• Toals Preview Night 27th February Clayton Hotel, Belfast

    Bigger venue and crowd this year in the back bar of the Clayton Hotel in Belfast. Ormeau Avenue just opposite the BBC. Well run. Sean Toal, nice man, greeting everyone. Same panel as 2025 Pamela Ballantine MC ably supported by Kevin Blake (KB), Bryan Cooper (BC), Tony Keenan (TK), and Archie Devlin (AD). Archie is a racing columnist from the Irish News. Pamela was having fun, the mikes wouldn't work properly at the start, so she likened it 'to a Sinn Fein Press Conference.' Hmm. Kevin, always an entertaining and charming wordsmith, did curse a lot tonight. Tony, highly enthusiastic and knowledgeable, not a Cromwell fan. Young Bryan (still looks like a child) more confident than last year. Has come on for a run ot two. Started at 8pm, we had a break for 20 minutes in the middle and finished at 10.30pm. There should be more like it. (My bits in italics).

    First thing - chat on Constitution Hill 'right decision', says KB, (I agree) and Mark Walsh being upgraded. 'Let's not feel too sad for him, he'll be fine.' was the general view.

    The Toals Bookmakers Cheltenham Specials on the big screen. 3/1 treble WPM at least three winners, GE two, Henry de B one. 2/1 treble WPM top trainer, Paul Townend top jockey, Ireland win Prestbury Cup. If history was to repeat itself, could be seen as value. £100 max bet for each. You can open an online account, should you wish.

    Tuesday - TK - first year in a long time that WPM doesn't have a standout in the Supreme. Likes Idaho Son ew. KB, as Joseph's representative, wasn't overly bullish about Talk The Talk. Joseph and he were watching together at the DRF together, felt he had 'no chance' three out, so pleasantly surprised. Closing sectionals were great. Someone felt Mighty Park jumps to the right. (Hard to know after one run). BC a El Cairos fan. Seems they were doing 38mph coming down the Thurles straight. AD made an Oldpark Belfast joke.

    Arkle - BC not a Coolio fan, likes Lulamba. AD thinks it a stayers race, gives Jax Junior a squeak. TK the DRF 'was a war'. 60 lengths faster than the Jacobs Ladder race later that afternoon (and he has just won a Navan G2). Steel Ally for him. KB Lulamba over Kopek. It's obvious GE doesn't want to go to Cheltenham. Thinks Romeo Coolio might step on a stone or something. Tells us if a horse is pulled out 'off feed' or 'allergies' just means trainer doesn't want to run.

    Champ H - KB gives the 'low hanging fruit' talk. 'She has to run.' 'WPM doesn't have a CH challenger this year. 'Just run the effing horse.' You get the drift. TK - it's a poor race, Poniros ew. BC is a BDA fan. Is her stabling away from the track a gimmick? Feels Nicky H will feel a bit sick if there's low sun and they miss three hurdles. AD -Alexie ew (One point from me, Lossiemouth has a lot of miles on the clock, 17 hurdle runs. I can't find a horse that won its first CH with so many. Even Hurricane Fly regained his title on his 18th hurdle run.)

    Wednesday- Turners - TK. As with Supreme atm Mullins no clue what is his best. Made an interesting case for Zeus Power trained by Joseph. 'Wouldn't put you off him, going in the right direction' KB but not a totally ringing endorsement. Also likes Road Exile. KB a I'll Sort That fan. Pound for pound Declan Queally is one of the best trainers. Thinks the price will hold 'as the English are slow to catch on.' Pamela checks for any English people in the audience. None. Only two ladies in attendance. (God help them). BC - his father's Shuttle Diplomacy a sound recommendation. And so he should. Form is there for all to see.

    Brown Advisory - BC likes Kitzbuhel 'if you can forgive him that mistake.' Impressed with the Kauto Star win. (Never heard a jockey who knew his stats). AD Wendigo, KB Oscars Brother tained half a mile from Golden where Kevin lives. Believes Final Demand to be a 'windy hoor' 'folds up like a deckchair.' Kaid d'Authie is a massive horse , 'big stride length, a hulk of a thing. Should be shorter. TK - 'We've seen this WPM movie before. Worried about Henry de B's form. 'It's just so patchy.' Sixmilebridge goes novice h'cap chase - BC.

    QM - BC all over Majborough. Fair point from Archie 'Will Maj remember the problems jumping Cheltenham?' TK chatted about