The Stan James Champion Hurdle

spirit son will prob be out at end of jan.....i remember seeing nicholls say a couple months back that he's keeping zarkandar till the new year.

hurricane 29th dec

cheers lads

Do we know if Hurricane Fly is definitely due back yet, any quotes?

you'll be lucky with mullins

indeed

The Fly is back on the roads to fitness. He should be back at the Christmas meeting

where are you hearing this MM?

The fly is fine and will have 4 runs this season, Xmas, Irish champ, Cheltenham and punchestown.

There is also not a hurdler in the Britain or Eire that will touch him. Forgot about granduot, spirit son and zarkandar... The fly IS better than istanbraq was! And I loved istabraq.

Big Bucks
don't think you're far wrong...actually i don't think you are wrong at all....the 3.2 on here must be down in most part to whether he turns up or not

Binocular,the forgotten horse.
But not by me,hes capable on his day and still has a big run in him.
Just needs to produce on the day,and his odds are mighty tempting e/w imo.
Always runs well at the festival.

Christmas Hurdle best prices:

Binocular 9/4
Rock on Ruby 9/4
Overturn 5/2
Sanctuaire 20/1
Clerks Choice 25/1
Olofi 33/1
Drill Sergeant 66/1

I actually think Binocular is a pretty good price here.

Overturn must surely be a bit knackered now having run so often in such a short space of time, and Binocular was impressive in this last year when he saw off Overturn quite comfortably.

Rock on Ruby's form was given a boost when Raya Star won, but I'm not sure whether he's a proper 2 miler at Grade 1 level.

Hes a pretty good price for the CHurdle as well imo
16/1 with the sponsors,nice e/w bet i think.

We aint seen the fav who seems to have his doubts,or Spirit and Zarkander.Then we have a 5yr old Grandouet,and then Rock On Ruby.

Bino could be Henderson's 4th string for the Champion - though he'll presumably have AP.

quiet possibly my friend,but he may not be 4th best on the day.

True enough

I enjoyed that,great race.
Had to work bl00dy hard,but a nice break now and back to his fav course in March and should be spot on.

A late reappearance over hurdles occurred more commonly once upon a time, but whilst I do not think that many very recent contenders have been asked to win the Champion without a run before the turn of the year, is it ideal?

Recently Sublimity (who won IMO a weak renewal of the race) did not appear till January and before that I think Collier Bay did not run until after the turn of the yr. Alderbrook ran in the autumn but only on the level before winning his prep in Febuary.

At this stage Zarkander, Spirit Son and Hurricane Fly have not run. Obvious trials remain at Sandown, Wincanton, Kelso, Haydock and in Ireland and possibly at Newbury.

Do people think that the lack of an appearence by those toward the head of the market mean Hobbs may be tempted to switch Menorah (though he was put in his place by Grandouet, so surely unlikely) and McCain tempted to switch Peddlars (surely very unlikely given his live Arkle chance)? I cannot see Oscar Whisky being re-routed given Henderson's already strong hand (even discounting Spirit Son).

Does their lack of a run hand an advantage to the likes Grandouet and Brampour?

Probably very few horses have been asked to appear late recently and probably enough have managed it successfully over the yrs to render any concerns unwarranted. What do others think?

I suppose the advantage for backers of Spirit Son is that Henderson has significant form with Champion Hurdlers who have had an interrupted prep!

{The fly is fine and will have 4 runs this season, Xmas, Irish champ, Cheltenham and punchestown}

Not appearing tomorrow and a lack of news from the Mullins camp.
Should we be worrying about Hurricane Fly yet?

Given his history of fragility, I would not be backing him until I saw him with my own eyes on the day itself! I have opposed him AP but the one I have opposed him with has also not been seen thus far.

http://www.guardian.co.uk

/sport/2011/dec/28/hurricane-fly-cheltenham-festival

I don't know if any of you remember the interview with Willie Mullins on RUK but it was very informative after he won the Champ Hurdle. He apparently works himself far too hard has tendon problems and they can't do any proper fast work with him. I'm guessing for whatever reason when he had a spin with 1000 stars the other day something went wrong not injury wise or anything but maybe looked too short of work or perhaps he over did it a bit. It seems strange he was a ok until this.
I'm very keen on Spirit Son. The Supreme is working out awfully well and he looked a horse of serious class at aintree and I believe he would have beaten any novice that day. The talk if his gallops as well are very encouraging speed wise and we know he stays. The only thing that's bugging me like the fly & zark is when will we see him.

That was a good performance today by Unaccompanied, however, I'd expect 1000 stars to reverse the placings if they met in the Champion Hurdle.

The 10 lbs pull certainly went in her favour, but I think its only a 7lbs advantage for mares in the Champ.  I also think that if 1000 stars was ridden more prominently to use his stamina it could have been different (didn't have a bet in the race by the way).

It was also good to see Oscars Well run somewhere near to his best.  He seems a horse that improves from Christmas onwards, and to only be beaten 3.5 lengths from the winner whilst also giving away 10lbs was a decent performance.

It really is looking like a wide open Champion Hurdle.  If the fly doesn't run we could have about 5 joint favs!

Did she get a 3lb weight for age allowance today as well? - I see VdV would have carried 11-3 if she'd run.

I think she did stront.

7 lbs for the mares allowance, and 3 lbs for still being a 4 year old.

Given that the jolly in the champ hdl may well not turn up again, i have taken the chance on the next three in the betting for the race, have backed

GRANDOUET @ 6/1 HILLS, ZARKANDER @ 8/1 LADS nrnb, and SPIRIT SON @ 10/1 koral this arvo all e/way. It's all about the fly, if he comes out, which there is great speculation about this at the moment, those prices will look very tasty indeed!

I personally (HF aside) cannot see anything else in the race remotely to the same level currently as the three i have backed. So i am quite happy at this stage. Binoc is dodgy and RoR may go the 2.5 mile route as stated to me on another thread i am happy to leave him out at this stage.

Of the three i have backed, i am quite keen on 2, having not read this thread at all i have no idea what anyone else thinks so feel free to mock but the two i am very sweet on are Grandouet and Spirit Son !

Interesting when you don't even know the well being of Zarkander and Spirit Son or Hurricane Fly for that matter...interesting strategy...and an improving filly has just sluiced up...ummm

Whose the improving filly? Unaccompanied? Receiving 10ib from her male counterparts and only just beating Oscars Well?


In all seriousness, she will likely go down the mares route anyways.

Bar HF it still looks wide open to me.

er no she wont SeatheStars. And she was an unlucky 2nd behind Zarkander last season and will still receive 7lb in March.

ROR will be aimed at the CH also.

It is a very strange moment to be placing bets on this race if you are not involved already,imo.

Well a cant have him, its all about books for me, i am a backer and so tend to back a few in each big race. I am quite successful at it and so i continue. By placing bets now, and taking inflated prices on obv runners, i can afford to add to it if need be. I.e if the fly turns up i can afford a cover win bet on him to ensure a money back scenario should he win but a small profit should he win and i get one place or he lose and one of the already backed e/w should win. Also as it is money placed today and not on the day it is more affordable. Remember guys, dribs and drabs!

can't have her*

I read the interview with Mullins this morning and wasn't entirely convincing. If something is wrong with HF I would appreciate them telling us. Didn't understand the comment that he's not 100%, is that because of illness / injury or lack of fitness. Thought unaccompanied looked sharp but still not quite sure she is CH class, I didn't think 1000 stars was last year either.

If you fancy Zark and Grand then surely you have to fancy Unaccompanied.
Seems logical to me

I've layed him. PLenty of improving horses up against him and I wonder if his aggressive campaign last season has left its mark.

You could argue Unaccompanied is currently Irelands best 2 mile hurdler, barring HF.

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

That's a sporting bet at a nice price now.

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).

Can a 5yo mare really win the Champion Hurdle?

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.

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.

Yeah, 3 lb of that was a 4 yo which she won't have in spring.

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)

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.

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.

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.

Also could be a hard decision for Barry Geraghty decideing between Grandouet and Spirit Son.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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."

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

Zarkava hurdling

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 ... !!!!

http://www.rte.ie/sport/racing/highlights.html?3159123,3159123,flash,255,Wil...

The Fly`s engine is back firing after today

Grandouet, anyone any news? No money on back side, looking ominous!

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."

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

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.

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.

go on the starluck! the forgotten horse!

Slight slide for Spirit Son. The vibes around this horse this yr are not good IMO.

Just matched at 21.00.

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.

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.”

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.

Fly was always unbeatable, was never any point trying to find one to beat him. He's in the catageory with Big Bucks

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.

I agree Budd - hurricane is a class act, and Spirit is the only 1 IMO who would give him a race.

Paul Nicholls is under no illusions about the prospect of his big guns taking on Hurricane Fly in the Stan James Champion Hurdle after the Irish ace's brilliant performance on Sunday.

The Ditcheat trainer has several entries in the Cheltenham showpiece on March 13, including Zarkandar and Rock On Ruby.

But he knows they will be up against it against Willie Mullins' superstar after his scintillating win in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

"He was impressive. You can't not be impressed. he's done everything asked of him I know Ruby (Walsh) was pleased with him," he told At The Races.

"He's the reigning champion and he's the one to beat."

Last season's Triumph Hurdle victor Zarkandar has not raced since following up his Cheltenham success at Aintree in April.

However, he warmed up for a probable return to action in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on Saturday week with a pleasing workout on Tuesday.

"He had a little school and I'm very happy with him," Nicholls added.

Willie Mullins is delighted with Hurricane Fly as he continues preparations for the defence of his Stan James Champion Hurdle crown.

The reigning champion made a belated return to action when winning the BHP Insurance Irish Champion at Leopardstown last month and the trainer is thrilled with him since.

"Hurricane Fly is fantastically well at the moment. Paul (Townend) rides him out every day at home and he said he's jumping out of his skin.

"He had a nice easy week last week and he'll have another easy one this week before we start building him up for Cheltenham. I've been very happy with him," he beamed.

THE STAN JAMES CHAMPION HURDLE
Class 1, Grade 1, £370,000 Total Prize Fund. Cheltenham, 3.20pm, Tuesday, March 13, two miles and half a furlong.
Form Horse Age Owner Trainer
114-321 BINOCULAR (FR) 8 J P McManus Nicky Henderson
00-1130 BRAMPOUR (IRE) 5 Banks, Blackshaw & Gannon Paul Nicholls
210-131 CELESTIAL HALO (IRE) 8 The Stewart Family Paul Nicholls
4462-04 CLERK'S CHOICE (IRE) 6 Michael Banks Oliver Sherwood
11-6541 FINAL APPROACH 6 Douglas Taylor Willie Mullins IRE
3B-1F11 GRANDOUET (FR) 5 Simon Munir Nicky Henderson
1/1111-1 HURRICANE FLY (IRE) 8 George Creighton & Rose Boyd Willie Mullins IRE
50-1312 KALANN (IRE) 5 K McConnell Sabrina Harty IRE
F-40311 MIKAEL D'HAGUENET (FR) 8 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
530-42F OLOFI (FR) 6 R&L Channing S&F Roberts McNeill Family Tom George
114-323 OSCARS WELL (IRE) 7 Molley Malone Syndicate Jessica Harrington IRE
3-11123 OVERTURN (IRE) 8 Tim Leslie Donald McCain
120-112 PEDDLERS CROSS (IRE) 7 Tim Leslie Donald McCain
1223-12 ROCK ON RUBY (IRE) 7 The Festival Goers Paul Nicholls
13-6111 SO YOUNG (FR) 6 M McMahon Willie Mullins IRE
5/23134- STARLUCK (IRE) 7 Andrew Wates David Arbuthnot
11-21 STAYING ARTICLE (IRE) 7 Thomas Barr Edward O'Grady IRE
2-22112 THOUSAND STARS (FR) 8 Hammer & Trowel Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE
1220-11 ZAIDPOUR (FR) 6 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE
111- ZARKANDAR (IRE) 5 Potensis Limited & Chris Giles Paul Nicholls
20 entries remain after February 14 scratchings deadline
9 Irish-trained
THE FOLLOWING 7 ENTRIES HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED: BOBBY EWING (IRE), DARE ME (IRE), FLAT OUT (FR), OSCAR WHISKY (IRE), SPIRIT SON (FR), TOPOLSKI (IRE), UNACCOMPANIED (IRE)

Thanks BJG - this is exceptionally helpful.

Peddlers cross not being scratched suggests connections are not 100% committed to the Arkle ,otherwise
why leave him in?

Connections have also left him in the Queen Mother. I don't understand it , they must have money to burn or have made a mistake.

They do have to actively take a horse out. If they do nothing it stays in. It's also not too costly to stay in at this stage is it? Certianly not for a big owner and not relative to the cost of having to supplement later.

If the Fly is ruled out and Zark flops on Friday they wouldprobably have to think long and hard as might connectionsof Oscar Whisky

OW would have to be supplemented back in now.

Indeed that was my point

Oh, sorry, yes I see.

Been doing a bit more thinking about Rock on Ruby.

Hes such a good traveller i can see him coming to the last still going well,and he wont be stopping up the hill.
He stays further and his cruising speed give him a fair profile for a CHurdler imo,and i have him shorter than the odds currently available.
His run at Kempton i think can be improved upon a fair bit at Cheltenham,think the track will suit his style,and i honestly expect a big run.

@Buddelia, I was thinking the same and have commented as such on the without HF market thread. I truly believe that if HF turns up in the same form as at Leopardstown or Cheltenham last year he wins. However ROR travels well and will find something under pressure. I watched the way he stayed on last year and he makes up a good deal of ground over the last two flights.

yeh,without the fav is a fair shout,might have a go at that as well as the win,after all he does have to beat a real goodun!!

When i said the track will suit his style,i meant better than Kempton,we all know the track suits after last year.

I rate that Neptune last year,and it has thrown some useful CH types over the years.

Bino running today,hoping for a good run to bring him on nicely for the festival.

Bino running today,hoping for a good run to bring him on nicely for the festival.

Great stuff,looked good i thought.
Very happy with that.
A back to his best Bino would be great for the race.

AP's comments will be interesting

if Henderson can get him there in same shape as when he last won the race probably only one capable of upsetting Hurricane Fly

Got to be happy with that Budd. Given how terrible he usually looks in his Festival prep race, if they can find the usual level of improvement, he must be a huge player. But he's so incosistent now, maybe he's left his race at Wincanton. fascinating as always!

Hurricane Fly (4/5) , Binocular (5) , Zarkandar (5) , Oscars Well (14) , Rock On Ruby (16) , Thousand Stars (28) , Overturn (33) , Peddlers Cross (50) , Zaidpour (50) , Brampour (66) , Celestial Halo (66) , So Young (66) , Mikael Dhaguenet (80) , Starluck (100) , Staying Article (100) , Final Approach (125) , Olofi (125) , Clerks Choice (150) , Kalann (200)  - Others  0 or more


WHAT PRICE HF on the day ?

Binocular (FR) 8    11 10
Brampour (IRE) 5    11 10
Celestial Halo (IRE) 8    11 10
Hurricane Fly (IRE) 8    11 10
Kalann (IRE) 5    11 10
Olofi (FR) 6    11 10
Oscars Well (IRE) 7    11 10
Overturn (IRE) 8    11 10
Rock On Ruby (IRE) 7    11 10
Thousand Stars (FR) 8    11 10
Zaidpour (FR) 6    11 10
Zarkandar (IRE) 5    11 10



Gonna be a teeny field