Absolutely. Unfortunately, a number of the younger brigade seem to think hurdling only started with Istabraq. Without looking it up, I think he used to keep beating up Theatreworld who hardly won anything.
I see Des McDonough has retired. What a story that was with Monksfield (I still think the Monksfield book is the best I’ve read re race horses). He mentioned that he had not been back to Cheltenham in nearly 40 years. Just makes me realise how lucky I am to be going every year. Will savour this year a bit more as a result.
Also there was one beginning with A I think that won a lesser race really impressively that’s was one if the magnificent 7. I know it was Irish trained and either win a handicap or a grade 3 or something and looked like it was a massive improver. I seem to recall thee was a lot of debate as to whether the CH would be a step too far
Also there was one beginning with A I think (not Al Eile) who I seem to remember won a lesser race really impressively that was one of the magnificent 7. I know it was Irish trained and either won a handicap or a grade 3 or something and looked like it was a massive improver. I seem to recall there was a lot of debate as to whether the CH would be a step too far. Turned out it was and don’t recall it doing anything of any note afterwards.
Was the one beginning with A accordion etoile ?Also there was one beginning with A I think that won a lesser race really impressively that’s was one if the magnificent 7. I know it was Irish trained and either win a handicap or a grade 3 or something and looked like it was a massive improver. I seem to recall thee was a lot of debate as to whether the CH would be a step too far
Also there was one beginning with A I think (not Al Eile) who I seem to remember won a lesser race really impressively that was one of the magnificent 7. I know it was Irish trained and either won a handicap or a grade 3 or something and looked like it was a massive improver. I seem to recall there was a lot of debate as to whether the CH would be a step too far. Turned out it was and don’t recall it doing anything of any note afterwards.
Thanks for Macs Joy. Was driving on the way to a concert and it suddenly came to me , shouted it out at the top of my voice and woke up my passengers. My sanity has often been questioned not without justification and apparently I now have Tourette’s to add to my many other conditions.
Hardy Eustace was a legend
Yes that’s the one …not only do I need help with my emojis
, it seems my memory is spread out amongst fellow fj’s. What a sad state of affairs 
Well it’s not going to be the greatest renewal is it . Festival form is a plus at least
The opposite by the looks of it.....out to 2's
I think you'll find the statistics don't back up his theory.
I think I read that although many jockeys (like Power) talk about the respect for the hurdles and horses taking more chances at the foam backed ones.
I'm assuming all currently entered take their chance next Tuesday.
It will be a very interesting race as their are doubts about all the contenders.
But there is no doubt that the three that head the market are clear on ability IMO.
The problem they all have is many think they need further, when it's probably a decent gallop is all they need to ensure that horses with speed and less ability can't beat them (like golden ace for example).
Tutti Quanti looks like he may be the pace of the race now Elliot has dispensed with his pacemaker.
You'd like to think that Mullins will have learned from last time that supplying the pace and an end to end gallop is not ideal for his best chance in the race. So hopefully Anzadam's plan D is not to go off like an idiot and if he does lead then hopefully it's to order and he goes a sensible pace.
To me, an end to end gallop might be Lossie's only real weakness aside from the occasional clumsy jump, in that she loses some of her ability if she's asked to go full throttle from pillar to post, especially if she throws in one or two floaty jumps early on and becomes badly positioned, which she can from time to time.
I'm not sure Tutti can take them along fast enough though so I think if he front runs this should set it up for a closer, from just off the pace, with a gear or two.
I think BDA does need an end to end gallop, as I don't think she has gears but the top gear is excellent, but she may also falter up the hill like last year, if they go too fast early so the pace is key to her also. She needs it even I reckon.
I do not buy her being injured last year one bit, although accept she was probably not in her best shape for whatever reason.
The injury was only mentioned months later, and Elliott is stabling her off course this year so he is fucking around a bit and the injury thing is complete guesswork as to whether that hindered her last year or not.
The current Fav looks the most like a 2 and half miler or stayer that the whole field IMO but I don't rule him out cos he should benefit from a good gallop also and we'll then see what ability he has up the hill to the finish. He's only ever finished one race over 2 miles and that was run at a crawl against rubbish. He hardly looked electric in the finish. Compared to say a horse with genuine speed like El Cairos.
I cannot see any other horse really having a win chance, unless they go really slow fractions for some reason or they go off far too quick.
Unfortunately, these are famous last words as this often happens (go too quick early and mid race).
But I'm Lossiemouth all in.
The other 2 are savers only.
And I still hold a 40-1 ticket on anzadam.
Lets hope she fucking runs.
I read all that and kept thinking, I hope she runs!!
Come on Q I’m in your club too. Up the LOSSIEEEEEEEEEEI'm assuming all currently entered take their chance next Tuesday.
It will be a very interesting race as their are doubts about all the contenders.
But there is no doubt that the three that head the market are clear on ability IMO.
The problem they all have is many think they need further, when it's probably a decent gallop is all they need to ensure that horses with speed and less ability can't beat them (like golden ace for example).
Tutti Quanti looks like he may be the pace of the race now Elliot has dispensed with his pacemaker.
You'd like to think that Mullins will have learned from last time that supplying the pace and an end to end gallop is not ideal for his best chance in the race. So hopefully Anzadam's plan D is not to go off like an idiot and if he does lead then hopefully it's to order and he goes a sensible pace.
To me, an end to end gallop might be Lossie's only real weakness aside from the occasional clumsy jump, in that she loses some of her ability if she's asked to go full throttle from pillar to post, especially if she throws in one or two floaty jumps early on and becomes badly positioned, which she can from time to time.
I'm not sure Tutti can take them along fast enough though so I think if he front runs this should set it up for a closer, from just off the pace, with a gear or two.
I think BDA does need an end to end gallop, as I don't think she has gears but the top gear is excellent, but she may also falter up the hill like last year, if they go too fast early so the pace is key to her also. She needs it even I reckon.
I do not buy her being injured last year one bit, although accept she was probably not in her best shape for whatever reason.
The injury was only mentioned months later, and Elliott is stabling her off course this year so he is fucking around a bit and the injury thing is complete guesswork as to whether that hindered her last year or not.
The current Fav looks the most like a 2 and half miler or stayer that the whole field IMO but I don't rule him out cos he should benefit from a good gallop also and we'll then see what ability he has up the hill to the finish. He's only ever finished one race over 2 miles and that was run at a crawl against rubbish. He hardly looked electric in the finish. Compared to say a horse with genuine speed like El Cairos.
I cannot see any other horse really having a win chance, unless they go really slow fractions for some reason or they go off far too quick.
Unfortunately, these are famous last words as this often happens (go too quick early and mid race).
But I'm Lossiemouth all in.
The other 2 are savers only.
And I still hold a 40-1 ticket on anzadam.
Lets hope she fucking runs.
