Last year in mid feb I managed to stick up Bellvano for this race and he went and won the race as well which always helps, he seemed like the ideal candidate for the race and from a stable that love to win it so this year i thought how about another long term pop at that race with ahorse who seems made for it.
Hinterland was not a bad young hurdler but the stable always thought he would be a better chaser and he jumped brilliantly behind Simonsig previously, he travelled really well and was very accurate and will only improve with time over fences.
Currently he is rated at 148 and this may alter depending on what he does between now and the festival but if the stable do aim him at this race then it will surely be a low key novice or two for experience as they will need to protect the mark, he will certainly need a couple of runs for experience, he wont go in the arkle as that would be pointless with Captain Conan and Simonsig waiting to hoover that up.
That mark of 148 would of put Hinterland in last years race of 10st 12 which if its the same this year would give him a very workable mark and the stable can always try to get a horse in off top weight to help, mind you Hendersons stable may also throw a top weight in to keep the weights down.
The Nicholls yard may have to win a few more of the handicaps this year as Henderson looks like he is in poll position to win a lot of the big races so it maybe worth keeping an eye out for this horse when the markets open, much though will depend on his mark and what he does between now and the festival.
the grand annual has been a good race for me over the years usually a rating 129 to 136 and carrying no more than 10st 4lb will point you in right direction hinterland at 148 doesnt look attractive to me
the grand annual has been a good race for me over the years usually a rating 129 to 136 and carrying no more than 10st 4lb will point you in right direction hinterland at 148 doesnt look attractive to me
I backed Oiseau when it won .. but would need alot of help form the handicapper at the age of 11 to win this (is Clements still taking off 7?). Kumbeshwar would be interesting off 150 though as he ran with credit last year and seems improved . Its hard to say what will run and what Henderson will run will be difficult to work out . With the amount of good 2m chasers he has we may see him run a novice in the race.
I backed Oiseau when it won .. but would need alot of help form the handicapper at the age of 11 to win this (is Clements still taking off 7?). Kumbeshwar would be interesting off 150 though as he ran with credit last year and seems improved . Its ha
yes Legend it would . Hard to know what kind of rating he would get based on his chase form thus far .. somewhere in the low 140s i would think .. likely to run again for experience. Is he eligible for a rating now .. is the irish handicapper operating on the same criteria as ours ?
yes Legend it would . Hard to know what kind of rating he would get based on his chase form thus far .. somewhere in the low 140s i would think .. likely to run again for experience. Is he eligible for a rating now .. is the irish handicapper operati
Looking at Henderson it would be interesting to see of Petit Robin is entered and claimed off. It seems to retain all his ability and could be claimed off. That would see him run off under 150 . I am pretty sure he cant win off his handicap mark over hurdles now and i recall him going back over hurdles was to do with his mark not any trepidation following his injury , Randjani Express has scope off his mark but you would be chancing his ability to get round
Looking at Henderson it would be interesting to see of Petit Robin is entered and claimed off. It seems to retain all his ability and could be claimed off. That would see him run off under 150 . I am pretty sure he cant win off his handicap mark over
alderwood entered for the 2 grade one novice chases in ireland.not sure why he hasnt got a mark.jp usually has an unexposed chaser for the grand annual.
alderwood entered for the 2 grade one novice chases in ireland.not sure why he hasnt got a mark.jp usually has an unexposed chaser for the grand annual.
two who interest me are hazy tom and garynella the latter went out very quickly on his first run for david pipe but i think they expect him to be better than his current mark soft ground would suit whilst hazy tom would have a great chance for me on good
two who interest me are hazy tom and garynella the latter went out very quickly on his first run for david pipe but i think they expect him to be better than his current mark soft ground would suit whilst hazy tom would have a great chance for me on
Kid Cassidey for me, very similar to last years winner (not just same connections but also very quirky). Went off 4-1 favourite last year off a mark of 145 now on 143 and never put into any race yet this season, wouldnt be a surprise if the handbrake came off at the festival.
Kid Cassidey for me, very similar to last years winner (not just same connections but also very quirky). Went off 4-1 favourite last year off a mark of 145 now on 143 and never put into any race yet this season, wouldnt be a surprise if the handbrake