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2017 Champion Hurdle

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted member 4957
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We can strike on Apples Jade after todays defeat.

Gordon Elliot just said on ATR – “She wont be winning any champion hurdles I can tell you that.”
Also “She will be stepped up in trip.”
“She looked slow.”

Mares hurdle? World hurdle?
 
Yipee.... the RYANAIR World Hurdle it is then
 
I'm confused with this one, she put up (for me) one of the best performances I've ever seen on a racecourse at Aintree yet couldn't win a weak 4 runner G2 today ?
Sometimes this game just leaves me scratching my head....
 
I think that's an over reaction by GE to step her up in trip already. She certainly didn't look slow last season.
 
Faugheen_Machine said:
I think that's an over reaction by GE to step her up in trip already. She certainly didn't look slow last season.
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Don't you need a horse that stays more than 2 miles to win the CH anyway.... that is one of the most over-used sayings in the entire game.

After removing her from the best trainer around, I hope they don't ever win another race with her.
 
Kevloaf said:
After removing her from the best trainer around, I hope they don't ever win another race with her.
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That's harsh. Surely owners are within their rights to move horses wherever they want and it's great for racing that more of the top horses are spread across various trainers.
 
I don;'t think its too harsh, they got 'there way' regarding targets all the time anyway so it shouldn't make a difference.

For money, they've moved horses away from the best trainer, which might mean the horses that have moved aren't as good as they could be... I don't think that is good for racing.

I just don't like the horse that much :triumphant:
 
Bit late to the party on commenting on Apples Jade performance and agree with a lot of whats been said. Just one thing I wanted to add...

I'm always incredibly suspect of juveniles going into open company regardless of how well they looked in their 3/4yo season BUT you have to say something is not quite right with that run - the fact that it was a juvenile that beat her doesn't sit right with me. I get the feeling that Elliott is trying to make the most of this early spell of the season where Mullins is always very quiet and get as many runners out as possible to pick up wins/prize money to build up a lead. He knows soon there's going to a battalion of horses picking up winners for Mullins and knows he needs to make the most of this spell.

I can only think he rushed Apples Jade back (and Don Poli), both on ground they wouldn't have liked to try and get some quick wins. There's no way Mullins would have those kind of horses out this early and it clearly backfired for him.
 
Kevin Blake made a point about Gordon Elliott saying (paraphrasing a little) he is a bit more 'risky' now, and where before he would take care of a horse for a season with a view to the future, he is more likely now to let them take chances earlier on.... with more firepower now, maybe thats a combination of factors that you have eluded to as well?
 
No Annie or Faugheen this weekend, with Nichols Canyon looking like Mullins first string in the Morgiana... bruise for Faugheen and poor work from Annie
 
Is this the start of the games for AP and Faugheen? Disappointed VVM isn't lining up either, let's see what comes out from the yard in the next few days about them :grumpy:
 
disappointed Annie nor Faugheen going but I didn't want to see VVM here. I'm hoping theres bigger plans for her than third choice Ricci horse for the champion hurdle. Would love to see her get a handy prep over fences then send her to the King George
 
paz247 said:
Is this the start of the games for AP and Faugheen? Disappointed VVM isn't lining up either, let's see what comes out from the yard in the next few days about them :grumpy:
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rich Ricci update: <a href="https://twitter.com/AnniePower_">@AnniePower_</a> worked bad in week. Checked over wkend. <a href="https://twitter.com/realfaugheen">@realfaugheen</a> foot bruise. Vroum Vroum Mag carrying condition.</p>— Matt Chapman ITV/ATR (@MCYeeehaaa) <a href="https://twitter.com/MCYeeehaaa/status/799590543336407044">November 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Agree Sprinter... VVM as 3rd choice for the CH is just not exciting at all... I want her in the KG and GC!

Nichols Canyon - Morgiana/World Hurdle .... can't happen very often...

The depth in this division is just dreadful. Mullins has an odds on shot, with a horse that is going to be aimed at staying trips. The only challenge is coming from JP in the form of two horses who look to have been a bad bunch and the field is rounded out with a couple of Mullins' handicappers.

Yanworth, Apples Jade, MTOY, all had bubbles burst for this particular race today or in recent weeks... Sceaux Royal - worse than Top Notch and P&C, not got a hope. If Altior takes to fences, and Yorkhill... then I might take that 50's on Moon Racer or Chtibello.

There HAS to be something lurking!
 
I wouldn't go writing sceau Royal off yet loaf, if he wins the fighting fifth next weekend he will be 2nd favourite.. I'm on at 20/1 and to be honest I can only see 1 horse in front of him in the betting that will be aimed at the race..
 
Shame we don't know exactly which one yet :highly_amused:

Even the two I mentioned, Moon Racer and Chtibello aren't being aimed at the race either... so at 20/1 each way it really isn't a bad bet at all.

What is expected to line up in the Fighting Fifth? Oh my, Irving second fav for it. He should win that and will get clipped... I am going to get a bit on each way now for the Champ Hurdle rather than back at 6/4 next week
 
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So we are coming up to the end of November and still no decision made on Yorkhill's future :( A look at his entries show 2 on the same day in just under 2 weeks:

- the Hattons Grace over 2m4 over hurdles (Dec 4th)
- the Drinmore over 2m4 over fences (Dec 4th)

So the plus point for myself (having backed him for the JLT) is a possible starting point over 2m4 rather than 2m. But I would be amazed if he was pitched into such a hot race on his chase debut - he would have to be showing something really special at home to do so as it is not the way Willie works. He may pitch his hurdlers into grade 1's now and again but all his chasers are always eased into it. Mullins was asked about the Hattons Grace after Annie and Faugheen weren't declared and came out with:

The champion trainer confirmed the next option for the duo is the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse on December 4, but said he would "doubt" both would line up
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Sadly for quite a few of my antepost bets I think it's more and more likely Yorkhill goes for that race and stays over hurdles. I just think the longer they delay this, the higher the chance of him not going chasing. There also must be much more going on with Annie and Faugheen too that we don't know about. Here's hoping Annie or Faugheen improve in time!!

Has there ever been such a delay in staying hurdles/going chasing before - at least this high profile a horse? For a Neptune and 3 time grade 1 winner I can't think of any...
 
If Annie OR Faugheen turned up though I'd be gobsmacked if Yorkhill took either on!

If they don't turn up, he will obviously be a champion hurdle contender... I wouldn't be surprised if he got pitched in at the Drinmore ... if he loses, they can revert him back to hurdles anyway?
 
Must admit Yorkhill is a spanner in so many works! He's the type of horse I probably wouldn't back at skinny odds but wouldn't lay either.. I mean he's 6/1 for a JLT, in a month that could look huge. But if he rocks up in a champion hurdle would 5/2 faugheen look good, not in my opinion..
 
I'm really nervy now... yorkhill not chasing would be a real big blow to some of my tasty looking double and trebles
 
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