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Cross Country Chase 2019

Was Referring to above comments but yeah wouldn't think he would. Stuck between a rock and a hard place with him.
 
Having just watched the Cheltenham trial from the 14th back I am convinced that Willie is doing with Ballycasey what Gordon has done in recent years with Cause of Causes and Tiger Roll. That was as obvious an educational ride for Ballycasey as it was for others that have gone on to win in March having basically used this as a schooling session. Sat out the back, asked zero questions, then slices through the field before being 'asked' a few questions up the hill before being eased off to finish 5th. I was impressed with the way he took to his obstacles and think 20/1 is a decent price. Mick Fitzgerald was quick post race to say that he was the eye catcher and one to take from the race - I completely agree. I have a fairly big position on Tiger Roll but I will definitely be covering with Ballycasey @ 20/1
 
charlie said:
Having just watched the Cheltenham trial from the 14th back I am convinced that Willie is doing with Ballycasey what Gordon has done in recent years with Cause of Causes and Tiger Roll. That was as obvious an educational ride for Ballycasey as it was for others that have gone on to win in March having basically used this as a schooling session. Sat out the back, asked zero questions, then slices through the field before being 'asked' a few questions up the hill before being eased off to finish 5th. I was impressed with the way he took to his obstacles and think 20/1 is a decent price. Mick Fitzgerald was quick post race to say that he was the eye catcher and one to take from the race - I completely agree. I have a fairly big position on Tiger Roll but I will definitely be covering with Ballycasey @ 20/1
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Just watched it myself & agree he was extremely eye catching. Sat out the back early then travelled right into it on the second circuit, then seemed to be allowed to drop back before getting into it again, was the last off the bridle coming into the racecourse. Was giving up a stone plus to all the horses ahead of him too apart from Josies orders so the conditions of the race in March will be in his favour.
 
Neither have the attitude of tiger tho just can’t see him get beat
 
20/1 is a big enough price to make me have a second or third look.

Is there a strong case to be made that the distance in this race is over stated and a 2 mile 4f horse has the exact right amount of pace for when they get to the hill?

That'd be a tick in Ballcaseys corner for me
 
Been looking over the market for this and 33/1 for amazing comedy seems a good ew price, often find it useful to have a french raider onside ew. Its whether his run off the low weight in January was a true reflection or if it was more of a sighter, as if i recall rightly he was never really asked many questions by Felix that day and he also has a previous 5th place finish in tbe 2017 running of this. Might have to rewatch the January trial later to check his run back!
 
delsie777 said:
Ballycasey will struggle to get up the hill. Non stayer for me at this trip and discipline
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Do you tink it's a true stamina test though?

They absolutely dawdle relative to a proper race? Becomes a bit of a sprint up the hill perhaps?
 
Kevloaf said:
Do you tink it's a true stamina test though?

They absolutely dawdle relative to a proper race? Becomes a bit of a sprint up the hill perhaps?
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He'll stay all right he's 12, that's all he's able to do.
If anything he'll be outpaced in the finish by the fav.
but at 20-1 he may be a player if Tiger has an off day.
 
quevega said:
He'll stay all right he's 12, that's all he's able to do.
If anything he'll be outpaced in the finish by the fav.
but at 20-1 he may be a player if Tiger has an off day.
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12....Jesus.....where did the time go!
 
charlie said:
Having just watched the Cheltenham trial from the 14th back I am convinced that Willie is doing with Ballycasey what Gordon has done in recent years with Cause of Causes and Tiger Roll. That was as obvious an educational ride for Ballycasey as it was for others that have gone on to win in March having basically used this as a schooling session. Sat out the back, asked zero questions, then slices through the field before being 'asked' a few questions up the hill before being eased off to finish 5th. I was impressed with the way he took to his obstacles and think 20/1 is a decent price. Mick Fitzgerald was quick post race to say that he was the eye catcher and one to take from the race - I completely agree. I have a fairly big position on Tiger Roll but I will definitely be covering with Ballycasey @ 20/1
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Have mentioned this before and agree totally, he was the one I took out of that race and definitely an ew play for me.
 
quevega said:
He'll stay all right he's 12, that's all he's able to do.
If anything he'll be outpaced in the finish by the fav.
but at 20-1 he may be a player if Tiger has an off day.
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That's your opinion but there's nothing in his form to suggest he'll improve for the trip. Out and out 2 and half miler for me and I cant see how being 12 will make him stay on up the hill better than I expect. But we will see.
 
delsie777 said:
That's your opinion but there's nothing in his form to suggest he'll improve for the trip. Out and out 2 and half miler for me and I cant see how being 12 will make him stay on up the hill better than I expect. But we will see.
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He’s 11. Watch the race back. First time over those obstacles and he did it all with ease. Nothing to suggest he won’t improve with less weight, more experience and being raced more prominently
 
charlie said:
He’s 11. Watch the race back. First time over those obstacles and he did it all with ease. Nothing to suggest he won’t improve with less weight, more experience and being raced more prominently
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He's definitely 12 everywhere I have looked Charlie?
 
delsie777 said:
That's your opinion but there's nothing in his form to suggest he'll improve for the trip. Out and out 2 and half miler for me and I cant see how being 12 will make him stay on up the hill better than I expect. But we will see.
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I'd agree personally, but happy to be proven wrong. he's gone out like a light many a time over further. Often when looking very competative at the time
 
delsie777 said:
That's your opinion but there's nothing in his form to suggest he'll improve for the trip. Out and out 2 and half miler for me and I cant see how being 12 will make him stay on up the hill better than I expect. But we will see.
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He won't be improving at all - that's my point
Not a race for improving types is it.
 
Ballycasey is 12 in terms of all horses sharing the same birthday but his actual real birthday is 19th April so technically he is 11 still. ;)
 
jonthehammer said:
Ballycasey is 12 in terms of all horses sharing the same birthday but his actual real birthday is 19th April so technically he is 11 still. ;)
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Haha. Tbh the race has been won by as many horses in double figures as it has single, so age doesn’t worry me. Il be screaming Tiger home anyway, I just thought Ballycasey looked like a horse that would hit the frame at a big price come March.
 
charlie said:
Haha. Tbh the race has been won by as many horses in double figures as it has single, so age doesn’t worry me. Il be screaming Tiger home anyway, I just thought Ballycasey looked like a horse that would hit the frame at a big price come March.
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I have backed Tiger to win and had a punt on Bally EW as I think off level weights he could be a threat
 
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