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Is Presenting Percy primed for a Gold Cup charge?

Published

4 years ago

March 6, 2020

It’s fair to say that those around Presenting Percy hold fond memories of the Cheltenham Festival. A victory in the Handicap Hurdle in 2017 represented a breakthrough moment for the Pat Kelly-trained horse, and this was followed up a year later with a win in the Novices’ Chase.

Last year’s Festival ultimately ended in disappointment for Presenting Percy, as he lost out in the Gold Cup to Al Boum Photo, but 2020 brings a fresh chance for the nine-year-old to make amends for last year’s disappointing eighth-place finish in the same race. Although Al Boum Photo is fancied to retain the Gold Cup in the latest Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup betting odds alongside favourite Santini, Presenting Percy could be an interesting outside bet.

Kelly’s horse has had a disappointing year since the 2019 Festival, failing to win in three outings, and the horse who was last year’s favourite for the race has fallen from grace slightly in the intervening 12 months. A third-place finish in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase in December was followed by further disappointments as Delta Work won the Savills Chase at Leopardstown and the Irish Gold Cup at the same venue.

It would be easy to write Presenting Percy off ahead of this year’s Gold Cup, but that would be ignoring the qualities the horse has shown in the past, in those early-career wins at Cheltenham and other successes along the way. It’s clear that he still has something to prove at the top level, and Kelly will be hopeful that he can return to top form in the Cheltenham showpiece.

Presenting Percy’s poor form has left owner Philip Reynolds scratching his head as to what has gone wrong, and admitted he expects his horse to be more competitive than he has shown.

Speaking before the Irish Gold Cup, in which Presenting Percy would ultimately finish third, Reynolds said: “The truth is I came away disappointed after the Savills Chase. I know he was only beaten four lengths, but it was more the manner of the defeat than the distance. I expected him to show up better and again that’s another reason why we’re going back as I think he’s better than that, we might ride him slightly differently and I genuinely expect him to be more competitive than in the Savills.”

Perhaps it’s simply bad fortune that Reynolds, Kelly and co. have come up against Delta Work, a horse in tip-top shape in Presenting Percy’s last two entries. Gordon Elliott’s horse is currently third favourite for the Gold Cup, but the hope in the Presenting Percy camp will be that the nine-year-old is building towards a landmark performance, the like of which would reassert his champion qualities.

Likely jockey Davy Russell perhaps holds the key in all this. Russell has, of course, won the Aintree Grand National two years running with Tiger Roll, and that kind of nous and experience will undoubtedly play a big role if Presenting Percy is to make his way back into the winners’ enclosure.

They say that winning is a habit, and while Presenting Percy and those around him have not tasted victory for a while, they’ll be hopeful that the ability which defined the horse’s earlier years is still somewhere beneath the surface, waiting to burst forth in a Gold Cup winning performance.

Blog

Applications of Automation in Research and Clinical Diagnostics

Published

2 months ago

May 18, 2024

Rosario Farell

Precision counts in the fields of science and medicine. This is particularly true for the basic task of counting and analyzing cells, which is used in both clinical and research settings. The introduction of automatic cell counters, which provide efficiency and accuracy that manual approaches cannot match, has resulted in a notable advancement in this field.

What is Automated Cell Counting?

Automated cell counters are advanced instruments that are made to precisely and swiftly count and examine cells. In contrast to manual counting methods that rely on human vision and a microscope, automated counters use software algorithms and image technology to count and analyze cells. This ensures more accurate findings by expediting the procedure and lowering the possibility of human error.

Type of Automated Cell Counters

There are several types of automated cell counters used in research and clinical diagnostics, each employing different technologies and methods for cell counting. The main types of automated cell counters include:

● Image Cytometers: These devices use optical microscopy to statically image cells, which are frequently labeled to detect certain molecules or provide contrast. Cell counting is aided by the automation of image cytometers made possible by digital cameras.

● Flow Cytometers: Use a regulated flow of suspended cells to align individual cells for analysis. Staining cells with fluorochromes enables visual characterization of the cells and facilitates high-throughput analysis.

● Cell Sorters: Arrange cells according to their electrical properties. Sorting is accomplished by dividing the fluid stream containing the cells into droplets whose electrical charge varies according to the kind of cell and guiding them into various containers.

● Time-Lapse Cytometers: Allow for continuous monitoring of cells in an incubator by employing non-heat-generating light sources, such as LEDs, in conjunction with image cytometry to investigate cellular dynamics without causing damage to living cells.

● Hemocytometers: A qualified technician, an optical microscope, and a gridded slide with known volume wells are used in this manual cell counting approach. Up until the 1950s, hemocytometers were the norm for counting cells.

These various types of automated cell counters provide effective and precise methods for cell counting and analysis, each with unique benefits and uses in clinical and research environments.

Research

Automated cell counters have become indispensable tools in understanding cell behavior. They are used in various research fields, including cancer research, drug discovery, and stem cell therapy.

One of the key benefits in research is the ability to handle large volumes of data. For instance, in drug discovery, automated counters can quickly analyze the effects of thousands of compounds on cell growth and death. This high-throughput capability accelerates the pace of research, allowing scientists to screen potential drugs more efficiently than ever before.

Moreover, automated cell counters offer the precision required to detect subtle changes in cell populations. This is crucial in fields like cancer research, where understanding the behavior of cancer cells can lead to the development of more effective treatments.

Clinical Diagnostics

The impact of automated cell counters extends beyond the research laboratory and into clinical diagnostics. In medical laboratories, these devices play a critical role in routine blood tests, infectious disease diagnostics, and monitoring patient health during treatment.

For example, in a routine complete blood count (CBC), automated cell counters can quickly provide a detailed analysis of different blood cell types. This information is vital for diagnosing conditions such as anemia, infections, and blood cancers. The speed and accuracy of automated counters mean that patients can receive diagnoses and begin treatment more swiftly.

In the context of infectious diseases, automated counters can detect and quantify specific pathogens or immune cells, helping to diagnose infections quickly and accurately. During the COVID-19 pandemic, automated cell counting technologies were instrumental in monitoring virus spread and patients’ immune responses, showcasing their value in crisis situations.

Challenges and Future Directions

The initial cost of these devices can be high, and their operation requires specific technical expertise. Additionally, different types of cells and conditions may require customized counting protocols, necessitating ongoing adjustments and updates to software algorithms.

Looking ahead, ongoing advancements in technology promise to further enhance the capabilities of automated cell counters. The global cell counting market growth is anticipated at a CAGR of 7.5% by 2032. Innovations in imaging technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning are expected to improve accuracy, speed, and the ability to analyze more complex cell characteristics. As these technologies evolve, automated cell counters will become even more integral to research and diagnostics, opening new avenues for scientific discovery and patient care.