If it was that poor they'd have switched MTOY.

Lol!

Just read my Post of yesterday where Mullins said Thousand Stars was running into form and would go in the ground in the race day preview. Just sounds too much like what he said before last year's Champion Hurdle then started making excuses after the race. Does he really know? Does he say what he wants the owner to hear? I'm not sure but he certainly got it wrong about each horse. I don't make a habit of reading what he says so can't definitely say how accurate he normally is.

Thought that might rattle your pathetic little cage but it's a fair point that the trainer was making exactly the same noises after his Leopardstown win last year. Very difficult when they make these comments then say completely the opposite after. Does he like heavy ground? Is he just coming to hand? If the trainer sayd 2 different things either side of the race then it's impossible for any of us to know.

I can tell who's clueless by people who constantly use smilies and petty jibes but don't offer any form based analysis just "Ruby thinks this" etc.

@alleged22.....thanks for that...nearly cried laughing

me thinks if Fly gets over sound he'll romp home

booster 20 Feb 13 22:48 Joined: 17 Mar 03
I can tell who's clueless by people who constantly use smilies and petty jibes but don't offer any form based analysis

What a fcking gem

Yep, I've never written any analysis. I'm clueless

Not only clueless but confused. On Tuesday you were telling me that he lost because he was conceding 7lbs over a trip too far when he's clearly, on all known form, a better horse over Tuesday's trip than 2 miles. The obvious point is that he didn't run his race on Tuesday, as can happen to any horse on any day but for Mullins to say he didn't handle the ground, just shows that he says different things before and after the race as he did around last year's Champion Hurdle. His form in France, which is excellent over staying trips, shows he shows good form on soft and heavy ground regularly so the excuse is invalid. Otherwise how can anyone make any form analysis of the horse.

You clearly see yourself as a "Doyen of the forum" and, as you've already stated, you don't care for my views. I don't actually give a toss, I'm in racing to win money, as I've done forever since I started keeping records and do it on the basis of watching races and reading form, not listening to trainers, jockeys, etc, who, as all winners know, mislead regularly. What you think of me is of absolutely no concern, just wish I could take your bets.

Think sometimes trainer comments can be quite helpful and sometimes not. It always depends on the trainer. There are some which consistently talk up there horses and their unbridled positivity has to be taken with a pinch of salt. There are occasionally quotes from trainers who are pessimistic that can be of some value. Obviously the trainer only really knows what's going on with his yard relative to other horses within the yard (and by looking at the collateral form like ourselves).

However sometimes it can be interesting if they say a particular horse works with another in the yard, especially a novice working with the older horses.

On the hurricane fly issue in particular Mullins is making positive noises and I am committed from a long time ago. Just something reminding me of last year when it was generally the same thing. You have to make your own mind up on whether he is a different horse or not. Reaseheath has hit the nail on the head, saying I don't know doesn't make good soundbites for the papers, much easier to say something like HF buzzing and all set for Cheltenham title challenge (not that he's actually said that)

With all betting you take into account as much info as possible and weight it accordingly.

6-4 Hurricane is becoming the biggest joke ive seen in 20 years of following this sport....ludicrous

think so Budd lad are you ready for it pal ?....

form easier to follow thuis year most had 3 runs only or less ....lets have the buddeliea nap please. which enclosure are you in???

im surprised you arent going budd I would have put my mortgage on that

I think im going to go to Newbury next week to see Kauto dancing (as he is doing an exhibition)

Nah he rates the horse as much as i do mate.
We are both Cheltenham fanatics and get on really well and in the main we agree,but every now and then it happens.
And its normally pretty good!!

Got to admit I've doubts creeping in about Hurricane Fly. Great horse, deserves a second champion hurdle but sentiment aside, I think he might find one or two too strong. Way too short at current prices:

6 of the first 7 horses in the betting are previous Festival winners (2 * Triumph, 1 * Supreme, 3 * Champion Hurdles) and Grandouet has shown his best form at Cheltenham too. Add to that, the likes of Zarkandar, Grandouet and Rock on Ruby are going to improve with better ground.

Hurricane Fly has beaten a total of 7 horses all season all on heavy ground in uncompetitive races. Yes the manner of his wins have been impressive but have to question the strength of the form. Go Native off the track for so long was making a race of it when coming down, Thousand Stars fine animal that he is has no doubt regressed, Captain Cee Bee at his best was never any use on soft ground.

The others have been being beating one another in England and the formlines won't add up. BUT with so many of them track specialists and likely to improve for better ground, Hurricane Fly will have a race on his hands. Even Countrywide Flame and Cinders and Ashers must be counted as dangers (after all both won last year and will have been trained for this).

Only one 9yo winner in 20 years too and Hurricane Fly likely to face a lot of younger rivals. By the time the tapes go up, he may the second oldest horse in the field after Binocular (Khyber Kim, Thousand Stars and Overturn the other entries who are older).

A great horse and a great champion but time to bet sensible. There are others lurking and if, like me, you can't make your mind up as to who presents the biggest threat to the favourite, then maybe a lay of The Fly is the best option and get them all running for you.

He might also be running against better opposition when he comes to Cheltenham.

I think that as the season has progressed the opposition to HF has looked weaker and weaker.

It's a wonder why none of the english superstars don't go over there more often and show him who's boss!!, plenty of prize money on offer isn't there?

No need when the established races are here and ground over there always like a bog. Only one target for our best hurdles so why leave it behind chasing a few euros in races with little significance.?Mind you, Henderson did use the Leopardstown contest as a racecourse gallop for Binocular.

Agree. Just hope they all turn up in top form and we''ll then see a great champion, which will be what the race has missed since Istabraq and See You Then before that.

I loathe to back Hurricane Fly again after last year. I don't want to end up like this again. :D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctewgQcAeNc

[youtube]ctewgQcAeNc[/youtube]