Thistlecrack Would Be Odds On If He Was Willie’s

I was very impressed by a number of runners over the weekend including my own Ball D’Arc.

Punchestown
Ball D’Arc won well in what was a decent novice hurdle on Sunday. He settled better and his jumping was much improved. The ground wasn’t as bad as it has been for the previous few weeks, and that clearly suited him.

The penny seems to be dropping with him and he’ll win plenty more races.

He’ll be one for the spring festivals at Fairyhouse and Punchestown.

Clonmel
There’s a good card at Clonmel on Thursday where I have four entered in the Grade 3 Novice Hurdle. The likeliest two to line-up are Westend Star and Roman Gold. It’s a race that Gigginstown like to target – they won it last year with Roi Des Francs – they have six entered and whatever they decide to run will take beating.

Leopardstown
Tombstone is in great form ahead of his run in the Grade 1 Deloitte Novice Hurdle. We’re really excited about running him; it’s going to be a great race. We’ve had a very clear preparation with him.

There will more than likely be 5 or 6 runners in the race. Willie Mullins will probably have two, we’ll have one and there’ll be a few others. I really think the trip will suit and the ground will suit him so with a bit of luck, he’ll do it. No More Heroes will sidestep the Flogas Novice Chase and we’ll head straight for the RSA Chase.

Last weekend – Cheltenham Trials
I thought Barters Hill was very tough when winning at Doncaster. Many people were saying he was unimpressive but what else did they want him to do? He’s going to take a lot of beating in the Albert Bartlett. It doesn’t look like it’s going to be the strongest renewal of the race. He’s a horse that I would love to train!

I was also very impressed by Yanworth at Cheltenham on Saturday and whatever race they opt for at the Festival, he’ll take a lot of beating. He’s got a high cruising speed and everything seems so easy to him. I really like him.

Thistlecrack continues to impress me and he’s going from strength to strength. He deserves to be as short as he is for the World Hurdle (6/4).

He’ll be many people’s banker on day three so I’d say take advantage of that 6/4 while you can.

If Willie Mullins trained him I think he’d be odds-on.

*Prices correct at time of publication