Yeah it was a harsh comment Oddy. There is ever chance he will be a star, but I look at his profile of the last 3 runs now, and I'm not convinced he is up to the level of where he beat Simonsig. Perhaps he will relish being given some top horses to aim at. I thought he looked clever at his fences today though which will certainly help.
I think he does need a big field and a good battle Toppy. 8/1 for the RSA is a joke though. I would really like to see him in the Feltham, so maybe one more run between then and now - is there a suitable novice chase at the Open meeting maybe? I think we'll be talking Gold Cup contender this time next year.
I suspect Simonsig was below par that day - I would be surprised to see Fingal Bay repeat that victory. I still think Fingal Bay is good, and I would still say being beaten by Lovcen is disappointing, but I find it easier to believe this is one bad race from Simonsig than 3 bad races from Fingal Bay. Impressive effort today Joe/Eddy/Boris.
I think Fingal Bay is one of those horses who likes company - both today and at Newbury he seemed to wonder what was happening when left alone at the front. I've come to the opinion that Aintree was too lively going for him - he needs some cut. I really would like to see him ridden with restraint to see how that goes - Johnson always seems to go on from about 3 out but that costs energy and I'm not convinced he likes being out alone for such a long time. This could work really well if he's stepped up in trip - over shorter distances he could be vulnerable to a horse with a real turn of foot, but for me he will be an out-and-out stayer who can pummel the opposition into submission a bit like Denman in his pomp. He's certainly more of a Denman than a Kauto Star.
**** off, I don't even congratulate myself these days!!!!! CHAPTER SEVEN BOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
**** me : Camilla bought a new pair of shoes for her wedding which got increasingly tight as the day went on. That night, after the festivities were finally over, she & Charles retired back to their room. Camilla flopped on the bed and said 'Please remove my shoes darling, one's feet are killing one.' Ever obedient, the Prince of Wales attacked her right shoe with vigour. But It wouldn't budge. 'Harder!' yelled Camilla. 'Harder?' Charles yelled back. 'I'm trying darling! But it's just so bloody tight!' 'Come on give it all you've got, ' she cried. Finally when it released, Charles let out a big groan, and Camilla exclaimed, 'Oh god, that feels so good !' In their bedroom next door, the Queen turned to Prince Phillip and said, 'See, I told you she would still be a virgin with a face like that.' Meanwhile back in the other bedroom, Charles was attempting to remove the other shoe when he cried out, 'Oh god, darling, this one's even tighter.' At which point Prince Phillip turned and said to the Queen: 'That's my boy; once a navy man, always a navy man!
Oddy.. Calm down boys.!..some of us need an ego massage..some don't.. Anyhow,great to see the thread containing some good robust NH banter....Frankel who!! His chief cheerleader will soon be on slurping and gushing no doubt...
