charlie
Fat Jockey Patron (est. March 2021)
Will be interesting to see if Willie declares Blood Destiny for the Grade 3 over 2m3f on Sunday. That race has been won by lots of decent horse (impervious, Bob Olinger, Envoi Allen) who've gone on to run well over 2m4f at Cheltenham. If BD takes up that engagement it's probably less likely we see him at the DRF but not impossible as he'd have nearly 3 weeks to recover. If BD wins that Grade 3 well I think 12/1 NRMB for the Turners could look very generous indeed (16's available if you have a really strong view). A few other views reinforce the Turners being the target. Aside from persisting at intermediate trips (if declared) I don't think trainers are going to be queuing up to take on MN in the Arkle. Regardless of whether or not you think FV is a busted flush, I think they will be stubborn and persist with 2m because GW looks their Turners horse and I cant see Willie sending two big stable stars to the same race. I actually think GW is worth taking on. It's impossible to escape the fact that he's clearly better right handed and he's blotted his copybook twice now, both at Cheltenham. Fair to level the same accusation at BD who blew out in the Triumph but he looks a different animal over fences. When you access the horses that sit between BD and GW in the Turner's market you're dealing with 8 horses. 3 of them are OFTS, IEF is favouring a French campaign, I have it on good authority CC goes NHC and FTF has been all the rage for the BANC. That leaves FV and Found A Fifty. If, like me, you believe Willie will persist with 2m with FV then you're talking about one decent rival in FAF standing in Blood Destiny's way. There is no way a double figure price will hold if events transpire as I think they will so 12/1 NRMB looks very solid and value IMO