So You Think He's World Class?

Could a piece of the desert turn emerald green this afternoon? O'Brien lines up a supreme team who could almost be termed world class for the fixture at Meydan. Confidence is abound that Wrote, St Nicholas Abbey and So You Think can deliver their world class performances and seal at least a treble for O'Brien. Taking the froth off the hype it certainly looks as if at least one can have the Irish eyes smiling.

The first day of the Flat produces the ever difficult to decipher cavalry charges down the Doncaster mile. The Lincoln is particularly difficult but the Spring Mile a little less so with Mont Ras looking the preferred option. Crockford's often has first day nerves and will be looking towards more predictable places for his Dead Cert and Whisper this Saturday.

Crockford's Dead Cert - Wrote (Meydan 3.25)
The confidence behind this classic generation horse should write the headlines on a few racing punters papers. Crockford believes this to be the certainty amongst the Irish raiders with Daddy Long Legs (if returning to form) chasing him home. This Dead Cert is worth a flutter at 9/2


Crockford's Whisper - Knight In Purple (Stratford 3.55)
This quality horse should at least charge into at least a place this afternoon. Backers should have a purple patch with odds in the double figures.

Crockford's other Saturday gambles around the courses:

Meydan - Red Jazz (2.10), Opinion Poll (2.45), Wrote (3.25), Hitchens (4.35), Await the Dawn (5.25), Sir Nicholas Abbey (6.00) and So You Think (6.40)
Stratford - Knight in Purple (3.55) and Whiskey Yankee
Kempton - Arctic Cosmos (2.20), Trade Commissioner (2.55), Starluck (3.30) and Palace Moon (4.05)
Doncaster - Mont Ras (2.05) Sirius Prospect (2.40), Barren Brook (3.15), Just Past Andover (3.50), Minimise Risk (4.20) and The Fun Crusher (4.05)
Uttoxeter - Westlin Winds (4.45) and Royal Present (5.15)
Navan - Chasing Shadows (2.35), Realt Dubh (5.20) and Slieveardagh (5.55)

Ladies to take control at Newbury

Kentford Grey Lady has no Quevega to chase home today at Newbury. The Emma Lavelle mare's quality will shine through this sunny afternoon on what is an interesting card of mares races  and with also the reappearance of Nicholls disappointing but well touted Mon Parrain later in the afternoon. The racing at Lingfield is a real appetiser for the flat season that starts next week with the Lincoln at Doncaster.


Crockford is still licking his wounds from a difficult last day at the Festival where Boston Bob the Irish certainty was beaten into second and the Queen's pair did not do their royal duty. Crockford hopes for better luck today for him and his followers with his selections.

Crockford's Dead Cert - Kentford Grey Lady (Newbury 2.40)
This mare is a cut above the rest of an ordinary looking field. The form of her gallant second to the awesome Quevega at Cheltenham and defeat at Ascot will see her trainer Emma Lavelle repaid today. With this dead cert being great value at 4/1 how could you miss her.

Crockford's Whisper - Galaxy Rock (Bangor-on-Dee 4.25)
This time of year this yard's horses always seem to be at their best. This dual purpose hurdler/chaser should have too much for his rivals and looks certain of at least a place a good each way odds. Bet early there may be a big gamble.

Crockford's other gambles around the courses today:

Bangor-on-Dee - Duke of Lucca (3.20) and Galaxy Rock (4.25)
Gowran Park - Turner Brown (3.05) and Sweet Shock (4.10)
Kelso - European Dream (3.00)
Stratford - Loose Chips (2.10) and Accordintolawrence (5.25)
Newbury - One Lucky Lady (1.30), Pepite Rose (2.05), Kentford Grey Lady (2.40) and Mon Parrain (3.40)
Lingfield - Bannock (2.25), Borderlescott (2.55), Premio Loco (3.25) and English Summer (5.10)

Kauto Star to be crowned king amongst royal Diamond Jubilee celebrations

The final day of the 2012 Festival may be remembered for generations as the day that Kauto Star was crowned as one of the greatest horses of all time. The build up from the from his camp has been amazing and if he strides up the hill tomorrow in front every punter will cheer even if he isn't carrying their wager. He is certainly the biggest equine celebrity since the beloved Desert Orchid. We all hope at least secretly that he does it. Sentiment and the form make him the selection but beware of the potential party spoilers - Long Run, Quel Esprit, Burton Port and Diamond Harry.

This day may also be memorable for a Royal double in the Diamond Jubilee year - Henderson lines up the one time Gold Cup challenger Barbers Shop in the Foxhunters at 14/1 and Open hearted in the Martin Pipe at 14/1. In the form Henderson is in do not be surprised if we are calling him Sir Nicky by Christmas. Sentiment and form may suggest a double again - well at least an each way one.

Crockford's Dead Cert - Boston Bob (Albert Bartlett 2.40)
The whisper for this has been so loud that it could be termed a shout. Walsh and Mullins are so sweet on Boston Bob and he should be a Festival good thing and worthy of the expression a dead cert. The 6/4 that is still available will look like value this time tomorrow.

Crockford's Whisper - Barbers Shop (Foxhunters 4.00)
Henderson is in such great form and this always looked a stand out horse in this field. A few years ago he would have been pitching for favouritism in a Gold Cup not be 14/1 in a Foxhunters. He is not as long in the tooth as others in this race and has the real under rules form to ensure him at least a place for Her Majesty.

Crockford's other gambles for the final day:

Triumph (1.30) - Balder Success and Dodging Bullets (e/w)
County (2.05) - Starluck (e/w) and Dee Ee Williams (e/w)
Albert Bartlett (2.40) - Boston Bob
Gold Cup (3.20) - Kauto Star and Quel Esprit (e/w)
Foxhunters (4.00) - Barbers Shop (e/w), Roulez Cool (e/w) and Chapoturgeon
Martin Pipe (4.40) - Bourne, Molotof (e/w) and Open Hearted (e/w)
Grand Annual (5.15) - French Opera and Eradicate (e/w)

Crockford's Dead Cert: Riverside Theatre wins at 7/2

Today's theatre of dreams provided us with the two best acts so far this Festival in the Ryanair and World Hurdle. Riverside Theatre was galvanised up the hill to pip the ever game Festival specialist Alberta's Run on the line at 7/2 - what a race to really set the Festival alight. This delight was followed by a great World Hurdle and a fourth magnificent win for Big Bucks who looked almost vulnerable when the classy mare Voler La Veddette loomed up after the last.

Crockford's whisper proved right as well when Becauseicouldntsee finished second at 9/1 in the Kim Muir.

This is how Crockford's other gambles faired:

Jewson (1.30) - Peddlers Cross (unplaced) and Zaynar (unplaced)
Pertemps Final (2.05) - Restless Harry (unplaced)
Ryanair (2.40) - Riverside Theatre (1st 7/2), Alberta's Run (2nd 10/1) and Forpaddytheplasterer (unplaced)
World Hurdle (3.20) - Big Bucks (1st 5/6), Voler La Vedette (2nd 20/1), Smad Place (3rd 20/1) and Mourad (unplaced)
Byrne Plate (4.00) - Notus De La Tour (unplaced)
Kim Muir (4.40) - Becauseicouldntsee (2nd 9/1)

Another good day for Henderson?

Henderson dominated day two of the Festival and looks like he could pick up a big prize on day three with Riverside Theatre in the Ryanair Chase. In what looks a quality field I believe that he can score another dramatic success to add to the 3000/1 four timer Henderson achieved yesterday. Crockford's Dead Cert and Whisper both turned out to be pipe dreams as neither Grand Crus or Balgarry surprising got home - he may fair better today with Notus de La Tour an interesting novice in the Plate (4.00) or if he has got his new charge the mercurial grey (Zaynar) right in the Jewson (1.30).

Crockford's Dead Cert: Riverside Theatre (Ryanair 2.40)
Stylish on his return this season and aimed at this race, Riverside Theatre looks one of the quality acts for Henderson at the Festival. Yes - he does have stiff competition for the leading role in the final act as they come up the hill, but I am sure he will receive the plaudits and applause today.

Crockford's Whisper: Becauseicouldntsee (Kim Muir 4.40)
This horse could spring a bit of surprise in the last on the card and many punters may not see him on their selection lists. Crockford's whisper stands a strong chance of a place at a good double figured price.

Crockford's other gambles for day three of the Festival:

Jewson (1.30) - Peddlers Cross and Zaynar (e/w)
Pertemps Final (2.05) - Restless Harry
Ryanair (2.40) - Riverside Theatre, Forpaddytheplasterer (e/w) and Alberta's Run (e/w)
World Hurdle (3.20) - Big Buck's, Voler la Vedette (e/w), Mourad (e/w) and Smad Place (e/w)
Byrne Plate (4.00) - Notus de La Tour
Kim Muir (4.40)  - Becauseicouldntsee 


This is how Crockford's gambles faired yesterday:

National Hunt (1.30) -Allee Garde (unplaced)
Neptune (2.05) - Simonsig (1st 2/1) and Felix Yonger (2nd 16/1)
RSA (2.40) - Grand Crus (unplaced)
Queen Mother (3.20) - Sizing Europe (2nd 4/5) and Realt Dubh (unplaced)
Coral Cup (4.00) - Balgarry (unplaced), Carlito Brigante (unplaced) and Third Intention (unplaced)
Fred Winter (4.40) - Royal Bonsai (unplaced)
Champion Bumper (5.15)  - New Year's Eve (2nd 9/2) and Jezki (unplaced)

Pipe double on day two of the Festival?

On day two of the Festival Crockford looks to David Pipe to provide both his Dead Cert and his Whisper selections. Yesterday Grands Crus finally got the nod to go for the RSA to avoid the recovered Kauto Star in the Gold Cup. A showing in the Gold Cup would have been interesting an not just a Pipe dream but this option was always much more of a certainty for a Festival win for the classy grey. Balgarry won his reappearance so easily that you could have thought that he had won against nothing but Nampour franked the form by being placed in the Imperial Cup against some heavily touted opposition on Saturday.  It took a lot of careful thought to decide between which was the Dead Cert and which was the Whisper for day two - but the double must be a good punt.

Crockford's Dead Cert: Grand Crus (RSA 2.40)
Last year we all salivated at the prospect of Big Bucks versus the grey. There is no Big Bucks in the RSA so the grey will claim his prize this year and looks great value at 6/4.

Crockford's Whisper: Balgarry (Coral Cup 4.00)
Without Grand Crus having moved from the Gold Cup surely this must of been Pipe's best chance of a Festival Winner. Balgarry after a long lay off trounced a field which has now franked the form and is in at bottom weight.  Balgarry must be placed at least.

Crockford's other day two gambles:

National Hunt (1.30) - Allee Garde
Neptune (2.05) - Simonsig and Felix Yonger (e/w)
RSA (2.40) - Grand Crus
Queen Mother (3.20)  - Sizing Europe and Realt Dubh (e/w)
Coral Cup (4.00)  - Balgarry, Carlito Brigante (e/w) and Third Intention (e/w)
Fred Winter (4.40) - Royal Bonsai
Champion Bumper (5.15) - New Year's Eve and Jezki (e/w)

Crockford's Whisper: Hunt Ball wins at 13/2

Crockford's whisper Hunt Ball proved a popular winner in the last race on the first day of the Festival. Darlan (Crockford's Dead Cert) was slightly outpaced in the first but was a respectable second behind Cinders and Ashes at 7/1 after drifting all day on the exchanges.

This is how Crockford's gambles faired on the first day:

Supreme (1.30) - Darlan (2nd 7/1)  and Prospect Wells (unplaced)
Arkle (2.05) - Al Ferof (unplaced)
JLT (2.40) - Quantativeeasing (unplaced)
Champion (3.20) - Hurricane Fly (3rd 4/6), Overturn (2nd 20/1), Zarkander (unplaced) and Zaidpour (unplaced)
Cross Country (4.00) - Scotsirish (unplaced), Garde Champetre (unplaced) and Dancing Tornado (unplaced)
David Nicholson Mares (4.40)- Quevega (1st 4/7) and Shop DJ (unplaced)
Pulteney (5.15) - Hunt Ball (1st 13/2) and Battle Group (4th 33/1)

Irish bankers printing money on the first day?

As the roar goes up on the first day of the 2012 Festival will the Irish be cheering home two returning  Mullin's champions? Hurricane Fly looked awesome in his last race and is probably close to value at 10/11 for the Champion Hurdle and with Quevega  not having to face Unaccompanied she should land the Mares Hurdle again.

So what to add to the Irish bankers on day one - well how about a licence to print money in the form of Henderson and McCoy's Quantitativeeasing in the (2.40) quoted at 13/2 stands as an interesting wager. That combination should also land the first race in the form of Darlan.

Crockford's Dead Cert: Darlan (Supreme Novices 1.30)
Henderson/McCoy/McManus should start the festival with a win. Darlan looked good until falling when going well on his last start and should resume his winning ways tomorrow.

Crockford's Whisper: Hunt Ball (Pulteney 5.15)
Constantly on the upgrade all season Hunt Ball stands an excellent chance of landing this valuable prize for trainer Burke and at around 7/1 looks a banker of achieving at least a place.

Crockford's first day Festival gambles:

Neptune (1.30) - Darlan and Prospect Wells (e/w)
Arkle (2.05) - Al Ferof
JLT (2.40) - Quantitativeeasing
Champion (3.20) - Hurricane Fly, Zarkander (e/w), Overturn (e/w) and Zaidpour (e/w)
Cross Country (4.00) - Scotsirish, Garde Champetre (e/w) and Dancing Tornado (e/w)
David Nicholson Mares (4.40) - Quevega and Shop DJ (e/w)
Pulteney (5.15) - Hunt Ball (e/w) and Battle Group (e/w)

Is Paintball on target to give Longsdon Festival win?

Imperial Cup winner Paintball is awaiting his chance to give Charlie Longsdon a Festival winner and a £75,000 bonus if he can make the cut. Many overlooked Paintball as the chance for the double with the more favoured Ted Spread disappointing for Nicholls and Master of Arts unable to add the possibility of a ninth Pipe double.  Paintball is now quoted 10/1 with the magic sign but he has to make the cut. Trainer Charlie Longsdon is one of the true gentlemen of the turf and it would be good to see him pick up the bonus and a Festival prize this year.

Crockford was light-headed and confused yesterday with his selections Helium and Organised Confusion both not being placed. Here is how Crockford's other gambles faired:

Ayr: Storm Surge (4.00 unplaced) and Helium (4.35 unplaced)
Chepstow: Tiger Maguire (2.30 3rd evens), Minella Stars (3.05 2nd 11/10), Cocacobana (3.40 1st 7/2), Plein Pouvoir (4.50 2nd 11/4) and Jam Tomorrow (5.25 unplaced)
Wolverhampton: Clockmaker (2.20 3rd 5/1), Gabrial's Bounty (2.55 2nd 9/2), Prime Exhibit (3.30 unplaced) and Drop Zone (unplaced)
Gowran Park: Luke's Benefit (3.20 unplaced), Organised Confusion (3.55 unplaced), Gagewell Flyer (4.25 unplaced) and Viking Splash (4.55 unplaced)
Sandown: Speed Master (2.05 4th 8/1), The Sawyer (2.40 unplaced), Ted Spread (3.15 unplaced) and Inside Dealer (5.00 unplaced)
Meydan: Hitchens (1.40 2nd 3/1), Margot Did (2.15 unplaced), Rajsaman (2.55 unplaced), Campanologist (3.30 3rd 10/1) and Dubawi Gold (4.05 unplaced)

Light-headed and confused before the Festival?

With just days before the Festival does anyone else feel light-headed and confused? The Imperial Cup is an excellent build up to the big day on Tuesday but looks hard to be certain about the winner with Ted Spread, Master of Arts, Celtus and potentially even Lucaindubai and Pateese having chances. If pushed Crockford would say  the classy Ted Spread to win and Celtus/Pateese being the each way value - but the Pipes have won this eight times between them on the way to the double, so there is no ruling out the training performance of the season if Master of Arts comes back and does it.

Looking to the east, the card at Meydan is very special and a real taster for the flat season ahead.

Crockford's Dead Cert: Helium (Ayr 4.35)
Helium held a Imperial Cup entry this week but the trainer has opted for this Ayr contest instead. On the downgrade and against what could be considered weak opposition surely this could fill our betting accounts for next week.

Crockford's Whisper: Organised Confusion (Gowran Park 3.55)
Nina Carberry piloted Organised Confusion to a brilliant Irish National win and she can certainly guide her mount into the places today at Gowran Park priced at around 10/1. Crockford expects this to be the perfect preparation before crossing the sea for a bold show at Aintree next month.

Crockford's gambles today around the courses:

Ayr: Storm Surge (4.00) and Helium (4.35)
Chepstow: Tiger Maguire (2.30), Minella Stars (3.05), Cocacobana (3.40), Plein Pouvior (4.50) and Jam Tomorrow (5.25)
Wolverhampton: Clockmaker (2.20), Gabrial's Bounty (2.55), Prime Exhibit (3.30) and Drop Zone (4.05)
Gowran Park: Luke's Benefit (3.20), Organised Confusion (3.55), Gagewell Flyer (4.25) and Viking Splash (4.55)
Sandown: Speedmaster (2.05), The Sawyer (2.40), Ted Spread (3.15) and Inside Dealer (5.00)
Meydan: Hitchens (1.40), Margot Did (2.15), Rajsaman (2.50), Campanologist (3.30) and Dubawi Gold (4.05)

Remember Dunguib? Hopes of the banker dashed on the first day.

Could the ghost of Dunguib stalk us all on the first day of the festival? How many us were banking on him for doubles, trebles and lucky fifteens - we all said surely he was the banker of the 2011 Festival. We would fill our boots in the first race - the true dead cert. We were wrong he could only manage third and his career then appeared to evaporate from there on.

In 2012 the first day presents us with three touted odds on bankers - Sprinter Sacre (Arkle), Hurricane Fly (Champion Hurdle) and Quevega (David Nicholson Mares). Could any of these haunt our 2012 multiple festival bets?

Sprinter Sacre - He appears to run with a divine wind behind him dominating his field over fences. Looking back to hurdles form though some of his rivals have his beating. Al Ferof has only been beaten by top class performers and not just run in novice company. Cue Card is going to test his stamina and Menorah and Kid Cassidy are no slouches either.

Hurricane Fly - His win in the Champion last year was impressive and his come back recently even more so.  Tomorrow Hills will be offering 8/1 about Zarkandar who could anything being unbeaten and having recently won the big prize at Newbury.

Quevega - The Festival heroine, ultra reliable and always impressive. As I have mused before what has she beaten at the Festival? The Mares contest is hardly the most competitive of races across the Festival cards. However, this year Weld has sent Unaccompanied over to give her a race, 11/2 may look very good value from Hills coming up that Cheltenham hill. So much so I placed an each way double today with Hills today on Scotsirish in the Cross Country (4/1) and Unaccompanied (11/2).


For punters I hope that we can exorcise the ghost of our lost first day banker odds on bets in 2012 - but don't bank on it!

ScotsIrish value at 4/1 with Hills for a Cross Country win

The news this morning from Racing Kate (Hills) that they were pushing ScotsIrish out to 4/1 can only look like value. For me he not quite a dead cert but has to be one of Mullins' hopes for an Irish cheer on the first day. This renewal of the race has a number of old favourites making the journey across the Irish Sea. Sure Sizing Australia and Uncle Junior are contenders but along with ScotsIrish the value must be each way with JP's Garde Champetre at 8/1 and the former classy Dancing Tornado at 33/1

Is Crockford Unaccompanied in thinking that Quevega is not a Festival banker?

Many people's idea of a Festival banker is the ever reliable mare Quevega for Willie Mullins (on the first day in the David Nicholson). She will play part of a whole host of win Lucky 15s with other popular  quoted bankers such as Hurricane Fly, Sizing Europe, Big Bucks and Sprinter Sacre.

But at 1/2 is she really that much of a dead cert? With what may appear to be heresy - we must ask what has she beaten at the Festival when she has looked so impressive? Unaccompanied is a class act having already beaten quality opposition over Christmas in the Festival Hurdle (29th Dec) including Thousand Stars and Oscars Well who hold Champion Hurdle entries.  Given, they beat her at the rematch at the end of January when Hurricane Fly impressed but the 11/2 (available with Hills) must be a certainty in each way terms alone.

Master for the Imperial double?

The Pipes are the masters of pulling off the Imperial Cup Festival double. This weekend's renewal  of the race at Sandown throws up a number of interesting double chances no more intriguing than that of Master of Arts for Pipe (Imperial/County Hurdle). His current odds rate the chance of another coup being 5/1 for the Imperial and 10/1 for the County. 

However, Nicholls can not be overlooked fielding Hinterland  and the useful Ted Spread. The later Ted Spread being a very high class convert from the flat having been a runner in both the Derby and Ebor. Ted Spread holds a number of Festival entries and his odds of 4/1 for Saturday and 7-9/1 for the Festival win could provide the real chance. My fears though are a hard race at Sandown could spoil the double when he comes up against other contenders such as recent winners like Bourne or Balgarry at the Festival (depending on his final declaration).

Other eye catching possibilities include; Pateese, Starluck, Lucaindubai, Celtus, Sire de Grugy and Red Merlin. There is no doubt that this is a quality renewal of the pre-Cheltenham curtain raiser.

Crockford will give his final deliberations on Saturday.

Follow Crockford on Twitter

Follow Crockford's talk of the turf, dead certs and whispers at crockford@deadcerts (Twitter)

Crockford's Dead Cert: Aland Islands wins at 5/2

As predicted Aland Islands (5/2) cruised to victory sweeping his rivals aside at Doncaster this afternoon on his way to the Neptune at the Festival. Some firms now have cut their prices to 20/1 already with Hills still offering 50/1 for him to land the Festival prize.

Crockford's whisper (Grey Soldier) was a non runner at Navan.

This how Crockford's other gambles faired today -

Lingfield - 3.20 Cockney Sparrow (3rd 8/1), Nelson's Bounty (unplaced), News Desk (3rd 7/4)
Kelso - 1.55 Absinthe (unplaced), 2.30 Maggio (NR), Captain Conan (2nd 7/4)
Doncaster - 2.05 Five Star Wilsham (unplaced), 3.25 Junior (2nd 11/4)
Newbury - 2.40 Niche Market (2nd 5/2), Mad Max (NR), Balgarry (won 7/1), 4.20 Accordingtolawrence  (unplaced)

You would be Mad to miss it!

With the Festival only ten days away we are treated by a host of interesting pointers to the Grand National and the remaining season ahead. The National hero Ballabriggs returns at Kelso (4.10) to the race where he finished second last year on his way to winning at Aintree; Junior the Festival and Royal Ascot winner has his first outing over fences this season where he will be battling the impressive West End Rocker (ground allowing) at Doncaster in the Grimthorpe (3.25); and there are old favourites galore in the veterans chase at Newbury. If you have a national fancy Crockford's advice is back it before the off today - you will not get the value that is available this morning this evening - Ballabriggs and Junior both 16/1 for the Grand National


This afternoon's Greatwood Gold Cup (Newbury 3.10) has particularly attracted my attention - Neil Mullholland's Mad Max looks a very interesting proposition. Mad Max has won all of his three starts at Newbury and has the form to beat the rest on his day. In this race - quality will rise to the top - on form Woolcombe Folly, Dave's Dream and Mad Max stand out. Perhaps its mad, perhaps its folly or even a dream but how about a combination forecast?

Crockford's Dead Cert - Aland Islands (Doncaster 4.00)
This Tim Vaughan Welsh runner positively jumped off the cards today. Unbeaten and holding a Neptune entry at the Festival should cast the others adrift - Hills currently quote Aland Islands at 50/1 for the Neptune take it now it will not be there later


Crockford's Whisper - Grey Soldier (Navan 4.05)
Grey Soldier is rated 130 over hurdles and the whispers say he is bound to win over fences soon. He has not liked the ground in his recent outings and with Davy Russell on board he is bound to give a good showing for Gordon Elliott at a good price - certainly worth considering at about 10/1 for a each way punt


Today's Crockford's gambles around the courses:

Lingfield - Cockney Sparrow (3.20), Nelson's Bounty (3.55) and News Desk (5.05)
Kelso - Absinthe (1.05), Maggio (2.30) and Captain Conan (3.35)
Doncaster - Five Star Wilsham (2.05), Junior (3.25) and Aland Islands (4.00)
Newbury - Niche Market (2.40), Mad Max (3.10), Balgarry (3.45) and Accordingtolawrence (4.20)
Navan - Grey Soldier (4.05)

Is it just a Pipe dream?

News today came that the Men In Our Position partnership (of which Victor Chandler is a member) had moved their mercurial but talented grey Zaynar from Nick Williams to David Pipe to sweeten him up after the disappointment of his last start at Kempton. This will be the third move of his career in the UK after also having been a Triumph Hurdle victor with Henderson. With the festival a couple of weeks away will this prove to be a shrewd gamble by Chandler and co? Zaynar faces tough opposition in the Jewson from a lot more reliable foes but there is no doubt he has talent when he is in the mood. The grey often likes to dominant and has always shown flat spots in his races even when winning - Pipe has a way with horses like this which makes the 25/1 about look a little less risky as an each way punt - it would be worth following Victor Chandler to see if there is a move. Could two greys deliver the goods for Pipe this festival - Zaynar and Grand Crus (RSA or Gold Cup)? If both make it into the winners circle - now that would be a training performance - or is that just a Pipe dream?