Equinties - exceedingly good

Gm Equinauts

Big money purchases, mouths moving markets and the retirement of a stallion great. Whether you prefer flat or jumps, todays newsletter has it all.

DON’T FORGET!

Our Cheltenham giveaway will be live until Friday night, the winner is announced Saturday.

Weekender subscriber? Scroll right to the bottom of todays edition for an update on the new newsletter horse!

Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

JP DOING JP THINGS 

There’s only one man who can buy two Cheltenham favourites the week before the Festival.

Enter JP McManus.

Emmet Mullins has two more horses with the name JP McManus next to them now as the green and gold owner bought two Cheltenham Festival favourites a week before the Festival. 

The first horse to hit the news came from the usual place of business for McManus as he bought MEETINGOFTHEWATERS, the current Ultima favourite, from Paul Byrne. 

As for the second purchase, McManus is dabbling in the Hunter Chase scene as ITS ON THE LINE, formerly owned by Emmet Mullins and the C C R Racing Syndicate, will sport new colours in the race that directly follows the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Let’s be honest, we didn’t see these two bits of high-profile news coming on the same day, but fair play to McManus for reaching into his pocket. That being said, he may have to slip David Mullins a few extra quid for his glowing report on the RaceHour podcast. 

He did it last year with A DREAM TO SHARE, and as much as these sales get hyped up and effect their SP, you’d have to see this as an extra positive to both horses in their respective races.

More: JP McManus adds to his festival team by purchasing Ultima favourite and leading Grand National fancy Meetingofthewaters | Racing Post

GOLD CUP SLEEPER

This year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup is worthy of its 100th anniversary. GALOPIN DES CHAMPS. FASTORSLOW. BRAVEMANSGAME. GERRI COLOMBE. SHISHKIN. Phwoar, what a line up.

But could there be a sleeper in the market that is being forgotten? Well, Robcour have GERRI COLOMBE, but they also have GENTLEMANSGAME for Mouse Morris who people think could be the overlooked horse of the whole race at 25/1.

On a recent preview night, Rob Acheson, son of owner Brian Acheson, said that he thinks GENTLEMANSGAME is potentially better ability-wise than his owner-mate and the price difference between the pair is too big.

This is also backed up by jockey Darragh O’Keeffe as he said: "I know we haven't seen him since the Charlie Hall but he seems to be in brilliant form. "Mouse is a master at this sort of thing. There aren't too many better than Mouse at getting one ready for the big day and he will have him there at the top of his game, I've no doubt about that.

“He's a brilliant trainer and I think Gentlemansgame has got a great each-way shout."

At 25/1, would you give him a chance?

RICH TARGETS RICHES

Rich Ricci, the mad banker and prolific owner that he is, is leaning towards the Arkle with GAELIC WARRIOR rather than the Turners. 

Although the New Course and a longer race (so slightly slower pace) would suit him due to his tendency to jump to his right, the prominent owner wants to send his six-year-old to the first day of the Festival.

Naturally, this did cause a few jokes on Racing X. 

In our opinion, having won over three miles as a novice hurdler, dropping back to the Arkle would be a bit brave, but Willie Mullins has got to split them up somehow.

Willie Mullins’ distinct lack of communication regarding where he sends his horses is frustrating punters. We know Willie is in his rights to not say anything but it’s bad form considering we are 5 days out from the festival and still have no idea where some are going. It’s a huge punting market and people should know by now the intended target of the horses. 

Agree? 

As for the Stayers’ Hurdle, Gavin Cromwell has confirmed that FLOORING PORTER will run in the race he has won twice before rather than going over fences. 

He wasn’t confirmed for the National Hunt Chase on the Tuesday of the Festival, leaving the Stayers’ Hurdle as his only option.

EXCEED AND EXCEL

The son of DANEHILL has now retired from stallion duties and will spend the rest of life chilling in the glorious paddocks at Darley Australia.

He’s done his bit for the breed. The winner of the Gr1 Newmarket Handicap in Australia. He was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed for a reported $20 million in 2004. He is the only Australian bred sire to achieve 200 stakes winners, joining the prestigious ranks of his sire DANEHILL, GALILEO, SADLERS WELLS, MORE THAN READY, DUBAWI and DEEP IMPACT. A pretty formidable list of greats.

He was the first sire to reach 500 Juvenile winners worldwide. The sire of 16 individual Group 1 winners. 1800 winners, 215 stakes winners. That totalled more than $270 million in earnings. That is phenomenal. With all the noise of Cheltenham. A stallion like EXCEED AND EXCEL should be applauded. He was a breed shaper. Shuttling for 16 consecutive seasons from Australia to England. A champion sire in Australia and Hong Kong. Happy retirement!

CHELTENHAM GIVEAWAY

Tuesday badges. Train fares. Full race card preview. Betting money. We’re giving away the ultimate Cheltenham package!

To enter on X:

• simply like and retweet this post

To enter on Tiktok:

• like, share and tag a friend in this video

WINNER ANNOUNCED SATURDAY MORNING!

RISK ON

Paulings should win the 14.55 and apparently Kevin Ryan’s is pretty special in the 18.00 but that double has been smashed. Happy to watch today with both Carlisle and Wincanton full of yokes.

NEWSLETTER HORSE UPDATE BELOW - SIMPLY CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO BE ABLE TO READ MORE ABOUT HIS PEDIGREE AND BE A PART OF HIS JOURNEY!

Become a paying subscriber of Premium to get access to this post and other subscriber-only content.

Already a paying subscriber? Sign In.

A subscription gets you:

• • The weekender edition (Mon-Fri still free)
• • The weekends best bets
• • That warm fuzzy feeling inside knowing the intern gets fed
• • Only £1 a week!