26th Jan 2021
The Martin Pipe might become a target for the Henderson-trained CRAIGNEICHE, who despite his inexperience, took the G3 Holloway’s Handicap Hurdle very impressively by an easy 7l and off OR 127. He hadn’t been since this time last year when he won but bled. Seeing him get worked up beforehand certainly weakened hin in the market, but he travelled strongly throughout and powered clear in the closing stages. As a result of the ease of that victory, the handicapper has given him OR 139 and an NRNB best price in the market of 16s in the Coral Cup look interesting. He is not quoted for this – but stay alert.
14th Jan 2021:
Following his winning November run at Navan, giving 7lbs all round, and his third behind Ballyadam in The Royal Bond at Fairyhouse, a number of race readers thought N’GOLO prime for the Ballymore Hurdle and that 25s was far too big. However there was also some conjecture that he’d be even better over further so, they reasoned, why did Willie Mullins keep him over 2 miles for his next run? Could it have been to keep his 138 OR safe and inside the 145 max of the Martin Pipe Handicap? Thus he is 10s NRNB in two places and 14s with Bet Victor.