Cheltenham Festival
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The Stan James Champion Hurdle
The Stan James Champion Hurdle
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I backed Unaccompanied last week at 36 when the rumours of Hurricane Fly's fitness were surfacing.
She would have been a hell of alot closer to Zarkander in the Triumph had she not hit traffic, she has had just 6 runs over timber and is improving, the Champion looks like it's cutting up unless the Fly gets fit quickly and Peddlers returns to hurdles. It's a punt of course it is, few Mares take this route (Flakey Dove last winner ?) and not only does she carry a mares tag she also carries the dreaded 5 year old tag so there's plenty to overcome in March, but I made her value in a race there could be few credible alternatives |
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That's a sporting bet at a nice price now.
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Yes nice bet horse9.
Must admit my first reaction was that 20s on here looks a little bit big after that. I thought Oscars Well ran way better than the last twice and that seems borne out by the distance back to the fourth and fifth. Thousand Stars is a solid yardstick and I thought she beat him with genuine authority. She's run well at Cheltenham, seems to have improved, and is over twice the price of Grandouet ans Zarkandar, who has yet to be seen this season. The concern is the Mares race - as if she gets beaten by the Hurricane (or anything else) in the Irish Champion they would surely go that way (even though the mighty Quevega is likely to be lurking). |
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Can a 5yo mare really win the Champion Hurdle?
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She's not gone further than 17 f (in the Triumph) yet and she's shown she can live with the top 2 m hurdlers (based on TS who came 4th in the last Champion). I don't see why she'd go for the mares race over the Champion - she'll already be a valuable broodmare having a Grade 1 and a Festival 2nd and good flat form.
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The Mares race has the mighty Quevega and possibly the impressive Voler La Vadette - can Unaccompanied beat those two ?
Seriously, if the fragile Fly doesn't make the boat I think the Champion Hurdle could be the softer target for her. The 5 year old stat is horrendous but it was broken by Katchit a few years ago in what was a weak renewal, a year later Punjabi won with Binocular and Celestial Halo (both 5) very close behind. Is a 7lb allowance sufficient for a mare ? I'm not so sure, she was getting 10lb from the boys today. |
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Yeah, 3 lb of that was a 4 yo which she won't have in spring.
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She'll be 3 months stronger so maybe the reduced allowance offsets - but she will be entering the race as an improver, just 6 hurdle races in her life, the bigger worry is when they'll manage to get a break in her, for a young horse she's seen plenty of racing, 12 races in 18 months (both codes)
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No chance of Unaccompanied going for the Mares race. It's one of the least prestigious races at the festival. Unaccompanied is also built like a 3m chaser, so getting 7lb is very handy. Watch her penultimate run when beating Sailors Warn .. she makes him look like a pony.
Last mare to run in the CH was Whiteoak. |
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Unaccompanied is a very nice mare of that there is no doubt but i can,t have the theory that she was unlucky in the Triumph, when she met with minor traffic Zarkandar was still behind her and won going away imo.
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Think it would make for fascinating build-up if say Zarkandar and Spirit Son have one run (and win) each before the festival. Zarkandar in the Kingwell, and Spirit Son in the Haydock Trial race (what else is there at the end of January bar Hendo sends him straight to Grade 1 company for the AIG?). And then to add to the intrigue, Hurricane Fly goes straight to Cheltenham. G Good chance that could happen. Add in the likes of Bincular, Rock On Ruby and Grandouet. And Unaccompanied.
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Also could be a hard decision for Barry Geraghty decideing between Grandouet and Spirit Son.
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The Fly is a machine and even if it turns up without a run at cheltenham he will romp home. His two targets for the year are Cheltenham and punchestown same as quevaga. She hasnt done too badly without a run before cheltenham has she. As they say in scouseland calm down calm down.
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however good HF may be,his prep is not ideal.Thats twice they have wanted him to run and twice he has had to be taken out.
For all we know he may have one or two better horses than Peddlers to contend with in March. |
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The Fly is a machine but last season he met every one of his intended targets, already this season he's missed two engagements (at least) and although I wouldn't be too worried about his participation just yet, if he wasn't seen out in January I'd get concerned.
Spirit Son is another exciting horse with the potential to win the race, but there has to be something amiss if these horses are sitting in their boxes throughout the Autumn and early Winter. As I say, no panic flares up just yet but another 4 or 5 weeks without seeing these two might change opinions... |
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Spirit Son apparently going for the Contenders hurdle I think it's called at Sandown. He could have benefited from running in a more competitive race than that but we will see what turns up. Binocular probs going to Ireland & Grandouet still going for the Kingwell. I think Grandouet vs Zarkandar at Wincanton is a fascinating race.
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Binocular and Hurricane Fly in the AIG - showdown between last two CHers's with Unaccompanied for good measure. Fascinating in it's own right too.
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Masterminded - be interesting to see how far forward Zark is at that point and whthere PFN choses to run Celestial to make it something of a test.
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I think it will make for fascinting pre-race build-up if Spirit Son and Zarkandar only have one run each between now and the Festival.
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Not usually a great one for reading a lot into connections' comments but Ruby spoke volumes with his knowing grin and statement to Nick Luck today that he wished he was allowed to bet and take 11/4 Hurricane Fly in CH.
Mullins RP column today - racecourse gallop soon then target Irish Champion Hurdle - also suggests they're not far off with him. |
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Nicky Henderson's three contenders for the StanJames.com Champion Hurdle will each have one more outing before their Festival date on March.
The Seven Barrows trainer outlined his plans for Binocular, Grandouet and Spirit Son at Cheltenham yesterday. He said: "Spirit Son worked very well on Saturday and is about three weeks off a run. I think the old Agfa Hurdle could be the race for him ahead of Cheltenham. "For obvious reasons we won't be taking Binocular to Sandown and I've yet to decide where he'll go. It's possible he could run in Ireland. "The Kingwell at Wincanton looks the right trial for Grandouet. All three of them are in very good order." |
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If Zarkava were to meet Grandouet at Wincanton, I would like to see Celestial Halo run to make sure it's a true run race. Grandouet would out speed it if no pace
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Zarkava hurdling
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in todays ante post column in the racing post , where they talk about the weekends action ,, ruby walsh says his best bets for the festival are hurricane and big bucks , think theyve made it out that theres someting not right with hurricane , but when ruby tips it up, what are we suppose to make of it , surely he has to be ok ... !!!!
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http://www.rte.ie/sport/racing/highlights.html?3159123,3159123,flash,255,Willie%20Mullins%20was%20satisfied%20with%20the%20work%20undertaken%20by%20Hurricane%20Fly%20ahead%20of%20his%20expected%20return%20to%20action%20in%20the%20Irish%20Champion%20Hurdle%20on%2029%20January.
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The Fly`s engine is back firing after today
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Grandouet, anyone any news? No money on back side, looking ominous!
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Trainer Nicky Henderson has outlined plans for his hurdling big guns ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.
The Seven Barrows handler is set to be triple handed in the Stan James Champion Hurdle with Grandouet, Binocular and Spirit Son while Oscar Whisky is on course for a clash with Big Buck's in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. The former is on target having won his last two races, securing an impressive success in December in the Stan James.com International Hurdle. He told sportinglife.com:"Grandouet has done nothing wrong this season. It would be reasonably safe to say he would have won first time at Wincanton before he fell at the second last and he proved that with his next two runs. "We were concentrating in the first part of the season on easy tracks for him as there seemed to be a consensus of opinion that last year he was suited to speed tracks rather than Cheltenham. "We started on the flatter tracks but it was great that he came out and proved he can do that on the undulations of Cheltenham. With that behind us now we are gearing up for the Champion Hurdle. "His win in the International Hurdle was very smooth and his jumping was slick - he is having a bit of a break and has done really well as he has put on a lot of weight - he looks great. He will have one more run probably in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton prior to Cheltenham." Spirit Son has yet to be seen out this season but the six-year-old has always been held in high regard by his handler. "Spirit Son looked good throughout last year and both myself and Barry (Geraghty) felt last year's Cheltenham Festival was a year too soon for him," Henderson added. "But he ran a great race in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and just did not quite get home but then at Aintree he was very impressive. "He had a little hiccup earlier in the year which took us back a little bit and we had to stand still for a short time so consequently got behind but we are up to date now as he is about to have a racecourse gallop. "He will only have one run before Cheltenham and we will decide nearer the time which way he goes. Physically he has progressed enormously and is twice the size and strength he was last year." Spirit Son's owner Michael Buckley hinted that he would miss the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown later this month. He told At The Races: "I'm not ruling him out but I suspect if the Irish Champion Hurdle was 10 days later he might well be in. As it is, I'd say it's doubtful. "I think he might run a week or 10 days after that, maybe in that race at Sandown the following weekend. "I think Spirit Son is a very talented horse and you've got to be optimistic. "It's a shame he's going to go to Cheltenham again with very little addition to his experience, but it is what it is." Former champion Binocular got bak to winning ways on Boxing Day in the williamhill.com Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and Henderson feels he could still be very competitive come the Festival in March. "Binocular's performance over Christmas at Kempton was good. He has won it before and won it again - it is funny, we were pleased with him but never quite satisfied," he observed. "He is in very good form, he will also have a run before the Champion and is still the horse with the proven form around Cheltenham. We have got to get a few things right and there is some fine tuning to be done but there is every reason for hope. If we can get him there at his very best then he is the one horse they have got to beat." |
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Binocular (FR) (Mr John P. McManus) Nicky Henderson.......................................... 8 11 10
Bobby Ewing (IRE) (Just Good Friends) David Pipe ................................................... 7 11 10 Brampour (IRE) (Banks, Blackshaw & Gannon) Paul Nicholls ................................ 5 11 10 Celestial Halo (IRE) (The Stewart Family) Paul Nicholls.......................................... 8 11 10 Clerk’s Choice (IRE) (Mr M. C. Banks) Oliver Sherwood....................................... 6 11 10 Dare Me (IRE) (Mr Trevor Hemmings) Philip Hobbs ................................................. 8 11 10 Final Approach (Mr Douglas Taylor) W. P. Mullins, Ireland ...................................... 6 11 10 Flat Out (FR) (M. O’Riordan) W. P. Mullins, Ireland .................................................... 7 11 10 Grandouet (FR) (Mr S. Munir) Nicky Henderson ........................................................ 5 11 10 Hurricane Fly (IRE) (George Creighton & Mrs Rose Boyd) W. P. Mullins, Ireland ...................................................................................................................................... 8 11 10 Kalann (IRE) (Mr K. McConnell) Sabrina J. Harty, Ireland ........................................ 5 11 10 Mikael d’Haguenet (FR) (Mrs S. Ricci) W. P. Mullins, Ireland................................. 8 11 10 Olofi (FR) (R&L Channing S&F Roberts McNeill Family) Tom George................. 6 11 10 Oscars Well (IRE) (Molley Malone Syndicate) Mrs J. Harrington, Ireland .......... 7 11 10 Oscar Whisky (IRE) (Walters Plant Hire Ltd) Nicky Henderson........................... 7 11 10 Overturn (IRE) (Mr T. G. Leslie) Donald McCain........................................................ 8 11 10 Peddlers Cross (IRE) (Mr T. G. Leslie) Donald McCain ........................................... 7 11 10 Rock On Ruby (IRE) (The Festival Goers) Paul Nicholls .......................................... 7 11 10 So Young (FR) (Mrs M. McMahon) W. P. Mullins, Ireland ......................................... 6 11 10 Spirit Son (FR) (Mr Michael Buckley) Nicky Henderson .......................................... 6 11 10 Starluck (IRE) (Mr A. T. A. Wates) David Arbuthnot................................................. 7 11 10 Staying Article (IRE) (Mr T. Barr) E. J. O’Grady, Ireland......................................... 7 11 10 Thousand Stars (FR) (Hammer & Trowel Syndicate) W. P. Mullins, Ireland..... 8 11 10 Topolski (IRE) (Mr P. M. Claydon) David Arbuthnot ................................................... 6 11 10 Zaidpour (FR) (Mrs S. Ricci) W. P. Mullins, Ireland ...................................................... 6 11 10 Zarkandar (IRE) (Potensis Limited & Mr Chris Giles) Paul Nicholls.................... 5 11 10 Unaccompanied (IRE) (Moyglare Stud Farms Ltd) D. K. Weld, Ireland ............ 5 11 3 |
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Final Approach
Ive nibbling away at huge prices win and place. Watch a replay of last years County- he came from miles back.Sometimes solid handicap form can be under rated. |
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El Apache - I ahve a few quid on him as well as a very early season bet on a possible improver. Do you think he's a likely runner in the Champion or will he go for the County again? The huge prices before today make me wonder if entering him was an afterthought and don't suggest much confidence of he does run. I guess Mullins running plans also depend on fitness of Hurricane Fly and which ones go for the World Hurdle.
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go on the starluck! the forgotten horse!
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Slight slide for Spirit Son. The vibes around this horse this yr are not good IMO.
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Just matched at 21.00.
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Bl00dy hell!!
Well p1ssed off,not only cos ive backed him,but i really like this horse and should he not run it will take something away from the race for sure. He is/was a fascinating runner. Still nowt definite yet,still hoping its a minor thing,but dont look good at the moment. |
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Byrnes also had news of Pittoni who will run next in the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran Park on February 18.
The six-year-old, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles at Leopardstown as a juvenile, has been absent since trailing home behind Grandouet in the StanJames.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham (December 10). “We gave him a break after Cheltenham and will start him back in the Red Mills. Hopefully he could be one of the highest rated in that race,” said Byrnes. He added, “We'll see how he gets on there and make plans after that. He won't be going to Cheltenham.” |
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What an absolute shame that Spirit Son is unlikely to turn up.
After HF confirmed his wellbeing at the weekend its looking extremely likely we wont have a competitive race. He just looks a class apart,and i cannot see another horse challenging him to be honest. All about without the fav now. |
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Fly was always unbeatable, was never any point trying to find one to beat him. He's in the catageory with Big Bucks
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Spirit Son was interesting for the race,and would have made it more competitive.
No telling how much he would have improved. Maybe time will tell us more. |
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I agree Budd - hurricane is a class act, and Spirit is the only 1 IMO who would give him a race.
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