As Duffy said Unc, he never went a yard on Saturday - it wasn’t the run of a none-jigger. You can’t believe that they would run a multiple G1 winner, with potentially years left at the top, knowing he had a physical problem? For what? To pick up a few grand on here? I’ve said elsewhere that his SP probably wasn’t too far off his correct price anyway in a 2m chase of that quality.
Melon I agree with, they probably left it short of work with the CH in mind and knew it wouldn’t beat Faugheen. That’s the smelly one in my eyes and is rightly being looked at.

WC, I see what you’re saying. But it’s becoming a self-fulfilling prophesy with this lad. Because he jumped markedly right as a novice, I feel that every time he kinks out now it’s remarked upon. Every horse will chuck the odd one in (whisper it quietly but I’ve noticed a tendency for Samcro to carry his head a little to the right and duck that way at the odd flight - *puts on tin hat). I’m not the horses biggest fan by any means and no supporter of the stable, but he’s had two runs out of novice company, the first of which he appeared to get tired after a long lay off in a hot G1, the second you can put a line through. It’s not enough evidence for me to suggest a return to hurdles. They way he ran on Saturday he wouldn’t win an egg and spoon race anyway, so it’s fairly academic.

Amazing with hindsight to think this horse was around 7/1 for the Gold Cup just over a month ago.

All this talk of a physical problem. Maybe Yorkhill just wasn't himself in the run up but given a clear scope/blood tests they decided to run him anyway. Maybe he had a cough but again wasn't showing any signs of ill effect so scope/blood test fine. Maybe he was still bollocks after trying to make all over 3m on soft ground at Christmas. Not every problem is easily diagnosed and trainers will take chances more often then not.

Kevin Blake needs to **** or get off the pot. He's great for throwing out little nuggets to punters but rarely follows through. Now he's saying he heard both Melon and Yorkhill were not working well before the race but didn't want to cause a stir and say it on ATR. Well then why was he talking Yorkhill up like he was unbeatable. Was he the one laying him? Tired of Blake thinking he's the punters hero.

What I'd say to that is (and I, like most, like Blake) if you're not going to mention it before, then don't mention it after either.

^ interesting thoughts in last few posts

I know horses seem to reappear later and later these days but It did cross my mind that the fact Yorkhill did n't reappear until Dec 28 suggested all has not been not well for a while.

However, Mullins RP stable tour from Nov 20 stated that Yorkhill was in great order, working well and Mullins was happy with him and looking forward to getting him started.

I would n't be surprised if Melon still runs a big race in the Champion Hurdle. With Yorkhill ,as things stand, I'd be surprised if he even runs at the Festival.

For what race impossible

Good knows what happened to the horse.

you sure 7/1 is nrnb?

Thats good then.

Really?
Where you hear that?

So more like a guess than a statement!

in his opinion id say !

The silence about the well-being of this horse is getting increasingly deafening as the days inch towards Cheltenham despite only with two targets left ie Ryanair or Champion Hurdle. In another week or soon, if still no news, an unlikely participant I'd think. Let's hope he shows up give his already proven potential in the Neptune and JLT the previous Festivals.

Looks like he's going to run in the Champion Hurdle according to reports coming from Mullins' media day today.

It will if Yorkhill aint totally fookin confused over what trip and whether its fences or hurdles and races to his full potential. Champion Hurdle should have been his target straight after Cheltenham/Aintree as a novice hurdler.

It would be a brave man who backs Yorkhill in any race following his last run, let alone a Champion Hurdle with no prep. I'd want double figure prices before even considering getting involved.
On his best hurdles form I suppose he would be another one in with a squeak of a place, but I've not seen anything that would suggest he can beat the favourite.
As a Melon backer, however, this isn't the best news as obviously they don't rate that ones chances (same would go for Faugheen) if they're prepared to fire this desperate looking dart at the race.

Come on Des, watch that Neptune again, can't you see the wow factor from him, it's there man, don't worry about the ins and outs of the form, visually it's poetry how he shot around that home bend and finished the race in a matter of strides...that's all still there

Personally the decision was made in the lead up to the Dublin fes of racing imo. If they get the real Yorkhill back then who knows what will happen. Think of it the other way would you be happy to bet Beuveir D'Air at odds on

I think BD would go off slight odds against if both Faugheen and Yorkhill turn up. I think the "possible" prospect of one of those two running a proper race will work its way into the market.

There's zero chance Ruby would ride Yorkhill ahead of Faugheen, and Yorkhill's chance is seriously compromised by him not riding as he's the only one capable of getting the horse settled.