Agree with the previous post about pre NRNB ...
The number of live bets I have left pre-Christmas to live bets I place from NRNB to now (and still counting) is vastly different
I think you have to factor in 'opportunity created' ... as having a decent ante post price a way out makes it easier to play around and potentially create nice situations.... but as I've said many a time, I usually don't start until October, and I build books ... so I think anyone backing horses earlier than I am, is potentially making their lives harder, or is essentially not as good as they think they are at ante post punting :indecisiveness: Book building also doesn't mean just backing every horse as soon as it appears in the market
The number of people (mainly twitter/X) that seem to just mention every horse and if it's good happens to be in their 'portfolio' and if not you never hear it again is not reflective of the truth.... anyway....
One of those things we disagree on.
An owner like Ricci will always have final say, even if he often goes along with what they advise, and might be a touch gullible. It's his and his wife's horse.
And in this instance, despite what they eventually come out with, I'd be pretty sure Ricci has had final say on this call.
Owners on record saying Vautour goes to the Gold cup or nothing.
That decision was different also as I mentioned earlier, as he had Djakadam - and Ruby and Mullins in his ear saying he was outworking Vautour and was a cert for the Gold cup
I'd have loved to have seen the video of that, the acceleration Djakadam had was legendary
He's as much a gobshite as the rest of us, and prone to trotting out tired old tropes as well.
Right, going to try and answer this carefully ....
"An owner like Ricci will always have final say, even if he often goes along with what they advise, and might be a touch gullible. It's his and his wife's horse."
Yes, i agree, that's a literal statement ... ultimately every owner has 'the final say' ... and with 'an owner like Ricci', I assume (correct if I'm wrong) you mean they'd have more impact than myself... as part of a syndicate with Dan Skelton ... where ultimately the rules are, he trains the horse and picks the target and it's in the best interest of the horse, and he runs where trainer says he runs and if you don't like it, don't have a horse with him?
"And in this instance, despite what they eventually come out with, I'd be pretty sure Ricci has had final say on this call." -
I think this is where I disagree, on a technical point ... as yes he would have the final say, but how they get to that say .. isn't his 'decision' ... as you go on to point out, they're getting their way however they like .... so therefore, when you know this is how they operate, he doesn't 'really' have the opinion.... of course he pays the money so ultimately he COULD say, yes, run in the Champion Hurdle .... but that'd be fucking buts wouldn't it? ...... To think you know better than Willie? He COULD, but he isn't that kind of owner .....
I don't think Rich Ricci knows enough about the game to try and overrule Willie really ... he wouldn't want to die on this 'HILL' (pun intended) ... they'll have other horses. He'll have another chance at some point
Owner is on record saying that."gold cup or nothing"...... when you think about that logically, do you think that was Ricci saying that in the first place? Of course not. You know that... so this illusion that he makes the decisions is nonsense IMO .... I know that you can win the arguement and say technically he does, but you must understand that he's not going to rock the boat.
We had evidence of this happening previously, I have been consistent all season with my opinion on where Lossiemouth would run, even though I think it's a poor decision, it was obvious, and I did back accordingly. I understand people want her beat, people want to boo connections etc.... all absolutely fine,.... I'm literally choosing not to go because instead of the best Champion Hurdle of my generation, it's 4x odds on shots..... but I like getting paid out on my opinions, and this one was correct, based on evidence that I've seen before, and it's the opposite of your opinion on this matter
:afro: token emoji so you know I'm not angry :triumphant::love_heart:
