Only thing relevant here is that if it happens, what a FANTASTIC clash it would be. Sprinter Sacre and Flemenstar are the top two jumpers of a fence in racing at the moment. Sprinter has an amazing engine and will win but it will be some sight to watch them jumping fence for fence for the first half of the race or so. Cue Card has a superb turn of foot on him but his jumping isn't as good as these guys, although last two starts he has been very good.
Flemenstar is overrated and Cue Card. You must be joking. A horse that avoided Sprinter and now won't run over 2miles because of one horse. I don't blame them but I don't see why anyone thinks he's capable of giving him a race.
I'm not saying that. Just makes me laugh that you lot seem to think he'll be threatened by a horse that's already lost to him and who's subsequently ducked him and who's connections are already saying they might avoid him at Aintree and a horse that has lost his last couple of runs. People were saying this nonsense about Sanctuaire and I said the same then.
Flemenstar is overrated? Apparently he blatantly doesnt stay 3 miles yet still only got beaten 1/2 a length in the strongest lexus chase for a long time and then gets beaten a length by the gold cup second when he wasnt right......
No-one is saying Flemenstar and CC could give SS a race.Personally i think he will totally annihilate the pair over any distance.But come on, SS has to race something!!And these are currently the only horses that could potentially get within 20 lengths of the Phenomenon.
The owners of Flemenstar and Cue Card do not have to race Sprinter. It would be for everyone else's benefit to run against him but risks everything for them. They all can lead so what if Sprinter breaks Cue Card and Flemenstar? Denman almost finished himself beating Kauto. There's no reason to say these two couldn't do something similar to themselves. The only reason I'd do it as an owner was if the prize money was more for second than for winning alternative grade ones.
Agree with Boston Bob re Sprinter Sacre, Flemenstar won't even beat Cue Card nevermid trouble SS. It will be as much of a competition as Barcelona v Acrington Stanley. Disagree about Denman, he was born with a heart issue, he did not develop it in his demolition job of Kauto Star, and ofcourse Neptune Collonge who shared a photo for 2nd. It was always going to catch up with him sooner or later
When I first heard the news that there was the possibility that Sprinter Sacre could be stepped up to 20 furlongs I must admit my initial reaction was similar to that of old girl Amy Winehouse that time she was told she had to go to Rehab as I cried, ‘No, no, no!’. Racing is littered with horses who’s connections have unwisely tried to up them beyond their natural distance only to completely, at a stoke, ruin the horses career in the process. You would also have to fear that Sprinter Sacre running beyond 16 furlongs would result in his speed being blunted and him therefore losing his most effective weapon. But then I realised who am I, a mere mortal, a simple country boy, to dare question the training policy of Mr Henderson, the forum’s favourite trainer. A man for whom the word greatness was invented for. As they say round my way, ‘In Mr Henderson we trust’ and therefore if he opts to go to Aintree with the horse I am happy to support him. Cue Card and Fleminstar are both decent steeds but people if the Black Aeroplane proves as effective at 20 furlongs as he has done at the old minimum then he will remain bally, and I do mean bally, unbeatable. The only possibly way he would be beaten would be if the Geraghty lad had another case of ‘brain fade’ and steered him onto the National course.
I was looking at the ante-post prices for this years King George ("VI Chase" not "& Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes") and cor blimey Mr Henderson has the first 4 in the betting - Sprinter Sacre, Bobs Worth, Simonsig and Long Run that's some line up (although I don't think Bobs Worth will ever run in, never mind win, a King George)
Wasn’t aware of that Oddy. Personally, I’d love to see Long Run get the hat-trick up on St Stephen’s Day. Cor blimey and what a day of celebration that would be on here what with his connections being the forum’s favourite Corinthian and, of course, the forum’s favourite trainer. I would have thought that Bob’s Worth would go for the Lexus whilst I wouldn’t really be that keen on seeing either of the other pair head to Kempton Park over Christmas – unless Simonsig went for the Grade 2 Desert Orchid race. Unless Sprinter Sacre did go to Aintree and confirm his stamina for 20 furlongs and beyond surely his programme will look much the same as that of 2012/13.
Sprinter over 2 and a half on a flat track might really be something special. When he extends over the 2m at the end of his races he is going further and further clear. I'm not so sure Cue Card would beat Flemenstar. Flemenstars form is now looking much stronger after Sir Des Champs' excellent run in the Gold Cup. IMO Flemenstar is the best jumper of a fence I have seen all season bar Sprinter Sacre, he has a good cruising speed, takes lengths out of rivals at fences, and relishes 2 and a half miles. He will beat Cue Card convincingly if they were to meet, and I am one of Cue Cards biggest fans. Remember that for about 2.8 miles, Flemenstar had made Sir Des Champs, First Lieutenant, and Tidal Bay look like poor, poor jumpers, and it was beginning to look like a case of how far he won by. Had they have let him bowl along and not incessantly taken a pull, he'd have been 10-15 clear turning in. (He may have emptied even quicker though ) but the point is over 2 and a half round a flat Aintree against a Cue Card who has had two high class big races in the last few weeks, he really should have the edge. Remember as well that Cue Card winning distance in the Ryanair is flattered by First Lieutenants horrible blunder a couple of fences from home. Will be very interested to see how it was priced up between the two should they meet.
