Cheltenham Festival
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28 Jan 11
00:40
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18 Jul 03
It was interesting to note the RP article today saying Big Buck's had never registered a speed figure anywhere close to his high RPRs. Author concluded it was because the World Hurdle is seldom fast run, with the field only getting serious on the second circuit. That sort of race at that trip would suit Khyber Kim perfectly imo.
It's been argued on the CH thread that his best runs are off a fast pace; my take is that he prefers a stamina test. Three of his hurdle wins came on soft ground, his other over 20f on good. His turn of foot, delivered very late, wouldn't allow BB another crack at him and Brennan's the man to hold his nerve. He makes plenty appeal at 20s NRNB
It's been argued on the CH thread that his best runs are off a fast pace; my take is that he prefers a stamina test. Three of his hurdle wins came on soft ground, his other over 20f on good. His turn of foot, delivered very late, wouldn't allow BB another crack at him and Brennan's the man to hold his nerve. He makes plenty appeal at 20s NRNB
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You can get bigger prices on here, also 28/1 with 32 RED obviously not NRNB, but represent even better value. Comments below suggest its under consideration. He saw out the 2m4f trip well at Aintree last season.
After Saturday's race Twiston-Davies had said connections were having "serious thoughts" about going for the 3m Ladbrokes World Hurdle instead of the 2m Stan James Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The trainer also said Khyber Kim "needed the race badly" after coming home 13lengths behind the winner.
After Saturday's race Twiston-Davies had said connections were having "serious thoughts" about going for the 3m Ladbrokes World Hurdle instead of the 2m Stan James Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
The trainer also said Khyber Kim "needed the race badly" after coming home 13lengths behind the winner.
He'd love to kick Nicholls Big Bucks of his perch I would imagine...
Ive got one to take on Bick Bucks with. Just been snaffleing up the 300+ this morning. Will post in a bit 
I am seriously put off by any each way bet on the World Hurdle, as I think the win part is money down the drain! Any bookmakers betting without or place only on the race yet!?
Another point that might be thrown into the mix, Steeple, is the conjecture that the best way to get BB beat would be to come as late as possible at him. There was some debate about whether Punchestowns' cause would have been better served by hanging in behind BB a little longer and coming with a later challenge in the 2009 renewal.
Swooping late, which was KK's style over shorter last season, might just expose the bigger horse's vulnerability in a finish to a good quickener, especially if the early pace in the race has not been especially strong.
On the downside, I suppose we have seen many examples over the years of good two mile horses stepping up to the three miles in the World Hurdle and not quite being able to transfer their ability to the longer distance. Some of these were well proven over the intermediate distance in good company. The extra half mile in this context possibly represents a bigger obstacle for horses like KK than you might think would be the case on the face of it. I would not be surprised if KK proves one of those horses whose best distance is around 20f in top company.
The other possible downside I can imagine relates to how well the horse would settle off the slower early pace in the WH. Getting him settled was part of the problem with KK in his early career, both on the flat and over hurdles. He seemed to settle much better in his races last season, though it may have helped that he was running in larger fields and/or getting a reasonably strong early pace. I suppose we often see examples of where two mile specialists stepped up to three miles, are disconcerted initially by the slower early pace they face in the staying division.
The NRNB concession for the WH is worth taking, imo, as the possibility of getting softer ground for the CH this time than was the case in 2010, may make the option of taking up the CH engagement too hard to resist for connections. KK needed the race at Kempton by the look of it and his record suggests he is better suited going left handed anyway. KK is a juicy price on here for the CH now; it wouldn't be the daftest bet to combine a nibble at that with a punt on the NRNB price for the WH.
Neither the CH or the WH this time are shaping well in terms of being attractive each way markets. Better to have a small wager on the win with KK for both races (with NRNB concession considered as an option). KK is clearly 'no good thing' for either race, or his current prices wouldn't be anything like so generous. But you don't win a Greatwood, Bula and Aintree Hurdle, and come three lengths second to a very good horse in the CH in one season, without being a pretty useful animal. If the conditions are right - left handed track, with some soft in the going description, and with the right pace profile to the race - KK is not one to dismiss lightly for either of the races that are being touted as his Cheltenham target.
Swooping late, which was KK's style over shorter last season, might just expose the bigger horse's vulnerability in a finish to a good quickener, especially if the early pace in the race has not been especially strong.
On the downside, I suppose we have seen many examples over the years of good two mile horses stepping up to the three miles in the World Hurdle and not quite being able to transfer their ability to the longer distance. Some of these were well proven over the intermediate distance in good company. The extra half mile in this context possibly represents a bigger obstacle for horses like KK than you might think would be the case on the face of it. I would not be surprised if KK proves one of those horses whose best distance is around 20f in top company.
The other possible downside I can imagine relates to how well the horse would settle off the slower early pace in the WH. Getting him settled was part of the problem with KK in his early career, both on the flat and over hurdles. He seemed to settle much better in his races last season, though it may have helped that he was running in larger fields and/or getting a reasonably strong early pace. I suppose we often see examples of where two mile specialists stepped up to three miles, are disconcerted initially by the slower early pace they face in the staying division.
The NRNB concession for the WH is worth taking, imo, as the possibility of getting softer ground for the CH this time than was the case in 2010, may make the option of taking up the CH engagement too hard to resist for connections. KK needed the race at Kempton by the look of it and his record suggests he is better suited going left handed anyway. KK is a juicy price on here for the CH now; it wouldn't be the daftest bet to combine a nibble at that with a punt on the NRNB price for the WH.
Neither the CH or the WH this time are shaping well in terms of being attractive each way markets. Better to have a small wager on the win with KK for both races (with NRNB concession considered as an option). KK is clearly 'no good thing' for either race, or his current prices wouldn't be anything like so generous. But you don't win a Greatwood, Bula and Aintree Hurdle, and come three lengths second to a very good horse in the CH in one season, without being a pretty useful animal. If the conditions are right - left handed track, with some soft in the going description, and with the right pace profile to the race - KK is not one to dismiss lightly for either of the races that are being touted as his Cheltenham target.
good thread. I was al over KK for the Xmas hurdle and was bitterly disappointed. However, NTD's aren't running brilliantly at the moment and he was beaten far to early for that to be his running.
The other thing to consider is the weather. Should the going be soft then there is no chance he would go for the WH imo.
Cheltenham does not drain as well as it used to imo, thanks to Claisse's hose antics and therefore if it does rain in the build up, we could see soft ground on the opening day. This would be massively against a few of the principles in the CH (Menorah and Binocular) and would make KK very appealing as the turn of foot he showed in the greatwood in soft ground is something that only Hurricane Fly is likely to be able to match.
The other thing to consider is the weather. Should the going be soft then there is no chance he would go for the WH imo.
Cheltenham does not drain as well as it used to imo, thanks to Claisse's hose antics and therefore if it does rain in the build up, we could see soft ground on the opening day. This would be massively against a few of the principles in the CH (Menorah and Binocular) and would make KK very appealing as the turn of foot he showed in the greatwood in soft ground is something that only Hurricane Fly is likely to be able to match.
Welcome aboard.The only way that he goes for champion hurdle is if he impresses next saturday in Welsh champion hurdle,if he doesn`t then world hurdle beckons.
Backed him at 70-1 on here after the re-arranged Christmas hurdle. I just got the impression he was outpaced & was flat out all the way.
same here grocerjack , backed him at big prices for world hurdle 
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