Dark horse Blue Fashion to give Faugheen something to think about, if fit? After a 167 day lay off this horse gave a race fit More of That 6lbs, despite being a year younger at the tender age of 4, and only went down by 2l, keeping on well. With more improvement expected from 4 to 5 and 10lbs better off he must have every chance (if you rate More of That as equal to Faugheen). The biggest factor may be that it's BF's first run since then and 364 days ago. I will be watching BF with interest.
Anybody else struggling with the Sporting Life website? That's the last 4 Saturdays now .....................
The just shy of 7/2 for AL FEROF, ridden by Ruby Walsh at Ascot, looks very tasty value. I'm pretty sure that horse wasn't himself last season but Nicholls usually gets them back to their best- Kauto being a prime example- and he can win this before competing in the King George again on Boxing Day.
I am not sure if that was the best ride of the season so far or the worst from Nico De Bonville at Ascot. He got Big Hands Harry up to win on the line despite looking booked for a place at best after giving away acres of ground by the horse jumping out left throughout, brilliant. However why when it was evident that this pattern was not going to change and that 3miles is a long way to continually give 3 lengths at every fence did he not take the horse to the inside and simply allow two or three to come up on his outside to stop the error? Nico is a great Jockey however, there is no doubt about it.
Yeah, just REALLY slow Saturdays Swanny. Little e/w dabble on Hawk High here - think the Fred Winter form is slightly under-rated and he might grab 2nd
Imo TNO ideally wants a bit further to show his absolute best. But then you need a horse that stays 2m4f to win a CH at Cheltenham, so it's all good.
Well, that was a pleasure to watch. When he's in the sort of rhythm he really is a top, top level horse. Desperately would love Ruby to ride him throughout the season because he really does understand that horse so well. You can see the logic in my disappointment that they didn't send him to the Gold Cup in a way there- he sauntered clear of very good field there on the snaff and giving weight away all round. He looked more himself and hopefully he can have a cracking season.
Impressive from Al Ferof. If he doesn't go well in a big race this year then he must go down as one of the most disappointing horses of this generation. He clearly has huge talent but he has never really produced it at the top level. Hopefully he can prove himself this year
I thought TNO was perfectly decent there beating horses he should be beating. He took a while to get going and I'd be pretty confident if he reproduced that type of run in the champ hurdle he'd lose.
Similar thoughts to me Bob, mops up these races but not up to it against the big guns - send him to the World Hurdle to give More Of That something to think about.
What a lovely moment for Lizzie Kelly on Aubusson - remember him scooting through the mud to win a big novice hurdle last season, super stuff
Couldn't agree more I was going to post something but couldn't be arsed getting into an argument about with TNO fanboys!
Today was a Grade 2 at the end of November Bob. If he runs to the same level in the Champion Hurdle they'd better take the Twister's training licence away. I think they really want to get some experience into him between now and March and that was perfect for him. You won't see Faugheen run to anywhere near 170 here either.
