Cheltenham Festival
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3 MAR 2010 STARLUCK warmed up for his Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle bid in 13 days time with an impressive victory on the all-weather at Kempton on Wednesday evening.
The progressive hurdler, who won at Dundalk early in his career, returned the well-backed 7-2 joint-favourite after swooping late under a considerate Liam Keniry ride to get the better of Gaily Noble in the 1m Digibet Casino Handicap.
Totesport were impressed enough to shave Starluck's Champion Hurdle odds to 14-1 (from 16-1), although Victor Chandler saw no reason the change their 16-1 quote.
Trainer Alan Fleming said: "That's a bit more than I expected to be honest, so I'm very happy with that. He's shown his well being and he's had a good blow. Just one school now between now and Cheltenham, and away we go. Granted some good ground and we'll be getting excited."
Asked if he had any concerns about last year's JCB Triumph Hurdle fourth coming up the hill, he said: "We'll let the horse do the talking, but he's stronger this year and next year he'll be the finished article."
The horse talked and didnt get up the hill. Roughly the same horse as Celestial Halo here -
Tuesday March 16 2010
Cheltenham 15:20 - Result
Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle (grade 1)
£370000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 110y, Class 1, £210937 penalty, 12 ran
Going: Good to Soft (Good in places, Cross Country Good,Good to Soft in places)
Winning Time: 3m 53.9s
Pos. Draw
Dist. Horse Wt Jockey Trainer Age SP
1 Binocular (FR) 11-10 A P McCoy N J Henderson 6 9/1
held up, improved into 5th approaching 4th, went 2nd after 3 out, led going well soon after next, ran on strongly flat opened 8/1 touched 9/1 £20000-£2400 Each Way
2 3½ Khyber Kim 11-10 P J Brennan N A Twiston-Davies 8 7/1
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, switched left and chased winner approaching last, ran on, no impression opened 7/1 touched 15/2
3 6 Zaynar (FR) 11-10 A Tinkler N J Henderson 5 15/2
chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, beaten when jumped left last, one pace opened 9/1 touched 9/1 £25000-£2500
4 2½ Celestial Halo (IRE) 11-10 R Walsh P F Nicholls 6 7/1
led, ridden and headed after 2 out, relegated to 4th and beaten before last opened 8/1 touched 8/1
5 nse Starluck (IRE) 11-10 T J Murphy A Fleming 5 14/1
held up towards rear on outside, headway to go 5th approaching last, no impression on leaders opened 12/1 touched 14/1
6 6 Solwhit (FR) 11-10 D N Russell C Byrnes 6 6/1
held up, went 5th after 2nd, pushed along and lost place before 3 out, soon in rear, no impression after opened 7/1 touched 8/1 £10000-£1200 £3500-£500 £6000-£1000 Each Way
The progressive hurdler, who won at Dundalk early in his career, returned the well-backed 7-2 joint-favourite after swooping late under a considerate Liam Keniry ride to get the better of Gaily Noble in the 1m Digibet Casino Handicap.
Totesport were impressed enough to shave Starluck's Champion Hurdle odds to 14-1 (from 16-1), although Victor Chandler saw no reason the change their 16-1 quote.
Trainer Alan Fleming said: "That's a bit more than I expected to be honest, so I'm very happy with that. He's shown his well being and he's had a good blow. Just one school now between now and Cheltenham, and away we go. Granted some good ground and we'll be getting excited."
Asked if he had any concerns about last year's JCB Triumph Hurdle fourth coming up the hill, he said: "We'll let the horse do the talking, but he's stronger this year and next year he'll be the finished article."
The horse talked and didnt get up the hill. Roughly the same horse as Celestial Halo here -
Tuesday March 16 2010
Cheltenham 15:20 - Result
Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle (grade 1)
£370000 added, 4yo plus, 2m 110y, Class 1, £210937 penalty, 12 ran
Going: Good to Soft (Good in places, Cross Country Good,Good to Soft in places)
Winning Time: 3m 53.9s
Pos. Draw
Dist. Horse Wt Jockey Trainer Age SP
1 Binocular (FR) 11-10 A P McCoy N J Henderson 6 9/1
held up, improved into 5th approaching 4th, went 2nd after 3 out, led going well soon after next, ran on strongly flat opened 8/1 touched 9/1 £20000-£2400 Each Way
2 3½ Khyber Kim 11-10 P J Brennan N A Twiston-Davies 8 7/1
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, switched left and chased winner approaching last, ran on, no impression opened 7/1 touched 15/2
3 6 Zaynar (FR) 11-10 A Tinkler N J Henderson 5 15/2
chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, beaten when jumped left last, one pace opened 9/1 touched 9/1 £25000-£2500
4 2½ Celestial Halo (IRE) 11-10 R Walsh P F Nicholls 6 7/1
led, ridden and headed after 2 out, relegated to 4th and beaten before last opened 8/1 touched 8/1
5 nse Starluck (IRE) 11-10 T J Murphy A Fleming 5 14/1
held up towards rear on outside, headway to go 5th approaching last, no impression on leaders opened 12/1 touched 14/1
6 6 Solwhit (FR) 11-10 D N Russell C Byrnes 6 6/1
held up, went 5th after 2nd, pushed along and lost place before 3 out, soon in rear, no impression after opened 7/1 touched 8/1 £10000-£1200 £3500-£500 £6000-£1000 Each Way
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You need more stamina 2 miles over fences with the extra effort and rhythm lost jumping fences. Logically he will be exposed for stamina even more over fences at Cheltenham.
Friday March 13 2009 Cheltenham 13:30 - Result Jcb Triumph Hurdle £120000 added, 4yo only, 2m 1f, Class 1, £68412 penalty, 18 ran Going: Good to Soft, Good in places Winning Time: 4m 03.8s Pos. Draw Dist. Horse Wt Jockey Trainer Age SP 1 Zaynar (FR) 11-0 B J Geraghty N J Henderson 4 11/2 mid-division, pushed along briefly after 2nd, headway approaching 4th, challenging 2 out, soon led, pressed flat, edged left and stayed on well towards finish opened 9/2 touched 11/2 £11000-£2000 £27500-£5000 Each Way £5000-£1000 (x4) 2 ¾ Walkon (FR) 11-0 R Thornton A King 4 4/1 f in touch, not fluent 5th, pushed along approaching 2 out briefly, ridden to chase winner last, every chance flat, not quicken towards finish opened 9/2 touched 5/1 £10000-£2000 £5000-£1000 (x2) £22500-£5000 3 2¾ Mourad (IRE) 11-0 R Walsh W P Mullins 4 14/1 held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, mistake last, went 3rd flat, kept on without pace to troubled front pair opened 14/1 touched 16/1 4 3½ Starluck (IRE) 11-0 T J Murphy A Fleming 4 5/1 held up in rear, headway 3 out, challenging on bit after 2 out, edged left flat, weakened towards finish opened 6/1 touched 6/1 £4200-£700 £27500-£5000 Each Way |
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I disagree re stamina I think its that he just didnt want to go bye. Im of the opinion that fences may sort him out, you need to travel well to win the Arkle and this one certanly does
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What makes you think that exactly when you need more stamina over fences than hurdles?
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What makes u think u need more stamina over fences than hurdles
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you need less stamina going over fences than hurdles. HTH
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1. Is the effort taken to jump fences is greater than the effort to jump hurdles.
A. Yes more effort is required to jump fences. 2. Is a horses momentum broken more when jumping higher fences than skipping hurdles. A. Yes when jumping well or badly in both cases the higher fences break a horses rhythm and momentum more than hurdles. Hence, more stamina is required jumping fences than hurdles. |
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Eric, more evidence of your lack of basic knowledge...brush up your game
'Surprisingly, a hurdle race places more emphasis on stamina than a chase, which allows its participants to lob round at a snail’s pace whilst superior jumping wins the day. A novice hurdle is often a mere five-furlong sprint, but a handicap hurdle, or the sort staged at Cheltenham, requires its participants to race at a keen clip throughout. |
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From the Racing Post:
Murphy, who rode Arkle favourite Sizing Europe to win the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2007, was understandably impressed with Starluck's success, saying: "He's as good a two-miler as I've sat on in a long time." Trainer Alan Fleming added: "Timmy thinks the horse has improved over the summer and he has no problems with the Cheltenham hill. I must admit I was worried beforehand as all his wins have been on flat courses. The races he ran in he was not good enough to win. Namely the Triumph and the Champion Hurdle. He beat some pretty good horses in those races though, including Medermit. Where is that in the Arkle betting? Mind you I can't remember the last CH winner to win the Arkle. |
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Common arguments: stayers hurdle he got 3 miles so is bound to get 3 miles as well over fences .... stroll in exhibit one, Punchestowns. Many other examples exist.
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punchestowns cant jump. once more for the doubters. ITS EASIER TO STAY A TRIP OVER FENCES THAN HURDLES[;)]
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When saying he wouldn't go by previously are you suggesting he isn't genuine?
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say that again...?
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Wow, breaking news ... the Arkle is run at a snails pace.
 bring on chelt!!! Date Joined: 07 Feb 04 Add contact | Send message When: 22 Feb 11 21:47 Eric, more evidence of your lack of basic knowledge...brush up your game 'Surprisingly, a hurdle race places more emphasis on stamina than a chase, which allows its participants to lob round at a snail’s pace whilst superior jumping wins the day. A novice hurdle is often a mere five-furlong sprint, but a handicap hurdle, or the sort staged at Cheltenham, requires its participants to race at a keen clip throughout. |
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do you think they go faster in the arkle or the champion hurdle? anyone will tell you the point weere tryin to make
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When horses jump a fence they take a breath (a breather) therefor can get farther. I'm with revedesivola on this one.
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and go a bit slower too
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This is a personal opinion and is regarding the horse. I dont think he has ever wanted for stamina I just think he doesnt want to go buy I am of the opinion that he might buck up his ideas over fences.
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Do they go faster in the Arkle or (Triumph AND Champion Hurdle). Maybe it is just the hill he doesnt like?
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im thinking wee anthony might make his mind up 4him
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are all the best national hunt jockeys scottish?agreed mccoys the best
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Eric have you ever riden a horse? give you a clue i do...ffs you just get worse
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There is more effort required if your rhythm is broken and you are slowed down, then have to quicken again to rejoin the pace, however it is true to say jumping is extremely important over fences as with hurdles even if you brush a hurdle your horizontal momentum will take you to the other side and provided you can find your feet little extra effort will be expended. Fences you will have your momentum halted.
Without mistakes it takes more effort jumping a fence than timing a stride to skip a hurdle as you need more take off force. |
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Eric it is not the trip or the track that is likely to be a problem, it is the going. Soft or softer would be a negative. He was an 11-12f horse on the flat so I'm not worried about the trip, just the going.
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Going of course is another factor with this horse
Totesport were impressed enough to shave Starluck's Champion Hurdle odds to 14-1 (from 16-1), although Victor Chandler saw no reason the change their 16-1 quote. Trainer Alan Fleming said: "That's a bit more than I expected to be honest, so I'm very happy with that. He's shown his well being and he's had a good blow. Just one school now between now and Cheltenham, and away we go. Granted some good ground and we'll be getting excited." Asked if he had any concerns about last year's JCB Triumph Hurdle fourth coming up the hill, he said: "We'll let the horse do the talking, but he's stronger this year and next year he'll be the finished article." |
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now,the hunt area has had a lot of rain in last week and the forecast tomorow is for heavy rain.this imho means the track will be very soft .im aware that hunt drains well but itl still be testing .will starluck run?
if it does run,and indeed win,will firms cut it..after all 2m round hunt isnt exactly chelt is it. |
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or will the fact that if it wins ,showing it can jump,be enough to justify cutting it further...ie sub tens?
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I suppose it depends on the oppostion and 'if' he wins 'how' he wins ftm.
I think the ground is 'the' important factor with this horse, apart from the strength of the opposition that is. If he jumps OK at Huntingdon and the ground at Cheltenham is no worse than g/s then I think he has a massive chance because he is probably the best horse in the Arkle. Will thy shorten him if he wins, of course they will. Wouldn't you? |
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He will need to jump extremely well on his debut to expel stamina fears at Prestbury Park. A shoddy round will leave a mountain to climb at the Festival. In addition you wont know whether he will jump right handed drastically until the day which again would affect his stamina as Huntingdon is a right handed track.
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brigust,of course id shorten him if he was impressive in his round of jumping .i could actually envisage him going off around the 8-1 marker on the day,if he was sure footed at hunt.
im just hoping we miss the worst of the weather tomoro and that we learn something on thurs |
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He would be worthy of a price shorter than dual Grade 1 chase winner Realt Dubh after a doddle around Huntingdon? Surely not.
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Agreed ftm. I don't want to wait for Taunton but I don't want him to have a slog either so I will go with the flow.
Anyway it's late so I'm off, goodnight. |
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eric..it very possible and i see your point.
brigust,gnight. |
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No clues on the hill he seems to have an aversion to today.
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If he can jump proficiently (and he has always been good over hurdles) then he definitely has the latent talent to win the Arkle - more so than any other horse in the race imo. If only it was as simple as that
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Of course having always been ridden by Timmy Murphy we may see a different Starluck with AP up.
TM has a particular way of riding and this horse may well be better given a different approach. When he was beaten at Haydock by Mr Thriller on soft ground you can bet Tom Scudamore knew exactly how TM would ride the race and saved a bit for the finish. |
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I could be very wrong here but he really does not strike me as the type for fences.
In response to whether you need more stamina to win a 2 mile chase or a 2 mile hurdle race it's obviously a chase. If you don't believe me go out in the street and run and jump as fast as you can over every parked cars bonnet in your road. Then do it jumping over every car roof. I think that will answer your question. |
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Done that MM, you're right I'm k n ack ered.
Of course he may not be the type for fences but, he could be exactly the type for fences as well. He has always been easy to ride, not headstrong, and being able to go with a good pace should have plenty of time to jump plus has good short speed between the fences. Could be the beginning of something big. |
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Yes he could be very good I couldn't argue with that. His strong travelling will help him greatly chasing and if he jumps well he will be good.
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