Frankel did bore me actually because he was too easy a winner and not stepped up in trip soon enough and far enough. When I go racing I actually want to see a race, all too often at the jumps by the time they come into view there is just one horse way in front and it just trots over the winning line, may as well just stay at home and watch it on tv.
That virtually sums up my views. In the peak of the jumps season when we have some excellent jump racing, the flat is boring. In the peak of the flat season, with classics and Group races. and nice weather (with luck) the flat is superb and NH is boring. As such I find myself not even bothering to look at many of the race cards; just a cursory glance down the card looking to see if something lightly raced or has a 1 against it jumps out. One of the best things, I find, is looking at these wonderful animals parading before the race. And I really like to see class horses in a truly run race and witnessing something special or spotting potential, whether it be flat or NH. I hate to see horses being smacked when the poor thing has nothing left; sadly seen only too often (but not confined to) NH races in the mud. I was slightly worried when this thread first started but it's turned out to be a good one. Well done everyone.
That virtually sums up my views. In the peak of the jumps season when we have some excellent jump racing, the flat is boring. In the peak of the flat season, with classics and Group races. and nice weather (with luck) the flat is superb and NH is boring. As such I find myself not even bothering to look at many of the race cards; just a cursory glance down the card looking to see if something lightly raced or has a 1 against it jumps out. One of the best things, I find, is looking at these wonderful animals parading before the race. And I really like to see class horses in a truly run race and witnessing something special or spotting potential, whether it be flat or NH. I hate to see horses being smacked when the poor things have nothing left; sadly seen only too often (but not confined to) NH races in the mud. I was slightly worried when this thread first started but it's turned out to be a good one. Well done everyone.
I like sprint handicaps as form tends to work out because most of the races are run at a true pace, but to really get a handle on one you need to spend a few hours studying, after a while you get to know the sprinters as they are out every other week. There is two types of betting for me, studying low level handicaps, or betting class which is much easier, finding a big priced winner in a sprint handicap that most people overlooked because of the figures is rewarding but takes a lot of time, effort and second guessing. The logic of flat form appeals to me, I find jump form outside of graded races to be practically useless most of the time and I have more time for 60-80 rated flat horses than I do for 80-100 rated jumpers. Extremely slow animals running extremely long distances, jumping erratically round depressing tracks on terrible ground, good luck finding the winners there, id need Stick to tell me what to back
I love the Classics, but how the hell are you supposed to pick a winner when they run them on roller-coaster tracks like Newmarket and Epsom ffs? And as for backing anything at Chester or York, forget it. Great to watch, and I'm sure they're both great fun for a day out, but they're both basically gaff tracks with dodgy surfaces. Since they relaid the straight at Ascot that's become a lottery too. And as for Royal Ascot, the racing is wonderful despite the dodgy straight, but I can't stand having the antiquated British class system rubbed in my face, so I'll pass thanks. Glorious Goodwood lives up to it's name, but the idiosyncratic track makes betting a bit of a nightmare.
I probably just about prefer the flat, the races are to long for me on the jumps. 3 mile hurdles in particular just drag on and on
its all a cryptic jigsaw-- sometimes its all clear, other times makes no sense-- i like to unravel big sprint handicaps,but equally like to find an unexposed jumper at a big price who hoses up...... its all good !
its all a cryptic jigsaw-- sometimes its all clear, other times makes no sense-- i like to unravel big sprint handicaps,but equally like to find an unexposed jumper at a big price who hoses up...... its all good !
I probably just about prefer the flat, the races are to long for me on the jumps. 3 mile hurdles in particular just drag on and on
I probably just about prefer the flat, the races are to long for me on the jumps. 3 mile hurdles in particular just drag on and on
I probably just about prefer the flat, the races are to long for me on the jumps. 3 mile hurdles in particular just drag on and on
I am a major convert to the jumps, being a member at HQ is the reason. I just find flat racing to be a tad frustrating, we seldom see horses racing into their 3rd and 4th seasons and I don't really like the implications of the draw (I know) on big field races. I find the top racing can keep me excited when on the TV but I seldom watch flat racing. Compared to the excitement I get at Cheltenham the flat seems just that, - flat. Jumps racing has issues but it has more stories and emotion for me. That said, we are all looking for the next Frankel!
I hate the flat and only tune in for the big televised meetings, whereas I find most jumps meetings worth watching, it's purely better entertainment in my book. I had a strong interest the last two years to marvel at Frankel but I dislike the flat for a number of reasons. For example draw bias in these sprints are a joke, luck in running plays a big part in the shorter races, and most importantly to me the best horses are generally only seen for a year or two. The greatest value the NH game has is that the great horses Kauto, Denman, Hurricane etc are around for years and daft people like me can invest sentimental value in watching their every run The one big problem with the jumps scene, and I know this has been mentioned above, is that everything is becoming dwarfed by the monster that is the Cheltenham Festival. I really love it, don't get me wrong, its the best four days of the year but it is all consuming (for owner, trainer, jockey) and nearly other race on the calendar is geared towards, or used as a stepping stone, for those four days in March. It is the most wonderful time of the year but it slightly detracts from the many other top races and meetings that run from Late October to Late April. Cheltenham has become a monster and maybe, just maybe that's not such a great thing for the sport...
Definitely jumps for me, had such a profitable season but now I cant even pick my own nose. Flats are so luck based its unreal. the draw, the break, luck in running, and consistently ****e rides from jockeys on my horses. Every single one seems to think they are riding a superstar and stay miles out back and can never catch up on the run in.
How well do you know 'farm yard animals', Shergs? Also, erm, why do you put that goofy grin after every post you make? Is this your trademark, kinda like the one SA used?
