Working after Racing Leopardstown

fr wishy washy

I know its hard to say as they are not going flat out but I thought Equess Maximus & Hardy Eustace seemed to go well.

They say (Radio) Moscow worked badly but I thought he went well,he did put in a short one before one of his fences but he did it cleverly.

fade2black

No betting has changed but according to reports Ballytrim and Hardy Eustace worked particularly well. As for Moscow...well it doesn't look good and 11/4 could be a shocking price.

Crumbs

Sky's The Limit worked very well and knowing Edward O'Grady's Cheltenham record, I got in on that for the Coral Cup.

W. Mullins' bumper horses worked at a slow gallop and were still bunched at the finish so it'd be hard to deduce anything from it although I liked the way Shady Willow was pulling hard for his head and wanted to go faster when his jockey was pulling him up.

finnpark

fade2black wrote:

As for Moscow...well it doesn't look good and 11/4 could be a shocking price.

Agreed, but I think they are playing down its chances - dont be fooled. Its 11/4 for a reason despite the fact that its form is poor. I would be suspicious of this.

fade2black

It's 11/4 because when it ran poorly Jessica's stable was under the weather. Some better runs since, notably from studmaster, has led some people to believe that this is the reason why Moscow's form has dipped. I think the bookie's are just being careful and it's obvious that come the day the Irish will back it anyway- They won't believe the old Moscow is gone until they see it with their own eyes.

In saying that, I really hope there's one more good year left in him.

finnpark

Below is the racing post top story on Moscow Flyer. I just don't buy into it at all. PP have it at 5/2 - when those guys go short odds on any horse you can be sure it has a great chance. On paper I would say it has no chance but judging by the bookmaker's odds and now the talk down by Jessica I would certainly take notice - it just may have been laid out for this 1 race.:

<b> Moscow fails to ignite confidence in connections</b>

by Tony O'Hehir (06/03/2006)

THERE were horses everywhere, but among them Moscow Flyer showed further signs of a possible demise when his post-racing exercise at Leopardstown on Sunday night failed to ignite confidence in connections.

The defending two-mile champion chaser jumped four fences in the annual pre-Cheltenham schooling session before working on the Flat and afterwards trainer Jessica Harrington said: "He got a bit tight at the second fence before winging the next two, but he just never picked up when he worked.

"He has never liked galloping and when Barry (Geraghty) settled him in behind Moscow stayed there. He seems to be fine, but maybe the clock might be ticking too far for him. We'll soldier on and hope that he comes right on the day."

Walking away after speaking with Harrington and owner Brian Kearney, Geraghty shook his head and shrugged: "Young blood, old blood."

More encouragingly, Hardy Eustace, in the absence of his main rival Brave Inca, pleased trainer Dessie Hughes.

The event lacked Brave Inca, ante-post favourite for the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, after trainer Colm Murphy decided to stick to his usual pre Cheltenham routine with will ride him work on Monday morning.

"I suppose I'm a bit superstitious,” said Murphy.

“I've always worked Brave Inca on the Monday before he goes to Cheltenham.”

Ridden by Conor O'Dwyer, Hardy Eustace went a mile and a half with stablemate Working Late and Fairyhouse winner and Ger O'Leary's Weatherbys Champion Bumper candidate First Author , who was cut to 14-1 (from 33s) with Cashmans.

Hughes said: "I'm very happy with that and should be all systems go for Cheltenham now. They quickened up well from half way and Hardy worked well.

“He's been fine for the past ten days or so. He looks fit and the work should have done him a lot of good. I think he was heavier at this time last year than he is now."

Al Eile was confirmed on target for the Champion Hurdle by trainer John Queally after completing a six-horse gallop under Timmy Murphy "won" by Paul Stafford's Supreme Novices’ Hurdle hope Blueberry Boy and in which Noel Meade's County Hurdle candidate Power Elite also went well.

Queally said: "He just needed a good blow and the Champion is definitely the plan."

Tom Mullins reported that he is favouring the World Hurdle over the Champion Hurdle for Asian Maze who pleased him and Ruby Walsh in a gallop over one and a half miles.

Mullins said: "Ruby said the mare is very fit. She is fresh and well in herself and that is the main thing. I'd say it is 70-30 she will go for the longer race."

Willie Mullins had most of his likely Festival team in action in three different sessions, with most interest focussing on four of his Champion Bumper hopes who were the last of a total of over 50 horses from different stables to be put through their paces.

Darkness was setting in as the veteran Adamant Approach, ridden by Mullins's son, Patrick, led Ballytrim (Ruby Walsh), Equus Maximus (David Casey), Shady Willow (Davy Condon) and Irish Invader (Katie Walsh) over about a mile and a half.

Ballytrim, Equus Maximus and Shady Willow finished almost upsides Adamant Approach and in front of Irish Invader who missed the kick when they bunched up on the last bend.

Mullins added: "Equus Maximus and Shady Willow both settled better than they did in their races and Ballytrim worked a lot better than he does at home.

"I'm giving nothing away as to which horse is my favourite for the race but obviously Ballytrim pleased me very much in particular."

Mullins described himself "delighted" with Triumph Hurdle hope Mister Hight after he finished upsides Davenport Milenium, a possible for the World Hurdle.

Mick Fitzgerald, who partnered Hedgehunter in an eight-fence school with Our Ben, Democratic Deficit, hunter chase Bothar Na, and Euro Leader, said: "Hedgehunter was very free and jumped great."

A decision on Hedgehunter running in the Gold Cup will be made this week after Mullins discusses plans with owner Trevor Hemmings.

The same owner's Our Ben, who is heading for the Royal & SunAlliance Chase, was his usual "stuffy self" and “will need another bit later in the week”, said Mullins.

Edward O'Grady described himself "happy enough" with his workers who included Coral Cup entry Sky's TheLimit, who impressed when working with a group which included O'Muircheartaigh and was cut to 8-1 (from 11s) with William Hill for the Coral Cup.

fade2black

Jessica has always been 100% honest about Moscow Flyer, you seem to be insinuating that they deliberately ran the horse poorly in previous races and cheltenham is where they are going for the win.

finnpark

fade2black wrote:

Jessica has always been 100% honest about Moscow Flyer, you seem to be insinuating that they deliberately ran the horse poorly in previous races and cheltenham is where they are going for the win.

Well its a possibility that she didn't want the horse to peak too soon. I wouldn't trust any of them to be honest.

masterK

finnpark wrote:

Well its a possibility that she didn't want the horse to peak too soon. I wouldn't trust any of them to be honest.

I don't think there is any chance that she would deliberately throw away the best horse she is ever likely to trains unbeaten record when completing a race.

fr wishy washy

finnpark wrote:

Well its a possibility that she didn't want the horse to peak too soon. I wouldn't trust any of them to be honest.

I think its Just old man time.The signs were there even at the end of last season.Turned over by Rathgar Beau at the Punchestown festival and very lack lusture runs this year.

finnpark

Well if what your saying is true, ie MF is finished, then PP are making a huge mistake - they will lose out on thousands. They have him at 5/2 while all the other bookies have him at 11/4, 3/1 or 10/3. They would need to push the price out a bit to get the bets on.

I would agrree that its form would suggest hes finished but I think that a combination of poor stable form and not fit enough was the reason for his poor performance. Only time will tell but if it is finished it should drift in price before the start I would think - punters will not be backing it, everyone is saying that its finished.

I rememebr the last 2 times it lost ti was odds on favs but to be such a short price for Chelt is surprising to say the least. I think there is something they are not telling us.

D'arkness

finnpark wrote:

Well if what your saying is true, ie MF is finished, then PP are making a huge mistake - they will lose out on thousands. They have him at 5/2 while all the other bookies have him at 11/4, 3/1 or 10/3. They would need to push the price out a bit to get the bets on.

I would agrree that its form would suggest hes finished but I think that a combination of poor stable form and not fit enough was the reason for his poor performance. Only time will tell but if it is finished it should drift in price before the start I would think - punters will not be backing it, everyone is saying that its finished.

I rememebr the last 2 times it lost ti was odds on favs but to be such a short price for Chelt is surprising to say the least. I think there is something they are not telling us.

I know what you mean.
These gallops can't be read into to much.
I was there and the horse looked fine.
It's jumps were fine bar one where he has a second thought but took it handy none the less.

Also Ballytrim is a fine example of a horse who does feic all on the gallops and gives it socks on the track.


Keep an eye on O'Gradys horses too.

finnpark

Paddypower must be reading these posts, Moscow Flyer pushed out to 11/4. Kauto Star 2/1 fav