10/1 Vautour is probably the only ante post price that would interest me on the Champion Hurdle front at the moment. If he comes out and wins the Hatton's Grace or Morgiana that price will be long gone.
Sounds like it only has to win in style beforehand and it can be laid off providing cash for a free bet when it is a definite runner.
Vautour is never a Champion Hurdler, lets not forget he had Ruby dictating on a soft lead his three big novice wins and the form is miles off last years top hurdlers. Looks a 3 mile chaser. Can see the case for Faugheen trying a Champion Hurdle.
I won't be getting involved. It's difficult enough on the day with all definite runners and available form.
Here's the ATR interview with Rich Ricci - a very intelligent and articulate man who clearly loves the sport. [video=youtube;kq1P_6UMQEg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kq1P_6UMQEg[/video]
I couldn't have Vautour over Faugheen for the Champion Hurdle at all lads. Using indirect formlines I think it's clear whose got by far the best chance in a Champion. At Punchestown, Faugheen faced 5 rivals that Vautour had dispatched in the Supreme. Out of those 5 horses, 4 completed both races. One horse fell behind Faugheen, Wicklow Brave, was beaten 9.5l in Supremes and to my eye he looked well beaten before falling. The other 4 were all beaten further, and easier, by Faugheen than they were by Vautour. You can argue that some horses are over the top by Punchestown but all 5? Mmmmm... Bearing in mind Ruby coasted home in the last furlong on Faugheen you could argue he'd have further increased his supremacy should he have wished. I think Messrs Mullins, Ricci and Walsh would make a big mistake sending Vautour to the Champion over Faugheen. And for what it's worth I couldn't have Faugheen beating More of That in the World Hurdle. More of That would simply outstay him. Faugheen's best performances have been over the minimum, where he can utilise that killer cruising speed where he can leave class horses out on their feet trying to keep up.
Wasn't the most encouraging of reappearances at Newton Abbot yesterday. Notwithstanding that he wasn't helped by the fall of Double Ross and was kept wide throughout suggesting the tight track didn't suit he was well beaten. However someone was impressed at Bet365 because he's been cut from 25s into 14s for CGC. Love to know what they saw.
Mr Mullins confirms Vautour for chasing so that's the Arkle (or JLT maybe ) sown up. Obviously now Faugheen's sole aim is the Champion and he just has to turn up for that. Keeping sticking bits and pieces on the double men, these machines pay out in March just like last year
I'm backing both races but mainly Arkle If UDS chases as well as they think they may seek to step Vautour up. He's seen as a potential Gold Cup animal down the line so there'd be logic in the JLT with regards the long term...
I don't think Mullins actually said anything new about Vautour yesterday -the quote I read on Sporting Life was that he will "probably go chasing" - doesn't sound like anything is decided yet. I would say, though, that is what Willie and Ruby will likely recommend because, as we know, they want to win as many top races as possible and don't always do what is best for each individual horse. I just think they will end up with egg all over their faces with Faugheen. If Vautour isn't a Champion Hurdle horse then this fella most certainly isn't - he can't jump a fecking hurdle properly.
http://www.attheraces.com/article.as...medium=twitter Un De Sceaux to go chasing- confirmed. Champagne Fever to kick off in John Durkan, King George 'in the back of their minds' as the next step. Sir Des Champs not guaranteed to be seen at all this season- will do their best to get him to Gold Cup but will not be seen until the second half of the season. 'if at all'. http://www.attheraces.com/jumps/prof...d=stable tours Willie Mullins stable tour. "Fairly sure that VAUTOUR goes CHASING"
Re-invested some recent winnings to take a very small slice of 25/1 ew on Karezak for the Triumph Hurdle tonight. Won well on hurdle debut, the second has bolted up since, and connections like to try and have a decent juvenile for the Triumph - they have gone close in recent years with Grumeti and Walkon.
Asked about young horses he (Ricci) was particularly excited about he said he had been "very active" buying in the summer and nominated two French recruits who already figure in the Cheltenham markets, both with Willie Mullins. He said: "Allez Colombieres won three out of four bumpers and was the champion three-year-old bumper horse in France last year. He's one I'm really looking forward to and hopefully he'll be going to the highest level in novice hurdles. "Kalkir is three and ran a great race in a newcomers race at Auteuil when only just behind Bonito Du Berlais, who has gone on to win four on the trot, including a Grade 1 by 12 lengths in the newcomers race at Auteuil. He's one we are really looking forward to, and is hopefully a Triumph Hurdle horse."
Mullins has announced Annie Power will remain over hurdles. Evens for the Mares hurdle currently but id like them to show a bit more ambition and take a shot at the Champion or a rematch against More of That in the world. http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/...onfirmed-annie-power-will-remain-over-hurdles
So surely nailed on for the mares hurdle then given the comment about the mares hurdle now being a group 1?
Money for Bells Hill in the Champ Bumper.... declared to run at punchestown on sunday. Was 40-1 yesterday..... worth a few shillings.
