I just rewatched it and it really was a thriller. They were almost going up and down on the spot up that fearsome climb to the finish. Prince Dundee looked the least likely of the four to win two out but his courage was tremendous. Pity there were no effects microphones on course or we would have heard the famous Hexham roar!
Sire Du Berlais, what a star. The first time he ever won was this day for years ago when landing a gamble in the Pertemps final. Since then he has fought some wars at extreme distances, danced every dance and always gives of his best. To win this race at 11 is extraordinary - even as very much the Elliott second string.
I posted a piece in the Guardian about a punter who had Sire Du Berlais and Dashel Drasher at odds of 320-1 and 80-1 respectively. I think I'd use the over used "legendary" to describe his ability to antepost and come up trumps. He's on The Racing Forum and posts as Venture to Cognac. He took those prices in January.
It's harder than ever to get multiple bets on this week - at least that's my experience. I'm either hugely restricted in stake size or prevented from placing a bet at all. Has anyone else found this? (I'm talking about Hills, Paddy, Unibet; the Stoke outfit will lay me especially if I have a big single on at the same time.)
Goodness me, the Irish handicapper really crucified Maxxum this season. He won a little Navan handicap doing handsprings, and it must have been the style of that victory that put their backs up because they gave the horse 17lbs for that. Nothing has come out of that race and the form is weak. Maxxum followed up in a Pertemps qualifier, a much deeper race but not all the horses were trying to win, and dotted up by 16 lengths. Bang - another 18lbs for the pleasure. Suddenly he was forced into 0-150 company and came 12th at Leopardstown. The UK handicapper thought he needed another 7lbs for today's Pertemps final and unsurprisingly floundered under a welter burden. Astonishing that he was backed into 9/2 - I can only assume there are punters on course with money to burn. Gordon Elliott is known to have the odd grumble about the unfairness of life but he surely has a case here.
Well done, good tip. Lucinda's cup runneth over. Looking at PD's Ayr win, that form looks strong with two other horses coming out and winning subsequently - including Lucinda's Without Conviction!
I think that there's little doubt that the heavily backed Gerri Colombe just failed to get up in the Brown Advisory NC because young Jordan Gainford was unsure how many strikes of the whip he had left in the closing stages. A stride after the post GC was a neck to the good. This is not to say that the winner did not run a terrifically game race having put in an exhibition round of jumping. But under the previous rules Gerri Colombe would have won, so the result was affected by factors beyond the jockey's control. The bookmakers were the beneficiaries, not racing. And the pledge was that the rule change was meant to "make racing look better". Satisfied now, BHA?
Harry, that's just your interpretation of what you saw, it is not established fact. You have bolted your theory on to the events. It would be good to have the opinion of the jockey, rather than attempt to read his mind. There may be merit in what you say, but it all hinged on the jockey remembering what the maximum number of strikes is, something which had to be remembered previously. And the winning jockey stuck to the rules.
My recollection is that AP McCoy criticised the jockey's ride as he let the winner get too far ahead and timed his effort too late.
I was stating what Gainford reported to Gordon Elliott in his post-race debrief. AP McCoy earns his corn by criticising jockeys now and were he still riding today would have his own difficulties with the whip rules. His Cheltenham festival ride on Wichita Lineman - often cited as one of the most brilliant of all time - would under these rules incur a long ban.
we all do that pretty often...the horse we know we;ve backed before....still might have a chance. On plus side we only remember the ones that go on to win so i suspect we are all quid's in on that front
Willie Mullins on Billaway's chances in the Foxhunters tomorrow: "the new riding rules could hamper his rider as this horse needs plenty of cajoling."
Fugitif placed at 11's.
Prince Dundee wins at 13/2 in a cracking staying chase at Hexham.
Sire Du Berlais, what a star. The first time he ever won was this day for years ago when landing a gamble in the Pertemps final. Since then he has fought some wars at extreme distances, danced every dance and always gives of his best. To win this race at 11 is extraordinary - even as very much the Elliott second string.
It's harder than ever to get multiple bets on this week - at least that's my experience. I'm either hugely restricted in stake size or prevented from placing a bet at all. Has anyone else found this? (I'm talking about Hills, Paddy, Unibet; the Stoke outfit will lay me especially if I have a big single on at the same time.)
Goodness me, the Irish handicapper really crucified Maxxum this season. He won a little Navan handicap doing handsprings, and it must have been the style of that victory that put their backs up because they gave the horse 17lbs for that. Nothing has come out of that race and the form is weak. Maxxum followed up in a Pertemps qualifier, a much deeper race but not all the horses were trying to win, and dotted up by 16 lengths. Bang - another 18lbs for the pleasure. Suddenly he was forced into 0-150 company and came 12th at Leopardstown. The UK handicapper thought he needed another 7lbs for today's Pertemps final and unsurprisingly floundered under a welter burden. Astonishing that he was backed into 9/2 - I can only assume there are punters on course with money to burn. Gordon Elliott is known to have the odd grumble about the unfairness of life but he surely has a case here.
Salvador Ziggy placed 14.10. Cheltenham at 10/1.
Salvador Ziggy. 14.10. Cheltenham.
Ballykeel ew - 17.30 Cheltenham
Myburg 5.10 Hexham is the nap,well done yesterday EGS.
Fugitif each way in the 16:10 at Cheltenham
Itchy feet ew. Cheltenham 2.10.
Nap Chelts 1650 Foxy Girl
Can't believe Rachel is riding this for the name rather than the narrative.
Hexham and Cheltenham today - lovely. Nap is Prince Dundee at Hex 15.50
2.50 Cheltenham - Janidil
Nikhi 1.50H.
14.10 Cheltenham Coltor ew
Didn't get chance to post anything yesterday after Tuesday's successes.
Hopefully we can find something today.
Win nap is mighty potter (boring I know) 13:30
E/w fancies are captain morgs 14:10 (skybet paying first 8), Paisley park (if he turns up in the mood) 15:10 (skybet paying 4 places), frero banbou 16:10 (skybet paying 7 places) princess Zoe 16:50 (skybet paying 5 places) and finally dunboyne 17:30 (skybet paying 6 places.
Good luck.
I think that there's little doubt that the heavily backed Gerri Colombe just failed to get up in the Brown Advisory NC because young Jordan Gainford was unsure how many strikes of the whip he had left in the closing stages. A stride after the post GC was a neck to the good. This is not to say that the winner did not run a terrifically game race having put in an exhibition round of jumping. But under the previous rules Gerri Colombe would have won, so the result was affected by factors beyond the jockey's control. The bookmakers were the beneficiaries, not racing. And the pledge was that the rule change was meant to "make racing look better". Satisfied now, BHA?
We done to Jake with Langer Dan as he his one of those Hardy perennials. I looked at him for a f