: Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:26 pm
mwildcats wrote:
Can i jump in here, Big Bucks beat punchestown recieving 7lbs (iirc) on soft ground that favours paul nicholls charge, i firmly believe punchestown will reverse this form. However in my opinion neither of these two are the winner, Kasbah Bliss 2nd to the recently retired Inglis Drever in last years World Hurdle has gone on to win a grade 3 flat race in france as well as placing in a class 1 (iirc) last weekend he demolished the field on soft ground that although he can act on, he prefers better (good / gd sf ground) here he showed a tremendous turn of foot, and his trainer Francis Douman admitted that KB needed the run to get in a round of jumping, he will improve for cheltenham and imo he is one of the bankers of the meeting.
If he runs, Ashley Brook in the Queen Mother, easy e/w option, though I have him to win outright. Around 66/1 at the min, he pulled out last year but Kev Bishop will be eager to run him. Fell at the last 2 years ago, if he made it he had it easy (Had £700 on him), others were already looking beaten and he was cruising for the last 6. Masterminded will be tough to beat, but if Ashley Brook has AP (unlikey due to Nicholls prob have him on MM) or Brennan on, then he'll run very well espec if it's good ground.
Kauto Star, always expect him to win, but never fails to amaze me. Lives up to his name of being an absolute star, one horse that I would actually bet my mortgage on (if I had one). Definetly lives up to Desert Orchid and Arkle legendness (My two fav runners of all time). Deffo one not to miss if you can watch him race, even if you dont bet, just to watch him
