Annie virtually confirmed for World Hurdle
- Thread starter Ron
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Sad news!
Ricci had an opportunity to achieve something special- the possibility of a unique achievement and an unbeaten mare winning the Champion Hurdle. With her 7 lbs pull and obvious improvement/scope, she would have been the second highest rated horse in the race- and she'd have loved that final climb to the line.
What will victory- or defeat- tell us in the World Hurdle?
If she beats Big Bucks, we won't know if she's beaten the Big Bucks of old- or if he's just not the same great horse he was previously.
If Big Bucks does come back to somewhere near his best and beats her (and we won't know that for sure), then Ricci might be haunted forever by the thought it would have been easier to beat good Champion Hurdle horses than overcome the greatest stayer in history.
Would Ricci have made the same decision two years ago when Big Bucks was at his best? Maybe, but it would have been the wrong decision then, and it's the wrong decision now.
A possible scenario is that Annie wins and Big Bucks runs poorly. Then the relatively hollow victory would be meaningless when compared with a possible Champion Hurdle victory.
A very disappointing and unenterprising decision.
Ricci had an opportunity to achieve something special- the possibility of a unique achievement and an unbeaten mare winning the Champion Hurdle. With her 7 lbs pull and obvious improvement/scope, she would have been the second highest rated horse in the race- and she'd have loved that final climb to the line.
What will victory- or defeat- tell us in the World Hurdle?
If she beats Big Bucks, we won't know if she's beaten the Big Bucks of old- or if he's just not the same great horse he was previously.
If Big Bucks does come back to somewhere near his best and beats her (and we won't know that for sure), then Ricci might be haunted forever by the thought it would have been easier to beat good Champion Hurdle horses than overcome the greatest stayer in history.
Would Ricci have made the same decision two years ago when Big Bucks was at his best? Maybe, but it would have been the wrong decision then, and it's the wrong decision now.
A possible scenario is that Annie wins and Big Bucks runs poorly. Then the relatively hollow victory would be meaningless when compared with a possible Champion Hurdle victory.
A very disappointing and unenterprising decision.
She hadnt a hope in the Champion Hurdle, her best chance of winning was the mares hurdle, she has a chance in the World Hurdle but anyone taking 15/8 has lost it in my book.
Big Bucks won his first at 6/1, and was close to evens for his others when he was nailed on proven, Annie Power likely to be about 6/4 on the day and she is unproven at the trip and in anything resembling a serious field of more than 6 runners.
Big Bucks won his first at 6/1, and was close to evens for his others when he was nailed on proven, Annie Power likely to be about 6/4 on the day and she is unproven at the trip and in anything resembling a serious field of more than 6 runners.
I think she would have stood a chance in the Champion Hurdle had the going come up heavy but as that's looking unlikely I doubt she would have coped with these over 2miles. Now I'm disappointed because we have no idea whether she stays 3 miles. Beating Big Bucks' will be pointless unless it can be accepted that BB ran to his best form and the pair finish a street ahead of the rest. Only a really fast time will be anywhere near convincing.
How much input do you think Ruby had in Annie going for the World Hurdle...? Do you think its something that he knows or thinks about Big Bucks or is this a Mullins decision first and foremost...?
Im sure connections wouldn't mind winning any race if lucky enough but Quevga will still take some beating in the mares, and their both from the same stable... Or the Champion Hurdle, same with HF as with Q in same stable, though I do think its just a bit on the short side for her... Maybe the World Hurdle is down to what best to do for the yard as Ruby will be upon all 3 of them, and that's maybe the best way to go than race her against HF or Q...???
Im sure connections wouldn't mind winning any race if lucky enough but Quevga will still take some beating in the mares, and their both from the same stable... Or the Champion Hurdle, same with HF as with Q in same stable, though I do think its just a bit on the short side for her... Maybe the World Hurdle is down to what best to do for the yard as Ruby will be upon all 3 of them, and that's maybe the best way to go than race her against HF or Q...???
No surprise at all to read this... I dont know why it took them so long to announce the obvious. I hope Big Bucks puts her well and truly in her place. I really will laugh my socks off too...
It seems the owner has been sold the 'winning any race at the festival is an achievement and it doesnt matter its not the Champion Hurdle etc'.
It seems the owner has been sold the 'winning any race at the festival is an achievement and it doesnt matter its not the Champion Hurdle etc'.
If the World Hurdle was the aim why not test her over the trip before this race? The Long Distance Hurdle would surely have been a more suitable prep race than the 2 1/2 mile Ascot race she won? It to me looks like they are swerving the Fly and Quevega, because it helps their chances rather than improving her chances of winning by stepping up in trip.
Has it been announced where Un De Sceaux will go next??? Is he another that will swerve the âtop tableâ race from the Mullins barn?!?
I really can not understand how anyone who owns a mare as great as Annie Power could go anywhere other than the 'Champion Hurdle'. A total and utter cop out which like in the case of Quevega robs the mare of the chance to prove just how good she could be. And what happens if she wins the 'World Hurdle' easily. All it will do is leave the owner with the thoughts, 'Cor blimey, what would have happened if she had done that in the old Champion Hurdle?!?'.
I really can not understand how anyone who owns a mare as great as Annie Power could go anywhere other than the 'Champion Hurdle'. A total and utter cop out which like in the case of Quevega robs the mare of the chance to prove just how good she could be. And what happens if she wins the 'World Hurdle' easily. All it will do is leave the owner with the thoughts, 'Cor blimey, what would have happened if she had done that in the old Champion Hurdle?!?'.
This one was always going to be a cause of 'damned if you, damned if you don't' though! Whatever decision they made was going to upset some people. You just can't win in those circumstances!
Option 1. Take on the best CH field we've seen in eons. She could run her heart out in it and still finish out of the frame. People would say, ah should have went WH with her!
Option 2. Take on the legendary Big Bucks. IF SHE STAYS she's going to get second at worse, or in many people's eyes, she's got a massive chance of winning a race at the Cheltenham Festival. Any race to win there must be special, could you even imagine coming in to hallowed winner's enclosure?! They don't hand that out for nothing. It's still a championship race lads. If you don't think it's much you can't rate Big Bucks either then
Option 1. Take on the best CH field we've seen in eons. She could run her heart out in it and still finish out of the frame. People would say, ah should have went WH with her!
Option 2. Take on the legendary Big Bucks. IF SHE STAYS she's going to get second at worse, or in many people's eyes, she's got a massive chance of winning a race at the Cheltenham Festival. Any race to win there must be special, could you even imagine coming in to hallowed winner's enclosure?! They don't hand that out for nothing. It's still a championship race lads. If you don't think it's much you can't rate Big Bucks either then