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I see he is not entered for the Fighting Fith where I thought he would make his seasonal debut, but stablemate Binocular is ..
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long time to wait though isn't it Howdi ? SS will need at least two runs for experience if he is to be aimed at the Champion.
I want to know for TTF purposes ..
I want to know for TTF purposes ..
too early for decs for bula
come to think of it i read it too
come to think of it i read it too
Given the fact nothing can live with him on the gallops I'd say he's going for the Champion Hurdle. Barry's 10 to follow mentions him http://www.attheraces.com/jumps/article.aspx?hlid=520366
Hes one i am very excited about,really looking forward to him in the big 2m hurdle races.
Just hope he can prove to be a real challenger to HF.
Just hope he can prove to be a real challenger to HF.
Are the entries out? If not, I imagine he might open up in the Bula - Peddlars, Menorah and the supreme horses seem to be going over fences, so maybe not much remains? Hurricane would presumably not travel over.
Binocular usually starts in the Fighting Fifth (although did run in the rearranged Ascot Bula) and trainer does not always run a champion hurdle hope in the greatwood (Oscar Whisky, Binocular, Punjabi did not start off in the Greatwood from memory). I think i read that Oscar is going to Ascot so i would imagine it would be the Bula.
Binocular usually starts in the Fighting Fifth (although did run in the rearranged Ascot Bula) and trainer does not always run a champion hurdle hope in the greatwood (Oscar Whisky, Binocular, Punjabi did not start off in the Greatwood from memory). I think i read that Oscar is going to Ascot so i would imagine it would be the Bula.
it is the best kept secret of all time that Spirit Son has been on the easy list for close on 3 weeks now. If all goes to plan from here he will have one run before the festival.
It means Chemical Nicky has given him a slight overdose
nowt major, just a slight setback
nowt major, just a slight setback
Last i heard was that the horse had a swollen tendon, thought to be just a knock or general unsoundness rather than having got a 'leg'. They had to deal with the same thing with him in the past so were not concerned that it was a long term issue. Result is that horse needs time and if all goes to plan he will have one run before the festival with the normal caveat of if things take longer than expected deadlines are in jeopardy as would be a festival appearence. Last update I had was 8 or 9 days ago - I am in the Zarkandar camp for the Champion so haven't been stressing myself looking for updates. Fair to say that NJH is taking a leaf from the Binocular school of keeping the public informed.
Well with Binocular the market on here told us something was up, whereas Spirit Sons price has been solid as a rock
fair point, I did say it was a well kept secret though and I am surprised how solid the market is. Also have time on side rather than it happening on the eve of the festival. In any case I wish no ill on the horse, take what I said with a pinch of salt if you so wish. I am not sating it with any motives, as I said I am in the Zarkandar camp.
Any more news on Spirit Son??
A quote from the stable would be good,rather than heresay from someone on here.
A quote from the stable would be good,rather than heresay from someone on here.
It's pretty much common knowledge on twitter now that he's out until Christmas time but of course until there's an official quote nobody can say for sure. I would say news will be out soon as it's NJH's stable tour next week I believe?
Whos saying on twitter MM? Anyone of note?? His wellbeing is important to me.
Minor knock, will be out around xms/early new year seems to be the concensous
Well ive not seen anything about the horse anywhere,so i wonder where all this has come from,or more importantly,who!!
Not one Racing programme or racing website have i seen anything.Are comments on Twitter reliable ??
Not one Racing programme or racing website have i seen anything.Are comments on Twitter reliable ??
Henderson could at least make some comment,maybe in stable tour Monday in Post?
But Korals went 14s for one day this week, so something not right?
But Korals went 14s for one day this week, so something not right?
Out till Jan then 1 or 2 runs before Festival according to owner.
Cool bud lets hope he comes back ok and get run for Champion Hurdle, only danger imo to The Fly?
yep,i am quiet excited about him,but also with Oscars well.They are the 2 that i think could challenge HF.
If he comes back ok,and they can get a run or 2 into him i would say thats ok,and should be pretty fresh come march.
If he comes back ok,and they can get a run or 2 into him i would say thats ok,and should be pretty fresh come march.
Spirit Son will need two runs before March if he is to have any chance of winning. Preparation is everything in these top races.
Remarks by Henderson re Spirit Son in Stable Tour in to-days Racing Post:
''He's a little behind schedule but is about to start faster work.We are likely to be looking at the Christmas Hurdle,in which he'll join Binocular,but there's no reason why we should'nt run both.I'm thinking and hoping he'll be a Champion Hurdle type,although in the longer term he'll be a chaser.......he has grown and developed considerably and Barry felt that last season's festival may have been a year too soon for him. We will have to see how far he can go down the hurdling road.It could be a long way''
''He's a little behind schedule but is about to start faster work.We are likely to be looking at the Christmas Hurdle,in which he'll join Binocular,but there's no reason why we should'nt run both.I'm thinking and hoping he'll be a Champion Hurdle type,although in the longer term he'll be a chaser.......he has grown and developed considerably and Barry felt that last season's festival may have been a year too soon for him. We will have to see how far he can go down the hurdling road.It could be a long way''
Yeehaa good to hear he's back doing fast work. Christmas Hurdle his for the taking unless Binocular bounces back to his best.
although in the longer term he'll be a chaser
i wonder if that quote reveals that henderson doesn't really believe he could win the champion hurdle.
i wonder if that quote reveals that henderson doesn't really believe he could win the champion hurdle.
Dont think so,if he thought that he might as well go chasing now.
No,i think he knows the horse is good enough for the CH.
No,i think he knows the horse is good enough for the CH.
Don't doubt he's good enough to run in the champion hurdle but hobbs was going to go chasing with menorah last year until the horse showed him that it was worth persevering with him for the season over hurdles...just speculating on what hendersons real gut feeling is......the above quote from him isn't a million miles away from "whatever he does over hurdles will be a bonus"......if nicholls and mccain can send al ferof and peddlers over fences i'd be surprised if henderson wasn't living in an outside hope rather than expectation with regards to the champion hurdle itself.
Maybe you have a point,but personally i think hes just telling it as it is.He will be a chaser but this season we are going for the CHurdle.
spirit son will be competative in a champion hurdle.
i do feel he is better over 2.4m given the performance he turned in at aintree tho,could he try to beat bbucks?
i do feel he is better over 2.4m given the performance he turned in at aintree tho,could he try to beat bbucks?
I would be surprised if Spirit Son doesn't AT LEAST place in the Champ hurdle.
Binocular will be back for another crack at the William Hill Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day as trainer Nicky Henderson juggles the campaigns of four potential Champion Hurdle horses.
Henderson is not giving up on 2010 Champion Hurdle hero Binocular, even though he faltered last season after an impressive success in the Kempton Grade One and has now suffered three consecutive defeats in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.
In this year's renewal, held at Newcastle last week, he could never get a handle on Overturn, and was beaten by four and a half lengths.
"He's in the exactly the same position as last year," said Henderson.
"He was a bit flat at Newcastle but he has come back really well and Overturn is a hard horse to pass.
"He's OK, and he was very good at Kempton last year. Overturn is very good, but he's at the top of his game and I can't see that there is a lot more to come from him. There's a long way to go."
Oscar Whisky, who fell at the last when alongside Overturn in the Ascot Hurdle, is a possibility for the Relkeel at Cheltenham, while another to be bound for Prestbury Park is Grandouet.
Last season's Triumph Hurdle third and Punchestown Festival winner bounced back from a fall on his reappearance at Wincanton by running away with a minor event at Haydock.
"He's going to run in the International at Cheltenham," the trainer said.
"He was impressive at Haydock and impressive at Punchestown and I'd just like to give him another look at Cheltenham to make sure it's the right place to go."
Spirit Son, second to Al Ferof in the Supreme and an impressive winner at Aintree, is not out of the equation either.
Henderson explained that Michael Buckley's gelding would not be running in the Christmas Hurdle, but said: "I think I'd concentrate on the Champion Hurdle. He's that good."
Henderson is not giving up on 2010 Champion Hurdle hero Binocular, even though he faltered last season after an impressive success in the Kempton Grade One and has now suffered three consecutive defeats in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle.
In this year's renewal, held at Newcastle last week, he could never get a handle on Overturn, and was beaten by four and a half lengths.
"He's in the exactly the same position as last year," said Henderson.
"He was a bit flat at Newcastle but he has come back really well and Overturn is a hard horse to pass.
"He's OK, and he was very good at Kempton last year. Overturn is very good, but he's at the top of his game and I can't see that there is a lot more to come from him. There's a long way to go."
Oscar Whisky, who fell at the last when alongside Overturn in the Ascot Hurdle, is a possibility for the Relkeel at Cheltenham, while another to be bound for Prestbury Park is Grandouet.
Last season's Triumph Hurdle third and Punchestown Festival winner bounced back from a fall on his reappearance at Wincanton by running away with a minor event at Haydock.
"He's going to run in the International at Cheltenham," the trainer said.
"He was impressive at Haydock and impressive at Punchestown and I'd just like to give him another look at Cheltenham to make sure it's the right place to go."
Spirit Son, second to Al Ferof in the Supreme and an impressive winner at Aintree, is not out of the equation either.
Henderson explained that Michael Buckley's gelding would not be running in the Christmas Hurdle, but said: "I think I'd concentrate on the Champion Hurdle. He's that good."
Sint sounds like maybe only 1 run before Festival for Spirit Son?
"I think I'd concentrate on the Champion Hurdle. He's that good
Thats good to hear.
Any ideas where he might run?
Thats good to hear.
Any ideas where he might run?
Hard to know Steve. Could be just one but im sure Hendo would prefer two. SS does have a chance of being ready for Xmas if they want. There are various Champion Hurdle trials ate Kelso/Haydock/Wincanton and Sandown so he could take in two of those. A lot of it will depend on the weather!
Standby for the news folks, there is always the 2013 Champion Hurdle.
From the owner today at Cheltenham:
"Spirit Son had a little setback but is back cantering again now and he'll hopefully be ready to return in late January."
"Spirit Son had a little setback but is back cantering again now and he'll hopefully be ready to return in late January."
November 19, 2011
Another of Buckley’s exciting team who won at Aintree’s Grand National meeting was Spirit Son. A setback has ruled him out for the first half of the current campaign, but his owner hopes he can still progress into a Champion Hurdle candidate.
Buckley went on: “He was in great shape when he came back into work and he had a slight setback. He’s fine now but he will not run this side of Christmas. It could be towards the end of January before he is out.
Another of Buckley’s exciting team who won at Aintree’s Grand National meeting was Spirit Son. A setback has ruled him out for the first half of the current campaign, but his owner hopes he can still progress into a Champion Hurdle candidate.
Buckley went on: “He was in great shape when he came back into work and he had a slight setback. He’s fine now but he will not run this side of Christmas. It could be towards the end of January before he is out.
so whats the news. has he suffered yet another setback or what?
no...just the one setback ....and end of jan is the target.
Strange that. Hendersons stable tour on 21st November said he's about to start fast work and they are looking at xmas hurdle. That was the last thing I heard until owners comments today.
next year, charades, rancid stage management, putting the punter away yet again.
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