i found this a bit strange. but saying that it could also be a massive coincidence. it's also a shame, for the horses and those connected with them. i do hope they both heal ok. i was looking forward to seeing both of them as well. big bucks is the horse who made me appreciate that hurdles could be just as great as chases, and i haven't seen enough of al ferof who was entered in the king george VI i think? the racing post is advertising that there's a piece about it in tomorrow's paper. not sure what else will be known when they print it though.
âI have some bad news to report. At evening stables tonight, we discovered a problem with both Big Buck's and Al Ferof. I am not in a position to go into great detail at this point, but I can confirm that Big Buck's will not be taking up his engagement at Ascot on Saturday and Al Ferof will not be running in the King George. And both are unlikely to run again this season. I would appreciate it if the media and press did not contact me at this point. When I do have more to report, I will be doing it here. Tony Calvin will be immediately informing the press, and the relevant parties, of this statement tonight.â Nicholls to me here appears flustered, and there appears to be panic and confusion. I simply do not think this is a training or racing-related incident. It can't be- otherwise the statement would have been a very simple, albeit unforunate, announcement. The fact that Nicholls is not in a position to comment suggests something is really not right at Ditcheat. I hope not, but we will see what comes out in the morning.
Toppy, it all sounds very strange, doesn't it? Why not issue a statement if it's just a tragic, coincidental injury to both horses? There's more involved here. There's also another "coincidence." The Kauto Star saga left many questions unanswered- and now this. Let's see how much of the 'proverbial' hits the fan!
For those interested, Betfair offer 11/1 Grands Crus and 14/1 Voler La Vedette. I'm taking the latter. The mare has run poorly this season but hasn't come to hand yet- owing to the weather. She shows her best form in the spring and, unless she's not the horse she was last March, 14/1 is massive. Sure, Quevega could be a big player but may not head that route. Voler La Vedette's effort against Big Bucks was way ahead of all other horses in that race.
It's a hell of a coincidence to have the 2 leading lights of the yard both out for the season both on the same today. It probably is just that though.
Tendon injuries in older racehorses can be quite serious. Sad as it would be, it would not surprise me if Big Bucks career is ostensibly over. If I was the owner I would seriously be thinking about retirement. Tendon injuries take 12-18 months off to repair. Three Gold Cup winners, Kicking King, War of Attrition and Imperial Commander never recovered from serious leg injuries late in their career.
This is very sad news. Not least because I thought that Big Bucks going for another World Hurdle win would have been THE highlight of the Cheltenham festival this season. I also have an ante post bet on Al Ferof to win the King George. Grrrr. Strange coincidence too. Maybe it is because Paul Nicholls hasnt been at Ditcheat the past couple of days - I saw that he was at SPOTY on Sunday night
I agree that it is an awful coincidence, but security in these big yards is very tight - the big stars will have CCTV trained on their boxes at all times so if anything untoward has occurred, they will know pretty soon. These are obviously not training injuries, as they would have been picked up when the horses returned from exercise and were checked over. If they are "natural" injuries, for want if a better phrase, the most likely cause is striking into themselves while rolling in the stable.
I think the old ‘World Hurdle’ now has the potential to see every half decent 20 furlongs+ hurdler aimed at it following the defection of the horse who was miles clear of the rest in that sphere. And why not as now there is no standout candidate for such a whooping prize. It also wouldn’t surprise me if, this morn, several trainers who had earmarked one to go novice chasing weren’t thinking to themselves, ‘Hmmmmmmmn, shall I , I say shall I, switch him back to hurdles???’ I spoke yesterday about Oscar Whiskey going for this and cor blimey I should have pounced on those 25/1 quotes when I did so as now the old boy is a fifth that price! I really think that his credentials would be even stronger if Mr Henderson managed to persuade his stubborn owner to forget about the ‘Welsh Champion Hurdle’ and let him be trained specifically for the staying crown at the Festival. Aim big man, say I, forget about Wales and go for the World! One other knock on effect following the injuries to these horses is that Ladbrokes have shortened Mr Henderson to 1/3 for the trainer’s crown.
Just to follow up on what SBC has just said this is the current odds for the World Hurdle... Quevega........................................... 3/1 Oscar Whisky................. 20/1 now..... 5/1 Zaidpour.................. 33/1, 16/1 now... 6/1 Smad Place...............20/1, 14/1 now... 7/1 Rite Of Passage.................................. 7/1 Peddlers Cross...12/1, 16/1, 12/1 now... 8/1 Grand Crus........................................ 8/1 Voler la Vedette............... 16/1 now... 10/1 Tidal Bay.......................................... 10/1 Get Me Out Of Here... 33/1, 20/1 now... 12/1 Trustan Times................................... 12/1 Thousand Stars............... 16/1 now... 14/1 Bears Affair..................... 33/1 now... 14/1 Monksland...................... 33/1 now... 16/1 Cape Tribulation.............. 33/1 now... 16/1 So Young....................... 33/1 now... 20/1 Each Way Odds » 1/4 Places 1,2,3 With Big Bucks now out the market has been smashed up all across the board... If you didnt get on before, you certainly wont be getting big value now...!!!
God, i hope your right Oddy...!!! Just love watching this horse when he runs... Though your cynicism in older age maybe getting the better of you...
That'll be the day Nass. There used to be a bookmaker's skill in pricing up a racecard - that seems to have been largely replaced by lumping everything at an unreasonably low - mid price until they can see a trend towards certain animals. Then the under priced ones may get moved out a tad. Disgraceful.
