLE. SHOWED A BIT OF SPARK THE LAST DAY.
NEIL: NATIVE RIVER VERY CONSISTENT WILL GALLOP OF THE HILL. DJAKADAM IS SOLID. BETTER PREP HELPS.
COUCH: DJAKADAM HAS FALLEN TWICE OUT OF FOUR AT CHELTENHAM. CUE CARD CAN'T WIN AT 11. LAY HIM TILL COWS COME HOME. NATIVE RIVER FOR ME
RONAN: WILL BE 4 THE FIELD ON THE DAY. THERE WILL BE A PLUNGE HORSE THOUGH. DJAKADAM LIKELY. RUBY NOT HARD ON HIM AT CHRISTMAS
RICHARD: UNDERSTAND THE NATIVE RIVER ANGLE IF IT'S ATTRITIONAL. MORE OF THAT NOT MUCH RACING. GREAT WORLD HURDLE WINNER.

HANDICAP TIME: RICHARD LIKES HOLYWELL (ULTIMA), ITSAFREEBE (NOVICES HCAP), WINTER ESCAPE NAP (CORAL CUP)
NEIL: SHANTOU VILLAGE WON'T GO. FORNIGHT BEHIND IN PREP. WILL LOOK AT AINTREE OR AYR
NEIL: LIKE SOUTHFIELD ROYALE CHANCE IN KIM MUIR. DID WELL IN FOUR MILER LAST YEAR. FORM STRONG.
@SPGBETTING COUNTY HURDLE NOT CORAL CUP
COUCH: AGREE WITH NEIL ON SOUTHFIELD. WELL HANDICAPPED. ROMAIN DE SENAME IN THE NOV HCAP. CORAL CUP BEST HCAPED HORSE OF WEEK CONSUL DE THAI
GARY PASSES ON GOOD WORLD FOR ROCK THE WORLD, FROM ROBBIE POWER TRAINED BY JESSIE
DAVID: YORKHILL I THINK WILL WIN. FORGET ABOUT FIRST TWO FENCES OF SCHOOLING, ELECTRIC DOWN THE BANK. LET'S DANCE TRIP ON SHORT SIDE
DAVID: TIN SOLODIER IN MARTIN PIPE. VERY LAZY WE'VE WON THE RACE A FEW TIMES. HARD RACE FOR A CONDITIONAL. BEST MULLINS CHANCE YORKHILL
NOEL: DRUIDS NEPHEW IN THE ULTIMA BIG CHANCEAND IS IN GREAT FORM. DIVIN BERE IN THE FRED WINTER, WON COSY ENOUGH LAST DAY.
GORDON: NOBLE ENDEAVOUR HAS GOOD FORM AT CHELTENHAM. RUNNING WELL. APPLES JADE EACH WAY CHANCE CAME OUT OF THE LAST DAY WELL
GORDON: TIGER ROLL ON GOOD GROUND WOULD HAVE A GOOD CHANCE AT 20/1. NO POINT RUNNING IF IT'S SOFT
GORDON: TOMBSTONE IF ALLOWED WILL RUN IN CORAL CUP. BEAT JEZKI LAST DAY.
GORDON: MICK JAZZ RUNS IN COUNTY HURDLE, IF HE SETTLES HE HAS A GOOD CHANCE OF RUNNING WELL.
More Previews at http://www.fatjockey.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?3-Cheltenham-Festival-2017
GARY: FORGE MEADOWS IN MARES NOVICE. PERTEMPS - PRESENTING PERCY. NOBLE ENDEAVOUR

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR COMING TONIGHT AND FOR FOLLOWING ALONG HERE BIT HECTIC BUT HOPE WE GOT THE INFO OUT THERE IN A DECENT FASHION!
 
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I've seen comments at a few of these that horses by Zebedee (Might Bite & Bunk Off Early) don't get up the hill....
Does anyone pay real attention to things like this, or is it more of a throw-away comment to narrow the field??
 
boards.ie

in courtyard in Wexford tonight panel

Jamie codd
Jessie Harrington
Sean Flanagan
Paul Nolan
Joesph o Brien

All the usual big race stuff but the interesting part was the end, best bets

Jamie codd cause of causes, also maldini said he might be riding him if he goes for the ametur race, said moon racer is 100% champion hurdle, I find it strange, he will ride on the fringe to thinks he should win but warned he is getting older.


Sean Flanagan ; said his best chance was snow falcon, but thought death duty was bet of week

Jess Harrington: rock the world in the grand annual had a wind op thinks he is in much better form, also thinks Augusta Kate wins whatever she runs in, said jezkis target won't be decided until Monday but she assumes stayers, also gave her bumper horse a shout at a big price

Paul Nolan: the tin soldier in whichever handicap it runs in, likes djakadam and death duty

Joesph o brien: likes djakadam for cold cup and death duty

Wasn't much to note except the above, which I should have put more detail on to save the sarcastic comment from diomed


All were sweet on yanworth for champion all said BD has no chance except for Jessie who fancies him
 
I've seen comments at a few of these that horses by Zebedee (Might Bite & Bunk Off Early) don't get up the hill....
Does anyone pay real attention to things like this, or is it more of a throw-away comment to narrow the field??

Might Bite is by Scorpion and they are known to be quirky horses. As far as I can see Scorpion has not sired a festival winner yet although he has only had a few seasons of runners.

Bunk Off Early is by Zebedee and this would concern me more than being by Scorpion. Zebedee was a sprinter on the flat and most of his progeny end up on the flat rather than jumps. There is a limited amount of jumps horses by Zebedee so there is not a lot of data to go on but he's not your typical sire for a Supreme winner.
 
Might Bite is by Scorpion and they are known to be quirky horses. As far as I can see Scorpion has not sired a festival winner yet although he has only had a few seasons of runners.

Bunk Off Early is by Zebedee and this would concern me more than being by Scorpion. Zebedee was a sprinter on the flat and most of his progeny end up on the flat rather than jumps. There is a limited amount of jumps horses by Zebedee so there is not a lot of data to go on but he's not your typical sire for a Supreme winner.

Thanks Jackie. Got my sires mixed up, but knew there was a negative against both...
 
Might Bite is by Scorpion and they are known to be quirky horses. As far as I can see Scorpion has not sired a festival winner yet although he has only had a few seasons of runners.

Bunk Off Early is by Zebedee and this would concern me more than being by Scorpion. Zebedee was a sprinter on the flat and most of his progeny end up on the flat rather than jumps. There is a limited amount of jumps horses by Zebedee so there is not a lot of data to go on but he's not your typical sire for a Supreme winner.

I was slightly concerned about this when I bought into BOE but, looking in more depth, Zebedee is only 9 so he hasn't produced many offspring who have had a chance over jumps. In any case, I've always gone on a rule of thumb that stamina is generated more by the dam whereas the sire passes on a 'stamp' or frame and other attributes that make a horse a winner.
BOE was passed by a true stayer in the Deloitte but he stayed the 2m2f at Leopardstown at least as well as a decent yardstick in Brelade. If he can relax more at Cheltenham he should get up the hill. Whether he is good enough is a different matter.
 
I was slightly concerned about this when I bought into BOE but, looking in more depth, Zebedee is only 9 so he hasn't produced many offspring who have had a chance over jumps. In any case, I've always gone on a rule of thumb that stamina is generated more by the dam whereas the sire passes on a 'stamp' or frame and other attributes that make a horse a winner.
BOE was passed by a true stayer in the Deloitte but he stayed the 2m2f at Leopardstown at least as well as a decent yardstick in Brelade. If he can relax more at Cheltenham he should get up the hill. Whether he is good enough is a different matter.

Bunk Off Early is the fourth foal but none of her other offspring have gone on to be NH horses. The furthest any of these half siblings have run is 1m1f but they have mainly operated at 6f. The sires of these half siblings would also tend to have more stamina influence than Zebedee too.

I'm not saying that the breeding should discount Bunk Off Early from being a potential top class horse, but it certainly concerns me, especially at Cheltenham.
 
I think archie makes a very valid point though. Take Bacardys out of the Deloitte and you wouldn't be overly concerned about BOE's stamina would you? I wouldn't be. Especially, as he says, considering he didnt settle that well.
 
Bunk Off Early is the fourth foal but none of her other offspring have gone on to be NH horses. The furthest any of these half siblings have run is 1m1f but they have mainly operated at 6f. The sires of these half siblings would also tend to have more stamina influence than Zebedee too.

I'm not saying that the breeding should discount Bunk Off Early from being a potential top class horse, but it certainly concerns me, especially at Cheltenham.

At least one BOE half brother, Rocket Ronnie, finished second over 10 furlongs but when looking at Zebedee I think you have to take into account that he only had his 2yo season racing so no-one knows how far he might have got in time. He's certainly not your typical Supreme sire but I'm happy that form over-rides breeding. For what it's worth, he was recommended to Willie by his flat trainer, Andy Oliver, who did the same for Long Dog and Willie thinks he might even get two and a half in the right circumstances.

Everyone can, and will of course, make up their own mind and I've certainly no issue with anyone opposing him.
 
At least one BOE half brother, Rocket Ronnie, finished second over 10 furlongs but when looking at Zebedee I think you have to take into account that he only had his 2yo season racing so no-one knows how far he might have got in time. He's certainly not your typical Supreme sire but I'm happy that form over-rides breeding. For what it's worth, he was recommended to Willie by his flat trainer, Andy Oliver, who did the same for Long Dog and Willie thinks he might even get two and a half in the right circumstances.

Everyone can, and will of course, make up their own mind and I've certainly no issue with anyone opposing him.

Andy Oliver has provided plenty of ex-flat recruits to the jumps game so it's a very valid point. Breeding is a lot of science but there will always be exceptions.
 
The preview night in Newry, County Down i was involved in arranging takes place tonight. To say my nerves are wrecked is an understatement! Peter Casey is unable to attend due to ill health so our updated panel is:

Andrew Lynch
Sean Flanagan
Danny Mullins
Colin McBratney
Noel McParland

Hope it goes well! I'll post up a review of what was said as soon as i can!
 
The preview night in Newry, County Down i was involved in arranging takes place tonight. To say my nerves are wrecked is an understatement! Peter Casey is unable to attend due to ill health so our updated panel is:

Andrew Lynch
Sean Flanagan
Danny Mullins
Colin McBratney
Noel McParland

Hope it goes well! I'll post up a review of what was said as soon as i can!
Good luck!
 
The Goat for those who missed or couldnt be bothered last night