If you take the Supreme form at face value then Prospect Wells is as reasonably treated as Darlan. He would certainly be suited by a faster pace to aim at but whilst I can see him going close of this mark in future handicaps, he may be vulnerable at this early stage to improvers that have had less opportunity to show their ability. That said he has been raised by 4 for the future.

Not sure I have seen too many from PFN turn out so quickly but if he were to pitch up, 32 seriously underestimates his chance

Menorah did win the race off 151 and top weight, like Darlan will try to do. But Menorah had won the Supreme, demonstrating an aptitude for the course, and he was double the price of Darlan. Menorah's Supreme was probably stronger as well, and Darlan could well go off at 2/1, making him a third of the price of Men. Darlan is far far too short in my book.

I think Kazlian and Vendor are the lurkers here.

It is certainly true that the juice is now gone out of Darlans price. It is also true that his current odds are lobsided in relation to Prospect Wells odds. However, it is an error to decide to just look at the one piece of form from March and to take it literally and deduce it means there is little bewteen them. For starters Darlan got a terrible ride and was much wider all the way than PW. Also, the Aintree raced confirmed Darlan a far superior horse as has the subsequent formline with Zarkander. Absolutely all evidence suggests Darlan to be a significantly superior animal. Maybe not as much as the prices suggest but everything still points to the Henderson horse having a big edge.

I also must seriously question the suggestion that Menorah, by winning the Supreme Novices had shown an aptitude for the course but Darlan hasn't because he only came second in the same race? Look at the race again. There is absolutely nothing to suggest that the horse was in any way inconvenienced by the downhill as he travelled fluently in a good rhythm through this section. He also finished better than everything with the exception of the winner who will very likely go on to become a 165+ horse this year (personally I think he will be 170 and win the Champion) according to his shrewd trainer who should know, especially as he has Overturn to compare with. So yeah, again nothing but strong evidence that he will have no problems with the Cheltenham hill. He got a terrible ride last March, wide all the way, especially rounding the last bend where he lost several lengths. He ran a cracker in the circumstances and must emerge with great credit.

P.S. To be fair to AP it is possible he took a wide berth as the horse was young and had taken a horrible fall at Newbury and he wanted to give him sight of the hurdles. However, it wouldn't be the first time AP has lost a lot of ground by riding Cheltenham poorly.

Yeh,very interesting.
I am of the view that the Supreme wont add up to much this season and will swerve the likes of Darlan and Cinders and Ashes early on this season.
Therefore on Sunday i shall be looking lower in the weights for the likely winner.

Bud ,

I think cinders will surprise a few people this year - very open champion hurdle but want him in my stable

I'm doing my brains on ch already - had 80 on zark at 14.5 but laid it off at similar price as thought pw would win sat and odds may go up ! Now in on c and a and nipping at darlan - I reckon ditching top 6 would prob make money but ..... I'm a huge h fly fan so hope he fires thus year but won't be getting involved ap just yet .

Any thoughts / opinions on rsa ? I know it is off topic

Regards

think there are a lot of potentially closely matched runners in here & the Irish contingent need consideration

Forget that... still deciding. I misread my text!

Yep I was very surprised when I misread it! Although I did think it might make sense to get a decent claimer on Darlan to ease the weight. But at the end of the day, JP will decide.

The horse is only supposed to carry 11-12 Liam.

JP Magnier always available. 7lb off but like a penalty of a few stone.

^ Actual LOL here..very good SD

Dark Lover won well at the last meeting but it was a pretty poor race.
Up 11lb,in a much stronger contest and fairly quick 2nd run after a massive lay off. Too many negatives for me.

So no Its A Gimme. PW declared with Harry onboard - hope you took the 32 on offer bazz.

G/l bazz. I might play him e/w but will wait on ground. The more rain that comes, the less he will prefer it.

So what have you chosen for PP?

Sorry all Darlan backers....but go on Nicky pull him out

Racing Post ‏@Racing_Post
Darlan a "serious doubt" for ther Racing Post Hurdle says Nicky Henderson. Decision in morning. Cash And Go and Captain Conan definitely run

CCM sold cash and go iirc

darlan won't run according to sportinglife website

I have to say in terms of PR, what PP have done re refunding Darlan AP bets is first class.

I still think that Darlan will be better served running in the Fighting Fifth anyway.

Yes uncle lost a bit on Olofi last year and also giving him another chance along with Bothy, think their experience on the ground could also be important. Small e/w to back up Cash and Go - don't worry you'll have a better day tomorrow