I'm not one for getting to involved in ante post punting as knowing ground conditions are absolutely crucial to whether horses will run never mind win come the festival.But looking through price lists and following the NH action over the last few months theres a couple of stand outs that are defo worth a few quid AP with the hope they make it safe and sound to Cheltenham for there engagements. The current stand out value of the meeting for me is the 16 to back Rite Of Passage for the supreme novice hurdle.If Dunguib runs in the novice event well he will probably be only looking at place money because on form on last years bumper he has no chance of a form reversal with Dunguib.With the Champion hurdle becoming more and more open with each trial thats run i reckon Phillip Fentons hand will be swayed to go for the big one nad if he does the 30 to back Dunguib for it is going to be huge. Rite of Passage has looked a total class act from day one and Dermot Weld has never hidden the fact the high esteem he holds him in.Bar a disappointing run in the Curragh back in May he hasnt put a foot wrong.He jumped brilliantly and cruised to a handy win today (despite been nearly carried off the track) over a very well regarded opponent in Grey Soldier.Probably his most impressive win though came on the flat were he demolished Donnas Palm in the 2m November Hcap at Leopardstown by 8l giving him 10lb,Donnas Palm today was beaten 4l by Champion Hurdle fav Solwhit off level weights. With definite improvement to come, bar Dunguib i reckon theres nothing to touch him in the novice event,if Dunguib swerves and goes for the big one i guess that Welds runner will be no bigger than 3s on the day. The other standout on the AP lists for me is the 5.6 to back Voler La Vedette in the David Nicholson mares hurdle.Looking through the expected runners it already looks like a 2 runner race.VLV trashed Go Native (in receipt of 8lbs) in a conditions event in Down Royal in November.The runner up has gone on to win 2 G1s since and is near top of most lists for the Champion hurdle. While Go Native may not have been fully tuned up for the DR event it was still a smashing performance and shes gone on to a smooth success in a G2 mares event at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting.She has an outstanding chance in the mares only race at the festival and is a wrong price at 5.6 in my opinion. Anyone else have any stand outs value wise for the festival let us in on them.
Was only thinking something very similar about RoP after the race yesterday. Was also impressed with Welds winner in the bumper on Sat. Looked very classy. Universal somthing or other it was called. Currently 12s with PP
Although maybe he is too young for it and they'll stick him in the novices and go for the champion in years to come, in fact that probably makes more sense and if he goes for the novices he wont be touched!
Rumours are that being so young he will go for the novice race which still leaves him many years in the champion. There was rumour that mare is going for the champion though Ronan and i think pricewise in the post tipped her as an outsider for that. Zaynar for me in the champion at present.
Few I will be getting Anti Post prices for in the incoming weeks are the following, fancies only, Diamond Harry (RSA Chase) 8/1) Mille Chief (Novices) 9/1) Binocular (champion(8/1) Master Minded 7/4
Just took the 9/4 with Ladbrokes on Denman in the Gold Cup after AP McCoy was confirmed. This horse should be ideally suited to McCoys style and I can see him galloping Kauto out the gate.
I am going to aswell tomorrow, to be honest I didn't see MCCoy on him thought it was be Sam Thomas. Mille Chief be backed down to 5/1 clear fav thank god took 10/1 just 2 weeks ago (see post above) have 20 e/w so could be earning good few pound there
Dunguib will defo be aimed for the Supreme Novices, Fenton said yesterday if he went for the Champion and jumped like that he would be well caught out. So 1st race at Chelt is where you will get all your money made to set you up properly with Dunguib a sure fire winner imo.
ha ha, gallop kauto out the gate? don't think so pal. have you not seen kauto star's cruising speed? kauto star for me. simple fact is that cheltenham at that time of the year is more suited to kauto. if cheltenham were in november, then i'd probably side with denman. it's up to harry findlay who rides denman, and AP were available to it was a no brainer. Sam Thomas will prob be riding something for tom george or venetia williams in that race. it's a 2 horse race really, and can't wait for it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- supremem novices, jasus lads i can't see anything get near dunguib. he's 4/5 now though i think. certainly looks the best ante post banker
going by the attached link, here are my predictions for these races @ Cheltenham going by current form etc. - http://www.paddypower.com/racing/cheltenham-betting Champion hurdle - fairly wide open, and providing that dunguib doesn't run i am going for Go Native to be this years champion hurdler. Supreme Novices - Dunguib. Mares hurdle - don't know much about these, but i liked the look of Candy Creek last week. RSA Chase - Pandorama shaped up really well last time out, and i think he can cause a minor surprise here. World Hurdle - Big Bucks. Triumph hurdle - stick my neck out with gordon elliott's Carlito Brigante since he won in good style for me yesterday. Gold cup - Kauto Star. the Arkle - Sizing Europe for me, captain cee bee's jumping is a major worry, esp around Chelters. Cross country - enda bolger normally trains the winner of this race, going with Garde Champetre. Champion chase - Big Zeb to turn master minded over. the Ryanair - possibly the hardest race to call, tentative vote goes to alan king's Voy Por Ustedes. what do you's think lads?
I think there stone raving mad keeping Dunguib to jump racing.He's an absolute machine and would easily be up to G1 cup races on the flat over 2 miles.He also looks a tailor made type for a tilt at the Melbourne cup. Jack in the jumping lark Mr Fenton and get him on the flat!!!
Dunguib is a beast. I'd take on Sizing Europe at Cheltenham, Master Minded loves the place. And i'll be away for the Gold cup, need to find somewhere in Valencia to watch it!!!
Watched the Dunguib race last night. While he won very easy with alot in hand, his jump was very lacklustre to say the least. Don;t think I'd be tearing in at odds on
Dunguib is a certainty. Im gonna pile into that and kauto double and I really cannot see see how ill lose my stake, i think they are both certs to win!
No such thing As a cert, even if they jump perfectly another horse could take them. Both look bankers but every year so called bankers are beaten at short odds.