Wishfull Thinking could drop back to the minimum distance to contest the Sportingbet Tingle Creek at Sandown on December 3.
The eight-year-old recorded hugely impressive victories at Aintree and Punchestown in the spring and was sent off a strongly-backed favourite for the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham last weekend.
But having set a strong pace, he faded late on to finish sixth, with trainer Philip Hobbs blaming a breathing problem for his disappointing finishing effort.
The leading trainer is now considering making use of that dominant early pace by reverting to two miles.
"It's well documented that he has breathing issues and I think that was the problem," said Hobbs.
"He might run in the Tingle Creek at Sandown next."
Wishfull Thinking could drop back to the minimum distance to contest the Sportingbet Tingle Creek at Sandown on December 3.The eight-year-old recorded hugely impressive victories at Aintree and Punchestown in the spring and was sent off a strongly-ba
im with u fft. ive been telling all my racing pals he wants 2 miles with his early pace being put to maximum use. hopefully we see this saturday when it will be sink or swim. hope he swims as i have him at nice prices for the champion chase and also some of my reputation amongst my peers!
im with u fft. ive been telling all my racing pals he wants 2 miles with his early pace being put to maximum use. hopefully we see this saturday when it will be sink or swim. hope he swims as i have him at nice prices for the champion chase and also
In defence of you guys who wanted to see him over two miles, even though he's ultimately bladdered, I've revised my view and think he could well be worth another go...it wasn't Johnson's finest moment.
Maybe he'll reach silly prices for the QM and from what I saw of his jumping at speed, he's far from a forlorn hope.
In defence of you guys who wanted to see him over two miles, even though he's ultimately bladdered, I've revised my view and think he could well be worth another go...it wasn't Johnson's finest moment.Maybe he'll reach silly prices for the QM and fro
In fairness Dickie didn't ask him for anything once he got passed today. It would be hard to say he was ridden out for the best possible placing unless, as you say, something went wrong, but he wasn't pulled up. Looking back after the PP, they did say he had a wind problem that day. Something wrong somewhere....
In fairness Dickie didn't ask him for anything once he got passed today. It would be hard to say he was ridden out for the best possible placing unless, as you say, something went wrong, but he wasn't pulled up. Looking back after the PP, they did sa
On reflection, I wonder if they thought they could nick it? Go off fast, get in to a big lead, use WT's excellent jumping and put the jumping of the rest under pressure down the tough Sandown back straight? It's hard to see what else they were thinking given that Kauto Stone and Sizing Europe both stay al least 2 1/2 m. I know Dickie J gets a lot of flack, but he has ridden 2000+ winners more than most of us so he must have some clue.
On reflection, I wonder if they thought they could nick it? Go off fast, get in to a big lead, use WT's excellent jumping and put the jumping of the rest under pressure down the tough Sandown back straight? It's hard to see what else they were thinki
looking back at twist magics tingle creek in 09, at the comparitive points in the race where wishful thinking was caught by the pack at the 8th fence he had got there roughly 4 secs quicker than twist magic, but twist magic was racing on officially soft going as opposed to good to soft yesterday....don't know what it all means though...probably fook all
looking back at twist magics tingle creek in 09, at the comparitive points in the race where wishful thinking was caught by the pack at the 8th fence he had got there roughly 4 secs quicker than twist magic, but twist magic was racing on officially s
I think he's already has 2 wind ops. What puzzles me though is why he was so good last season (posted an OR of 164 as a novice) but struggling so badly this season.
I think he's already has 2 wind ops. What puzzles me though is why he was so good last season (posted an OR of 164 as a novice) but struggling so badly this season.
well not being able to breath would explain the under performance. Regardless he was badly ridden on Saturday, can't really derive anything from that, even Frankel struggles to get away with those kind of tactics.
well not being able to breath would explain the under performance. Regardless he was badly ridden on Saturday, can't really derive anything from that, even Frankel struggles to get away with those kind of tactics.