Im of the opinion now that maybe gars de sceaux will have more class then running here? My initial thoughts on him were the rsa and that stable tour would say that is accurate, i think hes a dark horse for sure
Im of the opinion now that maybe gars de sceaux will have more class then running here? My initial thoughts on him were the rsa and that stable tour would say that is accurate, i think hes a dark horse for sure
I can’t bring myself to TKP, was all over him for the potato race last season and he travelled like the winner to the last, didn’t look entirely in love with the hill for me.
Haven’t written him off and clearly there was a great deal of confidence in him that day but I’d need to see him go through with an effort or two before I part with any cash…
You make a good point TKP.
I nailed my colours to Run Wild Fred early on but have been wrestling with idea of also having a decent bet on Ontheropes despite having missed the early price.
The trouble is - what happens if Willie sends Stattler here which seems highly likely?
If that happens will Willie also run Ontheropes? I don't think so.
For the last 3 years Willie's only had one runner in the NHC.
Over the last 10 years he's only once saddled 2 of the market leaders in the race. That was back in 2012 when Allee Garde went off 6-1 second favourite and Soll was 8-1 joint fourth favourite.
Five of his 15 runners in the NHC over the last 10 years have had a starting price of 14-1 or bigger. I get the impression it's a race where Willie might run some of his slow boats to give them a speculative back-door route into the Cheltenham Festival - but without seriously thinking they will win it.
Either Ontheropes or Stattler could go off favourite if they line up but I can't see them taking each other on here.
And as Saxon Warrior points out in his Willie analysis, Stattler's hurdling profile - ran well in the AB and the season ending 3-mile novice hurdle at Punchestown - fits the bill perfectly for a Mullins NHC contender.
It's been discussed in these pages that Ontheropes does have other options - the Hennessy, Grand National, maybe even the Gold Cup although I can't quite see that happening. He may also be a bit fragile.
Whereas the NHC does seem to be the obvious career path for Stattler. Hurdles form suggests he could be plenty good enough for this.
So which one will Patrick be riding in March?
I reckon it's more likely to be Stattler who is in the same ownership as this year's winner Galvin. I imagine he'd be up for winning the same Festival race two years in aa row.
But having said all this I still can't escape the notion I should be backing Ontheropes.
Elliott on The Bosses Oscar
He’s a lovely horse that we are looking forward to seeing how he gets on over fences. He made a good start over them at Listowel, he just needed the run and got tired. He could be a horse for the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
With Ontheropes being so well supported on here, I'm keen to know thoughts on Capodanno. I think he ticks a lot of boxes but I'm not sure if it's something Willie might throw two darts at.
Elliott on The Bosses Oscar
I seem to remember a very similar line from him on RWF this time last year. He was clearly plotted for a mark thereafter.
Are people swayed more to The Bosses Oscar as he has course form compared to Ontheropes?
Are people swayed more to The Bosses Oscar as he has course form compared to Ontheropes?
Are people swayed more to The Bosses Oscar as he has course form compared to Ontheropes?
I seem to remember a very similar line from him on RWF this time last year. He was clearly plotted for a mark thereafter.
But RBO is 154 for Hurdles in the UK.
Way more than RWF was.
TBO has been to two Cheltenhams
RWF none
Very easy to know that UK capper isn't going to give TBO a low mark in chases, as they will start with his hurdles mark from the Pertemps.
Are people swayed more to The Bosses Oscar as he has course form compared to Ontheropes?
Are people swayed more to The Bosses Oscar as he has course form compared to Ontheropes?