Horse Antepost
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How do we think this admirable mare will fare this season? Unbeaten in seven runs, and successful at grade 1 level when stepped up to 2.5 miles last time out, she looks a decent prospect.
Mullins doesn't seem to know how good she is (or so he says), and I'm wondering how she will be campaigned this season.
On the one hand, over 2 miles, Hurricane Fly has reigned supreme, and could dominate (at least in Ireland) again this season.
Over three miles (unknown trip for Annie Power thus far), there's Solwhit to reckon with, and Mullins of course also has Quevega to mop up the mares hurdle at Cheltenham (though she will be unlikely to run beforehand again).
So where will that leave Annie Power? Will she be targeted at the top 2 mile races, be upped to 3 miles, or simply be campaigned in the 2.5 mile events over in Ireland, then 'see how it goes' with Cheltenham in mind |(if indeed it is in mind for Mullins).
One to look forward to, but I can't see a clear plan for her.
Mullins doesn't seem to know how good she is (or so he says), and I'm wondering how she will be campaigned this season.
On the one hand, over 2 miles, Hurricane Fly has reigned supreme, and could dominate (at least in Ireland) again this season.
Over three miles (unknown trip for Annie Power thus far), there's Solwhit to reckon with, and Mullins of course also has Quevega to mop up the mares hurdle at Cheltenham (though she will be unlikely to run beforehand again).
So where will that leave Annie Power? Will she be targeted at the top 2 mile races, be upped to 3 miles, or simply be campaigned in the 2.5 mile events over in Ireland, then 'see how it goes' with Cheltenham in mind |(if indeed it is in mind for Mullins).
One to look forward to, but I can't see a clear plan for her.
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Hope she is campaigned with the Ch Hurdle in mind,but who knows??
Mullins might,but we probably wont know till March!!
Mullins might,but we probably wont know till March!!
The top 2 mile races in Ireland are no forgone conclusion for HF this season. Jezki was ultra-impressive on his last start and then there is Our Conor too.
I think it was briefly mentioned HF could be stepped up in trip, actually. Being by Montjeu there is plenty of stamina in his flat pedigree.
Has run over 2.5 in Ireland but can't see HF being kept over longer trips if he can still have another realistic crack at the Blue Riband hurdle race.
I wouldn't be surprised if HF is laid out for the Aintree Hurlde as his main target tbh. Increased prize money now and think he got a little fortunate with Soft ground in last years CH. Younger brigade should have too much speed for him this season.
Possibly, but he was maybe written off a bit last season too, and still came good on the day (and won me some decent money), so would not begrudge him another successful year.
The younger brigade all have to improve quite a lot to reach HF's standards (assuming his standard does not decline over the last year).
Why would a horse miss Cheltenham for Aintree if he prefers cut ?
Also why would the Champion Hurdle winner be campaigned over further when he wins everything on the bridle in Ireland. Will not know until he takes on the younger horses in Ireland so a bit early to speculate.
He was a little underestimated yes Joci but I suspect the likes of Our Conor,Jezki and any other improvers will provide a better challenge than Thousand Stars in Ireland this season. You would hope so anyway!
It should be interesting to see how the pecking order develops over there, and ultimately how it shapes up to the best of the home team.
wait til jezi hoses up on flat track and lay him like men for Cheltenham he don't like Cheltenham.
Maybe your right that he doesn't like Cheltenham Howdi, but he definitely doesn't need a flat track, having hosed up at Punchestown and Leopardstown in the past. In my opinion he goes round Cheltenham fine, just came up against two other top novices in the Supreme. I'm in Annie Power's corner at the moment, but I wouldn't discount Jezki.
they didn't give him a prep before the Supreme. Something the trainer needs to stop doing.
Un De Sceaux is another one who could be absolutely anything, I'd be more excited about him than Annie.
Watch the Hurricane dispose of Thousand Stars and Rock on Ruby at Punchestown and he's still the one to beat. Compare how close Thousand Stars got to The New One, and how he's failed to ever get the Hurricane off the bridle and you'll see a graphic demonstration of the gulf this year's novices have to bridge to become real contenders. Plenty look like contenders at this point, interesting to see how many do in March.
Take your point, though I would be tempted to take late season Punchestown form with a pinch of salt, after a long hard season for many. Would be good if HF can remain close to the top of his game this season though.
Few would argue that HF is still the one to beat but it is very mistaken to perceive a gulf to the young pretenders or dismiss them as not being real contenders!
The New One (for example) is a young horse still improving several pounds (on average 5) with every race and on official figures (which can be argued to under rate him by a pound or two) was no more than 10 pounds behind HF when last seen at Aintree. Given normal improvement it is likely that he is already a real contender to challenge HF and by next March there can be little doubt that he will be a serious match.
If the wheels do not fall off,I would confidently expect him to be shorter than the gallant HF come the festival. Time will tell!
The New One (for example) is a young horse still improving several pounds (on average 5) with every race and on official figures (which can be argued to under rate him by a pound or two) was no more than 10 pounds behind HF when last seen at Aintree. Given normal improvement it is likely that he is already a real contender to challenge HF and by next March there can be little doubt that he will be a serious match.
If the wheels do not fall off,I would confidently expect him to be shorter than the gallant HF come the festival. Time will tell!
Jezki now beaten twice at Cheltenham. I keep saying beware of false prophets!
Hr struggled to have the pace in March in a strongishly run race on soft, it won't be able to keep up on quicker ground in March 2014.
Horses normally lose some pace as they get older, and gain stamina with age so agree that they would be better off waiting to Aintree 2m 4 hurdle race.
But agree that that has no chance of happening though.
Horses normally lose some pace as they get older, and gain stamina with age so agree that they would be better off waiting to Aintree 2m 4 hurdle race.
But agree that that has no chance of happening though.
I'll be looking to get HF beat over 2miles this season for sure.
Our Conor has been taken out of the Irish Ces this weekend, a race in which they said they were going to run in. Interesting.
Our Conor has been taken out of the Irish Ces this weekend, a race in which they said they were going to run in. Interesting.
Unless he gets injured and is not ready for Cheltenham there is no way HF skips the Champion hurdle for Aintree - not a chance in hell of that happening.
If Our Conor is a serious Champion Hurdle contender it is crazy to be running him in the flat races being mentioned.
ANNIE POWER - she will become a public horse!!! this is the best horse in ireland - very bold statement i know but there is not a horse that can beat her in the races that will be hand picked for her by the best trainer! she will be long odds on for her races in ireland and you will only be able to get a price once she races at cheltenham festival! save your money for that day - then lump on
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