Dunno Drever ...................... I think the difference in technique between a top class hurdler (who jumps low and fast, almost without breaking stride) and a top class chaser (where the emphasis is much more on a good take-off and trajectory plus making the right shape through the air) is sometimes underestimated. I've seen a number of very good hurdlers over the last few years sent novice chasing (Peddlers Cross, Overturn, Rock On Ruby, Oscar Whiskey (RIP), Celestial Halo, probably a few more I've forgotten as well) and none of them were really made for it.
The New One will always be underpriced by the bookies because of the hype they have had over hurdles and because he is an easy horse for bookies to sell. You'll get no value on him chasing and frankly you'd want to be seeing him against top class animals before judging him in an Arkle pecking order. Just drop the idea until next season. I'd quite like Twister to be sporting with him and send him to Punchestown where the right-handed jumping can't be an excuse. It will be good for the Irish punters to see some British competition against their stars and we owe them some rematches after some of the brilliant performances from Mullins. The New One may as well bow out of the Champion Hurdle division all guns blazing if that's what it is to be. On the other hand he might end up running a closer race, which would be good for his reputation and would mean he lines up for a 3rd tilt at the Champion Hurdle.
+1 There is a huge difference. TNO wouldn't be the smallest hurdler I've seen go chasing, but he just doesn't strike me as a big imposing animal to go that route.
He would get beat even further at Punchestown, as in Irish racing tactical pace is so much more important. This is why the likes of Hurricane Fly has proved near unbeatable in Ireland, as his turn of foot is brilliant. But he hasn't been unbeatable over here at Cheltenham , because they usually go a good gallop, where the emphasis is more on stamina. This year was a rare exception that they crawled in the CH, and that's why the first 4 home where all Irish. For The New One to be seen at his best, they need to go a very fast gallop, so that he stays on past beaten horses. This is very unlikely to happen in an Irish 2 mile hurdle race. If they wanted to go to Punchestown, they should run him in the 3 miler, as that's the race he'd be seen to best affect in
I would much rather see TNO campaigned over longer distances over hurdles than i would see him go chasing. Just doesn't strike me as a chasing type and with the staying hurdle division looking fairly poor at the moment i think as long as he stays (has won over 2m4f) then there are a few good races out there for him to win
This just in... Paddy Power have added THE NEW ONE to the Arkle market... 12/1 No 'effing thank you Paddy!!
Bored with GE results already and FC Bayern out of CL. Any rediculously early AP fancies for the 2016 CGC?
Not that I'd have a bet myself, as there's no guarentee id even be alive to collect in a years time There are a couple of bets I like the look at though, Don Cossack for the Gold Cup at 8/1 looks a great bet. He has proven to be very robust, and is an absolute beast of a horse. If he turns up fit and well, he'll take some stopping. The other is Jezki for the world hurdle, he is, at the very least there or there abouts with the main contenders. Annie Power is apparently not good enough these days to take on the boys again (saying it how it is) whilst More Of That is an injured horse coming back, which is always a bad sign. He proved at Punchestown that he can win over 3 miles, so I'd say he looks a great bet at this stage, as he's clearly a very talented horse
Sorry KS; I seem to have b........d your post in my response directly above! Please accept my apologies.
Stan James offering Vautour at 6/1 for the 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup; this seems a fair price even at this early stage. I have just viewed the JLT on youtube and Vautour was indeed impressive however extra five furlongs might be a problem. Has anyone heard or read any hints of target at next year's festival. After an absence since the mid nineties I am considering a 2017 return to 'partytime'. Might double this up with a return to the Oktoberfest. These trips would complete my fairwell tour whereupon I will purchase a wee dug ; toy poodle or Bichon Frise.
I had a lucky Festival from backing Mullins horses in doubles and trebles etc for the best part of a year so you can have a good festival from antepost punting if you get lucky! I'd hastily add I'll never get as lucky again BUT as the saying goes God loves a trier! Small stakes obviously and the bookies aren't quite so generous this time around! So during Cheltenham I dabbled with the obvious ones (hardly worthwhile now however, the way there priced up) but undoubtedly the Gold Cup's the trickiest race to weigh up. I'm actually backing 2 in it, Vautour and Don Poli. In a nutshell Vautour's the better horse but Don Poli's better suited to the race. If the ground deteriorates on Gold Cup day like it did this year you'd really question would a horse with Vautour's gears get home, especially if you've Coneygree there blazing a trail from the front. 6/1 seems very fair especially when you consider it is his stated aim, but he's never been tested at the trip. The King George is a different story though and he's around 10/3 for it now (was 4s). I'd happily invest a few quid throughout the summer here and there (if you win a few bob) you won't miss and you could have a nice Christmas present a day late. Other than the obvious perils of antepost (injury etc) I'd far rather take 10/3 for the King George than 6s for the Gold Cup. I'd have no doubt in a King George should he line up, it'd be a question of how far, the GC's a different kettle of fish!
