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The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy 2019

Discussion in 'Horse Racing' started by OddDog, Jan 17, 2019.

  1. Sir Barney Chuckles

    Sir Barney Chuckles Who Dares Wins

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    Personally, I think that if Apple’s Jade doesn’t go for the ‘Champion Hurdle’ then that chirpy O’Leary chap should be banned from every racecourse in Europe. Owners should be running the best against the best not looking to hide them away in majorly sub-standard events. If that goes on, or even continues, the sport is as good as finished. Without worthwhile completion what is left?!?

    O’Leary has received a lot of flak for not immediately committing the mare for to the big ‘un but in my opinion far, far, far worse criticism should be levelled at the ‘Cheltenham Executive’. But for some reason the media and certain people would never dream of doing this. By introducing these comparatively tinpot races to the Festival they are giving owners the chance, and allowing them, to potentially behave like this. Strip the meeting back to a dozen or so, of the very best races, and this problem no longer exists. If a mare like Apple’s Jade wanted to run at the meet her only options would be the Champion Hurdle or the Stayers Hurdle. Will never happen though because of the Executive’s fixation on money over the long term health of the Festival.

    The Mares Hurdle should be a feature race at something like the ‘Open’, New Year’s Day or April meet but not the Festival.
     
    #61
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  2. stick

    stick Bumper King

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    Good rant Barney. Not backing my campaign for a Mares Bumper then?
     
    #62
  3. Sir Barney Chuckles

    Sir Barney Chuckles Who Dares Wins

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    Personally, my old love, I’d leave Bumper situation, at the Festival, as things are – i.e. Grade 1 race with the fillies / mares receiving an allowance.

    I wouldn’t be as against a ‘Mares Bumper’ as much as the ‘Mares Hurdle’ (not that I’m against this race, incidentally, just don’t want it at the Festival) but in saying that such a race would dilute the quality of the ‘Festival Bumper’ itself as some mares may be rerouted – not though, perhaps, the very best as the ‘Mares Bumper’ would be unlikely to be granted Grade 1 status (at least from the start at any rate). There isn’t the same number of ‘options’ for the old girl bumpers, at the meet, as there are for mares over hurdles so I wouldn’t, in saying that, be hugely against the addition of a ‘Mares Bumper’. Do think though that like the ‘Mares Hurdle’ it would be best suited as a feature race on another Cheltenham day.
     
    #63
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  4. CaptainPops

    CaptainPops Well-Known Member

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    Ahh good point made but for example the Rooney s have said that they aren't running their horses at Cheltenham and all trainers are heeding to this request. I m sure none of them darent flag up a festival race for one of their many horses?

    I m just surprised that the owners didn't insist on giving it a go especially when winning the mares race on so many occasions. Quevega was in different ownership to the other Mullins champion hurdle types and if she would of been mine I would have been putting forward going for the champion hurdle and would have insisted on it if that was the common consensus from syndicate members.

    P.s I recall a good conversation on this topic on the thread some time ago I think relating to Native River and it was ridiculous that Colin Tizzard was thinking of riding plans...and some saying down to owners full stop.
     
    #64
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  5. OddDog

    OddDog Mild mannered janitor
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    24 left in at the latest forefeit stage and these are the latest odds from Oddschecker (best prices quoted)

    Buveur D'Air 2/1
    Apples Jade 9/4
    Laurina 4/1
    Sharjah 12/1
    Verdana Blue 14/1
    Espoir D'Allen, Brain Power, Melon 20/1
    25/1 Bar

    Laurina cruised through her prep at Punchestown on good / good-yielding in places, readily accounting for stablemate Stormy Ireland by 6 lengths. Mullins again stated she is going Champion Hurdle (and actually makes Benie des Dieux in the mares hurdle his banker of the meeting) so it looks like being a pretty deep renewal this year and not the cakewalk for Buveur D'Air that it once appeared.
     
    #65
  6. Resurgam

    Resurgam Top Analyst
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    Apparently, they've now had a change of heart.
    The cynic in me thinks a different reason to the ones they have given.
     
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  7. Grendel

    Grendel Well-Known Member

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    Laurina cruised through her race but once again it was a weak affair. Mega odds-on against Mares and over 20F. Apples Jade would have crucified that lot and Buveur D'air could have defeated them hard held.

    The Racing Post gave Laurina a higher rating for winning her match race on her previous start and we learned nothing regarding her chances against much better horses over a shorter trip. Mistakes in hurdling in a Champion Hurdle will be more telling than against 2nd rate opposition when there is another half mile to mitigate any errors.

    I suppose you could argue that Laurina is an each-way lock in a year where it is hard to make a case for anything in the higher prices but I feel it's a two horse race and money back for 3rd at 4/1 holds no appeal for me.
     
    #67
  8. CaptainPops

    CaptainPops Well-Known Member

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    Do you not think she will up her game considerably at Cheltenham in a few weeks time Grendel? Apparently the mistake she made yesterday was when she was idling..but when asked to get racing by Ruby she responded and was hurdling a lot better.

    It didn't look like she was that ground dependent based on yesterday...which is all we have heard is that she must have soft going yet yesterday that did not seem to matter as much. I reckon that s over-egged!

    Very interesting race developing which not so long ago seemed it might be rather one sided. I don't think it's a two horse race at all...I think Mullins will hold two live chances with Laurina and the so far very disappointing Melon. Don't trust Mullins and Melon could easily come back to surprise....

    Laurina will be muxh better suited to Cheltenham than yesterday's Punchestown outing.
     
    #68
    Last edited: Feb 21, 2019
  9. OddDog

    OddDog Mild mannered janitor
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    Don’t forget Sharjah too
     
    #69
  10. gillamandango

    gillamandango Active Member

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    Don't forget there was reports that Laurina was a machine and apparently backed at all prices from those in the know at Clonsutton. I cant find the posts, might even not be on this forum but confidence very high in her. To be fair and I haven't backed her but I expect the faster she/they go in the CH then the better she gets and will improve a bundle for it. Problem with beating trees is you don't have to run that fast, even in the mares last year she wasn't in top gear, not even close. On the clock her times are better than average and that's not in top gear. IF she wins the CH, it could be by 10 lengths. The problem is paying to find out
     
    #70
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  11. Grendel

    Grendel Well-Known Member

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    I don't like the way they have campaigned Laurina. They have ducked any real challenge with her. She may up her game in the Champion Hurdle but she needs to do so and there is just next to no evidence that she is that good yet. Which performance could you be basing any real certainty upon?

    It's all Emperor's New Clothes with her for me and we may see her starkers for the first time at Cheltenham in the Champion Hurdle.
     
    #71
  12. Ron

    Ron Well-Known Member
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    Not opposed to them not pushing her against anything of note but I agree it's easy to beat average horses easily and look impressive in the process. The only time I would risk a horse with such a profile is if the times had been fast, indicating that she could go the pace and have plenty to spare up the hill. She hasn't clocked good times (as far as I know) so it is impossible to assess how good she is until she comes up against the best. Of course, an exceptional horse and future Champion Hurdler may well have won the same races in average times with ease. So it is all guess work at present; for us. Maybe Mullins knows more about her capabilities than she has shown on the track. Could be in for a treat or it could be another bubble burst
     
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  13. CaptainPops

    CaptainPops Well-Known Member

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    Interesting comments from Ruby Walsh today on Laurina.....doesnt give much away does he .. :emoticon-0105-wink:

    "Laurina will have to achieve a lot to be better than Annie Power. The potential is there but that has to be developed into reality. I genuinely don’t know how good Laurina is but she gives you a great feel," Walsh said at a press conference at Paddy Power's headquarters in Dublin this afternoon. He added: "She could not have done a lot more than she did on her two runs this year but there will be a lot more required in a Champion Hurdle against Buveur D’Air and Apple’s Jade.
     
    #73
  14. Ron

    Ron Well-Known Member
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    If Laurina is way clear between the last 2 fences it might be worth a little interest in running on whatever is going best in behind. Not that Ruby is likely to fall off
     
    #74
  15. OddDog

    OddDog Mild mannered janitor
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    Gordon Elliot says he'll make a decision on Samcro Tuesday. I bet they leave him in the Champion Hurdle.
     
    #75
  16. Ron

    Ron Well-Known Member
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    Not much point though Oddy.
     
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