Thistlecrack 9/2 for the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury this coming Saturday - have it World Hurdle winner in waiting
Blimey that is a brave selection, two very good horses in opposition. If he runs at Newbury La Vaticanne would be one I'm wanting to be with
That is a big call Oddy. My fancy is WHISPER (7/4 is on the skinny side and I could be wrong but I'm sure I read he was going over fences this year?). Due to your confidence I will have a saver on yours
Hennessy Gold Cup is usually competitive and open race, but I've got to have a saver on Bob's Worth who's 13lbs lower than when he won in 2012. Second season chasers have a good record in this race (Denman and Bob's Worth are two examples. Plus Diamond Harry and Many Clouds) and Valseur Lido is trained by Willie Mullins who's 10/1 with some bookmakers and has to be seriously considered. Neil Mulholland's runners The Druid's Nephew and The Young Master have a good chance of winning, both priced at 10/1 or less.
Check out his form, he wins once every two races he has (form figures: 3/1/517151-2), beaten half a length at Punchestown in a Grade 1 novice hurdle in it's last race so Saturday could be the day it wins! But Cole Harden and Whisper are the ones to beat. Wicklow Brave could be a banker for some punters on Saturday, as he's in antepost betting for the Fighting Fifth. 6/4 with some bookmakers. Irving is second favourite but will be his third run in 21 days so worth opposing if Wicklow Brave runs.
Bold Indeed Oddy...GL. Thistlecrack sounds like a rather painful malady....especially in the M Legg..his previous pilot...he was riddled. However,perhaps not as excruciating a condition as Boxcar Willie. No wonder that poor old hobo made so many train noises...
It stated in yesterday’s ‘Weekender’ that Mr Henderson took Whisper to Newbury last week and he was scintillating. Whisper that is not Mr Henderson – although I’m sure Mr Henderson was scintillating as well. In an exceptionally weak looking staying hurdling division Whisper should take very high rank starting with a win at the weekend. On official perches, Oddy, your lad is very badly in. Even with the weight allowance is 13 lbs ‘wrong’ with Whisper and 10 lbs ‘wrong’ with Cole Harden
Ah but you are making the parallel assumptions that Thistlecrack is still a 150 rated animal (another summer on his back and the magic hands of Mr Tizzard) and t'other 2 will run up to their best marks on the prevailing ground.
Fair point well made. Although I can’t see the ground inconviencing Whisper in the slightest as he was a very close 2nd in a Welsh Champion Hurdle on almost unraceable sod back in ’14. Has also won at Newbury on heavy ground (albeit off 140).
I'm with you oddly, I was very impressed with thistle crack last season. He would have won that race at punchestown, but they done a job on him that day. And the Irish were ****in it and he was backed off the boards. Who is the pilot Saturday?
There isn't a hill at Newbury,so every chance Tom Scu will be able to resist riding a finish atop it..were it there..long home straight though.he will go too soon..inevitable!!...but if the horse is good enough...it could be a good tactic!
