National Hunt season 2015/16

Disappointing alright.

On the plus side wahey for the proper racing.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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 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.

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 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.