'apple of his eye, chaser written all over him, having an absolute nightmare getting the weight off him. Wanted to start him over fences at Exeter last week but was over 3m and wants to start him at 2m4f as he has needed his first run last 2 seasons. May be forced to go for a graded chase at Hennessey meeting'
Brief synopsis of salient points.
'apple of his eye, chaser written all over him, having an absolute nightmare getting the weight off him. Wanted to start him over fences at Exeter last week but was over 3m and wants to start him at 2m4f as he has needed his first run last 2 seasons.
Entered for the Grade 2 Novice Chase at Newbury this week. PFN has won the race several times before but their names escape me atm! Looks very winnable looking at the entries.
Entered for the Grade 2 Novice Chase at Newbury this week. PFN has won the race several times before but their names escape me atm! Looks very winnable looking at the entries.
As impressive as any novice seen out this season imo.
The PN comments on this thread suggest they think he could be an RSA horse? Tempted by the 14-1 for the JLT myself.
As impressive as any novice seen out this season imo.The PN comments on this thread suggest they think he could be an RSA horse? Tempted by the 14-1 for the JLT myself.
A relatively early casualty on his chasing debut in a Newbury Grade Two just a week earlier, he never made a semblance of a mistake under Nick Scholfield, beating a decent field on the bridle.
Profiles Saphir Du Rheu Having made giant strides over hurdles last year, Nicholls does not envisage three miles being a problem to him.
"I've always held Saphir Du Rheu in the highest regard and was thrilled with the way he travelled and jumped on his way to recording a highly impressive first victory over fences at Exeter on Friday," Nicholls told his official website, www.paulnichollsracing.com.
"That was over two miles, three and a half furlongs and he will have no problem staying three miles."
The highly-regarded five-year-old will have his next run in the Kauto Star Novices' Chase (formerly the Feltham Novices' Chase) at Kempton on Boxing Day.
"The Kauto Star Novices' Chase was always going to be the plan," Nichollas added.
"At Newbury, it all went wrong when he unseated Sam, but he won well at Exeter the other day and he's been fine since.
"The Feltham is the obvious race for him.
"We'll take it one race at a time with him although long term, if things go well over the next 12 months, I'd like to think he can develop into a Gold Cup horse for 2016."
A relatively early casualty on his chasing debut in a Newbury Grade Two just a week earlier, he never made a semblance of a mistake under Nick Scholfield, beating a decent field on the bridle.Profiles Saphir Du RheuHaving made giant strides over hurd
The most impressive novice-chasing performance of the past seven days was Saphir Du Rheu’s Exeter saunter. His unseating of Sam Twiston-Davies on chase debut at Newbury last month came rather out of the blue because he’d jumped well until that point.
Here, he made no mistake with a silky round that saw Deputy Dan (regardless of the fact he carried a penalty for his Ascot success) completely unable to live with him.
The winner’s Cheltenham record is blemished by finishing only 20th in the 2013 Fred Winter, but he made a bad mistake at the third that day so I’m inclined to treat it as a throw-out performance.
He heads next for the Kauto Star on Boxing Day at Kempton where he must prove his stamina for three miles. In fact, On the basis of this Plumpton performance and previous runs over hurdles, I’d rather back him for the JLT Chase than at shorter for the RSA. Let’s do that with Paddy Power at 14/1.
The most impressive novice-chasing performance of the past seven days was Saphir Du Rheu’s Exeter saunter. His unseating of Sam Twiston-Davies on chase debut at Newbury last month came rather out of the blue because he’d jumped well until that po
From a market making perspective, I want the likes of Saphir Du Rheu, Whisper, Pont Alexandre, Valsuer Lido and Southfield Theatre etc up towards the top of the market for as long as possible. Means much better odds for the horses which can actually win the RSA
From a market making perspective, I want the likes of Saphir Du Rheu, Whisper, Pont Alexandre, Valsuer Lido and Southfield Theatre etc up towards the top of the market for as long as possible. Means much better odds for the horses which can actually
I use trends a lot for chelt Tom and none more so than the RSA. I'm being harsh by saying they can't win, but as a massive rule I steer well clear of 6yr olds, non irish bred and horses who have had more than one season over hurdles. All of the horses I've mentioned fall down on at least one of those elements. Smad place almost smashed it up last year but for me he would have been the exception which proved the rule
I use trends a lot for chelt Tom and none more so than the RSA. I'm being harsh by saying they can't win, but as a massive rule I steer well clear of 6yr olds, non irish bred and horses who have had more than one season over hurdles. All of the horse
SDR has the size of Denman (Trainers words) and he also won the race with a french bred 5yo (Star De Mohaison) so if he runs in the RSA he'll be running because the trainer fancies him.
SDR has the size of Denman (Trainers words) and he also won the race with a french bred 5yo (Star De Mohaison) so if he runs in the RSA he'll be running because the trainer fancies him.
Of course Sint, just saying that personally I won't be backing a 6yr old french bred in the RSA. He's a much more attractive proposition from a JLT perspective
Of course Sint, just saying that personally I won't be backing a 6yr old french bred in the RSA. He's a much more attractive proposition from a JLT perspective
Apparently might not go to Cheltenham festival this season. From Lydia Hislops column on the Sporting Life webiste:
There was potential bad news for my ante-post portfolio when I interviewed Nicholls for Racing UK at Exeter last Thursday. He asserted that the only two definite targets for Saphir Du Rheu are next week’s Feltham at Kempton and the 2016 Gold Cup. The horse “might even miss Cheltenham” this season.
Apparently might not go to Cheltenham festival this season. From Lydia Hislops column on the Sporting Life webiste:There was potential bad news for my ante-post portfolio when I interviewed Nicholls for Racing UK at Exeter last Thursday. He asserted
Quite funny how touchy PFN can be. Before the Feltham he was basically suggesting people who criticised SDR's jumping on debut were overreacting and then the horse falls again.
Where next? There is a Grade 2 3m chase at Haydock soon which PFN has won in the past with horses like Rocky Creek, Black Thunder but it might be wiser to aim for a lesser target.
Quite funny how touchy PFN can be. Before the Feltham he was basically suggesting people who criticised SDR's jumping on debut were overreacting and then the horse falls again.Where next? There is a Grade 2 3m chase at Haydock soon which PFN has won
From Paul Nicholls column re Saphir De Reu - "Some people have mentioned that the he may be better off going back over hurdles after his two mishaps over fences, but I reckon that he is a Gold Cup horse of the future, so it is up to me to get his jumping sorted out and him in the top novice races come the end of the season. He looked pretty good when getting it right at Exeter, after all.
But I will add that we are giving some consideration to running him in the Cleeve, though it is no more than that at this stage".
From Paul Nicholls column re Saphir De Reu - "Some people have mentioned that the he may be better off going back over hurdles after his two mishaps over fences, but I reckon that he is a Gold Cup horse of the future, so it is up to me to get his jum
No point in heading back over hurdles yet. His novice status only has a few months left, so may as well give it another go over fences. If he falls again, maybe then they should give it up. As he said, he looked good at Exeter.
No point in heading back over hurdles yet. His novice status only has a few months left, so may as well give it another go over fences. If he falls again, maybe then they should give it up. As he said, he looked good at Exeter.
Slightly surprised over the decision to put him back hurdling so soon. Big Bucks had 7 chase starts before reverting, SDR has had three.
Considering PFN talked so openly about him being a future Gold Cup horse??
Maybe could be more like Tidal Bay than Big Bucks, where he'd run him over both depending on what races were coming up?
Slightly surprised over the decision to put him back hurdling so soon. Big Bucks had 7 chase starts before reverting, SDR has had three.Considering PFN talked so openly about him being a future Gold Cup horse??Maybe could be more like Tidal Bay than
"After chatting with Andy (Stewart), we have decided to put Saphir back over hurdles in the Cleeve, for as much as a confidence-booster after his mishap at Kempton as anything.
I was tempted to keep him over fences but, given the World Hurdle picture looks so open and he is rated 165 over hurdles, it seemed a sensible thing to do to switch back over hurdles.
The result of the Cleeve will tell us where we go next with him, either the World Hurdle or back over fences for the RSA". Paul Nicholls
"After chatting with Andy (Stewart), we have decided to put Saphir back over hurdles in the Cleeve, for as much as a confidence-booster after his mishap at Kempton as anything.I was tempted to keep him over fences but, given the World Hurdle picture
Brilliant thinking off Nicholls - he wont outstay a back on song MOT up the hill - but the RSA is a grind of a race and he's not a grinder - Don Poli has RSA written all over him.
Brilliant thinking off Nicholls - he wont outstay a back on song MOT up the hill - but the RSA is a grind of a race and he's not a grinder - Don Poli has RSA written all over him.
My concern now that he is switched hurdling is that will they actually be trying to win or just trying to pick up some place prize money, usually over £8k in the good races, and save him for next season. Couldn't bet him now anyway.
My concern now that he is switched hurdling is that will they actually be trying to win or just trying to pick up some place prize money, usually over £8k in the good races, and save him for next season. Couldn't bet him now anyway.
He's second fav for the World Hurdle on here, I don't see any angle where they are not trying to win with him. They will try and win the Cleeve if that doesn't go well may not even run him here.
He's second fav for the World Hurdle on here, I don't see any angle where they are not trying to win with him. They will try and win the Cleeve if that doesn't go well may not even run him here.
2nd fav and hasn't had a hurdle race in 11 months, where he finshed 4th?
That race he was
1. Kayf Moss (130) 11-3 2. Meister Eckhart (150) 11-3 3. Chris Pea Green (142) 11-5 4. Saphir Du Rheu (165) 11-7
I'd say his 165 rating is generous.
(Watch him hack up in the Cleeve and some smart @rse brings this thread back up )
2nd fav and hasn't had a hurdle race in 11 months, where he finshed 4th?That race he was1. Kayf Moss (130) 11-32. Meister Eckhart (150) 11-33. Chris Pea Green (142) 11-54. Saphir Du Rheu (165) 11-7I'd say his 165 rating is generous.(Watch him hack up
FWIW, the BHA have him the fourth highest rated hurdler in Britain - think that's a bit flattering.
More of That (IRE) 169 My Tent Or Yours (IRE) 168 The New One (IRE) 167 Saphir du Rheu (FR) 165 Whisper (FR) 164 Holywell (IRE) 163 Purple Bay (IRE) 161 Beat That (IRE) 160 Reve de Sivola (FR) 160 Rock On Ruby (IRE) 160 Zarkandar (IRE) 160 Cole Harden (IRE) 158 Volnay de Thaix (FR) 158 At Fishers Cross (IRE) 157 Irving (GB) 157 Grandouet (FR) 156 Medinas (FR) 156 Zamdy Man (GB) 156 Melodic Rendezvous (GB) 155 Polly Peachum (IRE) 155 Garde La Victoire (FR) 154 Un Temps Pour Tout (IRE) 154 Vaniteux (FR) 154 Aubusson (FR) 153 L'Ami Serge (IRE) 153 Salubrious (IRE) 153 Tea For Two (GB) 153 Bear's Affair (IRE) 152 Blue Fashion (IRE) 152 Cockney Sparrow (GB) 152 Henryville (GB) 152 Get Me Out of Here (IRE) 151 Lac Fontana (FR) 151 Seeyouatmidnight (GB) 151 Silsol (GER) 151 Blue Heron (IRE) 150 Irish Saint (FR) 150 Josses Hill (IRE) 150 Kilcooley (IRE) 150 Meister Eckhart (IRE) 150 Sametegal (FR) 150 Vulcanite (IRE) 150
FWIW, the BHA have him the fourth highest rated hurdler in Britain - think that's a bit flattering.More of That (IRE) 169My Tent Or Yours (IRE) 168The New One (IRE) 167Saphir du Rheu (FR) 165Whisper (FR) 164
Intesrting PFN thinks better ground will see him better too. Was getting 6lb from Reve today though? Reve has tried and failed in March several times but seems in the form of his life atm.
Intesrting PFN thinks better ground will see him better too. Was getting 6lb from Reve today though? Reve has tried and failed in March several times but seems in the form of his life atm.
Can't believe I have this lad to win the World Hurdle at 130.0, took it after he fell on Boxing Day and tweeted about it. It will be some craic if he wins.
But I still don't think he'll beat Zarkandar who dogged it at Ascot when Reve beat him. Saphir won today getting 4lbs from Reve. While Zarkandar will be better on better ground, lost to the Ascot specialist off levels.
Can't believe I have this lad to win the World Hurdle at 130.0, took it after he fell on Boxing Day and tweeted about it. It will be some craic if he wins. But I still don't think he'll beat Zarkandar who dogged it at Ascot when Reve beat him. Saphir
CVBryne I wouldn't be worried too much about zarkandar. He's had his chance before. Reve De Sivola is some fella btw. Been jumps racing since the age of 3 and still running like that at 10. To me he is jumps racing.
CVBryne I wouldn't be worried too much about zarkandar. He's had his chance before. Reve De Sivola is some fella btw. Been jumps racing since the age of 3 and still running like that at 10. To me he is jumps racing.
Zark will win it this year. To me with the right ride he's the best of this lot.
Obviously More of Than is respected but he's not been seen in Months and has had a wind op.
Saphir Du Rheu can improve again from today to be good enough to win it.
Un Temps Por Tout ran very well today for a horse having his first run of the season and he will improve a lot for that too.
Zark will win it this year. To me with the right ride he's the best of this lot. Obviously More of Than is respected but he's not been seen in Months and has had a wind op. Saphir Du Rheu can improve again from today to be good enough to win it. Un T
Was held up for too long last year and never put into the race. Not to mention he was raced into the ground over all kinds of trip. One run ever 22 days. He's much better fresh which is why he's only had 2 runs this season. He has to be held onto until after the last.
Was held up for too long last year and never put into the race. Not to mention he was raced into the ground over all kinds of trip. One run ever 22 days. He's much better fresh which is why he's only had 2 runs this season. He has to be held onto unt
i got this chap wrong today, thought he was a terrific lay.
he travelled really well, thought when reve was kicked on that he was about to throw it in, STD kidded him for a brief while
looks like he loved the strong pace.
i got this chap wrong today, thought he was a terrific lay.he travelled really well, thought when reve was kicked on that he was about to throw it in, STD kidded him for a brief whilelooks like he loved the strong pace.
sintonian 25 Jan 15 09:32 Joined: 21 Sep 04 | Topic/replies: 25,671 | Blogger: sintonian's blog CV youre saying Zark dogged it at Ascot and the ride was bad..
Ride or the tactics was bad in the World Hurdle, was left with too much to do, was ridden to get the trip.
Sam went to the front too soon at Ascot, but that's with the benefit of hindsight. Can't blame him for that tbh. Zark idled after the last and blinkers stopped him seeing Reve coming back until he comes by, then he picks up again and would have got past Reve in another couple of strides.
Reve is better at Ascot than at Cheltenham, also the race is 1f further. I think if Zark had come with his challenge later, or was wearing a visor not blinkers he'd see Reve coming. I think the ability Zark has over the trip is undeniable. He needs a smart ride and he can win it. He is a faster horse than any of these.
Obviously I'll make much more money if SDR wins. But I believe Zark will win it so am explaining why I think that. Would be easier to talk up SDR tbh
sintonian 25 Jan 15 09:32 Joined: 21 Sep 04 | Topic/replies: 25,671 | Blogger: sintonian's blogCV youre saying Zark dogged it at Ascot and the ride was bad..Ride or the tactics was bad in the World Hurdle, was left with too much to do, was ridden to
Not sure whether either of Nicholls horses will win but agree with CV that Zarkandar is more likely. They run Reve De Sivola to virtually the same distance (Saphir Du Rheu less than half a length better) but Zarkandar was at level weights while SDR was getting 4lb.
CV mentions the fact that RDS generally performs better at Ascot and that the Ascot race was over 1f further. I think there is a tendency to see Zarkandar as a short runner given he raced in Champion Hurdles. However, in my view he was not outstayed by RDS at Ascot as after he had sauntered past and then pulled up in front he was clawing the winner back once he went past. In contrast SDR looked all out to get the better of RDS and Sam TD's immediate post race comments were that he felt SDR was at the outer limits of his stamina - to me he looks the shorter runner.
Based on respective performances against RDS, Zarkandar is the classier animal - if there was something else in the Ascot race capable of beating RDS then Zarkandar could have gone with them. I disn't get that feeling from SDR. From that I believe their respective prices for the World Hurdle are the wrong way round.
However, whether you want to back a horse with as many quirks (which he undeniably has) as Zarkandar to win a Championship race is a different matter.
Not sure whether either of Nicholls horses will win but agree with CV that Zarkandar is more likely. They run Reve De Sivola to virtually the same distance (Saphir Du Rheu less than half a length better) but Zarkandar was at level weights while SDR w
"I think the ability Zark has over the trip is undeniable. He needs a smart ride and he can win it. He is a faster horse than any of these. "
Agree with the first sentence CV but not the second, he certainly isn't faster than Rock On Ruby.
"I think the ability Zark has over the trip is undeniable. He needs a smart ride and he can win it. He is a faster horse than any of these. "Agree with the first sentence CV but not the second, he certainly isn't faster than Rock On Ruby.
Reve De Sivola looked absolutely fantastic in the paddock on Saturday btw, jumped great too, I think he'll have run right up to his best, and his best is pretty good. I wouldn't rule him out of the WH it came up very soft, but there's not much chance of that obviously.
Reve De Sivola looked absolutely fantastic in the paddock on Saturday btw, jumped great too, I think he'll have run right up to his best, and his best is pretty good. I wouldn't rule him out of the WH it came up very soft, but there's not much chance
True ROR would be faster. But he got caught over 2m5f by a stronger stayer in Neptune. I don't feel he'll stay the 3 miles of the World Hurdle at the pace Reve De Sivola will take them along.
True ROR would be faster. But he got caught over 2m5f by a stronger stayer in Neptune. I don't feel he'll stay the 3 miles of the World Hurdle at the pace Reve De Sivola will take them along.
I think CV is talking through his pockets already and the race hasn't even run yet!! Zarkandar was in serious condition for the ascot race Nicholls even said so. I know RDS is a course specialist and the ground was ideal but I think we have seen enough of Zarkandar to make a in formed decision that he will be in the mix in the WH but 1 or 2 will get the better of him.
On the other hand SDR was described after the race at chelts as not fully fit and plently of improvement to come from his trainer. In fact on CH4 today his trainer was asked how he was after the race he said "he is still a bit on the fat side and that they are trying to get the weight off for the WH". To out battle a race fit RDS on soft ground coming off the back of a fall over fences is some performance. He has similiar profile to more of that as we don't know how good he actually is. The way Nicholls talks about him I think he has a massive chance.
I think CV is talking through his pockets already and the race hasn't even run yet!! Zarkandar was in serious condition for the ascot race Nicholls even said so. I know RDS is a course specialist and the ground was ideal but I think we have seen enou
Idiots like this clown ^^ are what annoy me about betfair forum. He is saying I'm pocket talking!!! The clueless moron obviously doesn't realise I will make more money on SDR than Zarkandar winning, so how on earth is it pocket talking to talk up the chances of Zarkandar?
Idiots like this clown ^^ are what annoy me about betfair forum. He is saying I'm pocket talking!!! The clueless moron obviously doesn't realise I will make more money on SDR than Zarkandar winning, so how on earth is it pocket talking to talk up the
Anyone know anything about this horse? I know Pumpkinhead said he was a World Hurdle horse, but he holds entries for the JLT and the RSA, doesn't he? In spite of this Betfair have removed him from both these markets today. He's still in the WH, so I presume he isn't injured or worse.
Anyone know anything about this horse? I know Pumpkinhead said he was a World Hurdle horse, buthe holds entries for the JLT and the RSA, doesn't he? In spite of this Betfair have removed him from both these markets today. He's still in the WH, so I p
When did BF take him out? I laid him for the RSA a lot more recently than December. According to the RP he's still in the RSA entries.
I know BF take out horses that aren't entered, but they only took SDR out today, as far as I can see.
When did BF take him out? I laid him for the RSA a lot more recently than December. According tothe RP he's still in the RSA entries.I know BF take out horses that aren't entered, but they only took SDR out today, as far as I can see.
Usually, if BF take a horse out like that, it's because he's dead. Obviously, that's not the case here, but I find it a bit surprising that they've removed a healthy horse from the market when he still has an entry. If it was Mullins' horse, they wouldn't do it (would they??).
:) It's not like that allegedUsually, if BF take a horse out like that, it's because he's dead. Obviously, that's not the casehere, but I find it a bit surprising that they've removed a healthy horse from the market when hestill has an entry. If it w
It's a hard old life, to be honest. Very bl00dy confusing at times, too. BF seem to think of new ways to mess me up every few months. The latest was putting UDS back in to the QMCC a few weeks after they took him out... and forgetting to add the liability back on. I suddenly had a humongous negative balance on Saturday. Not funny.
It's a hard old life, to be honest. Very bl00dy confusing at times, too.BF seem to think of new ways to mess me up every few months. The latest was putting UDS back in to the QMCC a few weeks after they took him out... and forgetting to addthe liabil