Brown Advisory and Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase

[Quevega]

Cheltenham form showing up again looks to hate winning is the worry. Dan didn’t look gutted that it got beat either

looked gutted to me, proper arse clenching in the finish

 

[Scooby91]

I had it lined up, but worry now that he'll get at least another 2 for that.
Will look for something else, but wouldn't surprise me if the same horses pop up in March.

Do you reckon robin des foret will go up for that in his box?

 

[Kevloaf]

Do you reckon robin des foret will go up for that in his box?

Hope not but wishful thinking

 

[JackieMoon33]

The Skeltons also have my fancy Oldgrangewood and Lalor franked his form just then.

 

[Philg123]

looked gutted to me, proper arse clenching in the finish

That was sarcasm btw lol

 

[Kevloaf]

I had it lined up, but worry now that he'll get at least another 2 for that.
Will look for something else, but wouldn't surprise me if the same horses pop up in March.

He is 20/1 though still..... surely doesn't go off 20/1?

How much different is he going to be from last year, a few lbs either way?

 

[Quevega]

Do you reckon robin des foret will go up for that in his box?

He's not had to publish a mark, so yes I'd say.

 

[Saxon Warrior]

Robin Des Foret is a 10yo, and rated 149 in Ireland. To me that looks like he could be very susceptible to a novice moved to this race with something in hand. Could yet be Chosen Mate if he frozen out of the Close Bros,

 

[Quevega]

Robin Des Foret is a 10yo, and rated 149 in Ireland. To me that looks like he could be very susceptible to a novice moved to this race with something in hand. Could yet be Chosen Mate if he frozen out of the Close Bros,

Robin looks like running in Dublin next week, and is favourite for the handicap there.
another who looks like he may run in handicap is Eclair de beafeu.

 

[FaugheenTheMachine]

Another second from spirit of the game happy with that for this, serious ew chance

Neither him nor Lalor raised by the handicapper; both could be there and there abouts in the finish for this?

 

[Hardy Eustace]

Neither him nor Lalor raised by the handicapper; both could be there and there abouts in the finish for this?

Really surprised neither were raised. According to the trainers comments lalor may or may not wait for aintree (IMO it sounded more likely to wait for aintree) decide for yourself...

https://www.skysports.com/racing/ne...ions-open-at-cheltenham-and-aintree-for-lalor

BUT

Youd have to think spirit of the games will definitely go here still some 20's about - I have added him 1pt. Really happy with 20's and no rise.

 

[JackieMoon33]

Neither him nor Lalor raised by the handicapper; both could be there and there abouts in the finish for this?

If you like Lalor than Oldgrangewood should be on the shortlist too

 

[Kevloaf]

If you like Lalor than Oldgrangewood should be on the shortlist too

...because I like them all I'll probably end up trying to find a completely different 'overlooked' form line for some value and be cursing not backing the obvious when the same few horses fight out yet another finish.

 

[JackieMoon33]

...because I like them all I'll probably end up trying to find a completely different 'overlooked' form line for some value and be cursing not backing the obvious when the same few horses fight out yet another finish.

The form seems to be strong but it’s Cheltenham so they’ll always be something lurking off radar

 

[YoungHustler]

If you like Lalor than Oldgrangewood should be on the shortlist too

I also really like Oldgrangewood. This race is the plan and I think he would have won much more comfortably LTO if Harry had kept hold of him for a bit longer and been able to race with Saint Calvados and Lalor.
I also like Siruh Du Lac and am hoping that the Williams' have not ran him since the start of the season with a view to maintaining his mark for this race and not that he is injured. Has anyone heard any news on Siruh Du Lac?

 

[TCH29]

On weights, do we not think Ex-Patriot is in with a shout in this.

Think this horse is overlooked and have been trying to work out where he’ll go. Now thing his last run was to keep his mark down. Came over to Cheltenham to get the experience, presumably. If it wasn’t for the mistake at the last he gets a lot closer than 5L, but is weighted to the rest as if that run was genuinely 5-6 lengths worse.

Derek O’Connor on board.

The whole season looks like a mark managing exercise. Good form to the likes of Any Second Now and Dalles Des Pictons. Still 20s about, 14 NRNB.

One concern, on the other thread, is if he’s being aimed elsewhere, like The Kim Muir, or even Grand Annual (has form over big fences from that first Cilaos Emery Chase). His lack of experience at over 3m is a concern for the former, and it’d be a big change in distance if he dropped down again.

Any thoughts?

 

[Stormez]

I backed Ex Patriot after the Cheltenham run, thought he was the one to take out of the race. Think this is the race for him, his run in the Thyestes would put me off going for the longer ultima or Kim Muir.

 

[YoungHustler]

Oldgrangewood is a standout 25s with Hills for anyone fancying him.

 

[Birds Nest]

Oldgrangewood is a standout 25s with Hills for anyone fancying him.

One of those horses that seem to be a little too ground dependant for me, couldn't have if it came up soft at all.

 

[The Beast]

Robin Des Foret today , what can i say.

He gave the whole field 10L start today , then ran on the outside most way round giving away lengths further more if 10L wasnt enough. Badly hampered twice by fallers , travelled into race going well only to fade in closing stages.

Guess thats not surprising considering he ran three mile to every one else 2.5m:highly_amused:

His jumping is very good and cruising ability makes him a serious player here , perhaps they didnt want to win today and the Cheltenham festival is the plan.

As the saying goes "you can give weight but you cant give start". Stand out 25/1 with Will Hill ive had to top up.