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2016 Mares Hurdle

Annie set to wear a hood in the race tomo, I wonder if this gives hope to all who have her down for the mares race, as if she is finding it hard to settle then going for the longer race at a slower pace isnt going to help.
 
If Annie were to go WH, what price would you expect VVM to be? Around evens would be my guess, possibly a shade of odds on?
 
If Annie were to go WH, what price would you expect VVM to be? Around evens would be my guess, possibly a shade of odds on?

If you think it likely - the without AP market has VVM at 7/4 (sky & 365) but only 5/4 with paddy
 
Annie set to wear a hood in the race tomo, I wonder if this gives hope to all who have her down for the mares race, as if she is finding it hard to settle then going for the longer race at a slower pace isnt going to help.

I'd read it the other way - the are hoping the hood gets her to settle so they can go for the longer race. Mullins has said all along if they get a run into her before cheltenham it will give them more options and the VVM trip the other week was confirmation they think they have a replacement for the mares race.
 
I'd read it the other way - the are hoping the hood gets her to settle so they can go for the longer race. Mullins has said all along if they get a run into her before cheltenham it will give them more options and the VVM trip the other week was confirmation they think they have a replacement for the mares race.

The hood is just a test tomorrow to see if has any negative effect to her performance and then make use of it next month if all good. I watched her races again and I didn't see any problems with her not settling, if anything its just the run-in with the crowd going crazy is what they are trying to eliminate .
 
I dont know if there is more to this hood for Annie because its very unusual of Mullins to use headgear on any of his horses least of all one of his best.
 
Also my understanding of VVM was that she was back up for the Mares if Annie never made the race due to any setback, its Ricci who has said one for one race and one for the other, to my knowledge Mullins hasnt said that, only that it would give them more options in general, anyways all speculation and we wont find out I doubt untill the final few days before the festival.
 
Maybe the bookies are trying to stop the punters lumping on the mares hurdle?...

'Money indicates World Hurdle the target'

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield believes the recent money his firm has seen suggests that a second crack at the World Hurdle is on the cards.

"Willie is on record as saying that the World Hurdle is Annie Power's more likely target if she were to run before the festival and the fact that she turns up at Punchestown today suggests that is the case," Binfield said.

"We cut her into 3-1 for the World Hurdle and pushed her out to 8-11 for the mares race and the way punters have been acting tells me that the World Hurdle is where she is going to end up."
 
"The weather forecast suggests it could get windy and it is her first run for a very long time so she is likely to be fresh and we thought that a hood might help her," Mullins said.

"She is in good form and I have been very happy with her over the last while. We are happy to let her to take her chance. There are only three runners but she is well able do her own thing and she has showed in the past that she can make her own running. That does not bother her.

"We will get this out of the way before thinking about Cheltenham and nominating a target for her," he added.
 
Paddy Mullins on ATR saying its a good opportunity to run and Annie is fit enough to do herself justice but will definately come on for the run. I keep thinking (probably through my pocket) that they are calling this an 'opportunity' deliberately for the same reasons covered before re: prize money, nothing more than a gallop etc..
 
Maybe the bookies are trying to stop the punters lumping on the mares hurdle?...

'Money indicates World Hurdle the target'

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield believes the recent money his firm has seen suggests that a second crack at the World Hurdle is on the cards.

"Willie is on record as saying that the World Hurdle is Annie Power's more likely target if she were to run before the festival and the fact that she turns up at Punchestown today suggests that is the case," Binfield said.

"We cut her into 3-1 for the World Hurdle and pushed her out to 8-11 for the mares race and the way punters have been acting tells me that the World Hurdle is where she is going to end up."

WALOFS that is... firstly Willie has never been on record saying that - RR has - in exactly the same manner as he did last year.

Secondly, the reason why they are seeing money for her in the WH is because everyones on her for the mares already, and also WH is NRNB so theres no risk in punters looking to cover their bet in the way of betting on this race and getting their money back if she goes for the Mares as everyone hopes.
 
The hood is just a test tomorrow to see if has any negative effect to her performance and then make use of it next month if all good. I watched her races again and I didn't see any problems with her not settling, if anything its just the run-in with the crowd going crazy is what they are trying to eliminate .

If it was the shadow/sun that was to blame last year (which it looks very like it was) then could they be looking to deploy the hood to keep her focused on the fence and like you say LR not be distracted by the crowd?... it could also give us hope that the Mares is the intended target as the race time could mean a similar scenario with the sunset whereas the WH is run earlier in the day.

Its so easy to think too much into this... i still think they will go the Mares but its very unsettling. Also with RR's involvement in Betbright which could see the 4 timer mean millions in liabilities, could that be a reason for him wanting to switch? He appears a very genuine racing fan and obviously doesn't need the money in regards to prize money.. but a £4million liability against his company say could be a factor.

Anyone any other thoughts on why owners/jockeys would play a game in regards to targets? What is there to gain? They must know where she is going by now, a jog around Punchestown later isnt going to influence them in the slightest
 
Also with RR's involvement in Betbright which could see the 4 timer mean millions in liabilities, could that be a reason for him wanting to switch? He appears a very genuine racing fan and obviously doesn't need the money in regards to prize money.. but a £4million liability against his company say could be a factor.

A very solid reason why bookmakers in racehorse ownership is a conflict of interests....
 
Anyone any other thoughts on why owners/jockeys would play a game in regards to targets? What is there to gain? They must know where she is going by now, a jog around Punchestown later isnt going to influence them in the slightest

The expanded festival allows them to do this.
If you have a novice chaser who is equally adept at 2m and 2m 4f then you have the Arkle, JLT and the handicap novice chase on day one, years ago you had the Arkle and if you thought your horse would stay, the RSA.

It could be your horse gets 2m 4f on good ground but could struggle in deep ground and as you're under no pressure to declare until 24 hours before the race why would you ?

Also, it doesn't hurt to keep the opposition guessing, no football manager announces his line up and formation a week before a big race.
 
Think its fair to assume Annie won't be running here now - get your bets on before its confirmed and prices tumble!
 
Ive just taken a chance on Smart Talk at 40's ew for this...I think she'll get re-routed now from the mares novice race!
 
It's either a big negative for us all or ppl are starting to poo their pants and started to lay their bets incase she goes for the WH.

I don't like to be negative here but this year the bookies probably have a bigger liability than last year all coming down to AP again. Somewhere down the line one of the big 4 on day 1 either won't run or won't win. It's business at the end of the day.

PP(probably the most connected bookie in horse racing) have partnered with Betfair(the biggest guaranteed winners). Makes you wonder huh?

I hope I am wrong and will have to eat my own shoe.

This time Faugheen, lol, what a joke.
 
You were right LR......yes the first day acca seemed to good to be true and it was:sorrow: