Firstly ladies and gentlemen, my profuse apologies, due to technology being a complete pain in the backside, I am unable to bring you a video preview but I hope the below will suffice. Hopefully, also, some of ye made a few bob today on BRAZIL, 10/1, BLUE LORD (3RD, 13/2 when advised) and the incomparable HONEYSUCKLE 8/11f, though no credit will be sought for advising the latter.
*CONTENDER *SELECTION
BALLYMORE PROPERTIES NOV. HURDLE:
JOURNEY WITH ME
Unbeaten
Ground Versatile
De Bromhead/Blackmore
Beat Kilcruit and Minella Crooner (The latter well fancied for but missing Festival through injury)
THREE STRIPE LIFE
Sole Elliott runner
Cheltenham Bumper placed
Form ties in with Sir Gerhard
SIR GERHARD
Cheltenham Bumper Winner
Cheveley Park flagship jumps horse
Form of two hurdle wins stacks up well
Mullins banker?
BROWN ADVISORY NOV. CHASE:
CAPODANO
Ground and trip versatile
Got as close as anybody so far to Bob Olinger
Overpriced
BRAVEMANSGAME
Nicholls banker?
Unbeaten
Holds Ahoy Senor on form
CORAL CUP HANDICAP HURDLE
GOWEL ROAD
Could be a Twiston-Davies handicap ‘Job’
Course winner
Form behind Metier looks solid
Handicapper raised 13 pounds throughout season
SAINT FELICIEN
Very lightly raced
Evidently held for a spring campaign
Two placed efforts behind subsequent winners
DROP THE ANCHOR
Simon Torrens claim
Torrens/McManus
Staying-on 5th in Ladbroke Hurdle at L’town
THE SHUNTER (EW)
Former course winner
Protected hurdle mark?
Mark Walsh pick
Ground versatile
QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE
CHACUN POUR SOI
Highly regarded by Closutton
Holds Nube Negra on Punchestown form
NUBE NEGRA
Has form in hand on Politilogue and Put The Kettle On
ENERGUMENE
Up 12 pounds since start of the season
Horses he has beaten have all won since
Only has a length to make up on Shishkin
SHISHKIN
Reigning Champion
Two time Festival winner
Henderson factor
GLEN FARCLAS CROSS COUNTRY
BRAHMA BULL
Competed at much higher level
Hennessey Third
Not that far behind Al Boum Photo at Tramore
Easysland
Former winner
Now with proper trainer
Rated 157
SHADY OPERATOR (EW)
JOHNNY HENDERSON GRAND ANNUAL
ANDY DUFRESNE
Mark Walsh’s pick
A step above a handicapper
Placed form reads well
Sounds as if laid out
A WAVE OF THE SEA
Course form
Consistent
Hitting form at right time
DANCING ON MY OWN
Owner (Ballymore Properties, sponsor on the day)
De Bromhead horses
Holds Buddy Rich on form
CHAMPION BUMPER
FACILE VEGA
AMERICAN MIKE
JOYEAUX MACHIN
SEABANK BISTRO