As I’ve said before I was hugely impressed by Camping Ground on New Year’s Day. However, he would only run in the ‘Champion Hurdle’ if the ground came up either very, very soft or heavy. As his next run will be in the 3 mile ‘Cleeve’ they ain’t even going to prep him over shorter just maybe, maybe run him in the Champion if the ground is very, very wet on the opening day of the meet. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him win both the 'World Hurdle' and the 'King George VI Chase' this year. He looked an awesome individual on the opening day of 2016.
Didn't he run on a bog? Let's have some perspective here. He looked good against a load of horses a long way out of their comfort zone because of the ground. It doesn't exactly scream Champion Hurdle contender. Lil Rockerfeller was second for Christ Sake. Cole Harden had ground and trip and course against him in third. Top Notch represents the Triumph Hurdle form which we all know is a load of crap. This was a poor race and i'd be pretty confident Camping Ground will never win a good quality grade one. Certainly not over 2 miles.
I only go on what I've seen with my own eyes. I haven't seen such a impressive win at Cheltenham in a long time. This is a versatile horse who was being lined up for a tilt at the King George/gold cup. Maybe that's for next year. Like I said we will find out more by the end of the month. Judging buy the bookies price he's not unfancied
After watching today's Irish Champion Hurdle, you have to say that this years renewal is looking like a full gone conclusion. A few might have thought that Nichols Canyon could make things interesting, but he's not even as good as Arctic Fire. Arctic Fire once again proving that he's a lot better than people give him credit for. Faugheen is a beast though, and easily the best hurdler since Istabraq, so nothing is going to trouble him in March.
Ever since Istabraq retired, the Champion Hurdle has somehow lacked a real superstar at Cheltenham. Yes, Hurricane Fly was a tremendous horse but I don't believe Cheltenham brought out the best in him. His sheer class enabled him to prevail. On Sunday, Faugheen turned in arguably the best performance by a hurdler seen for many a year. No doubt the margin of his victory flattered him- Nicholls Canyon underperformed and Arctic Fire surely prefers better ground. However, his victory can only be described as dominant and the manner in which he 'powered away' from his field (keeping up a top speed, all-out gallop) marks him as potentially a real superstar. He reminds me of past champion,Persian War- in the way he sustains that pace.
Have taken a small bit of 66/1 ew on SEMPRE MEDICI obv a lot of value has gone in the markets on the potential winners at least so am trying to look for some outstanding place money and he stands out he is a very big but he could very much out run his odds- he has no chance at all of beating The Machine but I reckon they will run him as if they have nothing to loose which they won't- held up right up at the back of the field then going over 2 out make his pounce on the horses that stupidly tried to go with Faugheen and failed and pick up some nice prize money! He was second to OLD GUARD at Cheltenham but the winner had the benefit of a run before and lto he won very comfortable at long odds on! He would have benefited for the run, he stays further than this trip so will just keep galloping past some very tired horses! As stated he won't beat Faugheen and he's not even the 2nd or 3rd best horse in the race but fully expect him to get in the places due to the failed tactics employed by others
I can't get over the damn size of him. He really could be a top class 3m chaser, yet he has the cruise speed to burn off some Champion Hurdle horses. Crikey mate how many ante posts you on? Surely this ones got no chance of placing against Arctic Fire, Nichols Canyon Tent and TNO?
I think at this stage you have to stay clear of the normal win market and focus on a without the fav market. I dont think there is any Ante Post w/o favs markets yet but would make things so much more appealing at present. Same can be said about many of the races now.
went abit OTT they are only pretty small stake and with winnings that I have accumalated so not too bad! Just trying to pick up some value against some odds on Favs (of whom the most I have ) You say that toppy but as mentioned a few will try to go with Faugheen and fail and will get tired, which will be able to mop up the placings no one really expected Arctic fire imo to place last year let alone come second
The sad absence of Faugheen now makes this a fascinating race .................. on form Arctic Fire, on vibes Identity Thief, feck knows whether Annie will run. My Tent Or Yours without a prep ................. some value to be had here surely, if only we can decipher the clues ..................
To play on Barney's phrase re: Binocular, I'd assume the old trophy will have an asterix ascribed and a note made that this Champion Hurdle is severely devalued as the best horse in training is sadly injured and the winner is only by 'default' Regards who that may be, I'll be holding fire to the day and most especially the ground conditions. I'm certain Willie still wins it but I'd be against Annie Power on goodish ground (she's a 2.5 miler imo and a dam good one) and very much siding with Arctic Fire. He's been mixing it with the best. Sempre Medici is a nice each way shout at a price, and a lovely bet Wooly has. Should eek out some improvement on better ground too. Reminds me a bit of Arctic Fire last season coming into it, a bit off radar. Out of the fancied ones I'd be mad against Nichols Canyon now, the more I think about it, the less sure I am he handles the track and I cant seeing him holding off Arctic Fire's rattling strong finish either. Likes soft going too, as he has a sketchy knee action. Identity Thief would need to do an armed robbery on the trophy cabinet the night before to get a sniff. He has zero chance. My Tent's a bridle horse whose been beaten here twice, you'd need to be on hard drugs backing him when he couldn't beat stayers in 2013 & 2014 here off an ideal preparation. Don't forget he's had 2 years off the track, and was beat in the 'Scottish Champion Handicap Hurdle' at evens when last seen. The rest aren't even worth talking about
Arctic Fire is absolutely the one to beat. He's a horse who could do 2m4f easily too, and that is always a good thing in a Champion Hurdle when you think about how many Neptune winners have won or run well in the race. He just isn't that fashionable I guess, and his poor run in the soft ground at Christmas puts people off. He ought to be bang in the mix on better ground (assuming we get it). But make no mistake, his form of last year makes him the one to beat. He covered Jezki and TNO easily last year-TNO and MTOY have always been closely matched. One isn't the same horse and was unlucky during his best ever season, one hasn't been seen since being beaten off top weight in the Scottish Champion , so I'd say Arctic Fire has those two beaten. Nichols Canyon is the 'could be anything' dangerman who has accounted for Faugheen before he ran well below par when slammed the last time. Forget that and he'd be bang there. Annie Power for me has all the attributes but a questionable preparation. Being lightly raced this year may play into her hands though, who knows. She's quick, she has gears, and stays further. I think she might be able to do it. Top Notch is a solid 2 miler but he shouldnt win but has place prospects. Looks like Mullins to me.
I fancied Annie Power last year if she had run so I have to fancy her this year, provided the going is softer than good. I was quite excited when I saw the news that she goes for this. PS. Still only entered in the Mares' Hurdle though
The £10,000 supplementary fee wouldn't be an issue I suggest Ron! Only has to finish 5th to recoup that too...
You might have a point there, Beefy, old boy. Just like in ’11, with Binocular, Faugheen does look someway superior to the remaining runners. Get on the old phone and suggest it to the Executive, post haste. I see that Lambourn legend, Mr Henderson, the forum’s favourite trainer, plans to run 5 in the race this term. Will he be this generations Mike Dickinson?!? One would though be somewhat surprised, and quite frankly disappointed with peoples ambition, if a load of 150+ rated animals weren't supplemented for the old race. As many a Chav says re the Lotto 'you've got to be in it, to win it'!
