2023 Handicaps

[Faugheen_Machine]

Could not agree more. They can have a novices handicap at another festival for those that want to abuse the process.

We are losing out on some proper clashes because the likes of State Man and GDC are going for the easy option. Not sure why this hasn't been looked at yet.

[JackieMoon33]

We are losing out on some proper clashes because the likes of State Man and GDC are going for the easy option. Not sure why this hasn't been looked at yet.

Yep. Although Saint Roi has not progressed, he would have been competitive in the Supreme that season. And the majority of those Martin Pipe winners would have been competitive in the Albert Bartlett most likely.

[ComplyOrDie]

Or maybe he’s not that good?

This is not directed at you in particular, but I always find it bizarre that when a well thought of or hyped novice gets beaten, the immediate reaction is ‘must be a handicap plot’. The handicaps should have ten novices finishing in a line, 15 lengths clear of the others

I know that some novices will be campaigned for handicaps, but most are not that good and simply do not live up to expectations.

There is a difference between calling a horse a handicapper and calling one a plot too though. If not good enough for the graded races then they end up handicappers, however, some will be planned as potential plots, you can absolutely guarantee that.

The problem is that messrs Mullins & Elliott are well known for their handicap exploits, not just at Cheltenham, but in Ireland too, so of course, the majority of fairly high profile owned horses that fail first time up will be thought of as potential handicap jobs, whether they are or not is another thing.

I imagine they'll all be plotted for something down the line, at some stage. A lot of trainers have forward thinking plans in place.

[JackieMoon33]

There is a difference between calling a horse a handicapper and calling one a plot too though. If not good enough for the graded races then they end up handicappers, however, some will be planned as potential plots, you can absolutely guarantee that.

The problem is that messrs Mullins & Elliott are well known for their handicap exploits, not just at Cheltenham, but in Ireland too, so of course, the majority of fairly high profile owned horses that fail first time up will be thought of as potential handicap jobs, whether they are or not is another thing.

I imagine they'll all be plotted for something down the line, at some stage. A lot of trainers have forward thinking plans in place.

Of course, most will have a revised plan after the fact if things don’t pan out. But I feel it’s more of a comforting thing to say rather than have to acknowledge we got it wrong.

If one of my fancied novices loses then as far as I’m concerned, they’re dead to me

[ComplyOrDie]

If one of my fancied novices loses then as far as I’m concerned, they’re dead to me

Is your real name Johnny Dineen? He's not the forgiving type, either

[JackieMoon33]

Is your real name Johnny Dineen? He's not the forgiving type, either

To be fair, I do normally forgive a debut performance if it hits some minimum standards. But I’ve had some shockers down the years that weren’t worth a second thought after debut!

[Zachx02]

Never understood the love for hunters yarn, he ran over hurdles last year and was outclassed by handicappers

[Rooster Booster]

Of course, most will have a revised plan after the fact if things don’t pan out. But I feel it’s more of a comforting thing to say rather than have to acknowledge we got it wrong.

If one of my fancied novices loses then as far as I’m concerned, they’re dead to me

Completely agree with your first para not so keen on your second

[Lobos]

Don't think there's been much love at all for Hunters Yarn on here and he's definitely not a hype horse. Always been one for the Handicaps for me . Whether he'll even be good enough for that is another thing.

[Saxon Warrior]

Don't think there's been much love at all for Hunters Yarn on here and he's definitely not a hype horse. Always been one for the Handicaps for me . Whether he'll even be good enough for that is another thing.

Spot on.

Willie did an interview after his win at Fairyhouse in April, and seemed quite taken and suggested he could be a Supreme horse.

I watched the race back a couple of times after the ratings came out for the race, and couldn’t see where he was coming from.
Seemed very average form (RPR 120 on 3rd Bumper win) and any thoughts from then, thinking he’s beaten The Mediator 2L so he must be good - have been well and truly consigned to the bin since.

[YoungHustler]

Anybody else think Dan is plotting Third Time Lucki a route to the Grand Annual ?

My thoughts also after backing him LTO. He was just hunted with at the back and strangely didn't make up any lengths on the leaders. He acts around Cheltenham and a fast run Grand Annual would be perfect. I still think he has a stone in hand of his current mark but is dependent on if he gets a clear round which is a big if.

[Istabraq]

My thoughts also after backing him LTO. He was just hunted with at the back and strangely didn't make up any lengths on the leaders. He acts around Cheltenham and a fast run Grand Annual would be perfect. I still think he has a stone in hand of his current mark but is dependent on if he gets a clear round which is a big if.

Yeah I’ve been chipping away at the 25/1 and will keep pressing each time he runs ‘poorly’.
This does however seem a good time to remind everyone that I’m 0-35 in the race…

[RoadToCheltenham]

Gordon has Jungle Prose entered in the Mares Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday. Reeks of fishing for a mark given he's mentioned the Christmas Pertemps qualifier for her already

[FinalFurlong91]

Is it time to start backing langer dan again

A few more inconspicous runs and he will be down near the mark he strolled in off at Aintree.

[Istabraq]

Third Time Lucki entered at Cheltenham on Saturday, if he lines up it’ll be his 3rd run in around five weeks.
This stinks of getting that mark down further, if he is declared I’ll be pressing him for the Grand Annual…