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2026 Champion Hurdle

Kauto’s star said:
Did Anzadam absolutely throw his chances away, yes, but he outjumped them all so comprehensively he just ended up in front. I’m not giving up on that nut job yet. He did well to finish so close given the burnout mid race. At least he didn’t try and bite any rivals Jo the run in 😜😜 as a lossie backer for this, not sure she did enough to scare off sir Gino though
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Yeah didn't really understand the knocking of anzadam after the race. Sixth run of his life, did a huge amount wrong, but still jumped brilliantly and ran respectably only beat six lengths.

He obviously needs to do better, but it's not as if he did everything perfectly and still got beat six lengths. There's obvious reasons why he could improve, just depends whether he's tractable enough to allow improvement, and hopefully not the new dysart dynamo.
 
Anzadam wouldn't win a CH if you took out Sir Gino,Lossiemouth, The New Lion and Golden Ace, if he boils over at Leopardstown how'll he be going round the parade ring in March, let alone the inability to anchor him being exposed, they'll open every door so he bolts off and burns himself out before the home bend, do yourself a favour and forget him for this race.
 
riccirich said:
Yeah didn't really understand the knocking of anzadam after the race. Sixth run of his life, did a huge amount wrong, but still jumped brilliantly and ran respectably only beat six lengths.

He obviously needs to do better, but it's not as if he did everything perfectly and still got beat six lengths. There's obvious reasons why he could improve, just depends whether he's tractable enough to allow improvement, and hopefully not the new dysart dynamo.
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A quicker pace, which will get in the CH, and a pro jockey may help, for all he pulled like a bloody train half way. I’m on at 25s pre season, I’m going to top up. If he puts it together he will be right up there. Big if, I know
 
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Kauto’s star said:
A quicker pace, which will get in the CH, and a pro jockey may help, for all he pulled like a bloody train half way. I’m on at 25s pre season, I’m going to top up. If he puts it together he will be right up there. Big if, I know
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Quicker pace, or just make the running as mullins suggested. Not that making the running would guarantee he settles.
 
EnvoiAlien said:
Anzadam wouldn't win a CH if you took out Sir Gino,Lossiemouth, The New Lion and Golden Ace, if he boils over at Leopardstown how'll he be going round the parade ring in March, let alone the inability to anchor him being exposed, they'll open every door so he bolts off and burns himself out before the home bend, do yourself a favour and forget him for this race.
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I've heard enough of the whole boiling over nonsense over the years to just ignore it, definitely wouldn't be a big thought before making a bet. Gaelic warrior and kopek just as two quick examples somehow managed to not boil over at Cheltenham despite doing it at leopardstown.

He has a small amount of ground to make up on golden ace, possibly nothing to make up on the new lion. And about six lengths to find on lossie and sir gino probably. All while doing a lot wrong. Which may or may not be fixable. We dont know. Not as if he's been doing it for years, he's done it on two occasions while still very inexperienced. He's no 40/1 shot as he currently is priced.
 
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She'll go CH without a doubt (finally!). Track and ground against her today but still won. She's at least a 10lb better horse at Cheltenham and particularly at the Festival especially on guaranteed ground Good to Soft or worse. She should be Fav. So glad she's finally got her chance. She should be on a HT ! I'll get her on board now that she's certain to run. What a Mare she is.
 
riccirich said:
I've heard enough of the whole boiling over nonsense over the years to just ignore it, definitely wouldn't be a big thought before making a bet. Gaelic warrior and kopek just as two quick examples somehow managed to not boil over at Cheltenham despite doing it at leopardstown.

He has a small amount of ground to make up on golden ace, possibly nothing to make up on the new lion. And about six lengths to find on lossie and sir gino probably. All while doing a lot wrong. Which may or may not be fixable. We dont know. Not as if he's been doing it for years, he's done it on two occasions while still very inexperienced. He's no 40/1 shot as he currently is priced.
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You'd be more concerned about the fact that he seems to be developing quirks - he's young but he's plenty experienced. I'd be concerned as to what he does next time out.

And he'll be Mullins second string at best on the day, if they even bother with him.
 
Will the Donnelly’s want to run both?
 
If Sir Gino makes it, I'd make him an unlikely runner.

As has been said above, you'd make Lossie a 1/10 shot to run in the CH this year. Willie and Paul have little back up to rely on that would make the switch more tempting. Why would Paul want to run Lossie in the mares just so he can ride a 25/1 shot in the Champion Hurdle? Would be madness
 
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Henderson has confirmed Sir Gino goes Champion Hurdle, after watching Lossiemouth & BDA race today, reported on ATR.
 
EnvoiAlien said:
Henderson has confirmed Sir Gino goes Champion Hurdle, after watching Lossiemouth & BDA race today, reported on ATR.
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Perfect excuse to Jock off Nico and run Con Hill on trials day against the New Lion with a different pilot.
Unless of course he's not running again.
 
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I wouldn't go near Constitution Hill if I was Nico, let someone else get themselves hurt riding him.
 
EnvoiAlien said:
Henderson has confirmed Sir Gino goes Champion Hurdle, after watching Lossiemouth & BDA race today, reported on ATR.
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Yeah, he’s got to be confident I would think.
Just Hope Lossiemouth turns up!!
If she doesn’t, as someone said earlier on here, be a disgrace!!
She will love the conditions of a 2m race with an uphill finish at a course she’s well proven at.
Gut says she will be out speeded by SG but will be finishing strongly .
Whether the line comes too late for her or she gets there? Could be a classic.
Don’t fancy anything else if these two are on their game.
 
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Ellisgittings said:
If Sir Gino makes it, I'd make him an unlikely runner.

As has been said above, you'd make Lossie a 1/10 shot to run in the CH this year. Willie and Paul have little back up to rely on that would make the switch more tempting. Why would Paul want to run Lossie in the mares just so he can ride a 25/1 shot in the Champion Hurdle? Would be madness
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Why would lossie or sir ginos destination have anything to do with anzadam running?

Donnelly doesn't care about his horses facing off, he's ran some of his top horses against each other in novice hurdles, nevermind the champion hurdle. What else would they be saving him for? And i dont see why lossie running would matter, mullins is allowed to run more than one, and has many times.

On the actual horse himself, the quirks are concerning no doubt, they need sorting out and I dont know if they can be within a few months, but people are FAR to quick to write off horses stepping up to the top level when they dont immediately win. This time last year the same people saying anzadam has no chance would have had marine nationale, inothewayurthinkin and Golden Ace completely written off, despite them being new to open grade ones, and ignoring the fact they were improving with each and every run leading up to the festival. I dont know if anzadam can make the same improvement, but I thought his run today was an improvement on Newcastle and showed a lot of ability.

He's had two French runs, a long break, two runs in poor races where hed have learned nothing, and then been tossed right in at the top level. He's entitled to improve with racing. By the sounds of what mullins said post race, he seems of the opinion he's a grade one horse, so I dont think they'll be writing him off.
 
riccirich said:
Why would lossie or sir ginos destination have anything to do with anzadam running?

Donnelly doesn't care about his horses facing off, he's ran some of his top horses against each other in novice hurdles, nevermind the champion hurdle. What else would they be saving him for? And i dont see why lossie running would matter, mullins is allowed to run more than one, and has many times.

On the actual horse himself, the quirks are concerning no doubt, they need sorting out and I dont know if they can be within a few months, but people are FAR to quick to write off horses stepping up to the top level when they dont immediately win. This time last year the same people saying anzadam has no chance would have had marine nationale, inothewayurthinkin and Golden Ace completely written off, despite them being new to open grade ones, and ignoring the fact they were improving with each and every run leading up to the festival. I dont know if anzadam can make the same improvement, but I thought his run today was an improvement on Newcastle and showed a lot of ability.

He's had two French runs, a long break, two runs in poor races where hed have learned nothing, and then been tossed right in at the top level. He's entitled to improve with racing. By the sounds of what mullins said post race, he seems of the opinion he's a grade one horse, so I dont think they'll be writing him off.
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If Lossie doesn't run in the CH, Paul would have to ride Anzadam. On current form, it's hardly the ride he'd want in a champion hurdle when he's got a 9 time G1 winner that could possibly run in the race.

Talented horse, but I'd be happy to overlook him completely at 33/1 at this stage as I can't see how he shortens a great deal pre cheltenham unless he won at the DRF and I'm confident he won't.
 
Ellisgittings said:
If Lossie doesn't run in the CH, Paul would have to ride Anzadam. On current form, it's hardly the ride he'd want in a champion hurdle when he's got a 9 time G1 winner that could possibly run in the race.

Talented horse, but I'd be happy to overlook him completely at 33/1 at this stage as I can't see how he shortens a great deal pre cheltenham unless he won at the DRF and I'm confident he won't.
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Yeah I get that he'd rather ride lossie. Your original post just made it sound like if lossie goes for the champion hurdle that anzadam can't go for it too for some reason. No reason he couldn't also go with Danny or Patrick on, preferably Danny.
 
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