Cheltenham Festival
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27 Nov 11
17:16
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05 Jan 10
racingpost.com
OVERTURN is likely to have one more race before the Stan James Champion Hurdle but the possibility of that being another clash with Binocular at Kempton on December 26 looks unlikely.
The Donald McCain-trained seven-year-old earned a quote of just 10-1 from Ladbrokes for the Stan James Champion Hurdle after defeating Binocular by four and a half lengths in Saturday's Fighting Fifth Hurdle and the versatile performer is likely to have a light campaign now.
"We will go quietly with Overturn now and he will probably have one run before the Champion Hurdle," McCain said on Sunday.
Last season Overturn was beaten three and three-quarter lengths by Binocular at Kempton and McCain added: "We're not tempted by the Christmas Hurdle after last year when we were traipsing all over the place to try and work him and to get it on. We have done our bit now."
Stablemate Peddlers Cross made it two wins from two over fences at Bangor on Saturday and the Irish Independent Arkle Chase favourite delighted McCain with his performance.
"Peddlers Cross was smashing, he learnt plenty yesterday, he won well and had a nice blow. It was another step down the road," he said. "They have all come out of their races very well, I was really pleased with them this morning."
OVERTURN is likely to have one more race before the Stan James Champion Hurdle but the possibility of that being another clash with Binocular at Kempton on December 26 looks unlikely.
The Donald McCain-trained seven-year-old earned a quote of just 10-1 from Ladbrokes for the Stan James Champion Hurdle after defeating Binocular by four and a half lengths in Saturday's Fighting Fifth Hurdle and the versatile performer is likely to have a light campaign now.
"We will go quietly with Overturn now and he will probably have one run before the Champion Hurdle," McCain said on Sunday.
Last season Overturn was beaten three and three-quarter lengths by Binocular at Kempton and McCain added: "We're not tempted by the Christmas Hurdle after last year when we were traipsing all over the place to try and work him and to get it on. We have done our bit now."
Stablemate Peddlers Cross made it two wins from two over fences at Bangor on Saturday and the Irish Independent Arkle Chase favourite delighted McCain with his performance.
"Peddlers Cross was smashing, he learnt plenty yesterday, he won well and had a nice blow. It was another step down the road," he said. "They have all come out of their races very well, I was really pleased with them this morning."
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So we are well into December,and 3 of the fancied runners at the top of the market are yet to be seen!!
Im on both Spirit Son and Zarkander from way back,but starting to get a tad concerned. Has anyone any updates on these 2??,and Hurricane Fly as well for that matter. |
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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.
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hurricane 29th dec
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cheers lads
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Do we know if Hurricane Fly is definitely due back yet, any quotes?
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you'll be lucky with mullins
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indeed
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The Fly is back on the roads to fitness. He should be back at the Christmas meeting
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where are you hearing this MM?
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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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Bino could be Henderson's 4th string for the Champion - though he'll presumably have AP.
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quiet possibly my friend,but he may not be 4th best on the day.
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True enough
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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. |
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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? |
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I suppose the advantage for backers of Spirit Son is that Henderson has significant form with Champion Hurdlers who have had an interrupted prep!
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{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? |
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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.
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http://www.guardian.co.uk
/sport/2011/dec/28/hurricane-fly-cheltenham-festival |
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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. |
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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! |
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Did she get a 3lb weight for age allowance today as well? - I see VdV would have carried 11-3 if she'd run.
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I think she did stront.
7 lbs for the mares allowance, and 3 lbs for still being a 4 year old. |
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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  ! |
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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
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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. |
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Bar HF it still looks wide open to me.
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er no she wont SeatheStars. And she was an unlucky 2nd behind Zarkander last season and will still receive 7lb in March.
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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. |
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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!
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can't have her*
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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.
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If you fancy Zark and Grand then surely you have to fancy Unaccompanied.
Seems logical to me |
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I've layed him. PLenty of improving horses up against him and I wonder if his aggressive campaign last season has left its mark.
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You could argue Unaccompanied is currently Irelands best 2 mile hurdler, barring HF.
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