They do tend to say that Triumph winners have a touch more stamina. That is why I am keen to understand the pace angle. However let me also say that Hurricane Fly has looked better when there is a pace on- I actually think his stamina is now his biggest asset at his age as opposed to pure speed. Today and on seasonal reappearance, he has to dig deep to get his head in front. When Cee Bee went a clip at Christmas, he travelled and won like a Champion. The doubts seem to come from the lightning pace that Rock On Ruby loved when beating him in 2012 but I don't know if that was just a below par performance or not. It is a fascinating Champion this year if they all turn up.
I have heard that Killer Crow is a right tool but that the ground may not be right. One to watch for the future apparently.
Not from the podcast Beefy but Noel did mention it on there. Glad a few are listening in now. They're a reasonable team and know more about racing than I ever will. He ran well but will need to progress. the winner was impressive.
I liked your 'special one' quote yesterday! Presumably he's now Deloitte bound to sharpen up his sketchy jumping? Would be nice to think he's a few steps up the pecking order from Sure Reef and Rathvinden, and if he is, Pipes Red Sherlock won't see which way he goes in the Neptunes.
If he's not better than Rathvinden I can forget about my bets for the Neptune!! You've got to expect that route is likely. My confidence will be knocked if he doesn't turn out again before the Festival. Are you on as well? I loved Ruby's ride on Sure Reef this afty. He must have been ultra confident to take a pull and drop him off the pack. Does he run in the Albert Bartlett?
Yes I hopped onto the Faugheen train (at a few stops in fact) as well despite my concerns about him possibly going AB route! His jumping is slightly sketchy though so hopefully a nice run round in the Deloitte should prepare him for the Festival. I think the value lies due to the probable weakness in the opposition on the day but that's really guesswork at this stage too. Sure Reef would surely be the first Choisir to run in the Albert Bartlett if he does go! Looked a weak enough race today I thought, and with Briar Hill also Wylie owned, Sure Reef could be kept at home for something at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting. Briar Hill looks the typical, tough as teak battler you'd want in an Albert Bartlett, however from what I've seen I'd have David Pipe's King's Palace at the top of my list for that at this stage. His jumping is wonderfully slick.
No need to apologise STH Yeah often these Triumph winners need further and I've little doubt he'd stay further than 2 miles. But I think 2 miles round Cheltenham will also be right up his street too!
I'm sorry but I think persisting with Champagne Fever over the minimum trip would be a big mistake. He blatantly needs further and I'd bet he'll not be in the Arkle. He could even go RSA dependent if they fancy sending yesterdays winner Djadkam (sp) over for the JLT. Though they also have Ballycasey for RSA so again it's a jigsaw puzzle if you're ante-post punting #blamewillie lol
I would tend to agree with that , Cheltenham looked liked it suited him last March anyway, that hill could crown him perhaps.
The time was very good today Toppy (put an update on the Champion Hurdle thread) - 3m 53.0 on soft to heavy was 12 seconds faster than last year on similar going. Truly run race but HF found that extra gear after the last
I always knew Ruby knew his onions! Nothing to do with the fact I'm on FY for the JLT antepost or anything like that........
So Young Pont Alexandre Dunguib Hurricane Fly Boston Bob Cousin Vinny Sizing Europe Moscow Flyer No horse from over the water is 'unbeatable' as they would have you believe, just a few recent examples off the top of me head of those that some of my family who are unlucky enough to be irish have told me down the years are bombproof. Needless to say I'm a little wary of a Irish horse that can't be beat!
But Faugheen IS bombproof lads. What does it matter who's gone before? My 14/1 for the Neptune is looking rather sweet at the moment.
I'm sure a few Mullins hotpots will disappoint and you'll be there to remind me! I think you'll find above I've nominated Mr Pipes King's Palace as my likely Albert Bartlett winner, (even over a Mullins hotpot!) so smoke that one
No problem with the other hotpots, but to be fair Moscow Flyer unseated in the Champion Chase you're referring to then set the record straight by destroying Azertuiop in the Tingle Creek the following December Secondly in Sizing Europe's defeat in the Champion Hurdle he broke down, and then he was blatantly robbed in that disgusting QM chase of 2012! I'll not let you off with those 'cheapshots'
Haha I agree, it's a little harsh to include them, but they didn't win and justify the support in the market at the end of the day. The QM CC in 2012 was disgusting, one of the more painful defeats I've had as a punter in the last few years. Another one was when I blatantly ignored the advice that So Young couldn't be beat and backed Rock on Ruby, was feeling very smug until I got collared by ****ing First Lieutenant!
