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2017 Champion Hurdle

Interesting snippet from a piece by Johnny Ward to come out in tomorrows paper:

Touches on:

- No concerns about Annie. She's in Great Form.
- Doesn't know if they'll take eachother on in the CH.

And perhaps...just perhaps it adds a bit more fuel to Faugheen's theory that they could indeed take eachother on..

He points out them both getting on (9 years old, both will be 10 next year). Have each one get one last big chance in the race before Yorkhill/another takes up the mantel next year of their CH horse in 2018 onwards? If it's both their last real shot at the CH they deserve to go both give it a go.

Could you imagine how exciting the race would suddenly become...from a race lacking any wow factor all season to then the 2 lining up on the day...Altior vs Min and then 1 hour later Faugheen vs Annie....:triumphant:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WP Mullins quotes from today, interview with Ivan Yates. Full story/Yorkhill 'Champion Hurdle potential' in Irish Independent tomorrow. <a href="https://t.co/73rqR4NwtP">pic.twitter.com/73rqR4NwtP</a></p>— Johnny Ward (@Ui_Maine) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ui_Maine/status/823580271828205568">January 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Also IF he is thinking Yorkhill could go back to hurdling next season. You'd have to take that loosely as:

A. Yorkhill isn't pleasing him 100% over fences, contrary from reactions yesterday
B. He probably doesn't think at this stage any of his novice hurdlers are up to scratch to become a potential candidate for the race next year (not that suprising on what we've seen so far!)


p.s I'm taking all these and most quotes from WPM with a pinch of salt. I still believe they'll be split up if both appear at the festival but I find it fascinating anyway :very_drunk:
 
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That would be great for the fans and spectators, and would benefit the bookies if they both run.
 
If someone said to me now in the space of 2 hours on that Tuesday you'd see:

Altior vs Min
Annie Power vs Faugheen
VVM vs Apples Jade

Despite it being a huge blow to my antepost book i'd take that. I'd happily (well as happy as can be!) take a day without a winner for that!
 
I had some very similar thoughts as I saw this news and could imagine Ricci saying it ... BUT .... Ruby Walsh.

In no situation can I see Ruby having to make that choice, (and Willie ) when they'd be putting 2 of thw best 3 horses they have in the same race, when within 40 minutes they could collect a grade 1 double.

Id take altior versus yorkhill over 2m too ... no contest against Min haha
 
Very strong case for it i'd say sadly. Mrs Ricci wanted to retire her this year and took some persuading not to. Depends how bad the injury is really. I'd say if they could get her back out for either Aintree or Punchestown for one final run but they'd have to be VERY happy she is fully recovered. One horse that they won't take ANY risk over

Would be very surprised if she was still racing next year. Gutted
 
Early quotes:

"Annie Power worked yesterday and worked well but I wasn't happy with her last night, and she was found to have a leg injury this morning.

"She is definitely out of Cheltenham and possibly the rest of the season, but it's too early to say."
Click to expand...
 
This is gutting, she is a star, and wish her happy retirement if she doesn't make it back on a race track. She deserves it.
 
Yorkhill into 11s on Betfair - would need to be supplemented.
 
I could only see that happening if something were to go amiss with Faugheen... stranger things have happened though...
 
Being a natural cynic does anyone know what the betfair movement has been on AP in last couple of days ?
 
Istabraq said:
Being a natural cynic does anyone know what the betfair movement has been on AP in last couple of days ?
Click to expand...

No bleating on twitter so must have kept this one in house.
 
Really wouldn't surprise me if Faugheen doesn't shine on Sunday that we saw VVM line up for the champion hurdle.
 
Istabraq said:
Being a natural cynic does anyone know what the betfair movement has been on AP in last couple of days ?
Click to expand...

I think there was some 20's for her in the CH going just before the announcement but very little as far as I saw.
 
I am cynical Gents but with good reason, someone with good connection would have made a few quid.

So with the race now has a 13/8 fav who hasn't seen a racecourse for over a year.
I'm already heavily in to Yanworth, what price Alan Kings horse is Faugheen flops this weekend ?
 
Istabraq said:
I am cynical Gents but with good reason, someone with good connection would have made a few quid.

So with the race now has a 13/8 fav who hasn't seen a racecourse for over a year.
I'm already heavily in to Yanworth, what price Alan Kings horse is Faugheen flops this weekend ?
Click to expand...

Yanworth would go 5/2 9/4 in places IMO
 
Sunday ..

Faugheen(176) Mrs S Ricci W.P. Mullins 11,10
Nichols Canyon (GB)(160) Andrea Wylie W.P. Mullins 11,10
Petit Mouchoir (FR)(162)Gigginstown House Stud Henry de Bromhead David Mullins 11,10
Footpad (FR)(147) Simon Munir W.P. Mullins 11,08
Ivanovich Gorbatov(150) John P. McManus Joseph Patrick O'Brien Barry Geraghty(T) 11,08
 
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