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Can't help thinking that they could be. Especially the RSA which really lacks the sparkle of recent years - same goes for the Arkle IMO.
Not to say they won't be great races, but can't get that excited about either of them - and they are usually my 2 most anticipated races of the week.
Not to say they won't be great races, but can't get that excited about either of them - and they are usually my 2 most anticipated races of the week.
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I think the RSA could turn out to be a decent renewal, not much in the Arkle that screams future champion at me though
the rsa is a quality renewal...Its only because you havent got a top yard horse at the top of the market, that is making it look less appealing.
There is some awsome novice chasers in this race its just because they are all from smaller yards that the media isnt hyping them up.
In my eyes this is going to be one of the most exciting races of the festivals.
I agree wiv you on the arkle...average to say the least...but we can look forward to a cracking one next year.
There is some awsome novice chasers in this race its just because they are all from smaller yards that the media isnt hyping them up.
In my eyes this is going to be one of the most exciting races of the festivals.
I agree wiv you on the arkle...average to say the least...but we can look forward to a cracking one next year.
Can see what you're saying about the small yards - perhaps that's it. Looking at the analysis I've done, there's 4 or 5 that match a lot of the trends. Difficult to know whether that's down to the vagaries of trends or a genuinely competitive field.
The latter imo, its an ultra competitive field, I have it down to around 4 and struggling to oppose any of them.
I actually think it's more down to whether the horses at the top of the markets were established hurdlers that we're all so familiar with. Both races are headed by the top rated hurdlers in their respective fields, both of whom have been impressive over fences.
It is questionable whether Medermit should be Arkle favourite based on his win and place over two and a half, but in behind (bar Starluck), the horses are all less successful over hurdles than they are (or likely to be) over fences - so we are as of yet unfamiliar of their relative merits as horses, let alone chasers. Therefore, while I appreciate that looking into the race it is hard to get that excited as there arent the big gun hurdlers going head to head (Sizing Europe/Osana/Captain Cee Bee), the quality of the race is still likely to be top class in a chase context, if not even better than some previous years.
And it's a similar story in the RSA... (Punchestowns/Diamond Harry/Weapon's Amnesty)...
It is questionable whether Medermit should be Arkle favourite based on his win and place over two and a half, but in behind (bar Starluck), the horses are all less successful over hurdles than they are (or likely to be) over fences - so we are as of yet unfamiliar of their relative merits as horses, let alone chasers. Therefore, while I appreciate that looking into the race it is hard to get that excited as there arent the big gun hurdlers going head to head (Sizing Europe/Osana/Captain Cee Bee), the quality of the race is still likely to be top class in a chase context, if not even better than some previous years.
And it's a similar story in the RSA... (Punchestowns/Diamond Harry/Weapon's Amnesty)...
Poorer Arkle than usual , not huge amount of depth hence Starluck might run ! RSA is a good race if they stand their ground the new 2m 4f race will take away from that race - the 2m Nov hurdle is top class with four quality horses in the two miles Cue Card. As they spread the races out the quality will lessen.
Poorer Arkle than usual , not huge amount of depth hence Starluck might run ! RSA is a good race if they stand their ground the new 2m 4f race will take away from that race - the 2m Nov hurdle is top class with four quality horses in the two miles Cue Card. As they spread the races out the quality will lessen.
...and therein lies the problem Ad Man.
The perceived quality is diluted everytime they introduce these new fangled races.
The perceived quality is diluted everytime they introduce these new fangled races.
Another tick for the OP, both novice events hurdles and chases do not have the spark for me this year
Yeah a very valid point actualy. No old rivalries to get the juices flowing.
I would also add that alot of last years hurdlers didnt have their chance to shine.....because they always ran up against an hurdling machine.
I would also add that alot of last years hurdlers didnt have their chance to shine.....because they always ran up against an hurdling machine.
I think we were spoiled by a vintage Arkle last year and this one is pretty standard in comparison.
In all the novice events you'll never really know until after the race how good the races really were. Plenty of horses have gone on to bigger things that had very little reputation before the meeting - and vice versa.
The 2004 renewal of the supreme wasn't highly thought of pre-race......
1 Brave Inca (IRE) 7/2F CH winner and runner up
2 War Of Attrition (IRE) 33/1 Gold Cup Winner
3 Fleet Street 20/1
4 Cardenas (GER) 14/1
5 Garde Champetre (FR) 11/1 Cross Country winner
Lets see these horses put it all on the line and work out what's what in the aftermath!
In all the novice events you'll never really know until after the race how good the races really were. Plenty of horses have gone on to bigger things that had very little reputation before the meeting - and vice versa.
The 2004 renewal of the supreme wasn't highly thought of pre-race......
1 Brave Inca (IRE) 7/2F CH winner and runner up
2 War Of Attrition (IRE) 33/1 Gold Cup Winner
3 Fleet Street 20/1
4 Cardenas (GER) 14/1
5 Garde Champetre (FR) 11/1 Cross Country winner
Lets see these horses put it all on the line and work out what's what in the aftermath!
All the Cheltenham races go through good and bad spells.
The novice hurdle races look up to scratch on quality - maybe a little lacking in depth but some nice prospects all the same.
Without Time For Rupert the RSA would be looking very ordinary imo (unless MDH suddenly recaptures his best form)
The Arkle looks about average - no world beaters in the race (Moscow Flyer, Azetryioup, Voy Pur Estedes etc), it's more like Forpadydeplaster and Tidal Bays Arkles.
The novice hurdle races look up to scratch on quality - maybe a little lacking in depth but some nice prospects all the same.
Without Time For Rupert the RSA would be looking very ordinary imo (unless MDH suddenly recaptures his best form)
The Arkle looks about average - no world beaters in the race (Moscow Flyer, Azetryioup, Voy Pur Estedes etc), it's more like Forpadydeplaster and Tidal Bays Arkles.
I'd back Cue Card for the Champion Hurdle and Time For Rupert for the Gold Cup this year if they'd run in them so I can't agree with this at all!
Two miles chasers are a dying breed; we'll never see the likes of Moscow Flyer and Co, and a few of the current crop again! Two milers are stepped up in trip and if they don't stay they run three miles over hurdles in time.
Two miles chasers are a dying breed; we'll never see the likes of Moscow Flyer and Co, and a few of the current crop again! Two milers are stepped up in trip and if they don't stay they run three miles over hurdles in time.
Doesn't appear to be a superstar in the Arkle but the race is always a great spectacle. If the hype about Sprinter Sacre is right, then we'll see one in 2012!
The RSA can be a hard race on young horses and many trainers don't like it. Time For Rupert a very worthy favourite though and he is a really lovely stamp of a horse.
The RSA can be a hard race on young horses and many trainers don't like it. Time For Rupert a very worthy favourite though and he is a really lovely stamp of a horse.
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