
Re: National Hunt talk reaction and banter
Just to change the subject back to the NH...

Here are my runners:
Race 2: John Smith's West Hurdle: Sage Ii: He ran 5th over 3m1f in week 1 and I thought he ran like he didn't get the trip, I had problems entering last week and couldn't find a race I wanted to enter him in. I feel the same about this week, but I decided to take the plunge and enter him in this hurdle race. I was waiting for a handicap with him so I'm hoping that either he places and shows he's a group horse. Or that he finishes last so he can go handicapping.
Race 3: Bet 365 Mare's Hurdle: Oak Dancing Crystal: She was a proper 2 miler in CK, but she looked way outpaced on her debut in a 2m hurdle and again last week in a 2m4f mare's listed hurdle. She has got behind early on both her starts so far so if she doesn't do that she should run better. The main reason she's in here is because it's a mare's race.
Race 4: Stephenson Hcp Chase: Oak Dancing Rosie: She was a proper 2 miler in the CK, but she didn't have much competition as most of mine want intermediate or longer distances. She was disappointing in week 1 and didn't run in week 2, I wanted to run her over a little further but I couldn't find a race and I though a 0-110 handicap might give her a chance. She remains on 100 which I hope is a fair enough mark.
Race 6: Badger Ales Trophy: Forest Viking: Finished 6th in a maiden chase last week which surprised me, I thought he'd be desperate for further. He's got top weight at the moment though which seems a bit harsh considering how well regarded one or two of the others are. I still think he'll need further so hopefully he'll pick one or two of these off at the end.
Race 8: Totetentofollow Rising Stars Novice Chase: Chick: Well I was adamant this horse wouldn't run over fences, but after looking like a non-stayer over 3m1f in week 1, I couldn't find a race for him in week 2 as I have other horses who have run better to run in the 2m4f hurdles. After another of mine unseated over fences last week I decided to give him a shot. If he's can show his form then he'll run well, he has regularly beaten Blazon Ii in the CK over 2m5f-3m so this could be an interesting one to watch.
Race 9: Toteexacta Cross Country Chase: Geraldine Ii: After disappointing in week 1, he ran much better in week 2 but the jockey again insisted on going on far too far from home. I'm looking forward to seeing this race, if the jockey can hold onto him for a bit longer I'd think he might have a chance of bothering the judge.
Race 10: Wincanton Mare's Handicap: Oak Diamond Currency: She was really disappointing over 2m7f last week, she got a REALLY bad ride in my books. I think she could be better on the G/F this week and as long as she isn't allowed to get behind early, against her own sex I hope she can do better.
Race 11: Paddy Power Gold Cup: Oak San Rose: He again has been really disappointing and has on the whole jumped awfully. He always performed best at Cheltenham in CK and this is his trip. As long as he gets in he'll have a lovely light weight as long as the jockey isn't stupid with the front running tactics.
Race 12: Morson Group Handicap Chase: Oak Blazing Rose: She has run twice now like she needs further. She was second last week, staying on behind an easy winner, so she is high up the weights. I think the extra furlong, plus the hill will help her hugely, fingers crossed Leon keeps Crazy Wolf in so the weights are a little lower. Just as long as her jumping doesn't fall apart.
Race 13: Jardine Lloyd Thompson Hurdle: Oak Ruby Orse: 3m1f at Cheltenham should be right up her street, she ran 3rd in a maiden last week in a 3m1f hurdle and looked like she could have gone a little further. She's top weight at the moment, and I'd worry that there might be some who are better handicapped. But she should be above this so hopefully she'll place at least.
Race 14: Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle: Rival Ii: Really disappointing, running here so he can run in handicaps over a little further next week. Cheltenham should suit him better, but I wouldn't be too hopeful. He shouldn't mind the ground.
Race 17: Neptune Investment Hurdle: Blazon Ii: I wasn't going to run him this week, but I changed my mind. This trip and the hill at Cheltenham will only help him. I'm excited about running him in the Long Distance Hurdle over 3m next week. Considering how he has been running I'd be confident he could run really well again. Like I said these conditions are only going to help him, so if he can put in another good run the others are going to have to go some to beat him.
NAPRace 18: Cleanevent Standard Bumper: Dance of Life Ii: He's been disappointing. He'll go hurdling soon, but as there isn't a race and the ground is good at Cheltenham I thought I'd give him a run and see how he gets on. He could be a lot better for better ground, but it would be a shock!
Race 21: Lismullen Hurdle: Oak Diamond Rose: Ran well over hurdles 5/18 in week 1 and had a disaster over fences last week so a return to hurdles should see her better off. I'm interested to see how she does because she is better than Blazon Ii in CK and 2m4f is her trip. As long as she doesn't get behind early she could run well.
Race 23: Down Royal Handicap Hurdle: Oak Dancing Crystal: I was hoping that he would be good enough to run well in juvenile races over an inadequate trip, I couldn't make my mind up what to do with him last week so he didn't run. 2m4f ought to suit him better and like many of these is rated 100 so shouldn't have a massive amount of weight to carry. I'm looking forward to seeing if the step up in trip will help him.
Race 25: Moores Millions Stayers: Coco Palm Ii: He's run pretty badly so far, I'm hoping the step up in trip will help him. BUT he won't enjoy the heavy, at least he should have a light-ish weight.