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Friday FJ yankee - owner Viking Flagship

Viking Flagship said:
I thought this might come up ;)

I hope you're right MOM as I had a bet based almost solely on your confidence as this isn't an arena I know well. He certainly looks to be the one 'could be anything' in the race that has the potential to hose up.

That said there's also the possibility he comes undone by the occasion and bombs out. So playing devil's advocate does anyone think Wonderful Charm might be a more solid option for the purposes of the yankee? Nailed on for at least a place?
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I'd be more inclined to take the fancier price (14/1 with SkyBet NRNB) on Virak than a shorter Wonderful Charm. Obviously Virak needs to have come out of his race well, but I believe it was the same race that Wonderful Charm contested last season before finishing 2nd at the festival, albeit this seasons race was 2f shorter, but it was heavy going.

Virak done all his best work late on in the race on Saturday so the undulations of Cheltenham should suit, though my only worry would be if it came up 'Good' ground as he's yet to win on anything better than Good/Soft.
 
I would personally see J McGrath as a big negative for Theinval, I think he will probably place though just might find one too good, Nicky seems very bullish.
 
The last time was the first time that Burning Ambition has been in a race and he didn't get home against a very good horse at this level. I don't see him getting up the hill although I expect he'll travel well and be in contention over the last. I'd marginally prefer Virak over Wonderful Charm but I'm quite happy with the 5/1 Nicholls for this race.
 
Viking Flagship said:
I thought this might come up ;)

I hope you're right MOM as I had a bet based almost solely on your confidence as this isn't an arena I know well. He certainly looks to be the one 'could be anything' in the race that has the potential to hose up.

That said there's also the possibility he comes undone by the occasion and bombs out. So playing devil's advocate does anyone think Wonderful Charm might be a more solid option for the purposes of the yankee? Nailed on for at least a place?
Click to expand...

I agree. Burning Ambition is a worthy favorite and I would be glad (especially for MOM) were he to bolt up, but for the purpose of the Yankee I think it makes sense to look at horses that will handle the hustle and bustle of 20+ runners and have solid Cheltenham festival experience/form. We have that in Wonderful Charm (8/1) or Pacha Du Polder (12/1). So many horses run well in this year on year (The Callant, Whinstone Hill, College Master, Double Silk, Fantus, Salsify, On The Fringe have all won it twice), I think it would be an oversight to select a horse that could bolt up or flop, vs a horse that is highly likely to be there or there abouts based on what we have seen previously

I have actually just talked myself into that 5/1 Paul Nichols to train the winner of the foxhunters.
 
Virak was the final leg of a 41/1 accum for me the weekend (SAO would have been the other on a 30/1 accum - but the less said the better). I thought Virak was 100% beat in a race that Nicholls would have targeted due to the bonus. I think Shotavodka lost the race rather than Virak winning it. Couldn't have any faith in him after that. With Yala Enki winning I think connections were expecting a big day and Virak was probably their banker.
 
Viking Flagship said:
I thought this might come up ;)

I hope you're right MOM as I had a bet based almost solely on your confidence as this isn't an arena I know well. He certainly looks to be the one 'could be anything' in the race that has the potential to hose up.

That said there's also the possibility he comes undone by the occasion and bombs out. So playing devil's advocate does anyone think Wonderful Charm might be a more solid option for the purposes of the yankee? Nailed on for at least a place?
Click to expand...

You make a good point about him bombing out on the big occasion. It’ll be his first run in front of a proper crowd so that is somewhat of a worry. However, he’s never shown anything that makes me think he’s temperamental and will get flustered on the big occasion.

I can’t say it’s my area of specialty either to be honest but I’m confident of a big run. The way he was running in point to points and winning easily isn’t something you see from hunters very often. The profile of a horse on the up all year and now to prove himself by being so narrowly beaten by the horse who would be favourite for the race shows he has the class. I’m expecting a huge run for my money and have backed him down from 10s. With quite a few following me in on here, I really hope he doesn’t let me down.

He reminds me of On The Fringe. A horse who was decisively better than his generation of hunters. I think this fellow has the potential to do what OTF did and win this for a few years.
 
I would like to make a case for Definitely Red in the Gold Cup, I was mighty impressed with his run in the Cotswold Chase and he has won on everything from good to soft to heavy, he ticks a lot of boxes for me.
 
Do we know if Saldier is going for the Triumph?
I thought he looked very impressive at the weekend and was surprised by the lack of comments afterwards.
He could be another to throw into the mix for an ew price.

I’d be against any of the more recent runners such as Definitly Red who’ve run on heavy ground for the Gold Cup. The lack of success for such seems a fairly solid trend, with a degree of logic to back it up.

Can specials like PN to train the winner of the Foxhunters be put in a Yankee? If so I concur with earlier suggestions, but I guess that would be unfair for those without a Sky account.
 
If we like Meri Devie in the County Hurdle we must like Davids Charm?
 
Chef des Obeaux in the Al Bartlett nov hurdle ?.
 
I’m going for

Triumph - Apples Shakira
AB - Santini
GC - Might Bite
Foxhunters - Burning Ambition.
 
If I knew pesk ebrel is 100% coming over from France I'd be keen to put him up here at 50/1 nrnb.

I'm also keen on morning assembly in the fox hunters at 20/1 nrnb.
 
Scooby91 said:
If I knew pesk ebrel is 100% coming over from France I'd be keen to put him up here at 50/1 nrnb.

I'm also keen on morning assembly in the fox hunters at 20/1 nrnb.
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Also keen on Morning Assembly.
 
Viking Flagship said:
Yes as I found to my detriment when I went to place a bet Sunday night! :highly_amused:
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A Grade One-winning novice hurdler and a Grade Two winner in his debut season over fences when he defeated Don Cossack at Punchestown, the ultra-consistent Morning Assembly has already proven to be a great servant for his connections.*
The lightly raced 11-year-old has rarely been out of the top three on his fifteen runs under runs.*

Unlucky with setbacks in the past, time on the sidelines and age has not dulled the Shantou gelding's spark, returning from a 20 month absence at Dungarvan last month for his first outing between the flags, and first start since finishing eighth behind Rule The World in the 2016 Grand National at Aintree.*

Forced to settle for second best on the day at the Waterford venue, behind the two times points winner Rue Hill, Morning Assembley was ridden by the trainer's son Conor and is evidently still relishing his job.*

His Co. Carlow-based trainer took only positives from the run and was sure improvement was to come.*

"I was delighted, it was great run. Conor wasn't overly hard on him, as it was his first run back and we knew he would improve off that."*

And improve he did, running out an easy winner in last weekend’s open at Kirkistown in good company. Fahy feels more improvement is likely and was delighted with his charge post-race.*

"He was like a young horse after the race, it didn't take much out of him. He has come out of it great so we could not be happier.*

"It has always been the plan to go to Cheltenham for the Foxhunters. Now we just have to qualify.*

“Steven Parkin's (owner) said if Conor could get his weight down he could have the ride on him.* It would be great for everyone to get to Cheltenham and a bit of craic."*

With the cutoff date of February 26th looming, a quick turnaround is necessary as one more open win is needed in order to allow him to take his chances in this year's running of the prestigious race.**

It will down to the eleventh hour, waiting until next Sunday's fixture for a last grasp effort, where the pressure will be on.

"It will be like the Grand National. If all goes to plan it will be great. Whatever about the rest of us, Conor will sweating anyway."

A definite class act, few of his potential opponents at Cheltenham will have achieved as much as Morning Assembly has already done, and should he get the nod to line-up at Prestbury Park next month, there will be plenty of people viewing his current odds of 20/1 as real value.*

Cheltenham is clearly the main target for this season however, if the plan does not come off Fahy will not be too despondent.*

"He would Lots of options which is great. He is entered for the Irish National also, it would be lovely to come back for that."
 
Would it put you off Morning Assembly knowing he has a Fat Jockey?
 
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