Cheltenham Festival
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29 Jan 12
16:31
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Date Joined:
20 Nov 11
Who would you be on?
According to the official handicappers, Istabraq is far superior, but I'm not so sure.
It seems the only way Hurricane Fly can be beaten is through injury.
He's been doing it for years now, and against far superior horses to those faced by the McManus giant.
His style of victory is ALWAYS imperious, 16/20f trips seem to pose no barrier to him, nor even bottomless ground!
He's fought off many injury troubles to return even better and keeps defying the odds.
He's a Montjeu and there's no sign of temperament, and a browse at his form on the level in France shows he beat Literato (Champion Stakes winner) over a mile at level weights!
I must admit that I had reservations about whether he had the guns for the rigours of a Cheltenham Championship event, but he made those concerns look foolish.
He just keeps powering on, and I'd have to say he's the number one hurdler for me since the golden age of the late 70's - Istabraq always seemed to have things his own way, and was never really tested, as only Limestone Lad would have been within touching distance of him.
I think horses like Solwhit & Exotic Dancer are always gonna be seriously under-rated, because of the numerous hidings they've received from supreme champions.
The same could not be said of Theatreworld
Maybe I should have saved this post until he wins his second Champion Hurdle, but that's looking a formality!
He's probably got more to achieve to match Istabraq for a sparkling CV, but I can't see him not doing so.
According to the official handicappers, Istabraq is far superior, but I'm not so sure.
It seems the only way Hurricane Fly can be beaten is through injury.
He's been doing it for years now, and against far superior horses to those faced by the McManus giant.
His style of victory is ALWAYS imperious, 16/20f trips seem to pose no barrier to him, nor even bottomless ground!
He's fought off many injury troubles to return even better and keeps defying the odds.
He's a Montjeu and there's no sign of temperament, and a browse at his form on the level in France shows he beat Literato (Champion Stakes winner) over a mile at level weights!
I must admit that I had reservations about whether he had the guns for the rigours of a Cheltenham Championship event, but he made those concerns look foolish.
He just keeps powering on, and I'd have to say he's the number one hurdler for me since the golden age of the late 70's - Istabraq always seemed to have things his own way, and was never really tested, as only Limestone Lad would have been within touching distance of him.
I think horses like Solwhit & Exotic Dancer are always gonna be seriously under-rated, because of the numerous hidings they've received from supreme champions.
The same could not be said of Theatreworld
Maybe I should have saved this post until he wins his second Champion Hurdle, but that's looking a formality!
He's probably got more to achieve to match Istabraq for a sparkling CV, but I can't see him not doing so.
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Istabraq's 4L mullering of subsequent Champion Hors La Loi III is better than anything HF has done, yet...
Hors La Loi was an inconsistent rogue, and won one of the worst champion Hurdles in living memory!
I'd put him on a par with Solwhit, and a bit behind the likes of Harchibald, Brave Inca & Hardy Eustace.
For me, Istabraq's best performance was that magnificent thrashing of French Holly at Aintree.
I'd put him on a par with Solwhit, and a bit behind the likes of Harchibald, Brave Inca & Hardy Eustace.
For me, Istabraq's best performance was that magnificent thrashing of French Holly at Aintree.
Istabraq my favourite horse ever,but even i would not say for definite he would beat HF.
anyway not a debate i want to get involved with,cant read people having a go at either horse,which is often what these sort of threads seem to turn into.
Both great hurdlers,that will do for me.
anyway not a debate i want to get involved with,cant read people having a go at either horse,which is often what these sort of threads seem to turn into.
Both great hurdlers,that will do for me.
Inconsistent maybe but very good at his best. Better than Solwhit or Peddlers Cross. Deffo better than Oscars Well! French Holly=Solwhit approx.
Budd - I'm certainly not putting the boot in on Istabraq, but you're probably right...someone will turn up and start a fight! 
TLU - I know HLL won a Champion Hurdle but I always got the impression he never really fulfilled his potential...he looked outstanding as a 4yo.
There was plenty of temperament there but probably a few injury concerns too, that I'm unaware of - he switched trainers more than any top-class horse I've seen before!
There was plenty of temperament there but probably a few injury concerns too, that I'm unaware of - he switched trainers more than any top-class horse I've seen before!
Anyone who knocks either of them needs a serious word with themselves!
HLL3 was very mature at 4 (typical Frenchie) and perhaps didn't step up as much as some expected but he was still very, very decent. Istabraq made him look very ordinary... Talking against my pocket btw as I never backed Itabraq in the CH but did have a few quid on HF last year!
HLL3 was very mature at 4 (typical Frenchie) and perhaps didn't step up as much as some expected but he was still very, very decent. Istabraq made him look very ordinary... Talking against my pocket btw as I never backed Itabraq in the CH but did have a few quid on HF last year!
2 Individual greats , leave it be at that. Dont be bashing one to make the case for the other. Its like the people bashing Sea The Stars for the sake of it. We know these are great animals and they are there to be enjoyed.
Istabraq,couldnt get him off the bridle,and when the button was pushed it was electric.
And hurricane fly isnt a great,its won 1 champion hurdle,win 2 more and we'll think about it
And hurricane fly isnt a great,its won 1 champion hurdle,win 2 more and we'll think about it
couldnt think of a way of separating them although hurricane hasnt achieved as much YET, but got the feeling that may well change
Very different horses tbh & v difficult to compare.
The last sentence in my original post read:
"He's probably got more to achieve to match Istabraq for a sparkling CV, but I can't see him not doing so."
I think that's the crux of it all, and I can only see injury stopping him from matching/surpassing Istabraq's achievements.
We all know they are both fantastic hurdlers, and as some have already pointed out, it's difficult to criticise either champion.
"He's probably got more to achieve to match Istabraq for a sparkling CV, but I can't see him not doing so."
I think that's the crux of it all, and I can only see injury stopping him from matching/surpassing Istabraq's achievements.
We all know they are both fantastic hurdlers, and as some have already pointed out, it's difficult to criticise either champion.
He's 8 already though, Istabraq couldn't produce it at 9, will be difficult for him to match the achievements. Question is can he produce a CH performance to be put him amongst the greats?
don't know about him not producing it at 9. he looked a certainty for for a 4th CH at that age before foot and mouth and he was cantering all over Moscow Flyer when he fell at Leopardstown. no debate about the quality though as they are two oustanding hurdlers
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