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2026 Champion Hurdle

Benjy23 said:
The one difference being if she was beaten at DRF beforehand. That your hope?
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I think even if she was beaten at the DRF now she'd run in the Champion. Paul's alternate ride is a huge difference maker - I can't see any circumstance which he'd be happy with Anzadam being his alternate ride in the Champion Hurdle.
 
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Ellisgittings said:
I think even if she was beaten at the DRF now she'd run in the Champion. Paul's alternate ride is a huge difference maker - I can't see any circumstance which he'd be happy with Anzadam being his alternate ride in the Champion Hurdle.
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Anzadam would have to beat her, no excuses.
And then they'll have a choice.

Even my vain hope Kawaboomga wouldn't help as he'd be Walsh's ride.
 
Quevega said:
Anzadam would have to beat her, no excuses.
And then they'll have a choice.

Even my vain hope Kawaboomga wouldn't help as he'd be Walsh's ride.
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100% and even then he'd have a decision to make. He stuck with State Man after defeats last year, these jockeys are generally quite loyal types (see Ruby with Kauto).
 
Quevega said:
It always amazes me although it shouldn't do, how much of us punters talk from our pocket or at least don't employ real critical thinking.

We've been here before with Annie Power, Honeysuckle, Apples Jade, Brighterdaysahead.
Now Lossiemouth.

In almost all cases the horses have gone for champion when they've shown to be the best in Ireland over that trip during the season.

It has gone tits up on occasions and normally when I've second guessed the popular school of thought, as I stood to win a fair chunk had Brighterdaysahed or Apples Jade won.

Although I had a lovely day in the sun when Annie won, and enjoyed very much laughing in the faces of all the - she wont' be quick enough over 2 miles merchants :ROFLMAO: - same fucking bellends were The New One followers also, so they were getting pretty fed up - "He would have won if this or if fucking that" My fucking arse he would, the Fly was a machine.:love:

I was also on the wrong end of Honeysuckle for the most part having had one of my biggest bets antepost on her for the mares Novice hurdle the year she missed the festival.😞

Only when they've clearly shown weakness during a season have they opted for the Mares.
Added to that there have been other factors at play, like superstar horses in other stables and horses within the same yard that have a very good chance also.

Honeysuckle was beaten twice in the season she reverted and Constitution Hill looked unbeatable (as it proved).
Now don't get me wrong, from a sporting point of view and her going for her third Champion I was against the decision at the time, but they were probably correct to go that way as it proved.

Then Lossie, in the first year - it was the "2 year plan" :rolleyes: and she would only have been 5 going into it, with the stable also having the 2/5 favourite for the Champion in State Man.

Last season was more complicated as we had the defeat over 2 miles against Constitution Hill with the trainer blaming himself for not having her sharp enough after a jog around Naas against Teahupoo. And it was probably no disgrace losing to Con Hill around Kempton.
Then she fell when upsides State Man in the Irish Champion.

So going in she had suffered two defeats in different circumstances and was off the back of a fall and also had Constitution Hill to beat, who was 2/2 for the season. And Brighterdaysahead, who had looked like a machine at xmas and had confirmed fairly early that she would go for the champion hurdle.

Then, even though I thought it was bullshit at the time, the yard said State Man was working really well. Townend had little reason to desert State Man having been a great servant for a couple of years and had only one really bad run.

So the decision in the end was not a major surprise, it was more of a disappointment from a sporting context as was discussed in detail on here. :rolleyes: - But clearly the Mares without Brighterdaysahead was the right option considering they thought they had State Man back to his best.

The talk of her being better at 2 and a half vs 2 miles has some truth to it as depending on how the races are run and at which type of track and which type of ground then I'm sure some other horses may be closer to her than they would be if she had her optimum conditions.

But Cheltenham over 2 miles on softish ground - I'd say there is no other horse in training that would have an advantage over her (based on what we've seen), no matter how the race is run. Except for a prime Constitution Hill.

Sir Gino has the potential though, I can see that for sure.

If anyone thinks that if the race were next week that Lossiemouth would run in the mares, then they are off their tits.
Obviously between now and the race anything can happen.👍
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Quevega said:
It always amazes me although it shouldn't do, how much of us punters talk from our pocket or at least don't employ real critical thinking.

We've been here before with Annie Power, Honeysuckle, Apples Jade, Brighterdaysahead.
Now Lossiemouth.

In almost all cases the horses have gone for champion when they've shown to be the best in Ireland over that trip during the season.

It has gone tits up on occasions and normally when I've second guessed the popular school of thought, as I stood to win a fair chunk had Brighterdaysahed or Apples Jade won.

Although I had a lovely day in the sun when Annie won, and enjoyed very much laughing in the faces of all the - she wont' be quick enough over 2 miles merchants :ROFLMAO: - same fucking bellends were The New One followers also, so they were getting pretty fed up - "He would have won if this or if fucking that" My fucking arse he would, the Fly was a machine.:love:

I was also on the wrong end of Honeysuckle for the most part having had one of my biggest bets antepost on her for the mares Novice hurdle the year she missed the festival.😞

Only when they've clearly shown weakness during a season have they opted for the Mares.
Added to that there have been other factors at play, like superstar horses in other stables and horses within the same yard that have a very good chance also.

Honeysuckle was beaten twice in the season she reverted and Constitution Hill looked unbeatable (as it proved).
Now don't get me wrong, from a sporting point of view and her going for her third Champion I was against the decision at the time, but they were probably correct to go that way as it proved.

Then Lossie, in the first year - it was the "2 year plan" :rolleyes: and she would only have been 5 going into it, with the stable also having the 2/5 favourite for the Champion in State Man.

Last season was more complicated as we had the defeat over 2 miles against Constitution Hill with the trainer blaming himself for not having her sharp enough after a jog around Naas against Teahupoo. And it was probably no disgrace losing to Con Hill around Kempton.
Then she fell when upsides State Man in the Irish Champion.

So going in she had suffered two defeats in different circumstances and was off the back of a fall and also had Constitution Hill to beat, who was 2/2 for the season. And Brighterdaysahead, who had looked like a machine at xmas and had confirmed fairly early that she would go for the champion hurdle.

Then, even though I thought it was bullshit at the time, the yard said State Man was working really well. Townend had little reason to desert State Man having been a great servant for a couple of years and had only one really bad run.

So the decision in the end was not a major surprise, it was more of a disappointment from a sporting context as was discussed in detail on here. :rolleyes: - But clearly the Mares without Brighterdaysahead was the right option considering they thought they had State Man back to his best.

The talk of her being better at 2 and a half vs 2 miles has some truth to it as depending on how the races are run and at which type of track and which type of ground then I'm sure some other horses may be closer to her than they would be if she had her optimum conditions.

But Cheltenham over 2 miles on softish ground - I'd say there is no other horse in training that would have an advantage over her (based on what we've seen), no matter how the race is run. Except for a prime Constitution Hill.

Sir Gino has the potential though, I can see that for sure.

If anyone thinks that if the race were next week that Lossiemouth would run in the mares, then they are off their tits.
Obviously between now and the race anything can happen.👍
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The most important for Willie and Townsend at the festival is winners. They basically always send their horses to the races they are most likely to win. Annie was different because she was still favourite for the champion hurdle. There’s no way lossie goes off favourite as long as Gino stays sounds. If lossie goes champ hurdle they’ve nothing that can win the mares imo. I’d honestly be shocked if she goes champ hurdle, again as long as Gino stays sound. I know you shouldn’t be scared of 1 horse but when it comes to banking winners at Cheltenham they will be
 
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I can’t believe that they’ll go empty handed to the champion hurdle. They’ll take their best and one or two more
 
Studfarm254 said:
The most important for Willie and Townsend at the festival is winners. They basically always send their horses to the races they are most likely to win. Annie was different because she was still favourite for the champion hurdle. There’s no way lossie goes off favourite as long as Gino stays sounds. If lossie goes champ hurdle they’ve nothing that can win the mares imo. I’d honestly be shocked if she goes champ hurdle, again as long as Gino stays sound. I know you shouldn’t be scared of 1 horse but when it comes to banking winners at Cheltenham they will be
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With respect.
You're talking Bollocks. (y)
The race they are most likely to win mantra is so banal.

For anyone who has not worked it out yet.
It's the trainer equivalent of telling your kids to shut up.
I.E - they can't be arsed to go into all the ins and outs and thought processes and politics and reasons why, so they offer that to any journalist who asks.

I've not had any money on Lossie for either race as a single by the way.
Although I did double her with Wodhooh and Kopek a while back.

And Willie Mullins will not divert a horse to another race because of a Nicky Henderson horse.
Never has done and never will.
Don't anyone fucking mention Constitution Hill and Sir Gerard because that's hindsight bullshit.

And although winners is what everyone is looking for, they will undoubtedly have a priority list. And the Championship races will be first on the list.
 
Quevega said:
With respect.
You're talking Bollocks. (y)
The race they are most likely to win mantra is so banal.

For anyone who has not worked it out yet.
It's the trainer equivalent of telling your kids to shut up.
I.E - they can't be arsed to go into all the ins and outs and thought processes and politics and reasons why, so they offer that to any journalist who asks.

I've not had any money on Lossie for either race as a single by the way.
Although I did double her with Wodhooh and Kopek a while back.

And Willie Mullins will not divert a horse to another race because of a Nicky Henderson horse.
Never has done and never will.
Don't anyone fucking mention Constitution Hill and Sir Gerard because that's hindsight bullshit.

And although winners is what everyone is looking for, they will undoubtedly have a priority list. And the Championship races will be first on the list.
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I’m surprised at you ‘Quevega’, you should know Willies obsession once they get rolling in that mares race lol. Wouldn’t say it’s banal at all when you see Willie do it season after season at Cheltenham. What does get me though is people saying ‘if that horse where at Willies what price would it be’?!’ I’ve even used to say it myself in fairness, thankfully I’ve matured now. Anyway we’ll have to agree to disagree on this 1. Don’t worry I’ll not bother with the ‘I told you so!’ come March, I’m not that mean
 
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Can see anzadam priced up for the county hurdle, any chance ? Would be carrying a hefty weight as things stand
 
BigL said:
Can see anzadam priced up for the county hurdle, any chance ? Would be carrying a hefty weight as things stand
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I'd say every chance he'll go that way especially as PT will not be on him in the CH and same owner has Sir Gino in the race. Willie has won the County off top weight before with a horse falling just below CH standard so history there. Arctic Fire was actually rated 1lb higher than Anzadam is currently.
 
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Lobos said:
I'd say every chance he'll go that way especially as PT will not be on him in the CH and same owner has Sir Gino in the race. Willie has won the County off top weight before with a horse falling just below CH standard so history there. Arctic Fire was actually rated 1lb higher than Anzadam is currently.
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May depend on whether they decide to give Lossie another gimme Mares
😈
 
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Carnage at Taunton said:
May depend on whether they decide to give Lossie another gimme Mares
😈
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Wodhooh is certainly no gimme. She has proved an exceptional Mare in her own right. Not going to happen this year anyways Carnage ! Have faith, Lossie will finally be given her rightful chance..And definitely not with same owner having Sir Gino in the CH. They'll have 2 very good chances of a Festival winner with SG in the Churdle and Anzadam in the County. I'm really coming round to the idea. Over 100/1 Double sounds really appealing 👍
 
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Lobos said:
Wodhooh is certainly no gimme. She has proved an exceptional Mare in her own right. Not going to happen this year anyways Carnage ! Have faith, Lossie will finally be given her rightful chance..And definitely not with same owner having Sir Gino in the CH. They'll have 2 very good chances of a Festival winner with SG in the Churdle and Anzadam in the County. I'm really coming round to the idea. Over 100/1 Double sounds really appealing 👍
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Just having a laugh with you 😆
Sure as I can be you are right
 
"Last year we gave her every chance to say 'I'm a Champion Hurdle mare' and she fluffed her lines twice.

"This year she's had two chances to say 'I'm a Champion Hurdle mare' and she's won twice."

It's a fair quote from Patrick this... And goes a long with the line of thinking that she's going Champion Hurdle unless beaten beforehand.
 
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Even if she were to get beat narrowly at DRF I would still expect her to go to the CH as she's proved unbeatable at the Festival and deserves a shot at the 2m crown. I suppose if Anzadam beat her then that could change matters but for me that is very, very unlikely.
 
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El fabiolo on anyone’s mind after that confidence booster . I think it’ll Be interesting to see where he goes next with regards the festival target
 
I thought could be a more interesting contender for stayers
 
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