Just looked at the betting for the old NH Trainers crown for the current term (2014/15) and I see that the forum’s favourite handler is, at the moment, available at the unbelievable price of Even money (‘levels’. The full market is: Evens Mr Henderson 6/4 Mr Nicholls 7/1 Jonjo O’Neill 33/1 Willie Mullins and those old rogues the Pipe’s 66/1 Dear old Pip Hobbs and Ginger’s lad 100/1 Alan King and Nige T-D 150/1 Dear old Venetia Any price you like anybody else After chuckling uncontrollably for half an hour at the 7/1 quote about O’Neill (is actually as low as 5’s with Ladbrokes) the view has to be, in my opinion, that this is in effect a 2 horse race between the most respected men in the business namely Mr Henderson and Mr Nicholls. This may surprise a few people but I’m plumping with the former as just look at his roster and the words ‘star’ resonates about so many of his team. To name but a small sample these include ‘the black aeroplane’, Simonsig, Bob’s Worth, Josses Hill, My Tent or Yours, Beat That, Triolo D’Alene, Long Run, Oscar Whisky, West Wizard, Gaitway, Whisper and Ma Filleule. Really do think that with all these horses, and many more, at his disposal it could be a case of ‘Mr Henderson first, the rest nowhere’ for the remainder of this term. Especially when you further bear in mind that Mr Nicholls, whilst having really good horses still, doesn’t seem to have the same world beaters in his barn that he had a couple of seasons or so ago. Such a scenario will seriously decrease his prizemoney. Furthermore Mr Henderson is sure to restock at the upcoming ‘Horses In Training’ sales which should boost his ranks even further. Sennockian Star, maybe, who goes under the hammer next week?!? Whilst I’d also love to see Her Majesty, God bless her and save her, let him get his hands on her Bold Sniper. If asked to nominate one of his for this campaign though I’d say undoubtedly BEAT THAT. He looked top notch in winning Grade 1’s at Aintree and then Punchestown and should, in my view, be unbeatable this term in either staying hurdles or novice chases. Meanwhile, I don’t think the mare MA FILLEULE has to improve that much to become a genuine CGC contender. The old girls performances at Cheltenham and especially Aintree, last Spring, show she is an amazing prospect and don’t forget she will benefit from receiving the 7 pounds mare allowance at the Festival. Already rated 163 handicaps now appear a thing of the past for this one. But do correspondents agree with me??? Can anyone see beyond Mr Henderson?!? Or is anyone brave / stupid (delete as appropriate) enough to suggest an alternative in the battle for the Trainers title?!?
Question marks over several of Mr Henderson's leading lights Sir Barney .................. Sprinter Sacre and Simonsig need to prove their wellbeing, Bob's Worth has lost his crown and looks vulnerable, Long Run continues to decline, Trio D'Alene will find things harder this year, as will Oscar Whiskey. West Wizard? Surprised you haven't got Tistory on the list He is still the most likely winner but I wouldn't want to be taking "odds-on"
Where does Beat That line up though Barney? Every single race he could run is has something that's at least as appealing. If you think he's capable of improving a couple of stone you can get 14/1 that he'll win the World Hurdle. Personally, I don't see any reason at all why More of That won't be winning it again this year. Barring injury, i think that's the banker of the festival at this stage.
Keep the faith in The Wizard, Oddy. He was ready to run at the end of last season but Mr Henderson resisted so as to keep his ‘novice’ status over hurdles. It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest to see this one win the opener at the Cheltenham Festival in March and in doing so add to the wealth of the 11th richest man in Wales. Bob, personally I’d prefer to see Beat That kept over hurdles this term as he’s still quite immature and only actually had 4 races over timber to date. But as they say round my way, ‘in Mr Henderson we trust’, and I’d be happy whichever avenue the great man steered him down. Beat That just looked peerless at Aintree, especially, and Punchestown and I don’t think anything will touch him whatever Mr Henderson decides. Really think he is the NH games next superstar.
It's that time of year again, isn't it? When thoughts turn to slow farm animals slogging through the mire.
Archers - with u on that one mate - 3 mile plodders at Plumpton compared to blueblood flat horses - no contest
I prefer the flat but to balance things out, classy 2 mile hurdlers and chasers compared to selling platers at Southwell - no contest
As its a boring day. Jumps all day long for me. Flat racing is dominated by Coolmore and rich investors, where very few small owners get lucky. Jumps racing is different, just look at the QMCC winner of last season for that.
Couldn't agree more. "Preston Family & Friends" sounds just great to me. Sure better than the oft-heard owner-sounding names like Sir Charles Groinge, Lady Penelope Du Maurier, The Hon. Willie Winkleby, Sheikh Ali Barberolli, and so on and so forth.............
The fact Harry Herbert is involved with flat racing so prominently says everything I need to state. What a prize *Chuckles* (removed as appropriate) he is.
Spot on CH. Problem being that it is not possible to have top class racing everyday. Must be the same in any sport
I far prefer the flat racing, too many donkeys and too much unpredictability over jumps, however saying that I do look forward to Cheltenham every year and it is one of my favourite meetings. I don't get all the love for Nicky Henderson mind, the man is about as honest as a Tony Blair Q&A on Iraq!
Will people stop using plumpton as a bad thing it is the smallest NH course in the country but a cracking little course!
One of the turn offs re Flat racing for me is that if you look at the top 20 owners, with a few exceptions, their wealth is based on despoiling and oppressing a nation. Jump racing seems, in recent years, to have attracted a lot of ‘new’ money and several of the up and coming owners are now from a banking and financial background who have made it big time within the past few years. Several of these types seem to think they know everything and one of them even had the temerity to over rule Mr Henderson and order his horse to run at the Cheltenham Festival! They were also the driving force in trying to replace Geraghty on their horses, this term, with Sam double barrelled (T-D not W-C). Can see a lot of friction occurring with them and their trainers over the forthcoming seasons.
Paul Nicholls on the Racing Post website today saying that Jonjo O'Neil might be his main rival for the title this season. Tantamount to Treason Sir Barney, with a capital "T". Article reproduced in full below: PAUL NICHOLLS is expecting Jonjo O’Neill to mount a strong challenge as the reigning champion targets his ninth trainers’ title in ten years. O’Neill, who finished fourth last season behind Nicholls, 2012-13 winner Nicky Henderson and Philip Hobbs, is the third choice of the bookmakers this time at a best-priced 7-1. However, Nicholls is not ruling out major progress from O’Neill, whose team will be spearheaded by last season’s Cheltenham Festival winners More Of That, Holywell and Taquin Du Seuil. He said: “I told my owners’ day guests this time last year I thought it would be a struggle to beat Nicky, but in the end we did so quite comfortably [by £449,957]. “This season we’ve got a good chance of holding on to the title but I have a feeling Jonjo O’Neill might be the one we have to beat. His team have been buying stacks of new horses and nowadays Jonjo has the quality and quantity to mount a serious challenge for the championship.” Nicholls is a general 6-4 shot for the championship, behind evens favourite Henderson.
Oddy, I noticed this yesterday and wondered if it was a case of Mr Nicholls trying to introduce ‘mind games’ to the trainer’s championship. He’s certainly ramping up the pressure on O’Neill somewhat with this statement. Personally, I think O’Neill has next to no chance of troubling the top 2 in the market and, in my view, anyone taking that 7/1 should be sectioned, for their own good, immediately.
