I suspect you might be right to be honest in that he is a pacy stayer. To me, and I think this is where the problematic decision lies, he has the pace for 2m and the Supreme but is a Gold Cup horse in the making, so should have the stamina for the Neptune too. Cannot wait for the Arkle 2013. Then we will see him show what he can do.
Just found a bit more of Henderson's post race thoughts . . . "I'd always hoped he might be a bit special and I think he probably is. "The sun did him (Geraghty) no favours over the last couple and he'd have loved to go and stride on a little bit - he was at pains to hang on to him. "We're just trying to see where that speed is and he has got an awful lot of it. "Barry said if he'd let go of him he could have found another 20 (lengths) if he'd wanted it. "He will go to Cheltenham, but it (what race) is a huge decision. It's a big decision and it's a very difficult one. "He's bred to stay - he's won a point-to-point and he won a bumper over two and a quarter miles in Ireland."
Wow!!...Supreme,Gold Cup,Neptune and Arkle mentioned in a mere 24 words!....he must be some machine! I really do like him,and admire your enthusiam Zen,but he still has everything to prove.
Surely when assessing a novice you have to have in mind what they might do in the future . . . ? Future targets and so on? I think he has shown this season that he has a good chance in either the Supreme or Neptune, whichever race connections choose. He has also shown the blend of pace and stamina that is necessary for the Arkle. He is already a Point winner and you would expect him to make the transition to fences next season. He already has form at 3m and I'm sure when he arrived the ultimate aim would have been the Gold Cup. And, of course he still has everything to prove because he's had only the 3 hurdles runs after all!
Why not rename him Arkle? Deary me, impressive as he has been, is this not the same old story over and over again?
In my personal opinion he'll go for the Neptune. I reckon he'll be a little vulnerable in the Supreme over 2m. Can see why they are considering the Supreme, but I still think he'll go for the Neptune. I also warn some of you guys not to get too carried away, as easy as it is to do sometimes! There have been many, many HOT novices (Dunguib, Cue Card, Binocular) all beaten in the race. So please be careful before nailing colours to masts! We hear the same every year, "he's the next big thing, he'll win the Supreme head in chest". Rarely happens.
Hardly the same as the hot shots mentioned above as Simonsig is still an OK price Still believe the Neptune makes sense especially as BJG believes this, will be interesting to see what the outcome is, probably wont hear until next week though
I still think he'll be switched to Supreme now. I don't think Henderson is particularly sweet on Darlan, Captain Conan is done for this season now and will be left for chasing as his career develops, and for me that leaves Tetlami and therefore Simonsig (as Mono Man seemingly has no prep race entires). Henderson's revealing comment for me yesterday was the one where he said 'we were at pains not to let him stride on, and Barry said he had another 20 lengths left in him"- al;most as if he was defending a decision to go for the Supreme because they were simply curbing his natural speed, which made him look slower than he is yesterday. Can't hel but think that the combination of Fingal Bay, Boston Bob, and the seeming lack of other Supreme stars means that Henderson will choose the Supreme. But I've been wrong before.
The Supreme seems an easier race as both Fingal Bay, Boston Bob and for me the forgotten horse of the race (Monksland) all seem serious opponents. Have to say though based on what I've seen so far he is in danger of being seriously over hyped on here. The SN still looks a tough race it just lacks the possible stars the Neptune might have.
Oh it happens frequently on here. Wait till the flat season starts then you'll get pages and pages on 'wonderhorse' So You Think- he really get the full works on the hype treatment!
in the sun today there was a henderson quote saying barry is leaning towards the neptune, but henderson slightly prefers the supreme as it may be easier. stillhopeforsupremebackers!
Agree with this (says he that had his biggest ever losing fixed odds bet on Dunguib Though Binocular I'm not even sure was favourite - you can add you'llneverwalkalone to the list though, he was backed in very close to odds on...
I seem to recall Binocular was very short for the Supreme Grizzly - 6/5 ish? That despite 4YOs having a rubbish record in the race Edit: no, my memory playing tricks. He was 8/1 for the Supreme. He was very short the year afterwards for the Champion Hurdle (6/4) when beaten a neck and a head by Punjabi and Celestial Halo
The opposite. He was 8/1 co-favourite of 3 with Pigeon Island and Muirhead. That renewal was as open as this year's.
Yeah I was thinking about the year after Zen when I did my nuts on him for the Champion Hurdle - I think that's why I hate the horse
Barry Geraghty did say the Neptune would be the race he'd favour after getting off the horse yesterday, In my personal opinion I think Simonsig travels like the wrath of god throughout his races but doesn't find that extra gear when posed the question, The Sandown race against Fingal Bay would be a prime example and coming up the hill in a fastly run 2 miles he will fade seriously on the run in. I don't think he'll win either race to be honest, In the race yesterday it was nothing more than a hack canter to the line what did he beat? A 3 miler in second? I think Simonsig is being slightly overhyped and I'd be happy to lay him for both races, Not quick enough for the Supreme as I think there a few speedier horses in that race, And Fingal Bay as already proved himself superior and Willie Mullins Boston Bob looks a serious horse. Whoever is taking the 5/1 for the Supreme is a serious mug punter...
