Annie Power - Irish Champion Hurdle.

I'd certainly give it a go, and then they'll know one way or another whether they should go for the Champion or the World Hurdle.

She'd have a massive chance in both races, but from my pocket's point of view, I want to see her in the Champion.  She travells so well through her races, and in my mind, she is the number 1 mare in Willie Mullins' yard (sorry Quevega fans)

It may be a contentious view but I think that there is now an argument that she is the number one horse in the yard full stop. Obviously The Fly's supporters will vigorously rebuff that suggestion but I'll bet they are hoping she doesn't show up for the Irish Champion.

I would say it's very unlikely that she'll run in the Irish Champion given Willie Mullins quotes after her two most recent wins.

I think thats a bit premature at the moment Eeternal!

She looks like she can go right to the top, but a couple of victories over Zarkandar doesn't quite read as well as the Fly's

I backed her NRFB for the Champion, and deep down, I'm not expecting her to run in that.  The trouble is as well, if she does go for the World Hurdle the natural race following that would be the World Series Hurdle over 3m at the Punchestown Festival, but Willie has sent Quevega to that for the last three years.

Surely, at some point in the year, he is going to put two of his big guns up against each other.  Fly vs Annie in CH, Annie vs Quevega in Mares, Annie vs Quevega in World Series Hurdle, Fly vs either one in the Rabbobank (Quevega ran in that after her first mares win).

Maybe a trip to Aintree could be on the cards for one of them for the first time? 

Theres's so many combinations, but when you have three top ones, its inevitable that they'll have to meet at some point.

Number one horse in the yard full stop?

On a serious note...this is a World Hurdle horse. No chance it runs in Irish Champ. They have the Fly. The number two horse in the stable

Eternal if my memory serves me correctly you spent most of last year crabbing The Fly. If both of ye live long enough I reckon youll get it right eventually.

I appreciate that such a suggestion may be premature and some will see it as ludicrous. Having said that no horse has ever beat Zarkandar further or easier and that includes The Fly, The New One or Rock On Ruby. He has always been between a half length and six behind the very best. Taking 8 lengths out of Zarkandar after the last hard on the steel is seriously impressive. Throw in the fact that after two out Empire Levant was leading them then that is suggestive of the race itself turning into a sprint. A quick horse who can stay two and a half would be a serious proposition in a champion.

Of course being the trainer Mullins will want a favourites or near favourites chance in Champion and World Hurdle but if I was the owner I would want to know where Annie stands in relation to the top 2 milers and then commit to a longer distance if required. So he'd be running over 2 miles in late January. Of course they can choose to die wondering instead. They pay the bills.

No Arkle. I've never crabbed The Fly. I think he's been the best 2 miler since Istabraq. I just don't think he is quite as effective at Cheltenham as he is on a flatter track with softer ground and my view is that the records back this theory up.

Yeh,i think it fair for the owner to know exactly what he has with APower.
Personally I too would like to see her over 2m in top company very soon,shes obviously in top form and time looks right to me.
As for being number one in the stable,thats possible, but only one way to find out for sure.

I have her at 40 nrfb for the CH,and have just gone in on the 5 nrnb on offer for WH, and hopefully will get a run!!
At this stage I think she has a fair chance in either race, but in time she will be a staying chaser I would think.
Dawn run???

I'd like to see her in the Irish Champion hurdle as well. Personally think she'll be done for toe as she looks a strong stayer to me but I wouldn't mind being proved wrong. I think it's daft to get carried away with two runs against a horse that seems to have lost his mojo to the extent that people are saying she's better than Hurricane Fly. She sure travels sweetly though.

I'd like to see her in the Irish Champion hurdle as well. Personally think she'll be done for toe as she looks a strong stayer to me but I wouldn't mind being proved wrong. I think it's daft to get carried away with two runs against a horse that seems to have lost his mojo to the extent that people are saying she's better than Hurricane Fly. She sure travels sweetly though.

I`m not convinced Zark has lost it as much as people are assuming, and it IS an assumption.In fact on the albeit very small evidence we have it wouldn't suggest Zark had lost that much form.

If they want to see her over two miles and considering she has been the stable star that has travelled over to contest races so far this season, then why don't they just send her over again to run in the kingwell, there they will be able to gauge her against something decent at the distance without stepping on HF's toes.

Well really it all depends on what they see as her target in the spring,cos that's where they need to campaign her.
We are in January now and If they want to find out if shes a Churdler then she has to run next in a decent race around that distance I would think.
I await her next entry and hope its around 2 miles.
Gut feeling is it will be more of a staying race.
Think Un De Sceaux will represent owners in the Churdle,and have just topped up my original Betfair bet with some 16 nrfb.

There's loads of talk re AP but has anyone heard any news regarding Quevega? Is she well?

My view is that AP IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE Champion hurdle and I think that a fit Big bucks would  probably beat her also.

Therefore I believe she will run in the Mares race if she goes to Cheltenham at all.

Forty

I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't run at the Festival at all this year...

Mullins won't compromise Hurricane Fly or Quevega's chance of victory, and if Big Bucks, Solwhit, More Of That and Celestial Halo all run in the World Hurdle that's a hot renewal. She's only a 6-year-old; it's safe to assume this will be Hurricane Fly, Big Bucks & Quevega's last Fesitval win or lose, so why not wait a year until the options are more straight forward and the decision is only to run her in which race suits best, and not have to consider the opposition?

I've had a little on More Of That for the World Hurdle so I'd like her not to run in that but logically you can't wrap a six year old in cotton wool just because they have stablemates. They aren't machines. At any point she may suffer a career ending injury and this may be the best we ever see of her. In any event at six she is coming to her best. The best race allowing for the owners preferences has to be chosen for her. There are no excuses because she obviously travels well and likes the course. her absolute best chance of a festival victory is in the mares. The most prestigious race is the Champion. A prestigious but not quite as hot option may be the World Hurdle.

I'd want to know where I stood prior to going. She'd be running in the Irish Champion if she were mine and if she got within a reasonable distance of The Fly there and the ground was suitable she would be going for the champion. If she is beaten off easily for pace my choice would be reduced to two. I absolutely would not pass up the chance of finding where I stood for fear of what it may do to The Fly's champion hurdle aspirations and I wouldn't want to be going 3 miles for the first time at the festival and tiring after the last and ending up with nowt.

I've had a little on More Of That for the World Hurdle so I'd like her not to run in that but logically you can't wrap a six year old in cotton wool just because they have stablemates. They aren't machines. At any point she may suffer a career ending injury and this may be the best we ever see of her. In any event at six she is coming to her best. The best race allowing for the owners preferences has to be chosen for her. There are no excuses because she obviously travels well and likes the course. her absolute best chance of a festival victory is in the mares. The most prestigious race is the Champion. A prestigious but not quite as hot option may be the World Hurdle.

I'd want to know where I stood prior to going. She'd be running in the Irish Champion if she were mine and if she got within a reasonable distance of The Fly there and the ground was suitable she would be going for the champion. If she is beaten off easily for pace my choice would be reduced to two. I absolutely would not pass up the chance of finding where I stood for fear of what it may do to The Fly's champion hurdle aspirations and I wouldn't want to be going 3 miles for the first time at the festival and tiring after the last and ending up with nowt.

That makes a lot of sense, imho Annie Power if considered good enough MUST run at the festival, I declare though I have a bit of pocket talking here lol (NRNB). Everything we have seen so far points to AP perhaps being a little special, all we need now is BB to defect ;-).

All eyes will be firmly trained on the cleeve and if BB shows to walsh from afar that he isn't the same horse then AP will run in the WH IMO.

The way she stayed on to beat Zarkandar at both Ascot & Cheltenham, tells me she will find the CH to much a test of speed and she would struggle against MTOY, TNO, HF etc. imho, the Mares race is perfect for her but Mullins has Quevega for this and winning at a 6th festival will be paramount, if she is fit. The World Hurdle, with a back to fitness BB will be potentially the hottest race of the week. I could see team Mullins wait for the Aintree Hurdle, which will be ideal, trip wise. Hope not though.

Everything will depend on the Cleeve.....there's no way she'll run in the Irish CH, they aren't going to subject both horses to a race where they could "potentially" beat each other up....I did say potentially!

Not sure hottest race of week BB not make it, AP to lose think bringing over to Cheltenham b4 speakers volumes imo.

Duffy

I hardly think it likely there will be any beating up in the Irish Champion. They often don't really actually get racing in many races outside of Punchestown until the last half mile. Annie Power stays two and a half well and it will be about six weeks from there until Cheltenham. She's had a light campaign and I'd expect they will want to get another run into her anyway.

Personally, given that she's never raced over 3 miles I'd be reluctant to risk bottoming her between now and then over that distance so there aren't that many options if they do want to get another race into her. Seems both the ideal prep for Chaltenham regarding timing and that race would give a much clearer indication of which race they should be targeting at Cheltenham.

I've no doubt that Mullins won't want to run her in the race. The owner owns the horse and pays the fees. there are several scenarios which would infuriate me as an owner. Lest say they target the world hurdle to allow The Fly and Quevega clear runs and one of those is beaten and she then ties up after the last in the world hurdle and is done for the season. Gutted. Let's say they don't run here and keep her for Aintree over two and a half and she wins with her head in her chest beating the champion hurdle winner and you wonder what might have been.

What about if they ran her in the CH and simply wasn't quick enough and then BB ran a shocker in the WH....what then?

I can see that her avoiding the Mares is because of Quevega, but she has a better chance of winning the WH than she has of winning a CH...nothing we've seen from her suggests otherwise.

I wouldn't consider the mares, even if Quevega wasn't running. It's a Mickey Mouse race compared to the other two, with far less prestige and far less prize money. Even if Big Bucks has still got it, the World Hurdle race is nowhere near as strong a the Champion, so, if there's doubts about what her best trip is, this should be the aim imo.

duffy

What if's? The perennial question. I'd say that if she shows enough speed to win an Irish Champion then she clearly has enough speed for a champion hurdle. Question answered and she would then be a clear favourite on merit going in to the race.

She may have a better chance of winning the world hurdle but at this stage we don't actually know that because she's never actually run over 3 miles in any class and neither has she contested a top class two mile race. What we do know is that she had enough speed to beat Zarkandar over two miles three at Ascot and Zarkandar was good enough to beat The New One over two miles four at Aintree.

All that is of course conjecture. The question can be answered shortly and it would still be the perfect prep race for the world hurdle or mares if she isn't quick enough for 2 miles.

Why not?

Fair enough, good points...can't argue with any of that.

I don't think I'll have a bet in the champion because I think it could well be one of the best races we have seen in years with tremendous strength in depth. I just genuinely believe that she could add a certain special something to the race and that purely from a sporting perspective not only would I love to see that but I think she deserves the chance to see prior to then if she could possibly do it in the blue riband hurdling event.

I don't think I'll have a bet in the champion because I think it could well be one of the best races we have seen in years with tremendous strength in depth. I just genuinely believe that she could add a certain special something to the race and that purely from a sporting perspective not only would I love to see that but I think she deserves the chance to see prior to then if she could possibly do it in the blue riband hurdling event.

Eeternal - I am with you on pretty much all of this. I got into the game a bit late for Dawn Run - early days and all but hugely exciting to think this one could be a bit special too. Cue Peter O'Sullevan March 1986.........

What Price would Annie Power be NRNB in the Mares Hurdle?

Considering the only way she will run in it, is if Quevega doesn't, and taking into account that Quevega wouldn't be much over evens NRNB, then anything close to evens on Annie NRNB would be acceptable. Quevega will be there though, so AP wont.

is there anything up with Salubrious? Not quoted by VC or the sponsors today but seems steady enough elsewhere. Curious. Anyone heard anything?

Quevega should be back in training by now.....can anyone confirm that she is?

Probably is...being prepared for the annual bore that is the mares hurdle. Just wish connections had a bit of balls at some point for the World Hurdle.

Quevega back in training and a week earlier this year. She has never been fully wound up for Chelts but nearly back-fired last year. Her Punchestown form always way better than Chelts.

Quevega back in training and a week earlier this year. She has never been fully wound up for Chelts but nearly back-fired last year. Her Punchestown form always way better than Chelts.

Annie Power will run again "somewhere" , she's improving , loves going to England. .... Willie 11/01/14

"I think it's great that so many people are interested, it's good for racing, which is important to me, so I'm delighted and very proud of that fact," said Ricci.

"People don't believe me but I can be honest and tell you I wanted to take her chasing earlier in the year, we talked about it in September, October and we decided we'd keep her over hurdles with the big days in mind - the big days being the Champion Hurdle, the World Hurdle - and we haven't talked about it since.

"What's on my mind is trying to find her her next race, I think she needs another race. Willie might not, I haven't talked to him about it.

"It's hard. I think she'd be a very competitive runner at either two miles or three miles and we'll just have to see how it plays out. We've got the Irish Champion Hurdle coming up, there's the Cleeve Hurdle, see how those cards play and before we hold a gun to our own heads we'll see how things pan out.

"But she's in great form and the trick now is finding her next race.

"People who know me know I'm in this, as a hobby of course, but to win and compete at the highest level and to try and win the big ones.

"The Champion Hurdle is a big one but the World Hurdle is big as well.

"But, yes, look, I'd be less than honest if I said if I didn't keep her over hurdles to run in the Champion Hurdle, I'd be silly. And we did, we kept her over hurdles to see if she was a Champion Hurdle horse and she's answering all of those questions, but we have to see how it all plays out.

"But certainly that was the intent at the beginning of the season and she's done nothing to disprove us - that doesn't mean we'll run there, there's still a lot to play for - but yes, absolutely, you want to win the big ones."

Ricci was asked whether he felt a bigger field and a faster pace would enable her to be competitive at the shorter distance of the Champion.


"I look at the Defy Logic run last year in that Grade Two where he really set a good pace and she really showed a turn of foot," he said. "It wasn't a big field but that gallop suited her.

"The mares' race was probably the biggest race she's won she won a bumper, I think it was a 30-runner or 25-runner bumper or something. She's done well in those field, but she's in great nick and I'm looking forward to her next run."

Profiles Annie Power (IRE)
Interviewer Matt Chapman next asked Ricci whether the availabillity of Ruby Walsh would have a bearing on the final decision as to where to run her.

Walsh would appear certain to ride Hurricane Fly against Annie Power if the pair did both line up in the two-mile championship contest, although the dual Champion winner will line up next in the BHP Irish Champion Hurdle at the end of this month.

"It has a bearing but I have absolute confidence in Paul [Townend] as well," responded Ricci.

"I think what we'll do is worry about what is the best race for the horse rather than for the jockey - I think that's the right way to think about it - and see what happens from there."

I think the Irish Champion will expose her two mile turn of foot and put her on course for the World Hurdle. She is likely to fall in the Oscar Whiskey 'where do we go' zone and when that is the case you are nearly always best stepping up as it means you dont tend to have the pace at the shorter trip in the highest class.

They should go for the Irish Champion as it will help them make the decision on the right race for her at Cheltenham. Walsh will be confident enough Hurricane Fly will sprint away from her at the trip and I believe he would be correct.

Annie Power doesn't hurdle quick enough to be even competitive in this years race and unless it'a soft she'll be badly outpaced,should be running in the mares hurdle this year but that won't happen.

This could just be a 2m 4f horse and Aintree Hurdle type.

Annie Power has no chance of running in, and less chance of winning, the CH. She doesn't jump well enough, or possess the speed to trouble the 2m specialists.
Ricci may say that she may go there, and indeed he may at the moment believe that she might. She wont. Ruby and Willie are two of the best talkers and 'persuaders' in the business.
Ruby certainly doesn't want her running in the Champion, WPM to a lesser extent, also doesn't want her there.
Both certainly don't want her in the Mares, Its already a penalty kick winner for Ruby, why waste another bullet, and potentially two. WPM loves the record books, and loves his name in them even more. She wont take on Quevega.
World Hurdle it is, unless Quevega misses the gig. Which she wont!!

The mares race is out, not just because of Quevega but because it is worth only 10 per cent of the Champion Hurdle. As punters and racing fans we often forget about the prize money but the owner made his fortune in banking so presumably knows the value of a pound note.

The interview Mr Eboue posted is interesting, especially where Ricci talks about having deferred novice chasing, as that did seem the obvious next step. Even more so when he confirms the main aim was the Champion Hurdle.

@irishone -- Annie Power will run again "somewhere" , she's improving , loves going to England. .... Willie 11/01/14

With the obvious provisos about Willie Mullins changing his mind, this implies Annie Power's next race will be in England rather than the Irish Champion Hurdle.

Regarding the World Hurdle, Mullins now has Boston Bob (won on New Year's Eve, owned by the Wylies) at around 8/1 for this race, and the owners have Zaidpour (also trained by Mullins). None of this rules out Annie Power running in the longer race but shows that arguments based on, "Willie and Ruby have the Fly for the Champion," are not compelling.

Yeah, but Hurricane will probably line up as favourite. Zaidpour has no chance in WH, and unless its a bog, Boston Bob wont have much hope either. So much more likely to run AP there. Plus, when selling it to Ricci, he can have Ruby aboard in WH.

Ramruna - I look at it a different way. Money is not important as he is "loaded", winning is what counts. Totally agree that it is the least prestigious race (mares) but it's Cheltenham and a winner is remembered longer than a near miss in either the CH or stayers

Forty

Hasten to add I do not disagree with you that it's the least likely race she will run in. But if he doesn't believe she can win one of the others she will run in the mares.

Forty

Yeah, but Hurricane will probably line up as favourite. Zaidpour has no chance in WH, and unless its a bog, Boston Bob wont have much hope either. So much more likely to run AP there. Plus, when selling it to Ricci, he can have Ruby aboard in WH.


Was just about to say the same thing!

cheers callit

@callitasucit -- I am not saying Annie Power will definitely run in the Champion Hurdle but that it seems every bit as likely as the World Hurdle. Much the same arguments can be deployed for either race.

Mullins has other runners for both races, though Ricci only for the World.

There is a hot favourite in each race. No, there is not. Hurricane Fly is not even clear favourite and can be backed at 100/30 in two places; Big Bucks varies from 6/4 to 5/2. And Boston Bob would be third in without AP, so hardly a forlorn hope.

the Irish Champion has the same entries as the Ryannair at Christmas plus Annie Power and Un De Sceaux.

They went slow in the Ryannair Hurdle, presumably they will do so again unless UDS runs? What will they learn by running Annie Power in the Irish Chanmpion as far running in the Cheltenham 2m championship is concerned?

I didn't say anything about 'hot favourites'?? I said Hurricane will probably line up as fav. He probably will. Unless it is soft or worse, BB will be double figures.
Running AP in the WH obviously gives WPM more chance of winning the two races, gives Ricci more chance of a winner, and gives Ruby a better chance of two winners whilst eliminating the chance of being on the wrong one in the CH. So same arguments cannot be deployed for both races.

Boston Bob varies from 8 to 10/1 now, and that is with Annie Power and Big Buck's both running.

Ruby certainly doesn't want her running in the Champion, WPM to a lesser extent, also doesn't want her there.
Both certainly don't want her in the Mares

I`m not being funny but do we KNOWthis to be true?

Something which hasn't been brought into the discussion here is that as things stand Annie Power appears to be at her best at two and a half. She may get three miles. She may be quick enough for two but as of now the ideal race for her to run in purely based on performance appears to be the mares. Going on from that there are several horses who have been quite adept at two and a half which have won the champion and some who were arguably the best two miler in the race who didn't quite get home. There are also examples of the best two and a half miler not quite lasting home in the world hurdle.

She's never run over three. She's won at between two and two and a half but she hasn't even yet won a two and a half at championship race pace. If they think she's a three miler why haven't they yet tried the distance?

I would say, without doubt the Mares Hurdle trip would be her optimum at the moment. But I cant see WPM taking on and hence probably beating Quevega. Of course we don't Know this to be true. That would make it too easy!!

Can't believe the number of people completely dismissing her for the Champion Hurdle.  I've backed her in both races, but she has a massive chance in the Champion, and if she is to turn up, she will be there on merit.

She may not be the most fluent of hurdlers, but she has such a huge engine, and travels so sweetly.  The same people who critisize Annie Power's hurdling are probably the same ones who have backed The New One!

Also, the faster they go, she'll probably hurdle better (like Simonsig), so a fast run 2m with a stiff finish would be perfect for her imo.

Also, the massive weight allowance in the Champion and World Hurdles she will get has to be taken into consideration.

Looks like UDC is CH bound so no chance of Annie lining up in the 2miler

I think you're right there Eeternal. 2 1/2 milers are usually better going for the Champion, especially with that uphill finish. I've been looking at her possible participation from the perspective of Mullins' other runners and the fact that the Champion looks a lot stronger than the World. If these matters were ignored, I'd definitely favour the shorter trip, seeing as though she's not even attempted the longer trip. Screw the Mares; I wouldn't consider it if she were mine, even if there was no Quevega. I'd want to know if she could win a proper race first.

Basically, if I owned her, I wouldn't be able to resist having a go at the Champion. If all three of the Mullins hopefully ran in it, what a race it would be.

The Mullins hopefuls that should say.

I come back to my earlier assertion. If she were mine and she were fast enough to go close in the Irish Champion she'd run in the champion. If she can't go with the main protagonists only then would I take a chance and go the longer route. I also wouldn't bother with the mares race. No way would I go to Cheltenham without finding out if she has the credentials for either of the two big races which will probably be the case if they don't try her over 2 miles in the Irish Champion.

Personally feel it's unlikely she runs in the Irish Champion and ultimately I think she runs in the World Hurdle now Ruby has said no to big bucks ride. I don't for a minute think that she would be easily dismissed, in fact I think she would run very well in the Irish Champion, just the lack of RW on board, and WM usually running two premier horses against each other would suggest to me she will be pulled. Obviously I do think they should run SDC as he is certain (it seems) to go to the CH in March. I say this having not backed her in either race or for that matter the mares which I think she would win.

I wonder how long Willie can keep so many big owners happy.

Having read the comments from Ricci about keeping Annie over hurdles because they were hoping she'd go to the Champion in March, you can't help but think there's only so much he can take. I wouldn't be surprised if he (and/or other big owners) start sending their horses elsewhere as Mullins has too many top-notchers to please everyone.

Agree with the posts above. I think she will miss the Irish Champion but that would be a shocking decision. Rarely in racing is a situation presented that literally offers the perfect test of a horse's credentials when connections are split between options. It's so simple, as has been said above. Running in the Irish Champion would tell them which way they should go. Skipping it won't help them at all. They'll still be scratching their heads in the run-up to Cheltenham and it'll be a case of who wins the behind-the-scenes tug of war.

Another talking point: What happens if they skip the Irish Champion and then Hurricane Fly gets beaten?

Another talking point: What happens if they skip the Irish Champion and then Hurricane Fly gets beaten? WELL IT GETS BEATEN SH IT HAPPENS....AND IF IT IS THE CASE IT DOSENT MEAN THE MARE WOULD OF BEAT WHATEVER HAD BEATEN HF.....THEN MAYBE WM WOULD BE OF THE OPINION NO POINT IN RUNNING THE MARE IN CH...THIS ONLY AN ANSWER TO THE TALKING POINT SO NO OFFENCE TAM

@Tomdeane, I have been wondering this for a while, how long will the Barclays Mafia continue to allow their stable stars to play second fiddle. Obviously RR has spent something like £5-10m on his stock yet wants to rival JPM yet they still seem to be second best in the yard. Maybe they will bide their time knowing they have the majority of the firepower going forward and that they will dominate WM stock for the foreseeable.

Barclays mafia love that comment

lets face it the ego will soon move on when he,s had his fill, the flat should be more his cup of tea...

Tell him to take those ****g shades off especially when it's raining****

If they're going the 3 mile route wouldn't logic suggest trying the distance beforehand? They like coming to England. There's a 3 mile grade 2 mares race worth quite a bit of money this Saturday at Ascot I think. Relatively easy introduction to the distance. Annie Power not entered.

That's spot on Eeternal. Why wouldn't you have a go at the distance beforehand if you were aiming at the World Hurdle. You've won me round; I think they're planning to run her in the Champion now.

Don't back her for the champion and blame me if she blows them away in the world hurdle.

I agree in principle, but doesn't this work both ways?

If they want to see whether they had the pace to beat the biggest and best boys over 2m, why wouldn't she run in the Irish Champion? That to me would be an indication that they're more likely to go for the World...

So Ruby has not backed Big Bucks for Boston Bob yes?

Not backed lol

Knocked back I meant

Don't worry; I won't be backing her for the Champion Hurdle unless she's a big price on the day. None of it makes any sense to be honest. Maybe the Ruby-Nicholls relationship is beyond repair, maybe there's no fixed plan yet and Ruby is working on the assumption that he can convince Ricci and Mullins to run her in the World.

would it be far-fetched to suggest that Ruby passed over Big Bucks out of professional courtesy? assuming, of course, he is WPM's bona fide stable jockey and not the 'main jockey' or whatever label Nicholls came up with for Daryl in his weekend tract.

Think they know pretty much about whether AP will stay 3m.
We can see just by watching her that shes got a bl00dy good chance of staying, I would think they know more than us!!
I don't think they need to see her over 3m, and if I was a backer I would not be that bothered to be honest.
Well I am a backer as such, but I have her at far better odds for the CH, and I really can only see her in that race if its soft ground at least.

You can bet yer arse that Walsh has told em she's a World Hurdle horse and he wants to ride her

Just So, my guess is Nicholls was well hacked off when Ruby moved on and told him what he could do with the Big Buck's ride. Seems odd to me that Ruby is getting no outside rides when he comes over.

The world's full of trainers and jockeys who tried to turn horses into something they weren't and being convinced they were. Oscar Whiskey being a world hurdler one of the recent ones springs to mind. Twice. Never running over 3 miles and hoping for the best in the toughest three mile race of the season isn't my idea of a plan of action. I'm sure the leader of the light brigade would have approved though.

Everything I hear about Nicholls suggests to me he is not a nice guy at all, I wonder whether PN had some pleasantries for Rubi when he left. After her race at Cheltenham he was enthusing about her staying power and I have no doubt he thinks she will stay. I would imagine he might say to old Richy Rich, help me help you. I think we can get BB beaten. They know that RW could be the difference between 1st and 2nd and that he loves the Hurricane two much to ever get off. To me its a no brainer, you have so few horses to beat in the World maybe only one. In the champion she will have to run the race of her life and could still finish 4th. But they may see the bright lights of the CH and pursue regardless. Im sure he will be wearing his shades as the rain pours down regardless

That's a good argument but this can be put to bed very easily. At the risk of repeating myself she may win the Irish champion hurdle cosily or she might be outpaced. Either way the owner gets a much clearer idea of where he stands. If she wins like I said she will be clear favourite for the big one and if she is outpaced it is the ideal prep race for the alternative Cheltenham target of either the mares or the world hurdle.

Autocue, Fallen Angel, you may well be right - nothing would surprise me - but (maybe naively) I had taken PFN at his word when he said Ruby was approached re the ride (and declined it)  after PFN deemed DJ was not viewing it in the right way, rather than Ruby being told to stick it (quote below).

The usual WPM machinations over where his various novices go is bad enough - trying to put yourself in these mind games between WPM / PFN / Ricci / Ruby / Wylie (last named maybe an innocent bystander) is a different league again!

"So it was his mind-set that actually made up my mind up for me. If there is any negativity or doubt in a jockey's mind, then in my book he effectively rules himself out of the reckoning there and then.

I then approached Ruby and AP, who have both won on the horse, but neither would or could commit. "

Shame we won't be seeing her in tomorrow's race but there is now no question which race she would be running in if she were mine and Ruby could stay loyal to The Fly if he wanted.

At Cheltenham of course.

I think talk of the champion hurdle will prove to be a smokescreen. There looks to be nothing special in the world hurdle this year and imo it's hers for the taking before a chasing campaign.