I think the individuality of jockeys has gone out the window as well, there seems to be no "star" jockey out there doing something a bit different, it's like they're coming off conveyor belts and just playing it safe and/or hoping for the best. In years gone by, I felt some connection to a jockey for one reason or another, I even disliked some for no reason at all, not knowing them, I just didn't like the style they rode. But now I really have no preference for any jockey and I don't mind any of them either which is sort of strange I think. We should be drawn in by the character of them but is there any characters? Any Paul Carberry with his big arse cocked up trying to sluice through the field from 35 lengths back, just failing, yet that riding style and confidence always tempting you in for another dabble the next day again. That is just one example of course but you get my drift. Am I the only one who feels this way regarding jockeys or am I way off the mark? Perhaps the lads I grew up and was fond of now being gone has left that void. Wasn't sure where to post this but it seems in line with what has been posted here regarding the decline of racing etc.
I agree with the jockey thing - probably why I lost interest in the flat. Steve Cauthen and Michael Robert’s were my 2 favs back in the day.
Not sure if people are aware of this stat (it's courtesy of 'The Weekender' from a few weeks back). So far this century 170 horses have run at the Cheltenham Festival after having had their previous run over hurdles at Newbury. Of these 170 horses, who ran at the Cheltenham Festival, 169 were beaten!!!
So we can scratch Hermes Allen? Out of curiosity, what was the 1 that won then? That's a fairly incredible stat really, monstrous sample size to pick from and almost a 100% fail rate.
The alternative stat is that Newbury is joint 4th best course LTO for Cheltenham festival winners since 1997, with 40 winners. The top courses (joint) are Cheltenham and Leopardstown. I expect Leopardstown will go clear after 2023. Newbury is joint with Sandown, just behind Kempton of all places. So it raises the question, what is so different about the hurdles course at Newbury? compared to the chase course!
That's a very good question and really got me thinking. And not for the first time I haven't been able to come up with the answer. Can anyone uncover who that 1 horse was?!?
Are you sure you've got the stat correct? So we are looking for LTO at Newbury LTO Hurdles 2000 onwards?
I am depending on 'The Weekender', re it being correct, as that was where it was listed. But yes as you say LTO Newbury (hurdles) this century.
Ah it is from 2012 onwards (The two years previous had multiple winners each)... Want a clue? Stick will know.
Stick will know and be able to tell you his story about the horse. He’s probably told the forum 90000 times eh @stick
Looking at the handicaps one of the most fascinating entrants has to be Next Destination who, if he goes to the Festival, will be having his first run since the '21 meeting - when runner-up in the NH Chase. That was his 3rd run over fences and looking at his fencing form every single run he has had over the big 'uns has been at Grade 2 level. 2/3 over fences with wins at Newbury (Nov '20) and Warwick (Jan '21) before that Festival 2nd. Back in his younger days Next Destination was also top notch over hurdles - 2 Grade 1 wins. He also has highly respectable Festival form to his name. As well as that NH Chase 2nd, Next Destination has also been 4th in a Champion Bumper and 3rd in a Ballymore. The old boy is now an 11YO and has been given entries in the Plate, Ultima and Kim Muir (plus one over hurdles in the County) - he's in everything bar the Boat Race. The race that would appeal to my eye would be the Kim Muir (although my Grand National fancy Mr Incredible is also in this) and given the formline stated above a mark of 145 has to be considered, potentially, very attractive. Prices available, for the Festival, range from 14/1 right up to 100's (NRNB available on all his entries). And any run in a handicap, next week, would be Next Destination's 1st in such a contest. Was trained in his younger days by WP Mullins and then went to Mr Nicholls for his fencing career. Since the '21 Festival though has moved again (the owner has shifted many out of Ditcheat). Oh and what a move. Oh I say. To none other than forum favourite, Lieutenant Henderson. Fitness and the fact that he retains his old ability has to, of course, be taken on trust but Next Destination could be a fascinating contender next week, methinks.
I said if retire from punting on NH racing when AP retired from riding, and I pretty much have. Not that he was ever really worth following at Cheltenham. Will probably go large on Bravemansgame and that’ll be my lot.
Another clue, given Stick is probably out golfing. The horse won at 33/1 beating Santini amongst others. He was then beaten at Punchestown by none other than Next Destination in his next run. he is now seen on the point to point scene and was due to run at Howick last weekend.
I havnt posted any of my AP bets but i have too many now to put up if im honest, but here are a few that i've got that... Blood Destiny @ 16/1 in the Triumph Conflated @ 40/1 in the Gold Cup Appreciate It @ 10/1 in the Turners Bruno Encanto @ 20/1 in the Bumper Delta Works @ 5/2 in the X-Country Jonbon @ 8/1 in the Arkle Good Land @ 12/1 in the Ballymore Galvin @ 10/1 in the X-Country My very first bet was a Flooring Porter, 5/1 and A Plus Tard 4/1 double which now is about 3x the odds last time i looked...!! I've got a few e/w doubles, trixies and yankees which if they win i will be retiring but in truth they wont come in and i keep doing them...!! Anyway, i am really looking forward to next week, always do, as i like this time of the year for all sports but i can understand why people are falling out of love and fashion for the NH hunt scene as it has changed a lot these last 5-10 years now...
