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Anyone got any notes of Sean Graham's night on Monday

Didn't get to go this year

From an email I was sent yesterday


Sean Graham Cheltenham Preview Night, Europa Hotel, Belfast, 8th March

The night was comprised of a panel well known faces from the racing industry giving their thoughts on 10 of the leading races at the Festival and at the end where asked to give their nap of the meeting and their best outsiders. Unfortunately there wasn't an opportunity for Q&A at the end. It was a fairly raucous affair and sometimes hard to hear, but this is what I remember from it.

Panel:

Tony O'Hehir (TOH): RTE and Racing Post – compere for the evening.

Matt Chapman (MC): At The Races and all round loudmouth.

Colm Murphy (CM): Irish Trainer of Brave Inca. Big Zeb and Voler La Vodette are main Cheltenham hopes.

Andrew Lynch (AL): Stable jockey to Henry de Bromhead and Jim Dreaper. Will ride Sizing Europe.

Dave Nevison (DN): Professional punter and tipster on Racing UK.

Gary O'Brien (GOB): ATR Irish presenter.

Ronan Graham (RG) and Brian Graham (BG) of Sean Graham's bookmakers. Brian was on the the panel for the 1st half and Ronan for the 2nd.


Supreme Novices

As expected, most talk revolved around Dunguib. DN said as punter, he couldn't have him at odds on. Factors sited were: an inexperienced jockey; suspect jumping; and weakness of form. As an alternative, he picked Get Me Out Of Here e/w as he was impressed by his win in the Tote Gold Trophy, as was GOB. BG agreed and doesn't mind taking on Dunguib, but believes him to be a fair enough price. MC typically went against the grain and reckoned it would be Dunguib all the way. GOB and AL mentioned Blackstairmountain as another e/w alternative.




Arkle


AL, in talking about Sizing Europe, referred to his win at Leopardstown when Captain Cee Bee fell when looking like winning, and said that Sizing Europe was below his best on that day. He said he had schooled it that day and was very happy with it. MC was unsure about Sizing Europe. He likes Somersby, but joked about Henrietta Knight's habit of rarely racing her horses and wondered if it was planning its own escape from its paddock to attend the meeting. He said he was unsure if it is really good enough, and the same with Riverside Theatre. He thinks Captain Cee Bee is the best horse in the race but has slight concerns about his jumping. CM can't see past Captain Cee Bee, with Somersby next best. GOB said if this race was over hurdles rather than fences, Captain Cee Bee would be Evens, but that said he would still back him. He revealed he had spoken to Andrew MacNamara, who had ridden both Captain Cee Bee and Sizing Europe and said that Captain Cee Bee is the better horse. (Andrew Mac also highly rates Tranquil Sea for the Ryanair). BG said jumping is a concern for Captain Cee Bee and mentioned he had burst a blood vessel racing at Aintree and took this as a bad sign. GOB picked up on this and said in his experience, it didn't matter as it was only a problem if it happened in consecutive races and he had raced since without any problems. BG said that Paul Nicholls didn't rate the form of Somersby's Sandown win at all (PN had the 2nd place in that race). He suggested Riverside Theatre as his e/w pick. DN said there were question marks about all the main contenders, so would to look to outsiders. He picked French Opera as a NRNB bet (although admitted it was very unlikely to run), along with Kangaroo Court e/w, if the ground was good.





Champion Hurdle



All agreed this race was wide open. DN had no big view and reckoned any of the leading 7 in the betting could take this. He said that Go Native represents no value – the Fighting Fifth form is no good, nor the Kempton Xmas Hurdle. His selections are, in no order, Khyber Kim, Medermit and Punjabi. The remainder said they would have been on Solwhit, but not any more and doubt he'll run. CM agreed it's wide open and said there are question marks over Go Native, he offered Punjabi e/w as his selection.  BG said he had doubts about Zaynar and reckons Go Native is best choice. GOB didn't think Go Native can win. He offered Punjabi e/w as his pick. AL reckons Khyber Kim is only a good handicapper, and that Go Native would have the best toe of the hold-up horses. MC went on a lengthy rant about Go Native and all of Noel Meade's hurdlers, calling them "dogs" who lacked bottle and ran out of steam, comparing him to Harchibald, Ifraaj and Muirhead. He said Khyber Kim had done nothing wrong, but wasn't good enough, same with Medermit and Zaynar is too slow. He pointed out the predominance of hold-up horses, particularly in the betting and lack of true front running contenders. For this reason, he reckoned Celestial Halo e/w had a chance if he got into a position where he gave the others too much to do.





Neptune Novices' Hurdle



BG reckoned that Rite of Passage is too short in price and stated worries over its' hurdling and the form of its' races. He offered Peddlers Cross as his pick. MC would also take on Rite of Passage and wasn't impressed by Finian's Rainbow's jumping. He thought Peddlers Cross might make a better chaser and went for Reve de Sivola for this. AL also thought Rite of Passage is too short and went for Quel Espirit, particularly if the ground was soft and also likes Peddlers Cross. GOB said Rite of Passage is too short, likes the chances of Quantitiveeasing, but opted for Quel Espirit. He revealed that Patrick Mullins has said that this is his banker of the meeting. CM said that Willie Mullins is very taken with Quel Espirit and always has a glint in his eye when talking about him. He also said that Barry Geraghty is very keen on Finians Rainbow and thinks its one of his best chances for a winner. BG advised to watch the market on Quel Espirit – every time it has won, it was preceded by strong market support. DN said that Quantitiveeasing has a good handicap mark and is worth backing if going in one of them. He thinks Rite of Passage has a good chance in this.





RSA Chase



DN said that Punchestowns is a great NRNB bet. He said that Long Run won't finish and Weird Al isn't good enough. AL reckons that Uimhiraceathair is the best of the Irish, ahead of Weapon's Amnesty, but that Punchestowns is best of all. GOB thinks that Uimhiraceathair might placethat it's between Punchestowns and Long Run, with the former being best value if it turns up. He doesn't fancy Diamond Harry at all and said that Weapon's Amnesty isn't a good enough jumper. CM is a fan of Punchestowns. He reckons that Weapon's Amnesty is improving and could be an e/w shot. A concern though is that it is a stablemate of Solwhit and could be infected if there's a bug going round. BG pointed out that Long Run has only won on softish ground and said to keep an eye on this. He offered Weapon's Amnesty e/w as his pick. MC revealed that he has spoken to the previous French trainer of Long Run, and he was concerned about the inexperienced jockey Sam Waley-Cohen. The trainer thinks that currently with SWC on board, 2 miles is too short and 3 miles too long – as he won't be settled enough over the early fences. MC goes for Punchestowns. He reckons people are looking too much into Weapon's Amnesty's win at the festival last year over hurdles.





Champion Chase



CM stated that Big Zeb has prepared very well. DN thinks that Master Minded is too short and hasn't shown he's back to his best and says he will be taking it on. RG agrees and thinks it will drift out to Evens and says it's his Bismarck. He thinks Kalahari King e/w is the bet of the meeting. AL agreed with this. GOB wasn't sure about Master Minded either and went for Golden Silver e/w in betting without the favourite market. MC disagreed with this and said Master Minded's superior jumping would see him home.





Champion Bumper



Not a lot of conviction from the panel about this. TOH said that Willie Mullins thinks there's a lot of similarities between Bishopsfurze and Cousin Vinny. RG can't tell between the 2 Dermot Weld horses at the head of the market, but reckons one will be backed in ahead of the other. Elegant Concorde is his speculative pick, but nominates Megastar as an outsider with a chance. He also said there had been heavy recent support for Drumbaloo, whose trainer James Lambe was in the audience. J Lambe was reluctant to give too much away, but when pressed said he thought it had a chance. GOB likes Elegant Concorde, but nominated Frawley as a good e/w chance. He says it's from a very shrewd yard and that top Irish amateur jockey Derek O'Connor reckons it's a good bet. AL nominated Bishopsfurze and Al Ferof as possibilities. MC rated Shot From The Hip's recent win, but admitted to having no real idea. DN said he won't be getting involved but that there's nothing in Engalnd that will win. CM said Shot From The Hip gave a great performance last time out but has concerns about the jockey (JP Magnier) and his fitness – he has had few rides lately. He also likes Drumbaloo.





World Hurdle



DN said he would take on Big Bucks. He thinks it's the best horse but the price is unattractive and would take Tidal Bay e/w, despite its suspicious head carriage. MC thinks that very few truly stay this trip and goes for Big Bucks. He thinks there is no way that Tidal Bay can improve past Big Bucks at their respective ages. GOB says Big Bucks on form is unbeatable. Regarding War of Attrition, he said that its jockey Davy Russell thinks that it could place, but GOB doesn't think so. His bet would be Sentry Duty e/w or in the betting without the favourite market. AL thinks Big Bucks is a certainty, as did CM, and thinks that Powerstation could place again. MC agreed with this. RG doesn't think that Big Bucks will be any better than 8/13 and will probably tighten as it will be so hard to beat.





Triumph



Most of the panel stated this was a hard one to unravel. GOB is worried that Secant Star mightn't be fit, so goes for Westlin Winds e/w despite being concerned about it having an amateur jockey. AL thinks that Alaivan is better than Carlito Brigante and that their previous clash can be ignored. He rates Secant Star as best of the Irish though. CM revealed that Davy Russell doesn't rate Carlito Brigante – and he's his jockey!! He thinks Secant Star jumps hurdles too big, like a chaser. DN nominated Notus De La Tour, even though it mightn't run. He said Me Voici won't run as he needs heavy ground. RG said it's wide open – Alaivan can be good or terrible, Carlito Brigante has done nothing wrong and Advisor's form doesn't hold up. MC said it's a guessing game, but plumps for Secant Star with a NRNB bet on Me Voici if he runs in heavy.





Gold Cup



MC thinks Denman will gallop Kauto Star out of his comfort zone like 2008.  AL goes for Kauto Star, mentioning that Niche Market managed to go with Denman Newbury even before his fall and if he can do that, so can Kauto Star. CM goes for Kauto Star, but thinks Cooldine can get placed. GOB think Denman is a good e/w bet. DN thinks that Tricky Trickster e/w and without the favs is the bet of the meeting, and that it will also win the Grand National. RG says that a Kauto Star win will be a big loss to them, and that it probably won't get any better in price from 8/11, whilst Denman will continue to drift. He doesn't think Cooldine is good enough and that Imperial Commander has better e/w claims.







Naps



MC – The Hollinell (Jewson)

AL – Kalahari King (Champion Chase)

GOB – Captain Cee Bee (Arkle)

RG - Kalahari King (Champion Chase)

CM - Captain Cee Bee (Arkle)



Best Outsiders



AL – Bertie's Dream (Albert Bartlett)

GOB – Frawley (Bumper); China Rock (Jewson)

RG – Clan Tara (4 mile chase)

DN – Something Wells

CM – Scotsirish (Ryanair)

[sammymaguire]

Doogie, that's decent of you 

[full back]

Who did Dave Nevison tip?

[Maroon Heaven]

Thanks Doogie

[sammymaguire]

magic glade 4 30 south good e/w today 20/1
also happy milly at clonmel in the 2.35 6/1

[Homer]

B J Curley entries
11Mar10    7:00    Me Fein  WOLVERHAMPTON (A.W) (Overnight), 8
11Mar10    8:00    Aviso WOLVERHAMPTON (A.W) (Overnight), 13/2

Both horses now NRs.

[RealSpiritof98]

magic glade 4 30 south good e/w today 20/1
also happy milly at clonmel in the 2.35 6/1
[/quote


Happy milly come like a train but the jockey left him to much to do, let ruby to far ahead.

[sammymaguire]

magic glade 4 30 south good e/w today 20/1
also happy milly at clonmel in the 2.35 6/1
[/quote

Happy milly come like a train but the jockey left him to much to do, let ruby to far ahead.


yeah bit annoyed with Russell on that ride but still 2nd at 8/1, no harm done

[RealSpiritof98]

I did two £5 straight bets and a £10 ew double, so I'm hoping the other lag at least runs into a place

[full back]

Got a call this morning about Fiery Oscar in the 3.40 (I think) at Clonmel this afternoon.  Apparently worth a flutter...

Currently 14.5 on Betfair
Drifting like fcuk..........

[sammymaguire]

Got a call this morning about Fiery Oscar in the 3.40 (I think) at Clonmel this afternoon.  Apparently worth a flutter...

Currently 14.5 on Betfair
Drifting like fcuk..........

not today for Fiery Oscar, unlucky

[sammymaguire]

magic glade 4 30 south good e/w today 20/1
also happy milly at clonmel in the 2.35 6/1

Magic Glade, n/r now 

[maddog]

magic glade 4 30 south good e/w today 20/1
also happy milly at clonmel in the 2.35 6/1

Magic Glade, n/r now 

15:45 Tue 16th Mar  Southwell 5f
17:50 Wed 17th Mar  Kempton 5f   

[TacadoirArdMhacha]

Got a call this morning about Fiery Oscar in the 3.40 (I think) at Clonmel this afternoon.  Apparently worth a flutter...

Currently 14.5 on Betfair
Drifting like fcuk..........

not today for Fiery Oscar, unlucky

What happened him? I'm a curse on these tips!

[T O Hare]

Its odds on now but i have had a few texts for phycho in the next at clonmel