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Cheltenham Handicap Shortlists

If it comes up good at the Festival Im very keen on Bun Doran in the Grand Annual.

Has some excellent form at Cheltenham... was 6th in the Novice Chase the season before last, then ran a cracking race to just lose out to Gino Trail on debut last season and that horse went on to be second behind Le Prezien last year. Think he got stuck in the mud the rest of last season and the ground is absolutely key to him.

Whilst he didn't beat much last time, I thought the manner of the victory was very taking and a mark of 147 could be perfect for the race. If he does run again on softer ground he could even come down a couple of pounds, but he does seem to run best when fresh so hope he has a nice long break before March.

I've had a small bet at 25/1 with the Bet365 cash out option, but imagine he wont be much different nearer the time so will wait to have a proper bet.
 
Discorama (P.Nolan)
The Drinmore will give us a better idea tomorrow.
 
jono said:
Great idea Jackie

A couple for me right now:

The Worlds End - Ultima
Made a case for this horse in the win any race market a few weeks back after his chase debut. Since then he ran on the face of it a disappointing race at the track but that for me may mean his futures points more towards a race like this rather than the RSA / 4 Miler.
Could be on the higher end of the handicap (current mark of 152) but i'm hoping another 'below par' performance next time out might get his mark to around or just below 150 which i'd be more than happy with. Horses at the top of the market have ran very well in the last few renewals:

Shantou Flyer 2nd - 152
Beware the Bear 4th - 150
Un Temps Pour Tour 1st - 155
Noble Endeavour 4th - 154
Holywell 2nd - 153
Morning Assembly 4th - 150

He looked an absolute natural on his chasing debut and if he arrives there 4-5lbs short of his hurdles mark of 155 he's of huge interest for me. As Jackie mentions above novices have a good record in the race and they are the type who i'm increasingly drawn too in this race (and most). I won't bring up the ground debate again :highly_amused: but that is obviously a potential sticking point. You could also argue he's had 4 attempts at the track now and not registered a single win however for me in 3 of his 4 runs at the track he's travelled through the races really well which to me suggests the track isn't a concern. The AB run he fell too far out to tell and his 2 runs over hurdles in open company saw him travel through the race lovely only to find little up the hill. Maybe he just doesn't like the finish but i'm willing to put that down to the ground those days as last time out he actually stayed on well.

Tom George and Adrian Heskin were a beaten second a few years ago with Singlefarmpayment so the combination have form in the race.
And...let's not forget the owners - the McNeil family, one of being Max McNeill owns Ultima Business Solutions - the sponsors of the race
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Jono,
I can see him running in the 4 miler.
 
Faugheen_Machine said:
Another great call Jono. Could they somehow manage to keep him below the Kim Muir rating cut off of 145? He's one I'll be watching with interest tomorrow.
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He could very well do so FM - good spot. He actually had a bit of money come in for him today but struggled in todays company which to be fair looked like it would likely be the case. Part of me does just think Pipe isn't that good anymore!! But he really is not a trainer for this kind of company and has never been (for as long as I remember anyway) so a handicap entry next time could be next which would suit better for sure.
 
Martin Pipe: Column Of Fire

Blow By Blow was beaten by Discorama in the same race as COF was turned over in today at Fairyhouse. He was very ponderous over his hurdles and was out paced turning for home by the Mullins runner but stayed on well from the back of the last in what was probably a good field (winner Lone Wolf is well regarded). We know Gordon loves to target the race so he may have it in mind after the disappointing run today.
 
JackieMoon33 said:
A place to note down any handicap plots that you spot during the season. Any nomination has to have more substance than ‘owned by JP McManus’.
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doctorwu said:
Le Breuil
Ultima
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doctorwu said:
Discorama (P.Nolan)
The Drinmore will give us a better idea tomorrow.
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Even "owned by JP McManus" would be more substance than just a horses name :highly_amused: Show your workings doc.... the forum is all about opinions and discussion, so please share :)

FWIW, Discorama I completely agree with - Rory Delargy made excellent points on him on the Matchbook NH preview podcast... I'm not sure whether he'll prove to be a graded performer as a chaser though, as you say, tomorrow will tell us more.
 
Causey Arch - Martin Pipe
Came off the flat from Michael Dods and started his hurdling career with Willie Mullins in March of this year. He’s won 3 from 6 over trips of 2m - 2m4f and seems to have improved for the step up in trip. He has some reasonable form with Dinons and Canardier, both of whom have travelled to Cheltenham this season and won. He’s entered in a competitive 2m hurdle today at Fairyhouse but I expect him to need more time to improve and further distance before he can tackle that type of race. Should he rock up at Cheltenham he’ll have plenty of experience which will serve him in good stead.
 
Kevloaf said:
Even "owned by JP McManus" would be more substance than just a horses name :highly_amused: Show your workings doc.... the forum is all about opinions and discussion, so please share :)

FWIW, Discorama I completely agree with - Rory Delargy made excellent points on him on the Matchbook NH preview podcast... I'm not sure whether he'll prove to be a graded performer as a chaser though, as you say, tomorrow will tell us more.
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Kev,
When I know the exact targets of my potential handicap bets I'll give the thread a more-informed post
 
Kev,
As far as Discorama is concerned, I hope he's not a graded performer(?) if you get my drift......
 
doctorwu said:
Kev,
As far as Discorama is concerned, I hope he's not a graded performer(?) if you get my drift......
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Bet you didn't show your workings at school either doc:p
 
Wonder Laish won well enough there , 95 on the flat so has the cruising speed interesting horse. Wonder if he could pop up in a county hurdle potentially? Thou he will be in the 140s now and that historically not a positive in it :confused:
 
3 horses with 3 or more years of very solid festival handicap form that are of interest at an early stage:

Coo Star Sivola (Age 6) – Ultima
2018: 1st Ultima
2017: 4th Martin Pipe
2016: 3rd Fred Winter

Bouvreuil (Age 7) - Grand Annual
2018: BD Grand Annual
2017: 3rd Brown Advisory (Road To Respect 1st, Baron Alco 2nd)
2016: 2nd Close Brothers
2015: 2nd Fred Winter

Mall Dini (Age 8) – Kim Muir
2018: 2nd Kim Muir
2017: 5th Kim Muir
2016: 1st Pertemps

As soon as the markets open i'l be doing EW singles, doubles and trebles on the above.
 
Charlie , i see Bouvreuil is now with Ben Haslam . Would certainly be a top effort if he gets him to win at the festival after his near misses.
 
ComplyOrDie said:
Elwood - I suspect either Pertemps, Coral Cup or Martin Pipe (if he qualifies)

Put up in the 'ante post bets' thread, and have backed 'any race' accordingly. Yet another for Gigginstown, looks as though he will go down the same sort of route as Delta Work I'd imagine, being a half brother of that one and coming from exactly the same connections as Delta Work did.

Fell first time out on debut for the yard but travelled with some promise, although was beat at the time, and should be noted he was put right in at the deep end in a listed hurdle. Not many first time out horses go for a listed hurdle unless they are one of 2 things, either an extremely talented horse, or looking to work on a handicap mark by getting him beat, I suspect the latter myself.

Currently he has an entry at Clonmel next week, but that's a pretty deep race (again) for only his second start, currently entered in the same race are horses like Total Recall, Scarpeta & Good Thyne Tara.

I'm not sure which race he will end up in, and the safe option is the 'any race' market but certainly one I am keen on.
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Elwood entered up in a Grade 3 @ Cork on Sunday. My own suspicions are that 3m is currently too far for him, but then they started Delta Work out at the wrong trip too, and look how he ended up. It's all about getting him a mark at this stage for me. He'll struggle to get near Robin De Carlow if that one runs to form again too.
 
Outlaw said:
Charlie , i see Bouvreuil is now with Ben Haslam . Would certainly be a top effort if he gets him to win at the festival after his near misses.
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Won well today
 
The Storyteller
Just wins the Coral Cup doesn't he.Gordon has already mentioned his mark over hurdles
13 lbs lower (at least) - handicapper won't be able to do anything about it at Cheltenham.
5L behind Min/Shattered Love/Balko Des Flos today...

Just so obvious.
 
Kevloaf said:
The Storyteller
Just wins the Coral Cup doesn't he.Gordon has already mentioned his mark over hurdles
13 lbs lower (at least) - handicapper won't be able to do anything about it at Cheltenham.
5L behind Min/Shattered Love/Balko Des Flos today...

Just so obvious.
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Was watching him throughout the race. Great run and totally agree.
 
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