All I'm seeing there is Kings Palace (different class ) Only jesting, I recall you were against the GC lot but its a better race than some give it credit for. Bob's Worth and Lord Windermere's were clearly worse.
It really does though need to be noted, and I do mean noted, that the former is now on an absolutely lovely looking perch of 151. Down 29 lbs from his career high. OK so he’s not at his 2013 level anymore but don’t forget his rating both reflects this and gives connections ‘room to manoeuvre’ shall we say. If Bobs Worth doesn’t win a big handicap this year then I’ll...well I’ll be surprised. The handicapper has given him a real chance this term.
Kings Palace just cant seem to handle a proper race, still has potential though. Id say Bobs Worths was a decent performance, Sir Des Champs was a better horse than the 2nd and 3rd from last year imo and Long Run was 3rd.
Barney what's your take on the decision made by the great man, one of the forum's top 100 favourite trainers and the sports third most recognizable figure behind old boys Bill Mullins and Paul Nicholls, to keep the Triumph 1-2-3 all hurdling? I'm surprised I was sure he'd send one of them novice chasing for a crack at the Arkle. Surely Hargam and Peace & Co will be targeted at the same races, with Top Notch going up in trip. Seemed an unusual decision IMO but who is a mere mortal like me to question the man with the magic hands (and medicine cupboard)?
He was still good that season though, 2nd in the Betfiar, won the King George, 3rd in Gold Cup, 2nd in Punchestown Gold Cup to the Gold Cup 2nd! Not a bad season. The 4rth beaten 16L was 3/4L 3rd the next year with Lord Windermere and co, I wouldnt put those two renewals in the same bracket, Bobs Worth was clearly a fair bit above that.
Beefy, it wouldn’t necessarily have been Mr Henderson’s decision. He would only have advised. The 3 lots of connections involved with these horses all are quite vociferous in their opinions, of how horse their should be campaigned, and it wouldn’t have surprised me if it all had decided without much interaction with the trainer. Personally, I think it was a ‘no brainer’ to keep Peace And Co over hurdles as you have to give him, last seasons champion juvenile, the opportunity of reaching the top, the 20-24 furlong hurdling division looks quite weak and I think Top Notch has the potential to win plenty in this sphere so I’d again say it was the correct decision. Hargam was probably the 50/50 call as you do have to wonder exactly where he will fit in over the smaller obstacles.
Thing with Hargam though is that he is a JP horse and with My Tent having doubts and jezki at 3m prior to being ruled out for the season, I can't think of any 2m hurdles for him so he may as well have a crack with Hargam?
Fact Long Run was well beaten in third in 2012 behind the ill fated Synchronized when he was a better horse than in 2013 filling the same spot makes you wonder though. He can be 2nd and 3rd all he wants against those hounds that year, doesn't make his form any better! Last years GC was the best since 2011, when LR hadn't fully learned how to bark at that stage, he was merely learning to wag his tail
Not that it would be saying much to be the best gold cup since 2011, that honour lies with Bobs Worths, no danger the novice Coneygree would have beaten him that day.
Different class from last years older brigade, wasnt saying much. Don Poli, Coney, Vautour have potential, highly unlikely they are Denman Kauto Star level but they are better than what weve had the last few years.
Bobs Worth was a Cheltenham machine, he just didnt have the physique for longevity, chasing was always an uphill battle for him but he had all the heart.
Coneygree would have ran him off his feet DK, a far classier horse. Bob was a loveable wee thing but was lucky he was around in that era.
Disagree, Coneygree wouldnt have won a Grade 1 novice hurdle at the festival, he still hasnt achieved near what Bobs Worth did so lets not get carried away, he was all out to beat two handicappers, give him more respect for doing it as a novice but Denman would have beat those 2 20L. Albert Bartlett, RSA, Hennessy, Gold Cup, Lexus Coney has a fair way to go match that.
UPDATE 1. Shantou Village entered up in a maiden in Uttoxeter on Sunday. 2. The form of Limini took a handsome compliment on Saturday when the third from her Punchestown maiden basically won a 20 runner maiden hard held. Not an update as such but worth pointing out that the horse who was second to Rathnure Rebel, Three Musketeers in the care of Dan Skelton, won twice last year including a Grade 2 race. On his other start he was third at Aintree in a Grade 1 to Nichols Canyon. Make no mistake, Rathnure Rebel is a serious prospect. I was chatting to Noel Meade last week at Downpatrick but forgot to ask him if this guy was over his setback that forced him to miss last year
For those looking for potential "dark horses", this page may be of help: http://www.racingpost.com/horses2/c...=2016-03-05&big_race=Y&raceTabs=#raceTabs=lc_ Entries for the big DBS Spring Sales Bumper at Newbury in March 2016. Magic Bullet for Mr Henderson caught my eye (by Flemensfirth out of a Bob Back mare) as did Cybelle Colombe (a Network filly with Alan King). Well worth noting some of these and watching for them during the season, all are sure to be highly regarded.
I really must add Colin Tizzard's Thistlectack to this thread. A good article here on him, connections have not yet decided whether to go the World Hurdle route or embark on a novice chasing career with him. Also an interesting mention in the article for his half-brother West Approach, who they think could be even better for the same owners.
