Cheltenham Festival
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dilemma for ruby ?
dilemma for ruby ?
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I dont see it as sentimentality. Its massive to win a champion hurdle but the next logical goal is to have the most successful champion hurdler in history. If they think Faugheen could win 3 or more then fair play get Ruby up, but hes already won at 3 miles and hes destined for chasing. HF has a second shot at champion hurdle immortality and the yard will probably never have another chance like it.
It looks like Jezki might go straight to cheltenham so if Hurricane can win the IC, then hes won all his preps and beat the current champion twice. TNO will go from Haydock to Cheltenham, while faugheen will sluice up somewhere but wont get to prove himself against any of the principles. The only way i can see to settle all this is to run faugheen in the Irish champion but i dont think they will. |
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HF will be backed into 2nd fav for the CH? Now you're really having a laugh STS. Bookies will be taking him on with both hands. imo
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We surely can't have another running of the Fly for winning the Champion Hurdle can we?
How could he possibly do at 11 what he comprehensively couldn't do at 10? Cheltenham still isn't his course and unless they move it it won't be in March either. If Ruby is on him then it is purely down to sentiment and I'd be surprised. |
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If the Fly could win another CH, it would be up there with Kauto's last Betfair and King George after he'd been written off.
This is a no bet race for me, but I'll be screaming for the Fly as loud as I can and I'd hope most neutrals do. Faugheen and The New One will have their day, but there's nothing better than seeing the old guard flooring the up and coming superstars. This is the first year that the Fly's team can come over with the pressure off and not have the wait of expectation on their shoulders as he has no more to prove and owes nothing. |
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*weight of expectation. C- from my English teacher there!
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Wellchief wrt the festival wait is probably a more appropriate word - by the time it comes round every year we are all nearly worn out.
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How could he possibly do at 11 what he comprehensively couldn't do at 10?
Eeternal has nailed it there. He wont be any better in March than he was this March,and he was well beaten. Wont run imo |
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They'd be fools not to let him take his chance.
Not saying he'll win at all, but with 2 G1 wins over the current champ, he's earned his spot more than anyone else. He's shown he's still got the appetite for it. |
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Fools?? Really ??
Yes he doing the stuff in the Irish Winter as per normal, but Cheltenham totally different and last time there should tell them to leave it imo Why not wait for Aintree, be better than getting well beat again. |
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Champion Hurdle should be the very best 2 milers from both Britain and Ireland, all going for the biggest prize, and despite his age, he is definitely in that category.
Its these old ones coming back year after year that makes NH racing great, so it'd be a big shame if they put an Aintree hurdle over a crack at the Champion again. As I said, he owes nothing, there'll be no pressure, so if he comes fourth then so be it. |
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There's the Aintree Hurdle there for Hurricane Fly, probably wouldn't have the same quality of opposition and the extra half a mile would help him at this stage of his career - you'd think.
Having said that, I'd be inclined to let him take his chance in the Champion itself. The great horses should always be allowed their swansong and I think it's low risk letting him line up. If they went there hoping for a top 3 would that be overly ambitious? I don't think so. If he wins the Irish Champion, he's more than earned his place in the line-up. Nobody can argue he's not in the top 4 2m hurdlers this season either. |
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Oh yes I totally agree the very best 2 milers should be going there,but the problem with the Fly is hes got stuffed last time in the race and now he will be 11.
Cheltenham never been his best track,his pure class has won him 2 Churdles,but hes not as good now to win at Cheltenham again, and connections will know that. Still as you say Chief, maybe they will let him run and finish 4th. |
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Ps - sorry, don't mean to sound like I'm calling you a fool for saying you'd skip Chelt Budd!
Its just if I was his owner I wouldn't think twice. |
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 been called a lot worse!!did not take it that way anyway mate |
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I just can't see them not running him. Even astute judges like WPM and Ruby have a bit of a blind spot with this horse IMO, and think he is still capable of winning a CH. He just any horse to be fair, and the chance at creating history will be too much for them.
You can't blame them either. Even if he has had his optimum conditions, he has still beaten the current Champion hurdler fair and square. Twice. I will be genuinely amazed if he isn't lining up in the CH. |
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* isn't just any horse.
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IMO for what it's worth, they should run in the Irish Champion and then only run again if it is genuine SOFT ground or he will be beat for certain. They could even ease off and give him an extended holiday after the Irish Champion until next October.
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I may be wrong, but I don't recall seeing any other horses in the same colours as the fly, so its not like a Ricci or a Gigginstown when they can roll them out year after year.
If it is a small owner who has him, I think that makes it even more likely that he'll go as it might be their last chance. |
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Hurricane Fly is probably passed his best,and l see no reason for Ruby to choose him over Faugheen
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Just seen the leopardstown race again,didnt realize Arctic Fair so close,so maybe the form of race isn't worth two bob,but l will put my head on block by saying Jekzi will beat the fly at Cheltenham as long its not a bog [highly unlikely ]
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baNjackst • January 1, 2015 1:25 PM GMT
01/01/2015 micks quote - Ruby will leave it till the Sunday before Cheltenham to decide on whether to ride Faugheen or Hurricane Fly. Bookmakers and punters beware. Is this b...s..t to continue into the new year. GAFL Mick baNjackst • January 1, 2015 2:51 PM GMT Stop talking the obvious pra tt, of course decisions are made b4 declarations. Go embarrass yourself and ask for odds on ruby riding hurricane fly ( all been well with faugheen ) in this years champion hurdle. The chances of the fly going to cheltenham must be remote never mind ruby having to make a choice. How many clowns are there. If ruby had to make a choice this year the fly wouldn't have been one of the selections. |
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Worst thread ever. Would you ride an old granny over an eastern european supermodel Nor me. |
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By the looks of you I don't think you would get the choice,ruby is going to have to make the hardest choice of his career !
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One will have a serious chance of winning....the other wont.
Hardly a hard choice to make.....unless his heart rules his head of course. |
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Ruby's heart will not rule his head !
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Ruby was asked after faugheen won his last race would he be riding it in the champion hurdle,and his reply was "There are other champion hurdle horses in the stable"
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what did you expect him to say?
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It's a load of tish.
Ruby was never going to say "I'm definitely riding Faugheen as he loads better than anything else" and knock his beloved Fly. His mind is made but will wait until the last minute to stay loyal to the horse and owner. He will definitely be on Faugheen if he is there and fit to race. |
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but brandy ,you are forgetting the three legged horse that can destroy the other two on the gallops,if the stories going round county kildare are correct.in fact the three legged girl has only lost one of her 13 races over hurdles,and that was over 3 mile first the time,and pulled Ruby's arms out for the first mile and a half,and kept trying to remove ear plugs from her ears during the race.
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Ruby knew at punchestown last year what he'd be riding in this years champion hurdle (all being well). There is no dilemma. Have the persons who believe he has a dilemma not yet watched last years champion hurdle when a 10 yr old h/f struggled. Is it a case of people only been able to remember the most recent running. I be amazed if an 11 yr old h/f goes to cheltenham this year. As for Ruby, he is all head when it comes to racing, he leaves whatever heart he has at home. So to the persons who believe that a dilemma exist concerning ruby's ride, well I don't know what to say to you because theres no point sorry.
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would be shocked if Ruby wasnt on Faugheen all things considered...The Fly has every right to take his chance he could well nick 3rd if things go right for him but I really cannot see him winning and I love the horse!
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I'll be shocked if The Fly turns up at Cheltenham. Don't think WPM wants to tarnish his image. Will wait for Punchestown and be fresh IMO.
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I think its all about the going ,if its heavy I would back the fly in the Champion
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how would it tarnish his image? it would tarnish his image more if wpm doesn't run him essentially conceding he can't win
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I don't think it would tarnish his image personally, but I don't think WPM likes to see him get beat, and I don't see how he can win. Just my thoughts and could be way off.
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