Nichols Canyon

That £250 ew at 20/1 looking pretty good now. Although I did have £400 faugheen at 6/4 too.

@duffy the race only began before 2 out, before that it was a sub-moderate pace and NC was full of running in the home straight. Faugheen maybe thought the one in front was a mare and just didn't wanted to get off her back but when he did after the last it was too late and when he was getting the better of NC in the last 50y NC veered left into him and it was over.

thought it was a bird...I take it that's a wind up

Faugheen made a horlicks of the 2nd last which got him un balanced and off the bridle just as Nichols Canyon kicked for home - but for that he would have won a length or so imo. His jumping has always been a touch sketchy so no great surprise.

Agreed...his jumping has finally cost him.

Claram beat Vautour last December. Worry is that Faugheen could have an injury.

Nichols canyon has to be the most under rated horse in training. Take away his neptune run which was a poor ride by ruby pulling all the way round whilst held up. arguably in the wrong race to accommodate rich ricci and ruby, and people would be absolutely raving about this horse.
Hes A 5 times grade 1 winner (would of been 6 if he diddnt unseat against sizing john) putting it up to faugheen and winning fair and square, paddies been 8/1 all summer about nc for the champion hurdle and still people are making up excuses for why he's won. They will both come on for the run and wicklow brave was already fit of the flat. The Tony Martin horse in behind won the galway plate and is no mug.  When nicholls canyon wins his next race then finishes in the first 3 in the champion surely people should appreciate the horse for what he is. A very good horse.

Faugheen is THE champion Hurdler, and based on today's running was nowhere near his peak. First runs of the season should be taken in the context of what they are, a pipe opener. Faugheen was so much better than others last season, and I'm in no way losing faith that he'll win the Champion Hurdle in March.

I couldn't believe NC was put into Neptune after deloitte win .. Imo, deloitte is best Supreme trial and he should have been in that. And as many have already said, he's won 5 G1s!... Still can't believe that was a fully fit Faugheen tho'... And will be interesting to see how PAC goes in senior company now..

Faugheen wasn't at his best today, but I think Nichols Canyon is, as he always seems to have been, underrated. If he made the running in the Champion, I think he would at least make it a contest for Faugheen.

That's the last time NICHOLS CANYON will be HELD UP ! WD Mr Wylie

NC not getting the credit he deserves... pipe opener for Faugheen...pipe opener for NC too...faugheen didn't get beat through lack of fitness, he got beat because when NC picked it up, faugheen for once paid the price for his suspect jumping and lost vital ground that he couldn't make back up.

Faugheen is a great horse through his power and ability to win in spite of those horrible bunny hops he puts in from time to time....he isn't a great horse through his jumping ability....for once yesterday, he finally paid the price for it.

Spot on Duffy.
I also think this was the first time in a long time that he has been taken on, rather than allowing Ruby to run the race as he wants, and that has, on this occasion, had an effect. Others will now realise he is beatable and he'll have a much harder time of it this season than last. And, yes, a good call from the Wylies who one presumes said they wanted to know early on whether NC was up to Champion Hurdle standard and to plan a campaign from there. And now they already know he is, though winning one might be a different matter.

yep,good points lads.
Why did I listen to Walsh saying about NC staying so well and taking that to mean he will be stepping up in trip.
I usually make my own mind up about horses and don't take too much notice of jockeys....really should know better.
Oh well,missed the good prices,God luck to those that have nice prices and done what I should have and made their own judgement.
NC is obviously a player now and a big threat to Faugheen.
I now look forward to seeing how last seasons juveniles Peace and co and Top Notch get on when they reappear.

Don't beat yourself up to much as 2 of my mates have been done listening to ruby and also backed him for the world I would have myself but always thought they would give at least a try at 2m grade 1ns before going 3m!like a few other have said like myself mega underrated horse and don't know what else he can do? But he is carrying my cash on his shoulders again just like all of last year and done me many a good turn

10/1 non runner no bet for world hurdle not a bad investment tonight. If he gets beaten easily tomorrow may change target and be half that price.

If he runs well tomorrow you get money back when he does not turn up.

Even if he gets beat it would need to be a heavy gubbing and even at that they could just blame the hard race he had at Xmas! I don't think they will change there mind as the world is looking a deeper race by the week now as years before it looked weak but there are a good few this year with strong solid form so I think they will stay champion for least this year

Let's hope this we terrior puts it upto the machine and fire today! They all keep saying the machine was back to his best last time beating the new one at Xmas but he hardly franked the form yesterday! I would have expected nichols canyon to beat the new one just as easy so for me it's game on today and in March c'mon the canyon

I think that finally puts to bed the idea that Nichols Canyon is a Champion Hurdler. Or Identity Thief for that matter.

World Hurdle or go for a place in the Champion?

That was like when Olly mcgern tried to take on Denman.

Thief Still improving.
And no way was that NC true running imo.
Hard to see Faugheen not winning again though.......class act.

That was easily a career best imo.

Cheltenham might not be the track for NC anyway.Will do well to place in any race for me.

Never seen the race just the txed comments on rp app would have much rather he ran a better race obviously but I'm always willing to forgive one below par run! As I said last night I wouldn't be surprised if he under performed after the hard slog at Xmas. One thing is for sure ruby will try his best to talk the owner to going for the world or wait for Aintree as after the vroom vroom Annie debate yesterday who would he ride? I personally hope they still give the champion a go and wait till next year! Now back to my wife's birthday drinks and dinner lol

just say wow and accept it for the performance that it was

We all thought Top Notch finished too close to Identity Thief in Newcastle and the fact he ran NC so close should have emphasised that the Morgiana form was all wrong. Well and truly wrong as it transpires.

Yeh,Wicklow Brave told us that.

Beaten 28 lengths today on the snaff, cant be a true running and maybe that hard race at christmas left a mark, reckon they are better off saving him for aintree.

I wouldn't be too worried if your on at big prices ew for ch. Faugheen was always going to win the ch. Outside of faugheen for the places it's wide open and iv seen nothing that's likely to beat NC and arctic fire to the places. relieved ladbrokes of some 12/1 AF ew after the race, complete over reaction to being beaten by a horse that would beat anything in the same way or further. If I wasn't already on nc ew at 20s. I'd be piling into the 14s ew with boyles.

Looked a spent horse to me. I think that brutal race at xmas may have taken its toll. That - and the way he ran at Prestbury last year would dissuade me from getting involved with NC at the festival. They may save him for Aintree over 2 and a half, but even then...

Arctic Fire on the other hand is an eachway bet to nothing. Prefer to take a chance that Sempre Medici runs and places at 50's than risk NC at a fraction of the price.

Trainer just said that delsie,hard race at Xmas.
Was too bad to be true for sure.

Thought Arctic Fire was poor today. The race was set up for him but he was firing tattie water at the end.

Be amazed if the new one does not finish runner up , in fact I think 20s ew is bet of the meeting

Painter man. I assume your being serious, if so you think raving black would finish top 4 in a champion hurdle?

Scooby the new one hates the muck it ran on yesterday and only does enough in it to win his races , ii can see it come March get within 4-5 lengths of faugheen and I cannot see any other horse doing this , ntd has had his problems with tno most of the winter and I am being serious 20s ew is a steal but I've been wrong before

Didn't he get absolutely tonked last year? What was last year's excuse? I forget...

don't think anyone taking TNO at face value on his run on that heavy going is being serious to be honest, the horse is at his best on good ground in description like he had at Kempton and hopefully in March. I'm not sure about TNO.. AF and Faugheen are part of a generation that proved at least 5 lengths better than the previous one so TNO probably aiming at 3rd spot at best but P&C, NC and IT could be part of a new generation that goes past him and perhaps AF as well.. so very tricky I wouldn't touch this race now just enjoy.

Mullins 123 in the same order as todays race for me with identity thief and tno not too far behind the places but atleast 10 lengths behind the winner faugheen.

Rich Ricci 1-2 for me AF 3rd and Nichols Canyon 3rd in the Aintree Hurdle!

Can't see Sempre medici running. As rich never seems to run 2 in the same race. Been well beaten by NC last season and I think rich put him in there in case of an injury to faugheen. But there's not many races for SM as he's too high in the handicap, so I can see your logic of a nrnb play,

MTOY as good as anything when you take out Faugheen. Funny how so many people can look at the same race differently. Hopefully if Faugheen goes a good clip upfront it will help MTOY settle better.

Chief. With a run I'd agree. But id have to reserve judgement until he's on the track  because henderson keeps moving his seasonal apearence back and I'm starting to doubt we'll see him at all.  Wincanton the latest target mentioned.   Likewise peace and co who has an awful lot to prove next time out.  The only horse I'd been worried about all season was blue dragon coming over from france. Would have been all over him. And glad that he diddnt get the unlikely entry in regards to my antepost bets on the race.

I just wonder if the reason why we don't see these horses from Hendo is down to Hendo and nothing more. Like he wont run them if he thinks that they will get an overly exhaustive hard race? Being too careful.

Jan 24, 2016 -- 1:58PM, wellchief wrote:

MTOY as good as anything when you take out Faugheen. Funny how so many people can look at the same race differently. Hopefully if Faugheen goes a good clip upfront it will help MTOY settle better.

Will also help P&C to settle but to go a really fast clip Faugheen needs a horse to force him either in front of him(like 2014 Xmas Hurdle) or besides him(like today) so thats why I think Hendo will do best to put TN as front runner and set it up for P&C and MTOY. IT will possibly also like to be there prominently and hopefully we get a good race.

Yeah, faster pace will help P&C too.  I just think if he has retained his ability, MTOY is a better horse than P&C, but that's a big if.  Scoob, I want a prep run into him too - there's the Contenders Hurdle but I think P&C has been earmarked for that, or the Morbattle at Kelso that Simonsig and Peddlers Cross won a few years ago.

I think the 25 NRNB is a great ew price for MTOY, as is the 16/1 in the w/o Faugheen market, but from what I can tell, that's not NRNB, so I'll leave that one for a bit.

I think 4/1 AF without faugheen with laddies is the only fair bet i can see if I was going to play now. And that is nrnb with them. So not sure what price mtoy is

They're 12's for MTOY without, Paddies are 16, but it's in the specials bit, and doesn't say NRNB, so I assume it isn't.

Would have to be a brave man to back a horse that hasnt run for 2 years.

Think that's reflected in the price though

"People have been moaning that he's been getting it handy it in front, well you saw what he did when they tried to take him on - he destroyed them altogether."

I find Ruby's quote unusual. For a start we saw in November what can happen when they try to take him on. Faugheen got beat. Has he airbrushed that from his memory?

Whereas David Mullins had gone straight into the lead at Punchestown, it seemed to me that at the start Townend said after you Ruby, Sir, and they went at the pace Ruby set which was steady for the first mile. Townend was happy to stay a length behind before going alongside at the fifth flight. To my eyes anyway Ruby was getting it handy in front again.   Whatever tactics were used yesterday Faugheen would have laughed at them. Ruby's comment is probably aimed at psyching out anyone else from having a go at Cheltenham.

Looks like something might be going on with nichols canyon massive drift on here all the way out to 34 for the champion! Thought they might be thinking world hurdle with Annie going mares and vroom mibee going Ryanair! But he is an even bigger price for that! So is it possible they are going  to swerve Cheltenham and wait for Aintree and or punchestown? I know he got well beat last time but he ain't that bad to be such a big price? Makes you think something else could be going on?

think could be a big shake up on way with this and annie power, Vvm etc

Annie - Mares
VVM - WH or maybe Ryanair
Nichols - Aintree

Makes sense to save Nichols Canyon for Aintree. Ran much better there last year and Mullins probably doesn't want him pestering Faugheen in the Champion (though in reality he'd probably just sit in behind him).

But surely it's what Mr Wylie wants,not what Mullins(or Walsh)wants,that should matter...I'd prefer to judge Nichols Canyon on his previous form and disregard how bad the last run looked,in any case.

Graham wylie says nicholls canyon goes CH 100%. "He will deffinately go to cheltenham"

Graham Wylie says almost certainly will run in the Champion Hurdle.

Thank god need some competition for Faugheen.

Imagine Wylie is very happy now that he's said to go for the Champion Hurdle

Catch Me ifyoucan  • November 1, 2015 12:24 AM GMT 
TAKE the 16's lads

Speedie recovery to Faughmachine, but this ante-post lark can sometimes work in your favour.

Not sure wylie will be that happy if AP is supplemented!!

Can see the race having no pace other than this lad! lead em down the hill then kick off the home bend rock on ruby style!

Exactly what I was thinking Budd.  Shafted potentially again.

... or if Ruby picks Arctic Fire.

Pressure being put on Wylie to agree World Hurdle route by all accounts

Ridiculous. Horse has been campaigned at 2M all season and has the best single piece of form, beating Faugheen.

Wylie needs to grow a pair and tell them to go forth and multiply. Same for the Black Hercules situation.

Getting out of hand this business now of accommodating a ride in every race for Walsh. Really hoping Mullins horses get stuffed all week.

Can't think for a minute they will have any chance of changing his mind now as 2 weeks ago with faugheen and artic fire still in the race he said they go for the champion!!... So would be crazy and also make him look very weak if they manage to make him go world now! So can't see it happening until next year but then again if he wins like I hope he does then they might have to try and defend the title lol

Would be nice to see some TV people putting some questions to Mullins and co about this ever growing situation.
Doubt any have the balls though.
Wheres Big Mac??

Considering what Mullins said after NC beat Faugheen,this could possibly be the worse of the various situations that have involved this lot in this antepost build up.
And that is saying something!!

People need to relax, it's less  than 5% chance he goes world hurdle. If you listen to the audio on twitter where he was interviewed yesterday evening he's talking tactics with nc in the champion and saying he dissapointed him last time but that wasn't him and everyone can have a bad day.
He's the only available horse left with a wh entry of course he'd be considering that in his mind. But in no way as he said he's anything likely to go there.
Before anyone mentions iv backed nc for ch.
Iv also backed for wh at 90.0  and 12s ew nrnb

Nothing to do with relaxing or whether its likely,its just one thing after another.

Just to be honest.....simply sick and tired of Mullins and co.

Yes budd is becoming a joke,plenty more to come as well.

World hurdle would be ridiculous after Wylie nominated Churdle when Faugheen & Arctic Fire were in.  Take them out and switches would be lunacy of the highest order.

It all depends how much sway Ruby Walsh has...I think he has a fair bit. Though I agree it would make little sense.

I had a few quid at 210s just to see how persuasive he is!

mr wylie said NC runs in ch maybe wh next year

mr wylie said NC runs in ch maybe wh next year

Was that very recent hunter, as been weak on exchanges for good while now.

Nichols Canyon has been left in the World Hurdle, but Annie Power taken out???

NC lost the Neptune for lack of stamina, he'll be pulled up long before the finish in the WH. Ruby will convince them all.. that he doesn't wants NC to pass him and AP.. :)

"Nichols Canyon would probably be too keen for the World Hurdle we think. We learned our lesson with Annie Power there. You need a horse that relaxes for that"
Diddnt think he would go there anyway but, that's what was just said.

I think it could be his target next year though.

With Faugheen and Arctic Fire back, and add Min or one of the Wylie Hills in as well, I think Nichols will have a staying campaign next year.

Whilst I like Top Notch, he is the most likely winner of the CH this year imo, and is very underrated.

Min and yorkhill go chasing. So I would assume min arkle. Yorkhill jlt.
But I won't be taking the risk and going in early.

Wise move Scooby!

STABLE TOUR: WILLIE MULLINS http://microsite.attheraces.com/cheltenham/profiles.aspx?hlid=561902

Last year he rounded off an excellent novice hurdling campaign with victory in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree. That was his third at that level, having earlier won the Royal Bond and Deloitte hurdles. But this season he has had to step up to the big time taking on the older horses and first time out he sprung quite a surprise to many when beating Faugheen (his only defeat over hurdles). For his next race we sent him to Leopardstown for the Ryanair Hurdle, which he won but it was a real battle for him. He had to dig as deep as he probably ever has on the heavy ground and in retrospect it took more out of him than we thought. Because on his next run he was well beaten by Faugheen. It wasn’t that he was beaten, because Faugheen was back to his best, but he never put up a fight, which is not like him. I have been happy with him since then and we are seriously considering either the Champion or World Hurdle for him, with the former more likely. We know better ground will suit him from his big runs last season, so if he can return to his best form he has to be a major player

Not surprised Mullins doesn't know his own horses, he has the biggest pack ever sent to Cheltenham. NC is better on soft ground not on better, his win in Deloitte on yielding ground is superior to the end of season form, beating the future Neptune winner by 3 lengths and his form this season on soft/heavy beating the Fighting Fifth winner and Faugheen is above anything else he's done so no, he'll be better with soft and it looks like he'll have a measure of it.

scooby91 • March 11, 2016 7:16 PM GMT
Min and yorkhill go chasing. So I would assume min arkle. Yorkhill jlt.
But I won't be taking the risk and going in early. slow down a bit

horses that stay further than 2 miles tend to do well in champion hurdles, like hardy eusteuce for example. that's why i think nichols has a great chance. in a race where there's not much between the runners, it could come down to who stays up the hill the best.

Thanks, Interesting  quote
Iv always been adamant he wants good national hunt ground to be seen at his best,
Imo in no way as he been seen to his best this season so far.
His runs at punchestown and aintree on gf and yielding ground are far superior to the performances on soft/heavy he put in against an over weight faugheen and identity thief.
Gd to soft would be perfect imo. And if it is There will be no excuses from me.

He's 3 pounds clear on RP scale(171) from Identity Thief(168) and even from Annie's allowance(168). Timeform underestimate him a lot and it'll be a sweet victory to show just how flawed they've become lately, I base my bets on their ratings and they are doing a poor job in comparison with other years, I don't know whats wrong with them but its frustrating what changes they've done internally(probably that sick timefigure upgrades/downgrades method maybe not been backtested thoroughly) I don't know but how can you have such a good horse 5 pounds below P&C and 9 lbs below AP?? Its ridiculous..

I hope NC wins, but he won't be carrying my money - I do not wish to put the mockers on it - because the two I had they fell by the wayside prior to the race already.

I kept the faith and with a bit better jumping would have been a good 2nd to a outstanding mare. Glad I kept the faith and he ran a blinder couldn't have theif turning it around and was very surprised to see so much cash come for the new one!

Hell of a race, and what a heart nicholls canyon has, very good effort imo and deserves a great amount of credit

yes mistake 2out and mistake last would've finished close 2nd. Expected more from IT but eventually the class G1 horses finished  the first 5 home so i'm happy with that, it would've been a horror if any of the Hargam or Campings etc were even in sight.

Yeah I said to my mate before the race and seeing the cash pile in for the new one that I would have been gutted if he won! But the best horses fought it out and finished in the 1st 3 and now no doubt we can look forward to nichols go up in trip for the world next year and as a few thought and the way he finished off the race today then he will have a great chance! But before then I fancy him for Aintree if they go for that and they keep Annie for punchestown! But after today and there antics with vautour God knows what there plans are lol

after what happened with Vautour, nothing is safe, not even Faugheen who might go WH instead of sending AP or instead of sending him chasing for GC. But back to The Canyon, I don't think he stays mate, I really don't, he's a specialist 2 miler who could win weaker affairs over 2 and half but his best is over 2 no doubt in my mind. If he stays over this distance he'll face many other good horses so they might go WH route with him who knows after what happened with Vautour..

Awesome performance by AP, with or without Faugheen, but will she race on next year being so fragile?

How much they cried today Ruby and RR I don't think they'll ever send her racing in such a race again, they'll be desperate if she loses so probably they'll retire her and make them babies.

again, confirmed not a freaking stayer, thats why he lost the Neptune. He's a flat horse who has high finishing speed so he'll struggle over trips longer than 2 and half or when faced against fastly run races over the minimum trip that put emphasis on stamina rather than speed, like he has encountered in his last 2 mile races.

He also jumped markedly to his right very early in todays race so the season might've taken its toll, they should've waited for P'town in hindsight. I wonder if Mullins will continue to experiment with him over further or will he just accept what he is and maybe send him back over flat.