Had Zarkandar won by a head I would obviously have been saying that Reves jumping cost him the race and everyone would be talking about what a brilliant ride it was by STD and that people should lay off him after all. Bottom line, his horse had every chance in the world and wasnt good enough to see it out, whether the trip was a bit too far, or whether he was outbattled, or whether he bottled it, idled or beaten by the better horse, you name it, youll need to ask the horse. If you think the jockey went too soon when he asked the horse at the last hurdle in a 3m1 race then the alarm bells should start ringing that it might not be a true 3m1 horse.
I didn't see any racing today...continental market x multiple paulaner. Re STD,he is nowhere near the finished article and both he and Nicholls have stated,even on the morning line,that they discuss his bad rides,the Sunday of the Open Meeting in particular. I used to count the times that he and Lucy Alexander ended up on the turf as a fun aside,hoping of course that neither pilot nor conveyance was injured. He comes across as a nice lad,obviously takes after his mother,but will he evolve into a top rider?
I don't mind having my chain pulled, but that was a nightmare CH clip if ever I saw one. Boris, on that race yesterday, do you think Zarkandar did not actually stop and was possibly ahead again just past the post? Beaten by a better stayer, yes, but I don't think Zarkandar stopped. Jockey could have been a bit over-confident, but I am not a jockey-basher, I do not like this practice.
Classic case of a horse idling in front with Zarkandar. He is a horse who has always shown his best with an opponent to eyeball and he picked up again after Reve De Sivola passed him. Take a look at the replay of Zarkandar outbattling novice The New One up the Aintree straight in the 2013 Aintree Hurdle - that is his forte. I don't know what STD could have done differently to be honest - the horse took him there all the way up the home straight and just idled in front when left alone.
I could argue that Reve idled in front and thats why it looked like Zarkandar was coming back. Ive never seen Zarkandar do what he done yesterday, he doesnt seem the type to throw a race away like that to me and in my opinion if he got home truly he would have won the race. It just looked like a non stayer to me, Reve could not get away from the field on the ground and did not jump well, which allowed Zarkandar to travel through the race in his comfort zone, being a horse who can compete at grade 2 level in 2m races. STD thought he had a lot of horse but he didnt jump the last like a horse who was full of running and once asked to go up a gear he quickly emptied. The reality was he was just on the faster horse and thats why it looked like he was full of horse against an old stayer. Both horses were out on there feet at the finish and both were slowing, but the stronger stayer won, I honestly dont think Zarkandar would have got anywhere near a year younger Reve De Sivola on soft ground at that trip round Ascot, circumstances gave him half a chance and he still could not take it.
Does it really matter, how many times do you need to put an opinion across, some people thought it was a bad ride by the jockey others thought Zarkandar wasn't good enough! Not quite sure how The New One came into the argument but it doesn't surprise me, any excuse to get it mentioned!
Just pointing out how Zarkandar has (to me) always seemed to like to have an opponent to eyeball Smokey - I could have used his International defeat of Grandouet instead I suppose ................... Zarkandar has never been a "10 lengths on the snaff" horse. Fair point Boris, 2 tired horses up the straight.
I covered basically everything I had to say about it last night but someone asked me a question which I answered. Sorry, we can go back to absolutely no debate on here as usual I love it when something happens that divides opinion so much, because this place is stone dead the rest of the time.
No worries smokey Good to have some lively debate like you say Boris, too many Mullins 1-6 shots going in most days to make it interesting
You clearly aren't married or live with a lass then Boris. If I want a row I don't need to come on here.
Stick my head back in today through sheer boredom and seems nothing changes much Really think the mods could start doing some moderating around here. It's pretty clear people are tired of keyboard warriors who are ruining the forum. Just an idea
I did, that was my point. I answered your question and then smokey said how many times do you have to give your opinion, and then I explained to him why I gave it again and quoted your question to show him why. The text underneath your quote was for smokey.
OK, my apologies, misunderstood. All I wanted to do was to emphasize that I thought Z was going on again at the finish. Probably was already said before but there you are, these things happen. Beefy, I ain't no keyboard warrior, just get pissed-off now and again...
