I think we've seen the best of HF also. He's been very good for very long. At his age, a dip in ability would not be unexpected. Also ridiculous as it may sound, I still think he's not favored by the track at Cheltenham. Not saying he doesn't handle it or he doesn't get up the hill - I just don't think it's where he's been at his best. Especially as next year he'll be facing rivals who've demonstrated an ability to win around the place, e.g. ROR, TNO and Our Conor, plus MTOY and Jezki ran crackers in a strong Supreme. To be fair though, I said similiar before the race in March and was surprised how well he did get up the hill considering a Cheltenham veteran in ROR was trying to get after him. Still though, I think come March if one of the novices landed next to him at the last, I'd probably prefer to be on the younger challenger.

Second in a Neptune, first in a CH, second in a CH. Certainly knows his way round. Anyway, that's neither nor there. Point is I am not convinced by the compatibility of HF and the Cheltenham course.

"Stat. Only 3 horses who won either the triumph, the neptune, or the supreme, (120 horses) have succeeded in winning the champion hurdle the following season."

How many of the 120 horses entered the champion hurdle the following season? I'd also wonder how the stats were bent by horses from those 3 races running against eachother in the CH, though only having 3 winners probably nullifies that criticism.

What i heard regarding TNO vs ROR was that the NTD camp was very unhappy with TNO pre-race and had only got one piece of work into him and expected him to be beaten.
He surprised them to put it moderately and the ROR camp were very very happy with their horse before the race,Take from that what you will.
If they keep him well i can't see him beat come March but is a lot of ground to cover between now and then.

Some odd logic Willie. TNO was a novice last year. Using Zark as the form to compare with HF when the track and distance were different is tenuous at best imo.

Can anyone tell me what Annie Power has beaten to justify 12/1 for the Champion Hurdle? There are too many egg and spoon races in Ireland nowadays to get that excited about a string of wins, so I can understand why Mullins wants to bring her over here. She would need to beat Zarkandar doing hand springs today to justify that price and even then she is getting 11 lb from a horse who wasn't good enough to win the big one. The ante-post market is a joke.

^^^ Actually didn't realise that Annie Power was getting so much weight off Zark today, so that will explain the price differences

Not c&d ...just diatnce. Nonetheless...!

I'll look forward to seeing Annie Power over fences. She's a fine looking horse. Not my idea of a champion hurdle winner.

Here's a thing. If Ruby starts waxing lyrical about Annie Power's prospects in the Champion Hurdle lay the Fly. It will mean he's gone.

Gone right off Melodic Rendezvous for this race. Like the horse but his form is taking a number of hits, the latest by hype horse Puffin Billy.

Sounds like its decision day for MR tomorrow.
Runs well then Champion Hurdle, gets stuffed goes chasing.
That's what it sounds like after reading trainers comments.
Personally like to see him run well enough to go CH,but do have him at big odds for the Arkle, as I thought their was a chance he would go chasing at the start of the season.
Fascinating.

Think he will do well at whatever is chosen for him, proper genuine racehorse.

A lot said he needs it soft,i weren't sure about that,now I think that's the case,he aint quick enough on decent ground at 2m.

Not overly impressed with Jezki today,reckon AP will have enjoyed yesterday a lot more.

The ''bounce'' theory is supposed to apply to horses have not seen a racetrack for a very long time, like 500 days+. Not sure why those comments would apply to Melodic Rendezvous tbh.

I tend to relate it to horses who have had serious injuries, hence the prolonged abscence, and then the bounce after a big run. Melodic Rendezvous's time off the track was no different to time spent in the field during the flat season like a lot of NH horses. I don't think it is relevant to him at all tbh.

Although I aint saying you are wrong

Could have been recovering a tad still


BJG 02 Dec 13 19:00 Joined: 20 Aug 07 | Topic/replies: 28,878 | Blogger: BJG's blog
THE Tingle Creek Chase is in danger of losing its headline act after trainer Nicky Henderson sensationally revealed Sprinter Sacre is not certain to run on Saturday due to an unsatisfactory tracheal wash.

The superstar chaser, who is unbeaten over fences and was among 11 entries for the BetVictor-backed Grade 1 contest unveiled on Monday, will be tested again on Thursday morning before the final declarations are made.

Henderson said: "We routinely give the horses a tracheal wash every Monday morning and though Sprinter Sacre's looked normal the figures from the laboratory told us otherwise.

"If the figures are the same when we test him again on Thursday then he won't run.

"At this stage I’m certainly not ruling him out, I’m just issuing a warning. I have known horses that appear wrong on Monday and be perfectly alright on Thursday. A fortnight ago My Tent Or Yours wasn't too clever.

"Unfortunately it's something you can't treat - it's an absolute nightmare and I wanted to let everyone know as soon as possible. We only got the test results back at four o'clock this afternoon.

"It's very disappointing but you cannot take chances especially with a horse like him, but don't rule him out yet."

Great to read a proper debate on one of my favourite races in the season. Im struggling to understand why Jezki is double the price of MTOY. In the supreme i thought jezki ran one mighty race in the circumstances. He was returning from a 75 day break,keen early on and flattened the last causing him to lose momentum at the most cruicial of stages. The jockey didnt do him any favours that day aswell. I dont like to read to much into the 'trials' but i thought it was a good enough run on Sunday. Granted his jumping needs to improve. I just dont think there is that much between the pair as the price suggests. AP went up to Down Royal to ride him first time out this year, to compare the two in my view. Will be very interesting to see which he chooses!! Its to early to be confident but maybe a little value at 9/1.