Now, I’m no fair weather racegoer, but shiver-me-timbers, the forecast is bad.
While racing goes ahead, I’m a confirmed non-runner in the style stakes and shall be wrapping up, but I’m worried that the storm could hamper more than just my outfit.
There is a saying in racing, form is temporary – class is permanent and with three top level contests in the mix at Leopardstown today, normally class prevails. BUT conditions must surely be rotten, and too much muck can dirty even the brightest of stars.
Irving, Vautour and The Tullow Tank have each other in a headlock at the top of our betting for the Supreme Novices; the opening race of the Cheltenham Festival. The latter 2 face each other today in the Deloitte Novices Hurdle and which ever gains the upper hand this afternoon will probably take the market lead.
Vautour is 2 from 2 since joining Willie Mullins and an additional quarter of a mile could be to his liking, according to the Champion trainer. He used up plenty of petrol early on his last outing and would run better if he settles.
The Tullow Tank’s hat-trick of glory this season, with a collective winning margin of 37 lengths, speaks for itself.
He’s an exciting prospect that I’ve been tempted to nibble at in the Antepost betting. But his road to Cheltenham could hit a speed bump today as unlike his nearest rival, he’s unproven on this heavy ground. For that reason, he’s on my list of favourites to oppose today, and I’ll go for Willies to win.
But, (and this is a but of Kardashian proportions) I did run into Ruby Walsh last night at a charity ball along with David Casey and the newly appointed Gigginstown top jockey Brian Cooper. When they were previewing the card, the feeling was that I’m wrong, and the market is right. So you choose – Cooper/Casey/Walsh’s advice, or mine…
My concluding piece of information – the above musketeers cajoled me into being generous and I gave the charity, Fighting Blindness, a €500 free bet. On the trio’s advice, they’ve picked Lockstockandbarrel in the last.
And fingers crossed we’ll be paying out on that one for such a deserving cause.
Adieu and enjoy!
