Cheltenham Festival
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Altior
Altior
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You could argue, Prem, that there have been a fair few horses in the last 10 years that have got to Christmas of their novice chase seasons with very similar (or even potentially better) profiles, than Douvan at that stage of his career.
Al Ferof beat Sprinter And Cue card in his Supreme and had a couple of odds on victories in Nov Chases. Champagne Fever beat Jezki and MTOY in his and was winning at long odds on early in that season. Peddlers Cross, Neptune winner, came close to The Fly in a CHurdle and was winning novice chases at long odds on. Un De Sceaux, again big hurdle rating and emphatic novice chase victories. He's the only one of these 4 that went on to win an Arkle. You wouldn't find many wanting to back them over two miles, even at their peak against a peak Douvan once in open company. All the early potential in the world doesn't guarantee anything. I, like most here, hope that Altior is a superstar - but he has a way to go before he proves that. Winning the Arkle would be a start. |
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I maybe a little late into the debate but having just watched the supreme 2016 for the first time since when it was live in no way imo was min inconvenienced by his mistake at the 3rd flight! He simply did not stop nor did he lose any ground.
On the injury argument I'm not buying that either as if even a hint of anything Walsh would most certainly have pulled him up. I can see no reason for any injury incurred during the supreme also be the cause for his defeat next time at punchestown! He would have incurred a cut (s) to his hind legs at worst going on the mistake. It didn't stop him. |
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I thought they had confirmed he sustained an injury in the race? Don't see any reason they would lie tbh.
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Min didn't run at punchestown after the supreme seethestars?
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RR quote:
"He was electric and I have rarely seen Ruby so animated on the run in. While we were beaten in the Supreme last year I think he had to race and battle for arguably his first time, and as we know suffered a season ending injury mid race. He has demonstrated a tractability and intelligence over fences that I don’t think we saw last season and has really grown up. Touch wood, he will probably go to Leopardstown again for the Frank Ward Arkle before Cheltenham and another battle with Altior who looks exceptional and is a deceptively big horse who really fills the eye – it’s easy to see why they went chasing with him. We have a bit to find with him but they both look better chasers than hurdlers and we are looking forward to taking him on again.” |
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Indeed, i was mixing Limini's form up with Min's
 how embarrassing lol   |
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Arkle is the only festival target for Altior. However, Min has two ie Arkle and the JLT, I wonder why the JLT given Altior's only possible reroute is the Champion Hurdle.
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i see min not running sunday..strange
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Willie Mullins says Min has banged a knee. Not serious & had even declared him initially this morn, but decided to err on side of caution.
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I hope Altior wins handsomely on saturday in the Game Spirit Chase, if not, he could be Champion Hurdle bound, I suspect.
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Is this running in the Game Spirit on Saturday - nobody looking to back it on the exchange . Hendo worried about the ground or the opposition ?
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He's tackling seasoned chasers for the 1st time eg Dodging Bullets, Fox Norton and Traffic Fluide.
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dunno, but he went to the festival without a run after Kempton's Christmas Meeting last season and he's by High Chaparral, so flat bred, same sire as Hadrian's Approach who Henderson always says wants good ground.
Tizzard is unlikely to duck the race with Fox Norton. So, he has his excuses (reasons) not to run all lined up. Though they might have put him in the Kingmaker but they did n't. |
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I think the ground under the covers will be tacky which Henderson wont want him to go in - why risk him on wrong ground for a lesser race with the Arkle just round the corner on spring ground . Warwick is usually fairly filthy ground as well at this time of year -look what happened to L'ami Serge in last years Kingmaker .
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Henderson says on Twitter that he'll be declared which is obviously not the same as saying he's going to run. I expect they'll walk the course after the covers have been lifted and maybe even wait for feedback on the ground after the first couple of races - although they're both on the hurdles course.
I think Henderson thinks like you do Minger - I was surprised that he pulled O O Seven out at Cheltenham on New Year's Day because he ran perfectly fine on heavy ground in the Tolworth last season but I think he sees more effort and risk in the energy expended jumping out of bad ground over fences. |
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Henderson is scared to run his horses. Lost his bottle a long time ago and any excuse he can dream up to withdraw a horse he will
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Rather see him go straight to Cheltenham he's 2/5 now for arkle I back him at £100 to win any race at Cheltenham 5/1
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It is running!!
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Win or lose, I hope he come thro' this race well.
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MACHINE
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Machine with a brain - he is so clever!!!!!!!
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That was superb so slick
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Won't beat Douvan IMO, but he should be in the race trying to.
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should just go straight for QMCC
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That jump at the last
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bit of a weapon ,that altior fella !
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think he may well turn douvan over next year
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He's beaten seasoned chasers as a novice. Has Douvan done that? Douvan skipped the Tingle Creek but instead ran in a mickey-mouse Grade 1 race stating at 1/8.
Should Altior meet Douvan (I hope he turns up) in the Tingle Creek at Kempton later this year my money will be on Altior despite lacking experience compare to Douvan; Altior is just so classy and clever. |
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He will win the Arkle then get wrapped up in cotton wool for a year to meet Douvan in 2018. Can't wait already
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Had to take the 10's on here post race, there's going to be a massive urge to go for it with him and he'll be a very strong 2nd fav, worth the chance.
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Just had £400 @ 3/1 NRNB, as he will only run if Douvan doesn't.
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Not according to Hendo immediately post race; I think the Tingle Creek is the one to back him against SDR, Ar Mad or even Douvan (if connections do not duck it).
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Why on earth would you run him in a QMCC? Enjoy him winning the Arkle. It's still a very prestigious race.
Got next year to beat Douvan. |
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hendo had the aeroplane now hes got the rocket !
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anything can happen !
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NRNB is the smart play as he is very unlikely to take on Douvan at this stage when the Arkle is his for the taking.
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The Tingle creek at Kempton will be a rare one alright!
Wold win this year's champion hurdle on the bridle |
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3/1 nrnb is an enterprising bet: should he go he'll be shorter at about 7/4; so Douvan go awol in the CC he'll 1/1 or less on the day.
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My average bet is much smaller than you guys here, so it's purely to take a decent freeroll, should the very unlikely scenario transpire.
Just saw it as a chance to get a free shot at a grand. |
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he can go Arkle and have a shot @ Douvan @ Punchestown?
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