Equinties - oh Bob!

Gm Equinauts

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A bit of a slow sports news day but let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

LAST WEEKS EYE CATCHERS

Would you believe that it has been a whole week since Boxing Day? Admittedly, it may be time to put down the beer and work off the cheese, but over the last few days, the intern has collected a couple of eye-catching losers that we want to mention from the Christmas period. So, here we go. 

Boxing Day: The big one from Boxing Day would be BATMAN GIROC from the Grade 2 Mercedes-Benz South-Dublin Juvenile Hurdle. 

The Willie Mullins-trained BATHYRHON gelding was disappointing on debut when sent off a well-backed favourite, so he was unfound in the market at Leopardstown on Boxing Day. Despite this, he was given a quiet ride by Michael O’Sullivan who had a double-handed for most of the contest and picked up late to run through the line. Some polishing in the jumping department would see him go well in something like a Boodles if the handicapper looks upon him leniently (he has also raced twice over hurdles in France so he is qualified to run in the Boodles). 

December 29th: As we said in our preview of the Grade 1 Matheson Hurdle, we thought ECHOES IN RAIN could be one to keep onside for the Mares’ Hurdle at the Festival. As such, she ran admirably behind STATE MAN and IMPAIRE ET PASSE to finish a good third. 

Okay, she does love two miles, but she has stayed on well in tough ground and a return to a better surface could see her improve further.

January 1st: Fields were low at Cheltenham yesterday, though that didn’t stop the two-mile novice chase at 12.55 from being a brilliant race.

We think the first two horses can be quite smart as LIBBERTY HUNTER did well to pick up after two mistakes down the home straight, but faith should remain with MATATA. He made a mistake at the last that cost him a good deal of speed and he was unable to pick back up on heavy ground – a return to better ground will see him put in a better performance. 

Over in Ireland, it was a proper slog in the Grade 3 Savills New Year’s Day Chase and JUNGLE BOOGIE just got the better of CLASSIC GETAWAY. 

That being said, it was the run of MINELLA CROONER which was staggering. He was a remote 20 lengths behind in third as the pair rounded the sweeping Tramore bend, though he stayed on like a train to only be beaten by one-and-a-half lengths. It was deplorable ground, but this was still a massive run.

OH BOB!

According to Racing X, BOB OLINGER is BACK!

The 2021 Ballymore winner had to fight between the rail and BREWIN’UPASTORM to get to the front in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle at Cheltenham yesterday – an incident that saw Brian Hughes pick up a two-day riding ban – but once he got daylight, he oozed class to win comfortably.

Although he did look visually good, one would question the form of his last two wins as MARIE’S ROCK has been out of form since her win in this race last year, and beating BREWIN’UPASTORM and STRONG LEADER isn’t amazing. But still, how can you be a racing fan if you didn’t enjoy this? Furthermore, connections found out that BOB OLINGER had been racing with a small knock for a substantial amount of time, so that could explain his prolonged dip in form. 

The Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle – won by CONSTITUTION HILL last year – has been highlighted as one of his preferred targets though the Champion Hurdle is also an option. However, the Stayers’ Hurdle will not be considered for him. 

RYANAIR OVERREACTION?

“Look after him. Remember, the big day is in March.” 

These were the final words of advice Paul Nicholls gave to Harry Cobden before STAGE STAR ran, and subsequently pulled up, in the Paddy Power New Year’s Day Handicap Chase. Now, I’m sure Nicholls didn’t expect him to pull up even if he needed a bit of work, but his comments post-race potentially explain why STAGE STAR failed to complete. 

After the run, bookies pushed the Paddy Power Gold Cup winner out to 7/1 for the Ryanair in March, something that could be a small overreaction considering we all know how good a target trainer the boss of Ditcheat is. Furthermore, Cobden did exactly what Nicholls asked as he pulled him up before the last, which did “look after him”. If you fancy STAGE STAR for the Ryanair, don’t be put off by yesterday.

RISK ON

We waited all day at Cheltenham for one race, the bumper, only for AUTHENTIC LEGACY to be given a bit of a howler. With a more prominent ride he probably wouldn’t have won, but definitely placed.

We think there is one small bet on a day of poor racing, it will be posted to X @equinties.