you can say that again

I'd be surprises if CC doesn't end up in the Jewson with simonsig in the Arkle.

stront.....i think it will be the other way around as Simonsig already has festival form over that distance. Remember the jockey pursuaded trainer to go over the longer distance

Out of the two if one was being stepped up in trip I'd expect it to be Captain Conan

A bit selective on Peddler's Cross, Rondetto. Rite of Passage in third and Finian's Rainbow in fifth don't make Peddler's Neptune too bad a race, neither do his efforts the following season imply he was short of speed at all. McCain was constantly saying how he was amazed by the speed he showed at home, and his Champion Hurdle runner up effort showed he was far from short of speed, narrowly beaten by a hurdler who has more foot that any other we've seen for a long time. He clearly lost his way last season - maybe for good - but, up to the time he was thrashed by Sprinter at Kempton, there were very few saying he wouldn't make a chaser. You may have been one, and credit to you if you were flagging this up early, but I can't see anything in his form up to that time which showed he was either one paced or short of top class.

Hendo rarely runs his Arkle fancy at Cheltenham before the Festival.

After Captain Conan won the Tolworth, Hendo said somewthing along the lines of - 'He'll go chasing next season and I expect him to get further. He won over 2 and quarter miles in a bog at Auteil'.

anyone know for sure if he runs at the Open meeting?

I mean, looking at the race I really doubt Hendo will start him there...

what's the verdict?

in all fairness judo I don't think there to bothered...they did start the animal in the g1 tolworth on his first start last season

Worst G1 - what a great idea for a thread! Would have to be the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow for me, or possibly the Henry VIII?

Worth noting Capt Conan had run several times in France before he came over so they didn't throw him into the Tolworth for his debut.

As for distance, I simply cannot see a horse of the perceived class of Simonsig being aimed at any race apart from the Arkle. They think he might be another Sprinter Sacre. If so, Captain Conan is either going to run in the Jewson, or run in the Arkle against his highly-fancied stablemate. Of course if Simonsig bombs over fences and Capt Conan is the star that will change things.

trainers been saying that as well.

But looking at Overturn the other day and what he brings to the table plus the vibes around Simonsig,it says to me hes certainly gonna have to improve for them,and reach a pretty high level.

He's a huge horse. He also has a glint in his eye (think Tidal Bay) - it wouldn't be in the least surprised if he ends up with a Timeform squiggle.

As I said above, this horse reminds me a touch of Jack The Giant, and not just in appearance (though the latter, from memory, was a bit darker).

At this stage his evidence is a touch mixed IMO. A very promising start when lucky at Sandown (first run, I think, for months), but solid form, he subsequently did not live up to hurdling expectations, before running well at Aintree in a race that has thrown up lots of weird results down the yrs. It is hard to argue that all that form is wildly scintillating and as nice as he is he may lack a gear or be a bit soft. 

Now none of us know what will happen over fences, but Jack the Giant was no great hurdler (a good handicapper certainly) yet his chase form was solid, miles ahead of his hurdles form and he looked likely to be a genuine G1 chaser.

It might be that Captain Conan's hurdles form is short of top class (though signifiantly better than Jack's hurdle form on less evidence, certainly) meaning he is short of top class, and he may be too over fences, but i would not be at all surprised if he stepped up and left it some way behind. The evidence does not at this stage indicate a true superstar in the making, and whilst jumping will be the making or breaking of him, his profile suggets to me that he could go a long way.

think he looked more of a stayer than a speed chaser to me. softish ground and was in his comfort zone all the way round. quicker ground in march theyll be going a lot quicker and potentialy bigger field. i really like the horse but i dont think ill be loosing any sleep with my 7/1 simonsig bet.

agree

2 and a half miles shirley

If Captain Conan is Hendo's main Arkle hope, I'll be surprised for 2 reasons. Firstly, his Arkle horse is rarely seen over fences at Cheltenham before March. Secondly, by taking out SS and Darlan today, he was looking after 2 of his stable stars. Why was CC running then.....other than the fact that he had won in a bog at Auteil over 2 and a quarter before he arrived in England? He won't get this ground over 2 miles at Cheltenham  in March and imo, will be taken off his feet.

I know I think he's going to go for the Arkle I just think its worth noting that's all.

thought that was very impressive first timeout,also bg said better on better ground...thought he had plenty left and jumped like an old hand which was most important thing for me....will follow wherever he goes...hope its arkle

I wouldn't be surprised if simonsig ended up in te champion hurdle, it would be typical from the stable wouldn't it.

I've never quite understood the twisted logic which says that a horse who had little respect for his hurdles somehow naturally is going to jump fences miles better....it's always implied that the negative in the hurdles performances is actually a good sign for fences

The quote on Sportinglife yesterday was:

Henderson said: "Simonsig is a little bit behind.
"He had a splint which annoyed him for a couple of days. He won't run next weekend, but he might go to Newbury."

No 2m novice chase at Newbury so would be the 2m4f one which interestingly he won with RSA bound Bobs Worth last year, but he only just touched off subsequent Arkle 2nd Cue Card, so is clearly a good intermediate starting point for horses with the intention of going 2m or 3m in March.