Daily Racing Thread Monday 14th. Dec. 2015

This is me this time Wooly

 

Knowing my luck he will get pulled from the race like with Simonsig

 

I'm. Saying. Nowt. (This time)

 

Have to agree there mate- jumped effortlessly. Not spectacular but efficient and quick. He is a definite 4 mile chance but he certainly has to be considered for a trial for an RSA in the New year. Much will depend on what he owners want.

Pont Alexandre is one potential for the RSA for Mullins but he also has to stay fit, so it's hard to say for sure.

 

Take it from that comment you disagree!!

 

There ability to handle goodish ground against some quicker horses would worry me a tad, certainly Black Herucles in an RSA. Pont Alexandres jumping was electric on debut, if he stays fit and well, he's the stables number 1 RSA horse imo. His jumping could be breathtaking from the front in an RSA, just setting it up nicely for No More Heroes to pick him up after the last

Wylie ran Back in Front in the 4 miler and won it, I don't think he'd pass up the chance of a second with Black Herucles.

 

The Monday morning after Aintree, a couple of weeks before the Punchestown festival, I spoke to Ruby Walsh.

Nearing the end of an interesting chat, I asked him how many winners did he think Willie Mullins might have at Punchestown?

His response both intrigued and astonished me. He thought long and hard before offering a reply.

“You know,” he said, “it wouldn’t surprise me if Willie won half of the races.” In any normal society it shaped as an answer that belonged in the realms of fantasy.

I think we both knew he was exaggerating, at least to some extent, but amazingly his prediction was to prove eerily accurate.

When the meeting ended a week ago, Mullins had won 16 of the 37 contests. When you factor in that two of those were not open to Mullins runners then effectively he won as near to half of the races as made no difference. Mullins, and those associated with his stable, have enjoyed the best season imaginable, but all the evidence is that his utter domination means there are real problems going forward.

Mind you it is not as if he has become something of an overnight success.He was first champion trainer in 2001, but then Noel Meade took over for the next six years, before Mullins regained the championship in 2008. He has been champion every year since and is now so far clear of his rivals that it almost defies logic.

For instance, he won ten of the 12 Grade 1’s that were available at Punchestown, while talented opposition were basically left to pick up scraps.

Gordon Elliott and Jessica Harrington did manage two winners apiece, but so many top trainers were left with virtually nothing. You’d imagine Meade is as good a trainer now as he ever was, he certainly has a wealth of experience, but never even got the sniff of a winner at Punchestown.

The end-of-season statistics were hugely revealing. Mullins won 187 races at home, for prize money of €4.2m. Elliott, a clear second, enjoyed a great campaign, but 92 winners and €1.5m left him miles behind Mullins. Elliott, Meade (third) and Tony Martin (fourth) managed 185 winners between them, two shy of the Mullins total.

One of the other aspects regarding Punchestown, of course, was the relatively weak British challenge.But that was perfectly understandable, on the basis that Mullins had won a record-breaking eight races at the Cheltenham festival and if they couldn’t take him on at home then what chance had they in an away game?

The overall standard of horses in Ireland is currently at an all-time high and we have very much enjoyed watching the likes of Faugheen, Vautour, Un De Sceaux and so many others.

But National Hunt racing is becoming increasingly uncompetitive, with so many of the best horses residing in the one place. Mullins has simply taken it to an entirely new level and, backed by numerous big-hitting owners, promises to get even stronger in the coming seasons. When he began training that was hardly the plan, but it has evolved in such a manner for an enormously talented man, who is impossible to dislike. It would be plain ridiculous to even attempt to criticise Mullins for taking excellence to a new level.

But the bottom line is that his opponents haven’t a prayer and there is essentially little or nothing they can do about it.

Take the case of Mouse Morris for example and his travails at Punchestown. Mouse hasn’t had a good season, ending with just 13 winners. Punchestown, however, almost sent him out on a much more positive note, except for the Mullins shadow.Mouse ran the 40-1 shot Baily Green in the Grade 1 BoyleSports Champion Chase, taking on three Mullins candidates. Baily Green ran out of his skin, but was nailed close home and beaten half a length into second by Mullins’ Felix Yonger. Then Mouse’s Alpha Des Obeaux — he is a star of the future — contested the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle. This time he had four Mullins horses against him, beat three of them, but was no match for Nichols Canyon.

I associate with plenty of hard-core punters, those who play large, middle of the road and the modest variety, that follow the game literally every day. The message coming from them through the season was that while it was great to see so many top horses in action much of it was proving less than satisfactory. Generally speaking, due to the Mullins dominance, betting opportunities, for all shades of punters, were thin on the ground.

Right now National Hunt racing in Ireland is completely lopsided. In lots of ways, it will almost be a relief to embrace the flat, especially for those of us who love that game anyway.

 

Genuinely no idea Wooly, I haven't looked at race to be honest so have no idea whose even in it! I'm just conscious of my last antepost advise on the week of the race I gave you

 

I'm backing Chelsea @ 13/10 - the win against Porto was good and although they lost to Bournemouth they actually played pretty well

 

I fancy a bit of a firecracker tonight at the King Power. Goals galore and I fancy 3-2, 2-3, and 3-3 for barmy Leicester and their all out attack.

So I suggest you take note of my prediction and take up the offer of 0-0 at around the 9/1 mark

 

I actually really fancy 0-1 as I think Jose will revert to type and sit his team in

 

I'm with you cityhull. Can't see nothing except a cosy Chelsea win. 2-0. Leicester's next 6 are pretty tough, make or break time on their assault on a Europe league spot.

 

I got a free in play bet from WH so will have that on 0-1

 

I fancied a draw tonight but halving my stake and putting on 1-1 (same return as a Draw at 6/1) or 2-2 (16/1) provides better profit.

 

Brilliant goal from Leicester. Anyone see Hazards "injury"...definitely something going on with him and Mourinho there.

 

Have to say the Foxes are nice to watch. Hopefully they can sustain their early form as it's nice to have a new face up there. Chelsea struggling badly to get beyond the 4-5 of Leicester and Leicester can get in behind pretty easy with the direct ball and pace.

Chelsea will have to pull something out of the fire, Mourinho is running on empty I think.

 

Having used these pages to give a jockey a darn good slating yesterday I want to sympathise with one today. Not least because I really like the lad in question.
CHARLIE DEUTSCH gave Aachen an absolute peach of a front running ride on Friday at Cheltenham earning plaudits from near and far. Today he gave a similarly beautiful ride to Goring Two at Plumpton. He had him a stunning rhythm from tape rise and his lovely smooth style had the horse pinging his fences and taking lengths out of the field at every jump. Then the commentators curse struck, "he's only got to jump the last two to win", the second last he jumped perfectly but then he cruised down to the last took of a stride too soon hit the birch a foot from the top. Charlie had no chance of staying on and suffered the dreaded UR that jocks hate so much. Compensation should be quick in coming for the horse and make no mistake that when shrewd judges leg this young man up they know they will be getting value for the 5lb claim.
He was with Longsdon last season until a disagreement saw them part company, reading between the lines the lad may have been seen to be getting a bit too big for his boots. Regardless of this Venetia Williams has wasted little time taking the lad under her wing and she is sure to use the lad and his claim very wisely. She was after him before Longsdon tempted him to Hull Farm but personally I think he is better off where he is now and I am looking forward to following his progress this winter. Him, Noonan and Fox make the apprentice ranks look very tasty this NH season and really should help us make ends meet.

 

Obviously a typo and I meant Leicester 2-0

 

I don't know what's happening to chelski this season but I'm fooking loving it!