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2026 Juveniles

Agree with this. Looked a very Cromwell-like introduction. Gently, gently. Could see it running much better next time out.
Pulled throughout last time, jockey said he blew up coming to the last as well, plenty of improvement to come was the post race analysis, he also put up 2lbs overweight on the day, you'd think he'd save being a few pounds over for the Christmas racing 😋
 
Absolutely, but when the master of Closutton struggles to get one or a few to go close I get this over riding feeling that maybe he just doesn't produce types suitable for Cheltenham. The one positive for Selma is that she is out of an Authorized mare. If the influence is on the dams side she could have plenty of stamina, but Zarak definitely tempers enthusiasm for me.

I also have reservations on a fair few, not just specifically for Cheltenham but also to produce an animal of high enough calabre to win a decent renewal of a G1 race. You will obviously get anomalies, especially in seasons where they are poor renewals of the races, like the years Slade Steel & Summerville Boy won their Supremes, both of their sires, Telescope & Sandmason, have produced bugger all really, and neither of them animals have gone on to do a whole heap since, albeit there is still time for Slade Steel to do so, but by and large he's looked more like a handicap plot than anything else as it stands!

Couldn't have timed this better, after I'll Sort That, by Sandmason, wins the Ballymore (Lawlors) :ROFLMAO:

To stick the nail in, he beat an Authorized 😱
 
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….P Mullins;

Macho Man and Proactif debut in the silks of the Donnellys and JP McManus respectively, and Patrick Mullins told Sporting Life: "They're both winners in France and obviously they were winners in October, so they don't have the option to start out in a maiden hurdle here.

"Bar going straight to the Grade 1 at the DRF, there's not very many options, hence why we have the two of them running here.

"Macho Man is a fine, big, strong horse, very much the chasing type. He's settled in very well, but it's a big ask. It's hard for these young horses to come from France, mid-October, and then run quickly, but I think he seems to have settled in well, and we want to get a run into him and work towards the Triumph.

"We also have Proactif in the race, the JP McManus horse and obviously Mark Walsh rides him. He's definitely a horse of the future as well.

"There's not much between the two of ours at home, and it'll be a fascinating contest."
 
Denise has it priced 5/2 Proactif and 11/8 Macho Man.
 
Appreciate the Donnellys probably hoping for macho man to be their dart for the triumph, but any news on manlaga after being pulled from Chepstow? Can’t cash out, and pretty sure the slips dead, but curious all the same
 
Intriguing juvenile race tomorrow at Fairyhouse.

I recall thinking there was a disparity between Willie’s comments on his two runners In more than one of the stable tours. Spoke of Macho Man as Triumph Hurdle material but used a word like ‘hopefully’ when talking about Proactif. Obv a few months ago, a lot can change, and it could be nothing, but it stuck in my mind. Will await some WTAF prices. Currently, Hills are top price on Macho Man (for the Triumph) so hopeful of a decent number - esp as the early books on tomorrow’s race seem to be balancing out a bit.

Also, got Quinta Do Lago as a pointer towards the Narcisco Has form, plus Combs who isn’t quoted in the Boodles yet but is on my radar for Gordon.
 
Gordons horse Combs could take advantage from a fitness point of view. This will be his 9th race all told (his 5th over Hurdles this season) . He is a winner already on the flat and he has improved from race to race. He also gets nearly a stone from both of Willie's. Being selfish, I'd like to see him win as it'll mean Narciso Has stays on top of Willie's Juvenile pile and Combs stablemate Mange Tout will be rubbing her hooves together in her box. Combs is a nice price for any of the EW fans out there.
 
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Intriguing juvenile race tomorrow at Fairyhouse.

I recall thinking there was a disparity between Willie’s comments on his two runners In more than one of the stable tours. Spoke of Macho Man as Triumph Hurdle material but used a word like ‘hopefully’ when talking about Proactif. Obv a few months ago, a lot can change, and it could be nothing, but it stuck in my mind. Will await some WTAF prices. Currently, Hills are top price on Macho Man (for the Triumph) so hopeful of a decent number - esp as the early books on tomorrow’s race seem to be balancing out a bit.

Also, got Quinta Do Lago as a pointer towards the Narcisco Has form, plus Combs who isn’t quoted in the Boodles yet but is on my radar for Gordon.

….Macho & Proactif both 20-1 TWAF with Hills.
 
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Appreciate the Donnellys probably hoping for macho man to be their dart for the triumph, but any news on manlaga after being pulled from Chepstow? Can’t cash out, and pretty sure the slips dead, but curious all the same

Manlaga was declared to run at Huntingdon this last week but it was abandoned. I think the bet is still alive
 
Precious Man out today and hopefully improve from last run where he was keen enough early on and mistake at the last.
Close on French form to current fav and could be a bit of value at 33 I reckon.
 
Appreciate the Donnellys probably hoping for macho man to be their dart for the triumph, but any news on manlaga after being pulled from Chepstow? Can’t cash out, and pretty sure the slips dead, but curious all the same
Nicky and others have given Triumph Hurdle winners their debut in January/February so I wouldn't say the slip is dead at all.
 
Manlaga is owned by JP guys not the Donelleys. Not sure if you weren’t aware was just when KS mentioned Macho Man and then Manlaga.
 
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Donnellys do have one with Nicky who is meant to be out next week. Feel Gut was second to Macho Man in France so today will be a useful form guide.
 
Just means we have to wait a few more days for Proactif to spank Macho Man