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Is there a bin emoji mods? :beaten::highly_amused:

Won a Ballymore comfortably, Willie was quite openly disappointed with him at Punchestown over shorter, makes more sense winning a Stayers that looks there for the taking then dropping back to 2m to try finish 3rd in a CH. His form over 2m and shorter is against, relatively speaking, pigs.
 
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I know there was questions around where Jamie Codd is, I have just seen this quote from Patrick Mullins.

Patrick Mullins: "I probably should have a few more, but the aim is to get to 1,000 so I have a more years to go. We have had a huge amount of summer bumper fillies in this year and obviously with Jamie (Codd) taking the summer off it is a big help."
 
Won a Ballymore comfortably, Willie was quite openly disappointed with him at Punchestown over shorter, makes more sense winning a Stayers that looks there for the taking then dropping back to 2m to try finish 3rd in a CH. His form over 2m and shorter is against, relatively speaking, pigs.

I think it’s because there’s a few FJs quite invested in Gaelic for the Stayers and therefore don’t wanna see IEP rock up
 
Won a Ballymore comfortably, Willie was quite openly disappointed with him at Punchestown over shorter, makes more sense winning a Stayers that looks there for the taking then dropping back to 2m to try finish 3rd in a CH. His form over 2m and shorter is against, relatively speaking, pigs.

I thought you were joking! No chance, far too much speed. Judging Cheltenham winners for the following year based on performances at spring festivals is fraught with risk. We see it happen every year.
 
I thought you were joking! No chance, far too much speed. Judging Cheltenham winners for the following year based on performances at spring festivals is fraught with risk. We see it happen every year.

My opinion is based on the strong rumours he's not going chasing, which obviously makes it one of two choices, CH or Stayers. One realistically isn't winnable but the other might be. Spring festivals can be monkeys but it was only his 4th run for a season that started just shy of Christmas, and he won it anyway. But the master of this little World was expecting more, talks of him loving the hill and offers up a flat track as a possible reason for the 'disappointing' performance.
Some good quotes in this: https://www.racingtv.com/news/impair...at-punchestown
Maybe he goes to the CH for his education, he'll only be 6 after all, but Constitution Hill wont be going anywhere the year after either, plus you've got State Man who is a champ in his own right. Even IET' 2m win was on heavy ground. Get him to the very winnable Stayers, mid trip chasing the following season, then GC. Easy. :loyal:
 
I think it’s because there’s a few FJs quite invested in Gaelic for the Stayers and therefore don’t wanna see IEP rock up

Not sure Willie gives a shit about who FJ have backed!
 
:emptiness:
Not sure Willie gives a shit about who FJ have backed!

My two pence worth…

If IEP is staying hurdling as has been mooted, I think he has the talent to win all season at any distance bar over 2m next March against the almighty. He’ll probably rock up in the Hattons Grace & Willie will plot a plan avoiding State Man for the season with him stepping up for the Stayers at Cheltenham. No chance Willie will waste two top quality bullets filling places behind CH.

Regarding Gaelic Warrior, Rich Ricci must dream weekly about finally getting his paws on the holy grail & I don’t see how a third year over hurdles would be beneficial if they see him as the horse to break the hoodoo. I think he’ll be their BANC horse this year. Willie doesn’t appear to have much strength in depth in that division at the minute. A second year over hurdles with IEP wouldn’t be to hard to see before taking up chasing the following year.

Get on the GW/BANC…IEP/Stayers double lads :devilish:
 
While my pocket wants Impaire et Passe in the Turners, I'm coming to accept he might stay over hurdles (though he does remain the antepost favourite for the Turners). I think age is a factor here. IeP will only be six so they can still go chasing at six having given him further time to mature. If he does stay over hurdles, I think the Champion or Stayers Hurdle are definite options.

Starting him on 3 December in the Hatton Grace makes a lot of sense; gives him a trip he likes and keeps him apart from State Man who will surely run in the Morgiana. They then might consider running him against State Man in the Matheson Hurdle on 29 December. A win and he goes to the Champion Hurdle. A loss and maybe they have time to try him over an extended trip again (maybe in the Boyne) before going to the Stayers at Cheltenham. Alternatively they clash at the DRF. Of course a lot also depends on the manner of his wins and losses.

I think the interesting thing here is who will end up in the Turners for Mullins if IeP stays over hurdles. Facile Vega, Gaelic Warrior and Champ Kiely are his best rated potential runners coming from novice hurdle ranks but Forum consensus is that they are more likely to end up elsewhere. So we may well be wrong or we might see a less established or lower rated hurdler coming here for Mullins. Or maybe they think Sharjah can win it. You feel they must have something they like for this race if IeP doesn't come here.
 
While my pocket wants Impaire et Passe in the Turners, I'm coming to accept he might stay over hurdles (though he does remain the antepost favourite for the Turners). I think age is a factor here. IeP will only be six so they can still go chasing at six having given him further time to mature. If he does stay over hurdles, I think the Champion or Stayers Hurdle are definite options.

Starting him on 3 December in the Hatton Grace makes a lot of sense; gives him a trip he likes and keeps him apart from State Man who will surely run in the Morgiana. They then might consider running him against State Man in the Matheson Hurdle on 29 December. A win and he goes to the Champion Hurdle. A loss and maybe they have time to try him over an extended trip again (maybe in the Boyne) before going to the Stayers at Cheltenham. Alternatively they clash at the DRF. Of course a lot also depends on the manner of his wins and losses.

I think the interesting thing here is who will end up in the Turners for Mullins if IeP stays over hurdles. Facile Vega, Gaelic Warrior and Champ Kiely are his best rated potential runners coming from novice hurdle ranks but Forum consensus is that they are more likely to end up elsewhere. So we may well be wrong or we might see a less established or lower rated hurdler coming here for Mullins. Or maybe they think Sharjah can win it. You feel they must have something they like for this race if IeP doesn't come here.

I can’t see Champ Kiely going anywhere bar the Tuners!
 
While my pocket wants Impaire et Passe in the Turners, I'm coming to accept he might stay over hurdles (though he does remain the antepost favourite for the Turners). I think age is a factor here. IeP will only be six so they can still go chasing at six having given him further time to mature. If he does stay over hurdles, I think the Champion or Stayers Hurdle are definite options.

Starting him on 3 December in the Hatton Grace makes a lot of sense; gives him a trip he likes and keeps him apart from State Man who will surely run in the Morgiana. They then might consider running him against State Man in the Matheson Hurdle on 29 December. A win and he goes to the Champion Hurdle. A loss and maybe they have time to try him over an extended trip again (maybe in the Boyne) before going to the Stayers at Cheltenham. Alternatively they clash at the DRF. Of course a lot also depends on the manner of his wins and losses.

I think the interesting thing here is who will end up in the Turners for Mullins if IeP stays over hurdles. Facile Vega, Gaelic Warrior and Champ Kiely are his best rated potential runners coming from novice hurdle ranks but Forum consensus is that they are more likely to end up elsewhere. So we may well be wrong or we might see a less established or lower rated hurdler coming here for Mullins. Or maybe they think Sharjah can win it. You feel they must have something they like for this race if IeP doesn't come here.

I'm leaning towards if he comes back safe and sound it'll be Minella cocooner who'll be the main Turners dart, willie said about sending him there in last years stable tours too
 
For Mullins potential chasers I’d split them as below:

Arkle: FV, Mr.Policeman, HDS, Hunters Yarn

Turners: Sharjah, Fact to File, MC, Champ Kiely, Spanish Harlem, Blood Destiny??

BANC/NHC: Nick Rockett, Grangeclare West, The Nice Guy, Shanbally Kid, Embassy Gardens, QDP, Seabank Bistro

Blood Destiny is of course left field shout as is Spanish Harlem and QDP.
 
For Mullins potential chasers I’d split them as below:

Arkle: FV, Mr.Policeman, HDS, Hunters Yarn

Turners: Sharjah, Fact to File, MC, Champ Kiely, Spanish Harlem, Blood Destiny??

BANC/NHC: Nick Rockett, Grangeclare West, The Nice Guy, Shanbally Kid, Embassy Gardens, QDP, Seabank Bistro

Blood Destiny is of course left field shout as is Spanish Harlem and QDP.

I'm presuming QDP is Quai de Paris. One we should keep an eye on I reckon - he was backed for the Nathniel Lacy like we were about to watch the replay
 
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For Mullins potential chasers I’d split them as below:

Arkle: FV, Mr.Policeman, HDS, Hunters Yarn

Turners: Sharjah, Fact to File, MC, Champ Kiely, Spanish Harlem, Blood Destiny??

BANC/NHC: Nick Rockett, Grangeclare West, The Nice Guy, Shanbally Kid, Embassy Gardens, QDP, Seabank Bistro

Blood Destiny is of course left field shout as is Spanish Harlem and QDP.

More or less agree. I've got SK as an outsider for the Turners though. Don't think he stayed the AB trip and was impressed with him over 2m4f earlier in the season. Had more pace than I thought too.
 
Missed season always a concern for me. Let down a big bet for me last year as well by being a non runner, so I may be bitter.

But I probably should take another look at him now.
 
Missed season always a concern for me. Let down a big bet for me last year as well by being a non runner, so I may be bitter.

But I probably should take another look at him now.

Kissing spine was an issue mentioned.
https://youtu.be/9thkEDf_17g?si=jAjggHcGWYHnI5ie
Decent watch, a few popular forum horses put up. James mentioned Affordale Fury (who I still struggle to convince my brain isn't 'Affordable Fury') as an NHC type, the other lad pointed out that the gap between it and the Irish National is short this year (19 days) which maybe has potential to throw a spanner into the works on some.
*For Ziggy purposes, The gap was 20 days in 2021 and Gordon, erm, I mean Denise, sent Escaria Ten to both. Gap was 27 days in 2023, Chemical Energy did both and The Goffer did Ultima/IGN. All 3 aforementioned pulled up in the National mind.
 
IMPERVIOUS out to 6/1 now with PP and BETFAIR for the Mares Chase. And they've taken her out of the betting for the Ryanair. They must be thinking she is out for a long time. Has there been new news on her injury ?