Just under two weeks to go till the start of Xmas.
Always a great race and this years renewal could be a cracker. Altior will be warm order and is obviously hard to beat but I think he could be vulnerable around Sandown as he’s getting older. Both Saint Calvados and Sceau Royal will fancy their chances now they have a run under their belt. If either are to beat Altior this will be their best opportunity. Sceau Royal has already proven himself around Sandown and e/w 3 places around 9/2 is a decent bet as I think the race could cut up to 5 or 6 runners.
twonky • November 22, 2018 10:00 AM GMT If Might Bite is reminiscent of practically ever other top class 3rd season Henderson chaser, then his best days are behind him. The record of gold cup winners fto the following season is poor so he's off the list which leaves BDM, who's 3/3 at Haydock by a total of 111 lengths. He put up the best form figure last season of any horse over 3m and will be primed for this as all his best form is before Xmas. Admittedly softer ground would be better, but he has some decent form on gs.
nocturnal • November 22, 2018 12:29 PM GMT Insightful Twonky
Ahoy 1982 • November 25, 2018 8:56 AM GMT Very interesting as regards Hendersons 3rd season chasers Teonky! Can you give many examples? Obviously sprinter bucked the trend.
twonky • November 26, 2018 10:23 AM GMT Ahoy1982
I can't take credit for the Henderson post as it was in a book I read a few years ago, proberley prior to Sacre Sprinter..the book was basically about the traits of certain trainers, saying mainly they were creatures of habit. A few that I remember were to back Geoff Wragg 2yos 2nd time out over 5 or 6f, Roger Charlton maidens having their 2nd run at York and the Henderson one.
Regarding Sprinter Sacre, you are correct, but in all honesty, his comeback year was not a stellar one for 2 milers which is proofed by his rpr's to his best days. Now regarding Might Bite, to me his run was not surprising. What was disappointing was the comments by connections and blaming the fences, when in reality on the whole his jumping was no worse than the other 4 in the race, until push came to shove and he was taken out of his comfort zone and he reverted back to his novice days, which should be alarming for anyone thinking of betting him at Kempton.
I have no idea as to why his chasers act in this way, when his hurdlers can maintain their form for longer. Ims, the cut off point for his top class chasers was 4/5 grade 1 wins. Next up is Altior, who is a 3rd season chaser and has 5 grade 1s to his name and if the Henderson theory runs true, then he must be taken on this season.
twonky, an interesting angle
twonky • November 22, 2018 10:00 AM GMT If Might Bite is reminiscent of practically ever other top class 3rd season Henderson chaser, then his best days are behind him. The record of gold cup winners fto the following season is poor so he's off the
Un De Sceaux reportedly likely to turn up......could be as good as the Fighting Fifth last week.
Very tempted ew first 3 on Sceau Royal & St Calvados, and hope the bad weather puts paid to the Irish crossing over........and we get 4 or 5 runners.
Un De Sceaux reportedly likely to turn up......could be as good as the Fighting Fifth last week.Very tempted ew first 3 on Sceau Royal & St Calvados, and hope the bad weather puts paid to the Irish crossing over........and we get 4 or 5 runners.
UDS could be this race bound (again) similarly last year except rerouted to a non-entity race back home in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork at the last minute despite no Altior then. But this year more likely to turn-up here even in the presence of Altior (betting market suggests that too) as Mullins have Great Field (McManus) and Min (Ricci),...playing 2nd fiddle again to the big owners?
UDS could be this race bound (again) similarly last year except rerouted to a non-entity race back home in the Hilly Way Chase at Cork at the last minute despite no Altior then. But this year more likely to turn-up here even in the presence of Altior
Great race. Love Altior and hope hes impressive. Love UDS as well,and hope he runs a big race.Will have conditions by the looks of it. Calvados and SR are no slouches either. Cant wait!!
Great race.Love Altior and hope hes impressive.Love UDS as well,and hope he runs a big race.Will have conditions by the looks of it.Calvados and SR are no slouches either.Cant wait!!
I also love UDS but can’t have him today against Altior or the two youngsters. I still think one of the new kids will win today with fitness a massive advantage over ratings.
I just hope Sceau finishes in the first 3 for my antepost bet
I also love UDS but can’t have him today against Altior or the two youngsters. I still think one of the new kids will win today with fitness a massive advantage over ratings.I just hope Sceau finishes in the first 3 for my antepost bet
Sceau Royal not good enough, Un De Sceaux was possibly good enough but not now, Saint Calvados flatters to deceive. Lot of media hype about a one horse race.
Sceau Royal not good enough, Un De Sceaux was possibly good enough but not now, Saint Calvados flatters to deceive. Lot of media hype about a one horse race.
I think UDS is too long in the tooth this year; the ground is to his liking, but the turn-out could be too insurmountable. H should have won it last year if given the opportunity, I firmly believe.
I think UDS is too long in the tooth this year; the ground is to his liking, but the turn-out could be too insurmountable. H should have won it last year if given the opportunity, I firmly believe.
It doesn't get ayny better than that , the magnificent UDS doing everything he could to beat Altior .
That is the type of race that ratings should come.
It doesn't get ayny better than that , the magnificent UDS doing everything he could to beat Altior .That is the type of race that ratings should come.
Visually impressive,Altior is a wonderful horse,racing needs superstars,he,s right up there.
Not difficult to argue that was his worst performance in recent times.
4 seconds slower than the novice chase run an hour earlier,against an ageing rival running at a trip arguably short of his best.
He was entitled to win that well yesterday,just how fit he was we do not know,he remains full of potential at a variety of distances,just how good is he ?
Did we see two top class novice chasers in that Henry V111,time will tell.
Never going to happen.....but
2 miles,cheltenham,good to soft......Altior v Buveur Dair
A re-run of their meeting in the supreme as young horses,what a race that would be,who wins ?
Interesting reading.Visually impressive,Altior is a wonderful horse,racing needs superstars,he,s right up there.Not difficult to argue that was his worst performance in recent times.4 seconds slower than the novice chase run an hour earlier,against a
Over fences 100% it will be Altior, and possibly hurdles too on the Supreme running; Buveur D'Air just ain't as good over fences as hurdles despite winning two.
Over fences 100% it will be Altior, and possibly hurdles too on the Supreme running; Buveur D'Air just ain't as good over fences as hurdles despite winning two.
Aye,that would be my stance too,Hendo glows talking about this horse,rightly so.
Where does he rank in the stables long line of top class horses?
Think I might go to the Queen Mother this year, just to see him,worth the admission alone.
Evening FoylesAye,that would be my stance too,Hendo glows talking about this horse,rightly so.Where does he rank in the stables long line of top class horses?Think I might go to the Queen Mother this year, just to see him,worth the admission alone.
If it was a match Altior wins every time in my mind as he sits behind and surges home after the last but if there was something setting a gruelling gallop for both of them from the start Buveur D’Air would do it with faster hurdling. It’s an interesting question as I think it’s helpful to try and envisage how any race might pan out - easier with just the two though.
If it was a match Altior wins every time in my mind as he sits behind and surges home after the last but if there was something setting a gruelling gallop for both of them from the start Buveur D’Air would do it with faster hurdling. It’s an inte
hi noc i did reply earlier but it seems i put my reply on a different thread ,think he rates up there with the best hendo has trained ,i reckon he could be a good 7-10 lb better than his rating
hi noc i did reply earlier but it seems i put my reply on a different thread ,think he rates up there with the best hendo has trained ,i reckon he could be a good 7-10 lb better than his rating