National Hunt 14/15 thread

Nice performance by dodging bullets today in the tingle creek, boosts the Uxzandre form quite substantially and both could have big years. Unfortunate to see Oscar Whiskey come to grief and have to be put to sleep,was a lovely horse.

Nice racing in Ireland tomorrow with plenty of good clashes.

Cork has a good Novice hurdle with No more heroes and Black Hercules coming up against each other and i fully expect No More Heroes to win even though he'll likely be about 5/2 whereas Black Hercules will be close to evens.
There's a Grade 2 chase later in the card with Twinlight,Days Hotel,Felix younger and Alderwood amongst others but the one i like is Mallowney who ran well for a long way last time out over a trip that stretches him stamina and i think it was arguably a stronger race,the drop in trip should suit and at double figures or close to it i'll be backing him e/w.
Vroom Vroom Mag runs in the Mares chase but will probably go off about 1/10 she looked very impressive last time out and will scoot in again barring an accident.

At Punchestown the beginners chase interests me,Un atout will surely be all the rage after having such an exciting Novice campaign 2 seasons back and being a Gigginstown/Mullins horse but with i'll be opposing him with Mala beach,his run last time out behind Tullow tank doesn't look great with Tullow tank after bombing out last week but i don't think that's his true form and Mala beaches run behind him was very interesting,he was given a very easy time of it all the way round to get him enjoying himself and he jumped real well and creeped into it before finishing 2nd,it was a nice introduction and the ground tomorrow should have a bit more juice which will suit. Another one to watch in that race is King Leon i've a suspicion a race like the Paddy power chase over Xmas at Leopardstown is the plan for him.

The big attraction of the day no doubt though is the Drinmore and i think i'll side with Don Cossack here,has been running well this season and jumps impeccably which can't be said of his chief market rival Boston Bob and although BB won a grade 1 over 2 1/2 mile i think he's best over further and his main target for the season is the big one in March. Speaking of the big one in March the current champ Lord Windermere makes his return and i couldn't be backing him on his comeback run especially as he seems a spring horse. Texas Jack's having his 1st run since April and seems to come on for his 1st run so i'll be surprised if he wins and Rathlin needs further to see his best. If there's to be a surprise to run a big race i'd say Baily Green,didn't run well on his reappearance but surely with the purpose of loosening out the legs. At his best he was rated within 4 or 5 pounds of the best of these and Mouse Morris is a genius at getting chasers ready for 1 race and this could be his.

Did anyone else think that Sexton hit Ludo Et Emergo?

He was going to grab the reigns and it looked like he just decided to hit the horse instead.

I knew well Walsh and heskin were up to something today when I seen the ride he gave foxrock. Gave up after the 3rd last and told the stewarts the horse lost a shoe.

Keep an eye on him next time out

Mongrel.

Gavin shels wrote: »

What did Heskin do on Foxrock? Missed it and not bothered looking at the replay.

Did not try at all and made a horrible job of hiding it.

I think Gordon Elliott is gradually building a team of live prospects for Cheltenham in March. Obviously a few of them have to further increase their progression but on what they've done thus far they have chances. No more heroes, ( I would have liked to see how he got on yesterday but was a nr) needs a run or two against top novice to judge him. The same goes for Free Expression. Clarcam ran very well on his chasing debut behind Vautour and backed it up with an impressive win last week. It could be that Vautour remains ahead of him all season but he is one to get excited about. Mala Beach was quite impressive yesterday and is a thorough stayer. Elliott's suggestion of the National Hunt Chase could be ideal and stamina is his forte and it probably depends on the RSA field whether he does divert there.He does need soft ground however so that's something to note.

His stable star at the moment is of course Don Cossack. Three wins this term and is quickly showing himself to be a to Irish contender for Cheltenham in either the Ryanair or the Gold Cup. I would have thought the Gold Cup would be the aim as he doesn't appear to be tiring late on. He does probably need to run over 3 mile in something like the Hennessy to determine where he does go.

nobody told me wrote: »

Did anyone see the bumper in punchestown yesterday? There was a dr ronan lambe horse ridden by ken power that was one of the most blatant non-triers I've seen in a while

There was an AJM runner in the bumper that was probably just as blatant - following in the pattern of half-decent bumper horses that don't take on Mullins hotpots.
And as for Martin's Blair Perrone in Cork, looked like a pipe opener for Christmas, when presumably the owner will be home from New York.

convert wrote: »

And finish pretty well for a horse who just wasn't moving well

Trainers and jockeys who use the "clipping heels" and "not moving well" excuse should take a look at this, and then keep their mouths shut.....

krustydoyle wrote: »

They'll hardly sneak him into a handicap at the chelt festival??

Given the trouble they have keeping him right you'd have to think they'll take in Cheltenham if he's ready. As a NH syndicate, the festival is what it's all about. Be very, very interesting for the county.