I think Peddlers had the speed to win the Supreme in 2010 had he been entered, He thoroughly put Menorah to the sword in the Champion Hurdle who isn't exactly a slow horse who had won the Supreme at the festival the year before. Like I said the likes of Istabraq and Hardy Eustace have come out of the Neptune and won Champion Hurdles, I don't think its a bad trial for the Champion Hurdle or the RSA/Gold Cup route so I disagree that its a pointless race. The race suits both top class stayers from the flat and the more old fashioned, chasing type, Unlike the Supreme IMO... Peddlers as had one poor show over fences Shergar, I found Sprinter Sacre very impressive in both his starts over fences but no horse as ever done that to Peddlers in the past, Hurricane Fly had to work harder than hes ever done to shake him off in the Champion Hurdle and Peddlers is a proven performer at Prestbury Park thats where Im holding My faith in the horse. Kempton is completely different to Cheltenham so I cannot understand where you reckon Sprinter Sacre is going to find about 14 lengths on Peddlers when he couldn't even beat Al Ferof up the hill in the Supreme, I wouldn't be suprised if Sprinter Sacre is found out again at Cheltenham!
Gentlemen, I am pleased that I am not the only one still pushing his case. I think the speed with which he has been written off, after one below par effort in unsuitable circumstances, is laughable. This is a quality horse, of that I am in no doubt. I am confident that his jumping will,be very good once he has adjusted to the stiffer fences. He has more than enough pace for the race, and, crucially, more than enough stamina. To me he is still the ideal type for the race. He could easily be the unluckiest horse in Cheltenham history coming up against Hurricane Fly, who I think we will agree is exceptional, and Sprinter Sacre, who looked at Kempton like he could be. However, until I have seen him come up the hill I will continue to support Peddlers Cross. I am totally convinced that he is far better than his Kempton display and believe the test that the Arkle represents is ideal.
KS, a bit silly to say PC wouldnt finish in the first five in the Arkle.But one thing i will agree with you on is the ability in comparison with SS over fences.SS just looks leagues apart in my opinion and has obviously come on an absolute ton since last year. PC is a very good workmanlike horse,but SS just looks something very very special.He showed flashes of brilliance in that race and could have hacked round again if it were required.And of course he is only going to get better and better.So I would find it incredible if PC was able to show the required improvement to get within 16 lengths of SS come March.
Shergar - so you're offering a match bet Sprinter Sacre and Peddlers Cross with Peddlers getting 30 lengths ? 10/11 each of two ? I'll take that bet to whatever stake you're prepared to lay
I have no idea who will win at Cheltenham. But PC won't be the first horse to have had a bad run before Cheltenham and then come good. And I would imagine that the first blunder could have put him out of contention in which case, with Cheltenham in mind, he would not have been thrashed to try to get any closer. He will be better at Cheltenham, if his run in the Champion is anything to go by. SS has every chance of continuing to improve and could be a champion in the making. Does he like Cheltenham? He was going well when hitting the last hard against Al ferof so maybe that was a good run. I'm probably talking rubbish but, having looked through the form book, I think the form lines are very confusing and I don't think the Arkle is a 2 horse race; in fact I think it's a very open race.
Zenyatta....I have not just decided to write off Peddlars Cross because of the Kempton race, I was writing the horse off as an Arkle contender long before that. Grizzly I would like to offer you that match bet, as I believe SS to be at the very least 30 lenghs superior to Peddlers Cross. The problem I have is there won't be anything good enough in the Arkle to get SS at full tilt, to force him to pull 30 lenghs clear of Peddlers Cross. Barry Geraghty will just coast home on the bridle by 10 lenghs, with plenty left in the tank. As for the first 5, id have to have a think about a price for that. We are not talking about your average Arkle favourite here, we are talking about an incredibly talented horse, a horse who is destined for greatness, and will dominate the 2 mile chasing division for years to come
I certainly hope connections let Peddlers Cross take his chance in the Arkle because I am looking forward to this demolition job apparently going to be handed out by Sprinter Sacre. I like your confidence Shergar but I think its a touch premature... Just my opinion!
Couple of things to bear in mind, and just to make sure we have the big picture in mind here. Sprinter Sacre has been absolutely ELECTRIC over fences, his jumping is what will win him the Arkle. He has comprehensively outjumped Peddlers Cross so far, but this is the way I see it: Sprinter Sacre is naturally very exuberant, he was pulling head over fist in the Supreme yet looked the likely winner 2 out, and so far has transferred that exuberance to fences supremely well. Peddlers Cross is naturally very workmanlike, and usually ups his game depending on the opposition. He doesn't always stand out, but the fact is that he is an absolute powerhouse between fences when at full tilt. He has not had chance to get anywhere near full speed in his two outings before the match up at Kempton with SS, so we don't yet know how he'll jump when they are flying around Cheltenham at a reel tilt. I suspect he is a lot, lot better than what we have seen so far. One thing is for sure- if Sprinter Sacre jumps as cleanly at Cheltenham, Peddlers cannot afford a mistake like he did at Kempton. But I am utterly convinced that 15 lengths was flattering, especially as a flat, speed-orientated 2m at Kempton is a completely different challenge to staying balanced around the undulations and up hill finish at Cheltenham. BUT I must re-iterate, Barry Geraghty is seriously impressed with Sprinter Sacre. McCain will have his team in terrific order though come Cheltenham, so lets wait and see. One of them has to lose, (maybe even both?!), but ridiculous claims about the superiority from King Shergar is simply designed to gain a response from you- he just comes out with controversial statements day in day out, so whilst on evidence so far Sprinter Sacre is a worthy favourite, you would not catch me laying Peddlers Cross just yet.
Yes I come out with ridiculous statements day in out, dont I Top Class? Like when everyone accused me of being ridiculous, when I predicted SS would hammer PC last week. Ridiculous indeed. As for Barry Geraghty being impressed with SS, that is the understatement of the century, he believes SS has the potential to be the best he has ever ridden. Even better than the great Moscow Flyer
You were spot on, for which I must congratulate you. I was pointing more to your controversial statements, such as Peddlers to not get a top 5 spot in the Arkle (based on what?). Bar Al Ferof, who will beat Peddlers Cross for 2nd place? I find it hard to see a 170-rated hurdler who saves his best for Cheltenham and made only one jumping mistake going right-handed running to a mark of 150. Anyway dude, no harm meant. to be honest, I don't know if I have the time for these sorts of debates any more, sometimes they get a bit too serious and to be honest when it comes down to it, its only horse racing. I'll leave you guys to it, if that's what you believe, then fair play. I was never in racing to be an 'I told you so'. I'm gonna just form a few ante-post bets and see what happens in March.
Silviniaco Conti was looking impressive running up a squence before getting beaten by Menorah and Cue Card. Fell apart after that but looks to have taken well to chasing and beat Bobs Worth when second to Grand Crus (the horse being taken seriously for the Gold Cup). Cue Card looks to be finally starting to live up to the hype of last year now chasing. Frascati Park, conqueror of Sprinter Sacre has done well since taking to chasing but was beaten by subsequent winners Zaynar and Kumbeshwar. Zaynar was impessive that day but had earlier been beaten comprehensively by Walk On, who has recently been beaten by Cue Card and For Non Stop. This is all very confusing but I don't see Cue Card coming out of this too badly at all and could be interesting at 16s. What about Solwhit? Is he really going for the Arkle? Hasn't been seen over fences but is only 16s. Looking at the betting for the Arkle there looks to be plenty in with a chance and it looks like a cracking race to look forward to. The undulations, the strong gallop and the pressure coming round that final bend and then that final uphill struggle will suit some of these more than others and cancel out several lengths to be found in the form book. Sprinter Sacre may be a champion in waiting but for me, looking at that card (assuming most run) 3/1 best price looks a bit skinny.
Solwhit will be back this month some time all being well Ron Could anyone tell me the whereabouts of Samain, of Willie Mullins' yard? I'd like to see him running this season but as ever, Mullins does not let anyone know a thing.
I agree that Cue Card is looking good, his form is reading realy well, and he will probably go to Cheltenham, with more experience over fences than anything else. If he was to run in the Arkle, I believe he would make the frame. I do feel though that Colin Tizzard might go for the Jewson instead. Afterall winning the Jewson is better than being placed in the Arkle. I think you could see a few good horse's in the Jewson again this year, particularly if Grands Crus goes for the RSA, as alot of trainers will want to avoid him aswell
Surely you guys should be steaming into Solwhit at 25/1 for the Arkle, afterall he gave Hurricane Fly just as tough a challenge over hurdles, as Peddlers Cross did. He has even beaten HF before
''Grizzly I would like to offer you that match bet, as I believe SS to be at the very least 30 lenghs superior to Peddlers Cross. The problem I have is there won't be anything good enough in the Arkle to get SS at full tilt, to force him to pull 30 lenghs clear of Peddlers Cross. Barry Geraghty will just coast home on the bridle by 10 lenghs, with plenty left in the tank. As for the first 5, id have to have a think about a price for that.'' Interesting. If you change your mind let me know - I know you like to play for decent stakes for I'd like to play this for up to £10k
Colin Tizzard has already said that Cue Card will run in the Arkle. He doesn't jump well enough for me. His technique is appalling and he lacks scope. Therefore, not for me. I am looking forward to hearing your price for a Top 5 finish Shergs. I hope you don't bottle it now. Plus, on the subject of poor calls, I seem to remember you pushing the case of Master Minded for the King George. We all get things wrong from time to time, even your good self.
SS to beat PC by 10 lengths with plenty left in the tank.... What bit of form suggests SS is capable of that? Is it the fact he was beaten for stamina in the supreme or he was beaten for stamina at Ascot? SS has already proven he struggles on galloping tracks yet PC has won over 2m 5 at Cheltenham? As for your predictions....... throw enough darts you'll eventually hit a bullseye
MASTERMINED FOR KING GEORGE shergar wasnt you telling us all to put our hard earned on long run ?????? and said kauto didnt stand a chance !!!i thought you would of learned by now boyo
Zenyatta......I never said Master Minded would win the KG, I suggested he had a big chance, and would run a big race. The horse was then injured and pulled up during the race, so he didn't get the chance to prove he was good enough. If the race was run again, and MM was fit and healthy, I would still give him a big chance. Carronhills.....He was 4 years old at Ascot, and still very much learning his trade, you do not seriously believe that Frascati Park would get the better of him again? He ran a good race in the Supreme, and may well have won had he not hit the last hurdle, which allowed Al Ferof and Spirit Son by. Though he still outstayed Cue Card up the hill, who is a former festival winner
