National Hunt season 2015/16

Johner

Jezki out for the season.

Johner

https://twitter.com/RacingPost/status/647358998476390400

mdwexford

Disappointing alright.

On the plus side wahey for the proper racing.

jimjamcos

Disappointing to see Jezki out. Would have taken beating over 3m. That will probably force O' Connell to keep Martello Tower over hurdles for season

shy-tall-knight

Any other injury news? Usually the time these stories start appearing. Monbeg Dude the other I can think of thus far.

Johner

Oscar Rock was impressive today.

Wicklow Brave

Really looking forward to the NH season.

I've just read Mark Howard's book. R Ricci runs through his string in the book and outlines their plans. Faugheen, Vautour go to Kempton at Christmas. Annie Power will likely start in Hatton's Grace and go for either the Mare's or World Hurdle. Djakadam will run in the Lexus and Irish Hennessy. Douvan will target the Arkle.

A lot of talk aswell about a Ricci horse named Min. Currently 20/1 for the Supreme. I've been told he's working the house down in Closutton. Make of it what you will. (Personally, don't think his French results stack up compared to Douvan, Vautour before him). Wait For Me (with Philip Hobbs) is my novice hurdler to keep an eye on.

The RSA should be a cracker this year. Possible field of More Of That, Minella Rocco, Bitofapuzzle, Beat That, No More Heroes, Outlander, Alpha des Obeaux, Arbre de Vie, Aux Ptits Soins. Martello Tower stays hurdling.

Champion Chase is open enough. I'm suspect about Un de Sceaux myself and whether he can maintain/improve his form. Could see Vautour going for the QM. Sizing Granite now 33/1 also one to watch.

My hope for the season is for Annie Power to win at Cheltenham (preferably WH). Really hope she does it.

NFLBettingTips

From what I've heard Vroum Vroum Mag has improved leaps and bounds. Gold Cup is the main target.

jimjamcos

Vroum Vroum Mag has to be a cert to turn up in Ryanair (and take all the beating) fitness permitting, given Willie has both Djakadam and Vautour in same colours for Gold Cup. He's not going to throw her into big open staying chases in Ireland so I'd be shocked if she runs in a Gold Cup.

sdoc13

jimjamcos wrote: »

Vroum Vroum Mag has to be a cert to turn up in Ryanair (and take all the beating) fitness permitting, given Willie has both Djakadam and Vautour in same colours for Gold Cup. He's not going to throw her into big open staying chases in Ireland so I'd be shocked if she runs in a Gold Cup.

Would have to agree and Don Poli there from same stable as well.

Gold Cup could be exceptional next year if all get there, the race I am most looking forward to. I am actually getting goosepimples thinking about it.

supremenovice

The 3mile chase division is white hot this year. I mean, even Willies contenders on their own is enough to leave one salivating for the big ones this year -
The Betfair, King George, Lexus etc.
To name a few of the leading contenders - Coneygree, Vautour, Djakadam, Road to Riches, Valseur Lido, Don Cossack, Don Poli, Silviniaco Conti, Holywell, Sam Winner, Southfield Theatre, Saphir du Rheu.... I CANNOT WAIT!!!!
I havent even mentioned the veterans like Lord Windermere and The Giant Bolster who are capable on their day.

jimjamcos

supremenovice wrote: »

The 3mile chase division is white hot this year. I mean, even Willies contenders on their own is enough to leave one salivating for the big ones this year -
The Betfair, King George, Lexus etc.
To name a few of the leading contenders - Coneygree, Vautour, Djakadam, Road to Riches, Valseur Lido, Don Cossack, Don Poli, Silviniaco Conti, Holywell, Sam Winner, Southfield Theatre, Saphir du Rheu.... I CANNOT WAIT!!!!
I havent even mentioned the veterans like Lord Windermere and The Giant Bolster who are capable on their day.

Re Lord Windermere, Wonder how many jocks Culloty will sack during season when he gets lapped like a tricycle in a grand prix! 😂

longshotvalue

I must be the only one that sees Vautour more of a 2 mile chaser than a 3miler. He's the best I've seen in a long time and my gut is they should start with the Champion Chase and work up. He looks vastly clear of UDC to my eye but hard to know they may never race together.

As soon as the Arc is over its time to gear up for proper racing.

shmeee

Wicklow Brave wrote: »

A lot of talk aswell about a Ricci horse named Min. Currently 20/1 for the Supreme. I've been told he's working the house down in Closutton. Make of it what you will. (Personally, don't think his French results stack up compared to Douvan, Vautour before him). Wait For Me (with Philip Hobbs) is my novice hurdler to keep an eye on.

Yes, good word around for Min alright.

Ricci also has American Tom & Townshend.

Burgas under the Gigginstown colours.

Mullins has some ammunition again this year with what he has got already. And a heap of nice bumper types.

Bring it on!

madmoose

aidankkk wrote: »

I must be the only one that sees Vautour more of a 2 mile chaser than a 3miler. He's the best I've seen in a long time and my gut is they should start with the Champion Chase and work up. He looks vastly clear of UDC to my eye but hard to know they may never race together.

As soon as the Arc is over its time to gear up for proper racing.

ricci is confident he will stay the chelt trip and thats the aim for vautour the gold cup according to his interview in one jump ahead, think djak will go that though and vaitour ryanair myself come march, cant wait

zpehtsfd

aidankkk wrote: »

I must be the only one that sees Vautour more of a 2 mile chaser than a 3miler. He's the best I've seen in a long time and my gut is they should start with the Champion Chase and work up. He looks vastly clear of UDC to my eye but hard to know they may never race together.

As soon as the Arc is over its time to gear up for proper racing.

Assuming the ground is not too heavy the King George will probably speak to where he will be aimed at come March. He's got the Champion Chase written all over him but obviously Willie/Ricci want a Gold Cup winner.

I agree that Vautour would definitely beat UDS over 2 miles at Cheltenham in March.

longshotvalue

zpehtsfd wrote: »

Assuming the ground is not too heavy the King George will probably speak to where he will be aimed at come March. He's got the Champion Chase written all over him but obviously Willie/Ricci want a Gold Cup winner.

I agree that Vautour would definitely beat UDS anyone over 2 miles at Cheltenham in March.

The way he went around the supreme and JLT on rails reeks of Champion Chase to me. I hope they have sense.

zpehtsfd

aidankkk wrote: »

The way he went around the supreme and JLT on rails reeks of Champion Chase to me. I hope they have sense.

He's such a classy horse they're right to try the Gold Cup route but if he clearly doesn't stay i really hope they revert back to 2 miles for good. Imagine him running in the Ryanair? :eek:

Wicklow Brave

zpehtsfd wrote: »

Imagine him running in the Ryanair? :eek:

Would be disappointing if he runs in the Ryanair. I actually agreed with WPM last year for running Vautour in the JLT rather than the Arkle. They saw him as a stayer and wanted to avoid keeping him to 2 miles for too long like they did with Champagne Fever. WPM wanted to repay UDS's owners faith in him for skipping last year's Champion Hurdle by winning the Arkle with UDS. UDS's owners may never have another like him, while Ricci owns the current 11/4 Arkle fav.

Where Vautour goes this season is perhaps dependent on how UDS, Djakadam and to a lesser extent Don Poli fare this season. Vautour could win the KG with a 180+ rating and still run in the QM if UDS struggles and Djakadam wins the Lexus/Irish Hennessy.

Vautour to win the QM at 8/1 right now is decent when I have doubts over UDS's durability and WPM has Djakadam, Don Poli, Valseur Lido, Champagne Fever, Vroum Vroum Mag etc. for the Gold Cup. If Vautour lines up in the QM, he is a good thing imo.

Moon Dice

Hey lads does anybody know where I can get Declan Phelan's thoughts . Ive seen a few people mention it online but google is no help

skippymac6

Ìt's going to be some season for Mullins alright but hopefully trainers like Elliot, Meade, Harrington etc can bridge the gap a bit. I respect the hell out of Mullins for what he has done but I'd like to see the others have a few nice types stay injury free for the season. They won't be given any freebies but there's been a few stable stars of the mentioned above that have been injured the last couple of years and really hurt connections.

Some horses I'd love to see come back to some form if they are injury free would be Tullow Tank, Defy Logic, Flemenstar and Sir Des Champs. SDS and Flemenstar might be too long in the tooth now but Defy Logic looked a very useful tool when winning the Irish Arkle from Champagne Fever a few years back so I'd love to see him get back on form. There is definitely talent in the Tullow Tank too, it might just be about finding the optimum trip and ground for him.

Elliot had the beating of Mullins in a lot of the bumpers last year and I hope the likes of Tycoon Prince, Jetstream Jack, General Principle etc might be able to challenge Mullins in the Novice hurdling ranks. I think Mullins (without knowing how good his French imports are), might find the novice hurdling ranks difficult this year but he is mob handed in the novice chases and the championship hurdlers and chasers.

Can't wait for it all now but I would love to see a Nolan, Harrington, Meade, Tom Mullins etc etc take down a few big ones this year.

Backstreet Moyes

Looking forward to seeing Moon Racer jump a hurdle i presume he will be going the Supreme Novices.

Also looking forward to Apache Stronghold going to have a small nibble at him for 33/1 for the Ryanair.

madmoose

Can this thread be pinned towards the top?

Cant wait for it all, im going the betfair chase then doing the week at the festival as per then one day of aintree and ill fly over for punchestown again as thats becoming a yearly thing for me and my mates.

Already had a few antepost on djakadam goldcup 14/1 and douvan arkle

kalinisi

Nuts102 wrote: »

Looking forward to seeing Moon Racer jump a hurdle i presume he will be going the Supreme Novices.

Also looking forward to Apache Stronghold going to have a small nibble at him for 33/1 for the Ryanair.

Really looking forward to Apache Stronghold this year. Vantour is a monster could easily be winning from 2-3miles, gold cup could stretch him for stamina but i wouldnt be laying him for it mind.

Wounded Warrior is another one ill be keeping an eye on in staying chases 3miles or further preferably

pugw

Wicklow Brave wrote: »

Really looking forward to the NH season.

I've just read Mark Howard's book. R Ricci runs through his string in the book and outlines their plans. Faugheen, Vautour go to Kempton at Christmas. Annie Power will likely start in Hatton's Grace and go for either the Mare's or World Hurdle. Djakadam will run in the Lexus and Irish Hennessy. Douvan will target the Arkle.

A lot of talk aswell about a Ricci horse named Min. Currently 20/1 for the Supreme. I've been told he's working the house down in Closutton. Make of it what you will. (Personally, don't think his French results stack up compared to Douvan, Vautour before him). Wait For Me (with Philip Hobbs) is my novice hurdler to keep an eye on.

The RSA should be a cracker this year. Possible field of More Of That, Minella Rocco, Bitofapuzzle, Beat That, No More Heroes, Outlander, Alpha des Obeaux, Arbre de Vie, Aux Ptits Soins. Martello Tower stays hurdling.

Champion Chase is open enough. I'm suspect about Un de Sceaux myself and whether he can maintain/improve his form. Could see Vautour going for the QM. Sizing Granite now 33/1 also one to watch.

My hope for the season is for Annie Power to win at Cheltenham (preferably WH). Really hope she does it.

+1 on that

madmoose

Min has been cut a fair bit for the supreme the last day from 20/1 to 10/1 in places, i did a small ew at 25/1 last month.

shmeee

madmoose wrote: »

Min has been cut a fair bit for the supreme the last day from 20/1 to 10/1 in places, i did a small ew at 25/1 last month.

The bookies are a joke, the bets that would be going on a bet like such @ 20's wouldn't be massive.

Ante-Post betting is long dead I'm afraid.

the groutch

Mark Pitman's first runner since renewing his training license runs on Sunday.
Will be interesting to see how he fares.

Huntley

Drop Out Joe has some favorable conditions tomorrow, he's due to win one soon off that mark. First time cheek-pieces hopefully keep his mind on the job and eradicate any jumping errors.

Hulk Hands

aidankkk wrote: »

The way he went around the supreme and JLT on rails reeks of Champion Chase to me. I hope they have sense.

Why would sticking to 2 be having sense? Theyre obviously going for the King George and if he wins, or shapes like a stayer there then the obvious route is Gold Cup. Not going for the KG and letting that dictate the future would be unfathomable. I despise when trainers take the easy route and dont even try a chaser bred for further at what is the most prestigious and valuable distance we have. Moscow Flyer for example had a great career at 2, but could have been a Gold Cup horse. King George looked made for him at the very least and it was silly not to give him 1 attempt at the race, especially considering the relative prize money. Had Nicholls done the "smart thing" and kept Kauto Star at 2m, we'd never have seen his true greatness

longshotvalue

Hulk Hands wrote: »

Why would sticking to 2 be having sense? Theyre obviously going for the King George and if he wins, or shapes like a stayer there then the obvious route is Gold Cup. Not going for the KG and letting that dictate the future would be unfathomable. I despise when trainers take the easy route and dont even try a chaser bred for further at what is the most prestigious and valuable distance we have. Moscow Flyer for example had a great career at 2, but could have been a Gold Cup horse. King George looked made for him at the very least and it was silly not to give him 1 attempt at the race, especially considering the relative prize money. Had Nicholls done the "smart thing" and kept Kauto Star at 2m, we'd never have seen his true greatness

I think your misunderstanding me, i think he looks like a superb 2 miles chaser. I think he should start there more or less like kayto star. I don't think he should go gold cup this year, but believe me ill be cheering him on if he does. I also think the 2 mile Champion Chase and the Gold cup are the same level, its not the ryanair which is obviously level 2. My idea of what id love to see id 2m CC this year, king george next and then on-wards and upwards. To my eye a haven't seen better and id love to see him flying around the CC next year.

Hulk Hands

Fair enough. "Why wait" would be my thinking on it. Run him in the KG this year, and find out whether he relishes the trip or doesn't quite see it out. That way you're giving the horse the most time possible to find his chosen division, and try dominate it. If he sticks to 2m this year, it's either going to end with him winning at Chelt, and making it incredibly tough to step him in trip in future, or end with him losing and it likely being somewhat of a wasted year.

billy_beckham

Huntley wrote: »

Drop Out Joe has some favorable conditions tomorrow, he's due to win one soon off that mark. First time cheek-pieces hopefully keep his mind on the job and eradicate any jumping errors.

Top Man! Got on @ 13/2..

PM me nudes

Waiting for the Mullins camp to unleash a horse by the name of Townsend. Harold Kirk seemed very very sweet on him when he bought him

Zubayr of Paul Nicholl's also very well touted, closely related to Zarkandar and Zarkava. Got into a bidding war with Kirk over him

supremenovice

Anyone going to the Open Meeting this year at Cheltenham?
Ive been four times in the past and it is a terrific meeting, but looks like Ill be watching from the couch this year.
Theres nothin like waking up on a crisp and bright Friday morning in the hotel, down to the restaurant for the fry-up and a fresh look at the RP for the Day1 cards and all the latest news for Saturdays big one. Then, winter coat on, off on the bus to Prestbury Park, a look at the track while quiet to bring back all those memories of Festivals past where you roared them up the Hill.
Each day has its attraction - Friday is Countrymans day with the Cross Country.
I went to the field to watch it one year (it was like a bog) but wont be doing it again. Saturday of course is the Paddy Power Gold Cup - a great way to christen the new season proper with 2nd season chasers against some of the battle hardened veterans. Theres a big crowd on the Saturday but still reasonably comfortable getting around. Always great heading into town afterwards too with O' Neills being the centre of it all for the craic.

Ahhh the memories

Earendil

supremenovice wrote: »

Anyone going to the Open Meeting this year at Cheltenham?
Ive been four times in the past and it is a terrific meeting, but looks like Ill be watching from the couch this year.
Theres nothin like waking up on a crisp and bright Friday morning in the hotel, down to the restaurant for the fry-up and a fresh look at the RP for the Day1 cards and all the latest news for Saturdays big one. Then, winter coat on, off on the bus to Prestbury Park, a look at the track while quiet to bring back all those memories of Festivals past where you roared them up the Hill.
Each day has its attraction - Friday is Countrymans day with the Cross Country.
I went to the field to watch it one year (it was like a bog) but wont be doing it again. Saturday of course is the Paddy Power Gold Cup - a great way to christen the new season proper with 2nd season chasers against some of the battle hardened veterans. Theres a big crowd on the Saturday but still reasonably comfortable getting around. Always great heading into town afterwards too with O' Neills being the centre of it all for the craic.

Ahhh the memories

Green as a Gremlin reading that. Never been to an NH meeting, just the Curragh and Leopardstown for flat meetings before I was into racing.

BumperD

Been to nov meet 7 times but cannot go this year as the dates don't work so heading to oct meet instead for first time next week. To say I'm looking forward to it is an understatement.

Wicklow Brave

supremenovice wrote: »

Theres nothin like waking up on a crisp and bright Friday morning in the hotel, down to the restaurant for the fry-up and a fresh look at the RP for the Day1 cards and all the latest news for Saturdays big one. Then, winter coat on, off on the bus to Prestbury Park, a look at the track while quiet to bring back all those memories of Festivals past where you roared them up the Hill.
Each day has its attraction - Friday is Countrymans day with the Cross Country.
I went to the field to watch it one year (it was like a bog) but wont be doing it again. Saturday of course is the Paddy Power Gold Cup - a great way to christen the new season proper with 2nd season chasers against some of the battle hardened veterans. Theres a big crowd on the Saturday but still reasonably comfortable getting around. Always great heading into town afterwards too with O' Neills being the centre of it all for the craic.

Ahhh the memories

Nicely described supreme.

Bit of WPM related news today coming from a stable tour on ATR, Graham Wylie being interviewed by Chapman and I saw some quotes from Rich Ricci aswell. Season is nearly upon us. Some of it contradictory like Ricci saying Vautour will reappear at Ascot and WPM saying Punchestown. I'd say it'll probably be Ascot, WPM has others for the John Durkan. Faugheen will reappear in the Morgiana and then both Vautour and Faugheen will be at Kempton on Stephen's Day.

posturingpat

See an article on Racingpost website that the Rooneys have taken all their animals out of Mc Cains yard,some sucker punch for him, who'll get the horses now? Ben Pauling has a horse or 2 of theirs and Alan King too i think. King'd be the man to go too if it were up to me but we'll see.

Johner

I see the Rooney's have removed all their horses from McCain's, should have done that sooner. Big blow for McCain but he's an average trainer, same tactics for nearly every horse.

Bangor Billy

posturingpat wrote: »

See an article on Racingpost website that the Rooneys have taken all their animals out of Mc Cains yard,some sucker punch for him, who'll get the horses now? Ben Pauling has a horse or 2 of theirs and Alan King too i think. King'd be the man to go too if it were up to me but we'll see.

Rumours going round that some at least will be crossing the Irish sea. We shall see.

bellybuster12

50 horses is some number. What does he expect, it's a numbers game and they have had little return so far as big race/saturday winners. Egg n spoon races mid week not gonna cut it. Never mind the fortunes he was blowing at the sales. Business is business.

BumperD

posturingpat wrote: »

See an article on Racingpost website that the Rooneys have taken all their animals out of Mc Cains yard,some sucker punch for him, who'll get the horses now? Ben Pauling has a horse or 2 of theirs and Alan King too i think. King'd be the man to go too if it were up to me but we'll see.

They did seem to be paying a lot for average horses. But they are not alone in that respect. Big blow for McCain. Was looking at their win rate over jumps last 4 seasons and was dropping the more horses they had. Explains why it might pay to have them split into 3 or 4 yards. Maybe they could have left him 10 or 12 and sent the rest to 3 other trainers rather than pull the lot.

kfallon

Wicklow Brave wrote: »

Nicely described supreme.

Bit of WPM related news today coming from a stable tour on ATR, Graham Wylie being interviewed by Chapman and I saw some quotes from Rich Ricci aswell. Season is nearly upon us. Some of it contradictory like Ricci saying Vautour will reappear at Ascot and WPM saying Punchestown. I'd say it'll probably be Ascot, WPM has others for the John Durkan. Faugheen will reappear in the Morgiana and then both Vautour and Faugheen will be at Kempton on Stephen's Day.

I'd be very surprised if Nichols Canyon doesn't end up in the World Hurdle next March despite what Willie and Wylie are saying now.

Valseur Lido being mentioned as a Grand National horse did make me sit up and take note!

Wicklow Brave

The £1 million bonus that Kauto Star won in 2006/07 has been reintroduced for any horse that wins the Betfair, King George and the Gold Cup. Will be interesting to see who will target it. Perhaps only a handful capable: Vautour, Don Cossack, Coneygree, Saphir du Rheu, Don Poli...

Bangor Billy

Would love to see a few of those turning up at Haydock.

FortuneChip

Paul Nicholls doing a Q&A on Twitter for BF tonight.
Curious if the Kauto Star £1m changes his plans at all.

FortuneChip

Paul Nicholls doing a Q&A on Twitter for BF tonight.
Curious if the Kauto Star £1m changes his plans at all.

Anyone see the fall Michael Nolan took today?

He was out cold and motionless afterwards and it looked seriously worrying. He regained consciousness and is being treated for an arm injury.

Thankfully its not as serious as it originally looked.

skippymac6

Hopefully Don Cossack puts in a decent performance today at Punchestown. Roi Du Mee has an excellent record in that race though.

Andalucia

nice school around for the Don - should mop up all around him in Ireland this year

on another note, when is Jim Culloty going to train another winner - I certainly wouldn't want to be paying him to train one for me

great to see Meade get a winner in the bumper - could do with a few half decent prospects