Opinions are like arseholes -everyones got one. No doubt this will run all the way until the race and maybe after as well! The false pace scenario is looking more likely, or should I say an uneven one -
There will be a good gallop. Uneven possibly. But they will go a decent clip. With Jezki an unlikely winner I think Captain has to try to set it up for the Tent and he, of all the main hopes, might not want it too fast because of last year. The pace angle is going to be huge but we'll probably only realise what's truly happened post race.
Even without the injury in Ireland RTW is a grade 3 winner since. That's not quality form. I agree the Champion isn't really strong last year but still lbs better than the Neptune. The Supreme was a quality race. The second has won 2 grade ones since and the Betfair Hurdle on the snaff before the race. The third won a grade one NTO. The winner probably left his race at Cheltenham which is understandable. The fourth won a grade one NTO. I don't know what else you look for?
I just mean obviously the depth in behind Tent and Jezki was not strong at all. Have you got a particular fancy for this race Bob? PS on a side note, are the novice hurdlers wittled down a little bit with some sort of declaration stage tomorrow?
Christmas Hurdle was the strongest 2 mile race run this season, visually and on paper, by a mile, why look at last years novice form? My Tent was at home that day, TNO had only run 2 weeks earlier, had to take it up a long way out and still only a mistake at the last cost him the race. Back on his turf at Cheltenham and with a list of stats as long as your arm, and the hill against My Tent, hes a strong fav in my book. The Irish should sit this one out.
No, I don't have a strong fancy TC. I backed TNO last year at Cheltenham so I have 8/1 for a small bet. I've not put a penny on The Fly yet apart from a little acca that would change my life. I might back him on the day. Annie Power is the key to the race for me. You?
The New One for me- I was just annoyed he had to face a below par Rock On Ruby first up which just annihilated his price! Annie Power holds a lot of keys to the race if she turned up but I don't think she will. Something Willie Mullins has said (last year when quizzed around Quevega and the World Hurdle) has stuck with me ever since I watched the interview: "If you are fortunate enough to have a horse good enough to win any race at Cheltenham, you should go for it". Unfortunately, this means that as he already has the Fly, he will be sending Annie to the World Hurdle. I'd love him to have the balls to put her in against the Champion lot, but he will not. All I would say is that I fear Dessie Hughes and Our Conor. There is something about the way he has travelled these last two races that was terrifying. It would be interesting if they went a real clip and he just followed the pace like he did in the Triumph- if they get him rolling he might be the one horse who can do something sensational that we haven't yet seen this season. He was blatantly not fully fit for that first clash with Jezki and Hurricane but he was much much better last time. Only Dessie Hughes knows how much (if any) improvement there is to come but to get that close to Hurricane at Leopardstown is very promising, no matter what. Bit worried about STD/Dan Mullins vs Ruby Walsh, AP, and Barry though. Could that have an impact?
If he'd have turned up in 2011 the Irish would have emptied the bookies that day because if I remember correctly, with Binocular in the field there was some 11/2 about Hurricane that day **correction before Binocular was withdrawn a couple of days early I think?)
I was on Hurricane Fly large at 11/2 antepost for his first, was on large again at 11/4 antepost when he won his second. Was never much of a price the year he got beat but still backed him on the day. Hed be my lay of the meeting this time.
My view as well toppy -as MoG implores,trust your eyes, Our Connor is the one who may peak again next month in a manner that will take the breath away! Reebs I'm sure shares that view!!
1:40 to 1:44 [video=youtube;f26cWv4k5Lw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f26cWv4k5Lw[/video] Sorry, but I just cant take the opinion of anyone who did not witness that. To go through a gap in that manner, is just not of the bottle, she is the special one.
Why are you using a flat horse to back up your thoughts for a NH race Boris? Look at the form of the Diane - the 2nd and 3rd both won group ones either pre or post Diane. The 4th placed in 2 group ones and won a group 2 and 3 post Diane. What you've done is show us that Treve's Diane form is rock solid as she's beaten a load of group one winners. The New One in the Neptune, by comparison, has not.
whatever the why's and wherefore's it seems a strange analogy Treve and TNO --unless its the fact that MoG is just re iterating that his confidence is the same for both, he could well be right , equally he could be wrong, --really hope the race lives up to the expectation !
