Ladbroke Handicap Hurdle

[Grasshopper]

I like the look of Shelford for this today.

He runs from a mark of 134 (10-7) for Dan Skelton today, and it's a rating which potentially under-estimates him, if his comfortable defeat of the smart Emerging Talent (now rated 139) is anything to go by. And his 20f form against the useful Aubusson also reads well, following that one's victory in a Pertemps Qualifier (acknowledge Aubusson wants a trip). I expect the dangers to come from Bayan, the top-weight and the Jonjo and Mullins yokes.

The trainer continues in good form, and I'm really rather sweet on Shelford's chances.

PS. My current form is abysmal, so consider yourselves warned.

[EC1]

i got a few here who look well handicapped on my calcs

Shelford..lots in hand..don't like the drop back to 2 miles..out-paced late on?
Activial...plenty in hand..hard to knock
Pine Creek...ground?
cool mcacavity..ground?
minellaforleisure..ground?

Activial for me.not as obviously well in as Shelford..but i think will be more suited to the test...

[marbler]

Yep Shelford has a nice sqeak. I could have written any of about 8 horses on my slip earlier, so I backed the horse I'd kick myself the most were it to win - Clondaw Warrior- although I expect to be fucked over by one of the ' won't kick myself as much as if Clondaw Warrior wins' horses.

[reet hard]

Willie Mullins isn't the easiest to second-guess, but seems convinced he's found the key to Clondaw Warrior from his last run. Maybe he'll be ridden for the short, sharp burst of speed which served him so well on the flat, but any improvement on his Greatwood 3rd should see him in the money in this.

[baldeagle]

Shelford for me saver on Cool Macavity with BG DOING 10-6

[Grey]

I have a lot of time for Gary O'Brien (who used to be a member of this forum by the way) and was pleased for him today when Bayan won. It was also good to see Davy Condon having a big win after a very bad time with injury.

[Maruco]

I didn't realise Gary O'Brien was a member here Art. What did he call himself?

[Warbler]

Shadow Leader?

[Colin Phillips]

[marbler]

Mycenean Princess?

[Grey]

I didn't realise Gary O'Brien was a member here Art. What did he call himself?

I'll send you a PM. His most recent post was more than ten years ago.

[eric c]

The 2 jockeys who fought out the finish both got significant suspensions for whip use.
No one on this forum has bothered to mention this controversial fact ??
Is it any wonder Gary O'Brien is not interested in communicating ??

[EC1]

The 2 jockeys who fought out the finish both got significant suspensions for whip use.
No one on this forum has bothered to mention this controversial fact ??
Is it any wonder Gary O'Brien is not interested in communicating ??

mainly not mentioned probably because its not controversial..its how the game is.

Why would someone not post because no one has mentioned some whip bans most folk ignore anyway?

[simmo]

mainly not mentioned probably because its not controversial..its how the game is.

Why would someone not post because no one has mentioned some whip bans most folk ignore anyway?

Why would someone not post for over 10 years in anticipation of a win by an, as yet, unborn horse, which would be achieved by means of excessive whip use (which would, in turn have required the foresight to know that the whip rules would change in that time), due to a belief that said excessive whip use would not be discussed on a forum. That's some plot.

Anyway - I'm Gary O'Brien.

[EC1]

now i am confused..anybody explain what is going on

[SP Only]

I'm the real Gary O'Brien

[Desert Orchid]

The debate has been done more than once. Views, as might be expected, are quite entrenched.

I argued back in the day when there was a tight three-way finish in the Juddmonte (One In A MIllion?) that if the jockey breaks the rules the horse should be disqualified. My view has never changed. It would take only one or two high-profile disqualifications for jockeys to change their win-at-any-cost ways.

I'm Gary O'Brien, by the way.

[Hamm]

The 2 jockeys who fought out the finish both got significant suspensions for whip use.
No one on this forum has bothered to mention this controversial fact ??
Is it any wonder Gary O'Brien is not interested in communicating ??

So, unless we mention every single aspect of every big race, we are not worthy of 'celebrity' contributors?

[EC1]

you put it so much better than i did Hamm.

i still haven't got a clue what its about..is it some parallel universe ?

[eric c]

Maybe the " posers " should go check the RP site for argumentative comments on LHH Ascot Dec 20 2014.
Cynicism is an excuse for no worthwhile opinion.
DO is the only one on here so far willing to discuss a thorny issue.