This race is all about IC and he takes all the beating, but as the old saying goes you should never be afraid of taking on one horse.
After the Arkle, all talk was about him being a top class staying chaser, but HJH gave up on that and I'm not sure why. Lets face it Howard has p!ssed about with TD at various trips/hurdles/chases etc.
In the Rowland Merrick, he got beat giving plenty of weight to the winner and also Cloudy Lane (who won next time)and State of Play who went on to run well in the National. In hindsight this was a solid effort on his first try in a 3m chase.
He then flopped in heavy ground behind Joe Lively at Cheltenham, but ground was sh!t that day.
After that he's never been tried in a 3mile chase since, and I just can't help but think this is what he and his jumping wants.
At shorter trips he's a bit outpaced (Ryan Air and at Aintree season 08/09)and he makes jumping errors. Last season he was a close 2nd behind Monets on his seasonal debut (no mean feat that) and then he fooked up behind Deep Purple.
HJH gave up on chasing and he's ran over hurdles ever since. In his hurdle races he showed he still retained ability at staying trips, but obviously not good enough for Big Bucks but who is.
There are others to consider in the race, but I can't help but think 28/1 is way too big and offers value. HJH is in decent form, and a few of his runners are improving for a run.
I think he's the type of horse to back when he's a big price (Cheltenham last January) and swerve at a short price (Cheltenham in March). I also think he's probably best fresh as he's quite quirky. On balance he shouldn't win but at the prices I can see where you're coming from.
I think he's the type of horse to back when he's a big price (Cheltenham last January) and swerve at a short price (Cheltenham in March). I also think he's probably best fresh as he's quite quirky. On balance he shouldn't win but at the prices I can
freakishly talented, talented freak - won an Arkle (by about 13l if I remember rightly)and now staying on so stoutly over 3m that poster above muses about a National bid.
He's always had the high head carriage so that might be red herring - bit of a pattern getting behind and running on now which is why people think he's a monkey - just wonder if it's a muscle or joint issue and something hurts him until he gets warm.
Theory based on human body (mine!) admittedly but you never know.
freakishly talented, talented freak - won an Arkle (by about 13l if I remember rightly)and now staying on so stoutly over 3m that poster above muses about a National bid.He's always had the high head carriage so that might be red herring - bit of a p