Hard to argue with UNWIMH when you look at the market Kev. I'm really keen on the chances of Nichols Canyon retaining the race but there's very little between the two even when like you say there probably is little improvement left in UNWIMH BUT they set the bar don't they. Far too big an over reaction to UNWIMH's defeat at Cheltenham, I think he was 33 or 25's after?! He had no real excuses that day but I do think he just wasn't quite right and something was slightly amiss. Add in confirmed target, festival winner and course form, goes on any ground etc there's plenty of appeal still there.
I'm always under the impression it's a race where a lot of the runners come late to the party i.e November/December onwards?! I'd need to check though to see if that's accurate.
I can't find quotes on
Footpad but I'm sure I remember Mullins talking about him going down the 3 mile route this season...
And what of
Lil Rockafeller? Ran a stinker at Punchestown but he ran a mighty race at the festival. Very consistent, the 10th place finish was out of character for the horse and although he was well beat at the time in around 4th place, he looked to completely empty and I imagine something was up. Ran Yanworth very close in the Coral Hurdle as Ascot over 2m4, then finished 2nd in the Long Walk Hurdle (one of the main trials) behind UNWIMH leading up to that second place at the festival. If you can forgive the Punchestown run his 3 mile form reads: 322. I was shocked to see he is only 6 years old so you'd imagine there's more improvement.
Apple's Jade would be very tempting if she were to go down this route. I imagine she'll stick to the Mares and in all likelyhood win but if she did line up then she'd be dangerous with the 7lb allowance.
Paz, here's the last I heard on those two,
Tom George stated The Worlds End would stay over hurdles in April (though said it wasn't set in stone):
He is a tough horse but is only a young horse. He will improve further with another summer on his back.
“I would say we will probably stick over hurdles and that is the way we are looking, although nothing is set in concrete.
"This time last year he was winning his bumper at Chepstow, so he has come a long way.
"I see quite a bit of improvement in him and he has got that long-distance hurdle look about him."
Bacardys will be going chasing, based on Mullins comments after his Punchestown win:
Bacardys was badly hampered by a faller in the Neptune at Cheltenham. He was bought as a chasing prospect and that’s what he’ll be doing next season.
Bacardys is a horse I underrated throughout last season but i'm really excited to see him over a fence over 3miles
