Sean Graham Preview from Europa
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Gary O'Brien
Gordon Elliott
David Casey
The Couch
Richard Hoiles
Sean Flanagan
Ronan Graham
Brian Graham
Our live-tweets tonight will give more of a summary of the panels view of each race rather than word-by-word analysis. We'll try to give more quality over quantity. Of course there's still tickets on the door so please get down and join us!
Doors opened early to let eager punters in tonight. Around 30 mins to go till we get the action underway. #SGCPN19 – at Europa Hotel
Must say this shiny new video board from @Sparq_live looks the part. No need for the varifocal lenses for those at the back! – at Europa Hotel
Right that's us underway here the @europahotel - better late than never! Enjoy
A great tribute to GE as we get underway after his outstanding 8 winners at last year's Festival.
Onwards to discussing the opener - the Supreme!
Couch: Hendo's wouldn't put Mr Fisher in the same Gallop as Angels Breath. He was underprepared at Kempton. I think he's a good thing. Al Dancer ran in a poor BF Hurdle. He's a false fav. Fakir D'oud has holes in his form
BG: Ascot form hasn't worked out for Angels Breath. My idea is Elxir De Nutz. Great form. Tolworth Hurdle is best form in race.
RH: Grand Sancy at double figure price interests me. ELixir got his own way up front in Tolworth
GE: Vision D'honneur should have good each way chance. Didn't jump great at Leopardstown last day. One of weaker races of the week. If we win it, it will be a bonus. Impressed with Angels Breath. If he was mine he'd be going Ballymore however
SW: On a panel with D.Jacob other night he was sweet on Elixir De Nutz. Hard to know how solid the Fakir D'dourdires form is.
DC: Aramon will run - pretty open race. Al Dancer most impressive visually. Concerned about Mister Fisher. Angels Breath would be better over further.
Onto the Arkle - RH: Lalor great piece of form from earlier in the year. Really don't have a strong opinion of the race with the injuries to other horses. Kalashnikov couldn't rule him out if it does rain but you're clutching at straws in a weak contest
Couch: Can't have Glen Forsa. He's a 120 rated hurdler. They are going to go fast in this. Lalor is an awful price. Set up for a horse that jumps and stays. Had a few quid on Gordon's Hardline. Best jockey on board it. Davy
GE: Hardline will run in this. Coming back to 2m around Cheltenham will suit him well. I was impressed with Duc Des Genievres from Willie. Looks stronger this year. Jumped well in Gowran.
DC: Duc Des G won well last day. Good hurdle form. Such an open race. Visually most impressive horse was Glen Forsa. Don't know if he has to make running. They could cut their throat in front.
BG: Biggest arkle field in years. Nothing like Footpad in this. Horses that haven't reproduced their hurdle form over fences. Then horses like Glen Forsa the other way round. Disagree with Couch think he's a great chance. Got better and better.
Champion Hurdle time - DC: Laurina does everything right at home. Never put the gun to her head though. Worked well other morning. Proabaly a bad price on what she's done tbh.
DC: Not overly impressed with Buveur this year. Got beat off Verdana Blue. Not even the last day at Sandown was he impressive. Compared to Apples Jade. Sharjah a bit under the radar. Dry ground suits. Melon saves his best for Cheltenham
GE: Didn't think she'd do what she did the last day. Final bit of a work tomorrow and then it's all systems go. Samcro hasn't really trained on this year, few niggly problems. Apples not a great workhouse but saves best for track. Bit of rain will do us nicely. Happy with lead
RH: Want to find something each way. if BVD wins three in a row he might finally get credit. It's a bit of a weak division to be fair. Don't think the front three at that far clear.
Couch: Can't believe she's not fav. Breathtaking last time out. Beat Supasundae half the track. BVD form this year is rubbish. Check out De Boinville's face when he won Verdana Blue. If Apples performs to that level she can't be beat.
BG: Apples has won by half the track on each start. Handicapper only raised her three pounds for that win last time. She could be the best mare ever. She gets 7 pounds. She's a cert in a match with BVD
Somewhat of a clean sweet for Apple's Jade in the Champion Hurdle then.
Onto the Ballymore, which opens Wednesday's racing.
GE: Battleoverdoyen is a chaser in the making. He jumps well and stays and I wouldn't swap him. Needs to improve from Naas. He'll be fine on the track even though he's a big horse. Champs form has holes in it. He's beatable. Impressed with City Island.
SF: Big fan of City Island. Won an egg and spoon race last time, but a nice few quid to pick up. Won a nice race in Leopardstown before.
RH: Not great Challow Hurdle form for Champ. Poke holes in all UK form. No depth to it. Champ pulls hard and he's not a price. Champagne Platinum would be interesting he cost a few quid.
Couch: Sams Profile interests me. Needs to jump better. Decent price. Mouse Morris has a good record when he brings one over. City Island's form needs to improve
DC: Klassical Dream great contender if he pitches up. Lot of French experience. Cut in the ground would suit. Angels Breath as we said would be of huge interest if he stepped up. Deffo taking on the fav.
Onto the RSA Chase: RH: Santini pulled a shoe but sounds like he's ok. His prep just hasn't gone right though. Couldn't race of the flu. Looked slow at times and babyish. OK Corral looked an RSA horse at Warwick. Showed some pace. Topofthegame ahead of Santini in Kauto.
GE: Delta plenty of experience. Improved from Cheltenahm to Punchestown last year. Gone strength to strength. Only does what he has to do. Won't mind any ground. In great form.
BG: Impressed with Delta. Could follow Presenting Percy's route. Delta has best form in Ireland and has been franked. Topofthegame still a maiden over fences. Second season novice. Mister Malarkey an improver. Lot better chaser than hurdler
Couch: Liked Santini had big antepost bet on him. Terrible preperation. Delta Work the form horse and had a saver on him. Davy on board a huge advantage. Don't fancy Topofthegame. Too quirky.
Couch: OK Corall would deffos be in the race if not for Santini. Be wary if Santini doesn't make it and OK Corrall could reroute here. Price won't be 8/1 if he does turn up
DC: Gordon's horse best form in race. I like Topofthegame. Crying out for extra distance up the hill. 2nd last year in Coral Cup. Ontheblindside still learning but trip again suits.
Big fans of Delta Work and Gordon seemed keen. Santini's prep the main knock and Topofthegame not quite good enough.
Onto the Champ Chase.
DC: Haven't decided about Min and Footpad and even UDS if the ground is soft. Min's had two go's at Altior and hasn't beat him. Fav looks bombproof. Footpad had excuses on his runs this term.
RH: Wouldn't worry about the jumping left thing at Ascot. Wouldn't be rushing to take the price, but we go to Festivals to see these star horses. EW without fav only way to attack race. Sceau Royale and Gods Own who's always a bet in this.
SF: Altior one of the best ever I'd say. Simply Ned if I was going to have a bet in this. At a big price.
Couch: Least impressive he's been at Ascot. Willie's should follow him and try and have one burst and do him at the end. Min needs decent ground but could do him for toe. Ryanair should be the race for Footpad ran over further in France.
We're back from the interval.
Let's go with Bumper: DC: Ireland has the best form.
GE: Envoi Allen gallops and stays. Horse for future as I've said all season. Malone Road would of been the one and Envoi probs wouldn't have ran.
Couch: Get in the Queue of Harry Fry's. Done a great time at Exeter. The fog didn't help the view but he was very impressive too at Uttoxeter. Neon Wolf started in same bumper
RG: Meticulous has been backed and Tabor is involved. Have to take note of that. No reason why it should win watching it back but the money has to be noted. Best of the English maybe the Tizzard horse Debonair. McFabolous franked form other day.
Ryanair Chase. SF: Road To Respect has this option. Footpad impressive in arkle last year but maybe they set it up for him. Our boy effective over both trips. Was too soft from him in gold cup last year.
RH: Frodon runs here as he won't beat Clan Des Obeaux. Monalee looks a good thing but been bit unlucky at Festival. Has been his target all season.
GE: I still like Footpad. DC: Whichever horse turns up deserves to be head of the market.
Couch: Frodon won't win either. Couldn't believe Monalee was evens to win the other day. Struggled to beat Anibale Fly. Footpad for me is the one. Race set up for him.
RG: Not a lover of Monalee. Wasn't very good when beating Anibale. Would have to step up to beat the likes of UDS or Footpad. Ryanair is there for the taking probs cut up.
Onto the day three feature the Stayers Hurdle. Looks an intriguing race this year, with the well fancied fav Paisley Park leading the market.
RH: Paisley Park gut reaction is he's too short. Horse I would most like to win for the story. He's been strong at the finsh after usually hitting a flat spot. Big Bucks-esque. He beat everything in England. No reason why they should reverse form.
Couch: Aiden Coleman's record at Festival is a worry. Kilbricken Storm won AB last year. Has been chasing but has a bad back. Worked the place down at Wincanton few days ago. Paisley is a bad price. Supasundae very ground dependant. Great chance though.
RG: Could see likes of Faugheen being a public gamble on day. Paisley Park could drift. If momentum carries on with Faugheen could go off 3/1. PP lay of week at the price. Form doesn't stack up to Irish horses. Never met anything of their ilk
DC: Faugheen showing plenty at home. Ruby done couple bits of work. Supasundae likes Cheltenham. Not certain he really truly stays up the hill. Rest of horses look like they have aborted chase campaigns. Faugheen's record at track is great. Take a good bit of beating.
GE: Samcro is 50/50. Works tomorrow. Might be running out of time. If he doesn't make Cheltenahm then Aintree Hurdle. Fav is beatable. Don't think he's good enough.
SF: Favs form isn't strong enough. Big fan of Supasundae. Nice ground is needed. Soft ground he doesn't see it out. Bacardy's as well i give a chance to. Good form.
Onto the Triumph where we may see the "Irish Banker" of the week in the form of Sir Erec.
DC: Sir Erec beat our horse in Xmas in maiden. The class and way he did it at Leopardstown was impressive. he attacked his hurdles. Horse coming off flat they often don't take to it but he did. Stays and has pace. Ticks all boxes
RG: No way this horse odds against on a Cheltenham Friday. Nothing to take him on. You're looking at the top of the market and they don't really go except QD. Anybody you speak to can't see this horse beaten.
Couch: Fav a bit short. Gardens Of Bablyon might have a chance at a price. First time i wasn't impressed with Sir Erec. 2nd time he got a solo which he won't get in Triumph.
GE: Fav a good thing. Way he quickened after last last time out was great. SF: Sir Erec a jet. Sir Erec's only worry in this would be if Band Of Outlaws ran in this, so he's a cert for Fred Winter.
Albert Bartlett quickly... RG: Lisnargar Oscar i've heard good word for. Beat Dickie Diver first time out and the form has been franked.
GE: Commanderoffleet suited by the 3 miles. Won well the last day. Wouldn't be one of my strongest chances. Only 5. Needs to strenghten up and he be better next year.
GE: Have to be a tough horse for this race. Derrinross is an interesting price but needs it soft.
SF: Dinons is a big price around 20/1. GE: To be honest i'd forgotten about him! He deffos runs in the race. Won round the track.
DC: Over the years had some big priced runners. Look for something at a price.
Couch: Bookmakers benefit. Dinons for me. Top yard big price. Loadsa course form, ticks the boxes for me. Derrinross impressive at Limerick and liked attitude at Cork.
Onto the big one the Cheltenham Gold Cup
GE: I'd love to be training PP. Everyonen trains horses in different ways. Got it right the last two days. Only worry would be if ground came if particularity good. Shattered Love runs had wind op. Could place if ran career best.
DC: Open race. Anyone of 6 or 7 could win. We run 4. Kemboy good at Xmas, Al Boum ran well last year. Bellshill won nicely at DRF. Unorthodox prep for Percy last year so no issue there. Couldn't bet Native River with stolen money at the minute.
RG: PP should start fav. Montys Pass won National after not running over fences that season. Pat Kelly is a genius. Knows the time of day. Can't have CDO or Native River. Gold Cup last year has wrecked him and Might Bite.
Couch: CDO beat Thistlecrack he's getting on a bit. Form at course aint great. He likes going right handed. Terrible price. PP has best form from the RSA. Doesn't do a tap in front. Think PP wins. Like Al Boum Photo, beat Total Recall properly. Might Bite had ulcers
RH: Can't have Clan. Won't Stay. More positive about Native River. He obvs wants rain. Impressed by PP in the Galmoy not worred about prep. They are the two for me. Anibale Fly maybe ridden to pick up the pieces.
SF: Rode PP in his first jumps win. He just does enough. No issue with prep. Obvs jumped the fences at Galway. Arguably one of the best horses in training at the moment.
Best bets time. SF: Looking forward to Toust Et Permis needs rain though. Not sure where he goes yet.
Hoiles hcap picks: Bouvreiul (Grand Annual), Benatar (Plate), Early Doors, Montestrar (Fred Winter) - Not What I Am (Pertemps - NAP)
GE: Champagne Classic good chance in 4 miler. Michael wants to run him in RSA but sure he'd have no chance.
GE: Lethal Steps big engine in Fred Winter. Bit of a boyo. Sire Du Berlais is planned for Pertemps after morning work. Good chance with good weight. A Toi Phil just not a grade one horse over fences.
GE:Measureofmydreams has good chance in Kim Muir. Bit short now though. jumping has let him down in the past. Its All Guessworks runs as well. IF jumped round he's have achance but lacks a bit of experience. Jamie Codd and Barry O'neill respectively
GE: My best chance is Tiger Roll but there's no such thing as a good thing in a 3m 6f Cross Country Race.
DC: Benie Des Dieux seems in great form, goes there without a run no issues. Still have few more in race. Ballyward goes four miler, won well in Naas and jumps well. Lacks touch of experience but ran well in AB last year
DC: Wicklow Brave would have a decent profile in the Country Hurdle or Coral Cup, maybe the latter suits him better.
Couch: Highway One O One in Close Bros. 2nd to Kildistart who I like for JLT too. Super jumper of a fence for a novice.
Couch: Friend or Foe in Fred Winter for Paul Nicholls. On Saturday Dream Du Granville in Imperial Cup get your bets on.
Great night as always at the Preview night. Tried our best to keep non-attendees up to date. Check out @gaultstats who also tried to do a play-by-play. Roll on next week!
