that the young pretender takes on the old guard of established hurdlers and puts his credentials firmly on the line. The great and the good of this forum doubted his ability to win at Cheltenham and now they doubt him for Aintree. Maybe after this day they will doubt no more! If I am wrong I shall man up and take it. If I am right you people can form an orderly queue. Doubters, you know who you are!
I was a big fan of this horse until he got beat that day before Cheltenham, I couldnt have him winning at Cheltenham after that but in hindsight, there was no disgrace in getting beat by At Fishers Cross on that ground. Very much with him today, 7/2 about a 6/4 shot in my book.
Have had a good bet on TNO today. Let's hope he produces the goods, he obviously is an exceptional horse in prospect, lets see him deliver today. Goodluck men.
Im with you Stick so i hope its no jinx for you as im not exactly cooking on gas at the mo... Its a tough race to call and im having a little bit on Zarkandar, as he owes me nowt, purely on sentiment... We do that dont we...
I have had an each way bet on Zarkandar who seems the forgotten horse to me. He s tough and game and wont be lying down today... Ruby will be working some magic with this fella !
I'm amazed with the support for this horse, particularly from a couple of shrewd judges like Stick and Joe. Il take the stick if I'm wrong, but I'm fairly confident that The New One won't be winning today
I'd like to see some stats for Novices stepping up into all age races at the highest level. I remember Rhinestone Cowboy trying it in the 2003 Champion Hurdle, that didn't come off too well.
Good luck. You've convinced me. I've had a point on him at 8's for next years Champion Hurdle instead of bothering with today.
I just love this horse, but i didnt honestly think that he would get up to beat The New One... Glad i did have a punt on him now, even though i had a bit of The New One later on... Though you have done your money on him today Stick, youve had a lot of fun with him so far... As youve said before, he made your Cheltenham... Has to be a live contender for the Champiopn Hurdle next year, just as Bob has posted...
Get Paddy Brennan back Nigel, Sam was all over the shop in the finish there, tactically not there with the top boys either, his horse got him out of trouble at Cheltenham, convinced a top jockey would have won on The New One there, clearly the class horse in the race.
He got him beat by At Fishers Cross too Boris. I am a little disappointed today as I honestly thought he would brush these aside.
Don't think that'll happen Joe, blood is thicker than water at the end of the day. Paddy Brennan is better ATM, but STD isn't a bad young jockey. It's not as bad as the likes of Sam Waley Cohen and Joseph Obrien getting good rides, who are both very poor jockeys
Being a little hard on young Sam there I reckon. If he'd have won you'd be saying how well he timed it.
Hes different class to SWC shergar, and he will be a good jockey for years to come but he is nowhere near the best yet, that was my only worry today, if it wasnt for that horses gear change he could have been in big trouble just before turning in at Cheltenham, he got away with it because the horse was much the fastest, you cant afford things like that at the top level. He didnt do an awful lot wrong today, but it was hardly a canny ride, that mistake early on didnt help, think it maybe set the horse alight a bit and he was always just a tad wide and too much daylight. You give anyone the pick of those horses and 100% are taking the second.
The New One ran very well losing nothing in defeat and still will remain an exciting horse to look forward to having a season aimed at the CH next year. Zarkandar stole it really but he did what he had to do it was up to the rest to get past, good ride by Rupert again. Sore one on the pocket for me but life goes on, tomorrow is another day.
You did well Pops... I too, had a bit of Zarkandar, but i came round to thinking that The New One would win so im happy to be wrong n right... Stick had belief in his horse and it came up short... You had your thoughts and you won... Its just a game of opinions in the end... Did you back Zarkandar in the Champion like i did...??? I had him kippered up in AP bets to a near fortune in returns for me... But he came short... I lost... Plus i didn't have owt on sticks pick for his win at Cheltenham... That's how it goes... You win some, you lose some...
