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2026 Champion Hurdle

I think you may end up being right as I see three possible scenarios

1. Runs a shocker on the flat and is retired
2. Runs very well on the flat and is kept to the flat
3. Runs respectably on the flat and goes on to the Champion Hurdle

And the 3rd is probably the least likely in an all weather maiden.
 
I have no doubt they have had plenty of chat between all connections and coming up with ways of keeping CH as a racehorse.
Given his recent issues they are now giving him a go on the flat, and absolutely entitled to of course.
If they are getting Yogi Briesner in to look at his jumping(is that true?) it suggests that they are thinking ,besides the jumping, he’s still at the top level. And if the jumping is sorted to their satisfaction then they could still go to Cheltenham.
Not sure what or if any impact there would be on plans for Sir Gino, but given the timing it’s getting a bit late for him to revert back to chasing.
I guess it’s possible we could see Ch in the Intl, and SG go to Newbury for the Game Spirit, but highly unlikely imo.

Can understand people getting fed up with all this to be honest.

Anyway I shall just wait and see
 
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I have no doubt they have had plenty of chat between all connections and coming up with ways of keeping CH as a racehorse.
Given his recent issues they are now giving him a go on the flat, and absolutely entitled to of course.
If they are getting Yogi Briesner in to look at his jumping(is that true?) it suggests that they are thinking ,besides the jumping, he’s still at the top level. And if the jumping is sorted to their satisfaction then they could still go to Cheltenham.
Not sure what or if any impact there would be on plans for Sir Gino, but given the timing it’s getting a bit late for him to revert back to chasing.
I guess it’s possible we could see Ch in the Intl, and SG go to Newbury for the Game Spirit, but highly unlikely imo.

Can understand people getting fed up with all this to be honest.

Anyway I shall just wait and see
For my part I would not be surprised if they run both in the CH. they are owned by different owners. They still believe in CH otherwise why get Yogi involved. The flat race will be for fitness purposes as well as to see if the enthusiasm is there. It’s not quite up there with Miracle on 34th street - but I for one still believe!
 
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Think they just want him in a race where at the end he can breath and say he enjoyed himself,as for me he looked worried sick at Punchestown & Newcastle.
Its about a positive experience being attached to a raceday again for the horse imo.
Pretty much he wont be falling and he'll be getting fitter as well,win win.
 
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Have none of you seen the interview ?
He's running on the flat with a view to see where he stands in that sphere and if it goes well, as in, he wins handily then it looks like they'll definitely be running on the flat in the Spring Summer. But not the ascot gold cup.

This sounds to me as they know already what direction they are going in and he is being left in the Champion hurdle as a standby, with Yogi coming in to see if he can work any magic.

Hopefully I'm wrong and even if he wins his flat maiden, they still run him in the champion, but I've a feeling that once they feel confident Sir Gino is perfectly well for the race they will come out and start saying stuff like it's in the best interest of the horse etc etc.

All speculation and all pointless I know, as so many other things can change that will alter the course anyhow.
 
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some silly cunts put up the money to stage a race for him anyhow
 
😂 40k! Hope something decent turns up against him. Lovely prep for Cheltenham...
 
exactly Q , there is no way they are continuing with hurdles in training if they are going down a flat route , and if you want to win a CH you need all the hurdle practice possible , why have a decent flat horse that keeps crashing on the schooling ground , never mind the mental trauma the beast is suffering , because there is something going on in there
 
😂 40k! Hope something decent turns up against him. Lovely prep for Cheltenham...
Funniest thing would be him running Sir Gino cos he ducks the Unibet, and need to get some freshness out of him or some other bullshit reason. In a match.
 
if he gets beat and it turns out galloping is also an issue, maybe they could try harness racing with him
 
Funniest thing would be him running Sir Gino cos he ducks the Unibet, and need to get some freshness out of him or some other bullshit reason. In a match.
The idea of running them against each other before Cheltenham would be too wild for them though.

So they'd be kept apart, one to the 40k maiden at Southwell on a Friday night and one to the Newbury gallop vs mister coffey.
 
Best thing about all this for the horse is that he's going to be fucking about practising and testing with starters stalls in a morning, then going out schooling with Breisner in the afternoon.
It will come as no surprise if he ends up half way over the starting stalls at Southwell.
 
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The idea of running them against each other before Cheltenham would be too wild for them though.

So they'd be kept apart, one to the 40k maiden at Southwell on a Friday night and one to the Newbury gallop vs mister coffey.
😂
 
Is it just me, obviously my honest opinion, but I think it’s disgusting the horse is even being contemplated for another jumps race. Imagine if he fell again and it wasn’t the worst possible outcome? The horse doesn’t owe them anything.. my humble opinion of course but I think its bloody awful personally
 
Alexei (Joe Tizzard, Britain)
Anzadam (Willie Mullins, Ireland)
Ballyburn (Willie Mullins, Ireland)
Brighterdaysahead (Gordon Elliott, Ireland)
Casheldale Lad (Gordon Elliott, Ireland)
Constitution Hill (Nicky Henderson, Britain)
El Fabiolo (Willie Mullins, Ireland)
Golden Ace (Jeremy Scott, Britain)
Lossiemouth (Willie Mullins, Ireland)
Lucky Place (Nicky Henderson, Britain)
Nemean Lion (Kerry Lee, Britain)
Poniros (Willie Mullins, Ireland)
Sir Gino (Nicky Henderson, Britain)
The New Lion (Dan Skelton, Britain)
Wilful (Jonjo and AJ O'Neill, Britain)
Workahead (Henry de Bromhead, Ireland)


The Alexei dream lives on :ROFLMAO:
 
How many do we think turns up? Am i being too optimistic that we get double digits running?