Good question Woolcombe. Think the King George is on the radar for Master Minded where a clash with Long Run would be fantastic. I'd lean towards MM. Lets not forget Long Run beat two ageing warriers and the form of that Gold Cup now looks shocking. He'll really struggle to get anywhere the achievements of Kauto Star. End of story.
Junior after a disappointing appearence at Ascot a couple of weeks ago, he is set for a lengthy time off! After a very impressive Kim Muir Chase will be intresting to see what he goes for this year. He is destined for a season ahead. Obviously the Grand National will be his number one target the same path Ballabriggs took. But this year I reckon he will skip the festival which is a shame because he won alot of people alot of money on the thursday (especially me) I was ther and had 4 winners that day. But I reckon he will be favourite for the Grand National and he showed he has all the talent to win!!
It will be intresting to see if he can repeat the sucess of last year, Master Minded looked to be off the boil at Cheltenham this year, but then at aintree he blew the field away; if he has a race like that again he will give Long Run a good run for his money!! But I do like Long Run alot! and I reckon will take all the beating!
WF....Hobbs also has Wishfull Thinking. I was of the opinion after Cheltenham that Captain Chris was the better novice, but with the way WF won at Aintree and then in a handicap at Punchestown im not so sure. It takes a very good horse to carry top weight to victory in a tough handicap like that. I'd imagine we may not find out which Hobb's novice is better as they will more than likely keep them apart. WT I can see going for the KG, and maybe the Gold Cup or Ryanair if he doesn't prove that good over further. whilst CC may stick to 2 miles, the recent record of Arkle winners in the Champion Chase would make me want to have a crack at that with him. Beef.....Long Run and Master Minded in the KG could be the clash of the season, it's certainly a race to get excited about. I think your being very harsh on the form of Long Run, yes KS and Denman haven't held the form up, but you cant surely believe Denman at Aintree and KS at Punchestown was anywhere near there runs at Cheltenham. There were alot of good horses well beaten in that Gold Cup and I think Denman and KS both ran great races for 11yos, the likes of Kempes, Midnight Chase, Tidal Bay and Imperial Commander were well beaten. Long Runs KG form is good with Riverside Theatre winning a G1 at Ascot next time out. The clash is a tough call but I think Long Run is the safer option, he has proven his class, and his ability to act so well at Kempton. If Master Minded is to knock him off his perch then he is going to have to produce a performance of the highest quality, and I just can't see it. I loved the way Long Run galloped all the way to the line in the KG, it was such a dominant performance. For me a better performance than even KS has ever put up in that race. So il be siding with the champ Long Run
I just hope Masterminded isn't another Azertioup.He was never the same horse after Kicking King tore him apart in the King George. as to Hurricane Fly i was banging on about this horse being a Champion Hurdler for the past 3 years everypone laughed at me saying he was all hype and had beat nothing.He is the first Champion Hurdler since Istabraq who actually treats his opponents with disdain and contempt and its great we finally have a true champion the first since Istabraq in my opinion,Yes we have had good hurdlers since him but they have all beaten each other its great to finally have a horse that wins everything he turns up to and he is also very very consistent when he hits the track.13 races 11 wins 9 at G1 level.In my opinion he will win the next 2 champion hurdles possibly 3 but that depends if he detirates by then.The only way i see him getting beaten is if he underperforms because tactically there is no race you can set up to get him beat,If they go a crawl he will win as he has the best turn of foot in the division but if they go a good old clip he will cruise off it and he has won over 2m4f so you know he stays.Im just glad he won the Champion Hurdle exactly how i had predicted for the past 3 years cruising through the race and the last one off the bridle.
Totally agree, Famous. The King George ruined Azertyiuop. Was one of the greatest of this millennium so far up to that point but was never the same after been forced to go the extra distance of the Kempton race. Re Junior I believe that the Pipe’s have made a total pig’s ear of training this horse. By not getting him into this year’s Grand National (was balloted out because his rating at the time the entries were made was too low) they have basically missed the boat. Is now 19 pounds higher (and only earned £30k in doing so) than he was and to me is no way going to competitive off a mark of 153.
Woolcombe - Master Minded has the King George as his main target - afterwards I suppose its a case of how he goes in that! If he wins or goes close then will they be tempted by the Gold Cup? Long Run had the Ryanair as his target early last season until the King George swung it so that could be the same for Master Minded? If not the the Ryanair and the Aintree again could well be on the cards. If there is such a thing as a banker then Big Bucks and Hurricane Fly are the main two for me with Long Run not far behind! Looking forward to seeing Weapons Amnesty coming back and a favourite of mine, Burton Port too! I'm opposite to that at the moment Shergar - I think Quito De La Roque could be the one to keep an eye on next season from the Irish novices but I agree they do seem to have a wealth of talent to keep an eye on!
Flyingbolt.....I like Quito De La Roque alot aswell, but I would be concerned about how he will go at Cheltenham, he missed the RSA this year, which suggests connections are concerned about how he will act at Cheltenham. Noble Prince has the course form and he has got better the further he has gone up in trip, so i can see him improving further over the Gold Cup distance. Though Long Run could prove an impossible task. If he's in the same form as last season I'd be amazed if anything can beat him, and the worrying thing for the rest is he is only 6, so he could get even better. Famous I'm sorry mate but how much boasting do you need to do about Hurricane Fly, we all know you backed him, and we all know you picked him out as a Champion Hurdle winner a few years ago. So you dont need to keep reminding everyone, we all know you did, and you recieved credit at the time. It's June now and your still blowing your own trumpet about an 11/4 winner back in March
I think MM has to find the form of his life to get close to Long Run let alone beat him. MM is a great horse and am a big fan of him too, I always back him the same with long run, backed him in the King George and the Gold Cup, but I think I will be backing Long Run again as I cant really see him this year and the near future getting beat!
Re Azertuoip and Master Minded running in King George, I think there totally different propositions stepped up in trip. Azertuoip was all speed and they were tilting at windmills really. Master Minded from day dot always stayed incredibly well and improved for the step up the last day. Re Long Run's ability at 6 and winning gold cup, I think that may actually prove a negative looking forward. He has (or will) reach his peak very soon, typical French bred, and this would cast some doubt to his longevity looking forward to him as a potential multiple gold cup winner. In 2 - 3 seasons theres a chance he will be in a rapid decline. The King George clash should be most informative as to where MM will head at Cheltenham, only 8 and a half months to go...Shall I start a preview
Fulkes There was a lot of people who said he had beat nothing in Ireland they were tin pot Group Ones beating Solwhit wasn't worth nowt and he would be exposed as another over hyped irish hurdler at the Festival
Yes we know famous, you were right and the doubters were wrong, you got the credit abd bragging rights at the time and we've heard the same old story over and over again, what more do you want?....A Medal
I have put two anteposts on already after swearing i wouldnt after having my fingers burnt last year but.... I have gone Junior 33/1 for the National. Although I do agree, this year would have been best for the horses chances. Even so despite his mark, I expect a big run. Second is Thousand Stars for the world Hurdle. Followed him all last year and was very happy to hear he was likely to stay hurdling and jumped on the 12's available. I really believe he will give big bucks alot to think about! Other than that while not a big fan of Nicholls i am very excited about Masterminded. I think he will run a massive race in the king george but i dont think the gold cup is for him. I am happy to give Binocular another go, think if he makes it there in one piece he has to have a massive chance. The race at punchestown was a farce especially where he was concerned. He had to make the running for starters and was still there going into the final furlong. I love the NH and really cant wait till it returns even if it means wishing the summer away! lol
Personally I think Paul Nicholls could have a little gem in Al Ferof over the next few seasons if he takes to fences and stays fit. The way he stayed on in last seasons Supreme against horses who looked to have him cooked at the turn was very impressive. Good luck with Thousand Stars, Benny! Big Bucks will take a lot of turning over again! Nothing will trouble Hurricane Fly if he stays fit but as he'll stay in Ireland next season then Zarkandar; Spirit Son & Oscar Whisky (if he stays over hurdles) would be the obvious ones to me to follow over here. One I think could come back with a surprise big win somewhere down the line too is Mille Chief -boy against men in the Champion Hurdle and the race at Ayr was done after two mistakes! Binocular...nothing anymore would surprise me with him but he's just too hit and miss for me to follow and at Cheltenham if Hurricane Fly is in the same form he was throughout last season he won't get close!
I agree Benny, I cant wait for it to start it cant come too soon. Although two of your anteposts I wouldnt touch, Junior hard to say really as some one said earlier in the same thread (cant remeber who) he has gone up in the ratings and will be handicapped alot, but I think he does stand a good chance and Thousand Stars will not come close to Big Bucks I saw him at cheltenham I was there cheering over the winning post, that horse is a machine and will win the World Hurdle definately this year and probably the year after He is evens at the mo with PP if I did ante post bets I would take that with no hesitation because you wont get near that come world hurdle day!! Oscar Whiskey imo is better hurdler than Thousand Stars and if anyone is to give BB a test it would be Oscar Whiskey (but he will probably go for the Champion Hurdle)
Not a big NH fan, but i was at Aintree when Spirit Son hacked up.Looks an incredibly talented horse with a big engine and a smart turn of foot. Oh and i like Captain Chris very much.As honest and consistent as the day is long.
Binocular beat absolutely nothing in his Champion Hurdle and whilst he was an impressive winner i feel he has gained far more credit than he has deserved. Khyber Kim, Zaynar and Celestial Halo were the 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Hurricane Fly will run all over him once again. Peddlers Cross wins the Arkle. He was the only horse that really gave Hurricane Fly anything to think about and think he is sure to be at least as good over the bigger obstacles. I really like Captain Chris. I backed him for the Arkle but i think, and hope, that he will be stepped up in trip. He is no 2 miler and think the King George could be the perfect race for him. The one question mark is the ground because he is unquestionably a better animal on true good ground.
