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2026 Champion Hurdle

Back to soft going in all areas on the new course. There really is no excuse not to run a horse on that.
 
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Craigy14 said:
I can’t see a situation where The New Lion turns the form round if beaten today.

On all things known today, the only condition against him is field size as it’ll likely not be run to suit.

Back on the old course in March, speedier track will suit Sir Gino imo. He doesn’t hurdle like a champion hurdle horse but his engine and speed is so good it bails him out but at the same time they haven’t really been tested to date or he is just that good nothing has got close to him to test him. He’s won on speedier tracks than Cheltenham as well, Kempton and Newcastle in Grade 1’s.
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It's not the field size but the pace of the race that i think is key. Like you say, he doesn't jump like a top hurdler and if he's slow at a couple when the pace is on, that could be enough to put him on the back foot.

He might be the second coming but I'm yet to be convinced, and he hasn't faced a top notcher yet - beating Kargese, Golden Ace and Lump Sum - plenty could do that.
 
Faugheen_Machine said:
It's not the field size but the pace of the race that i think is key. Like you say, he doesn't jump like a top hurdler and if he's slow at a couple when the pace is on, that could be enough to put him on the back foot.

He might be the second coming but I'm yet to be convinced, and he hasn't faced a top notcher yet - beating Kargese, Golden Ace and Lump Sum - plenty could do that.
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It looked to me like the new lion was going to struggle to beat GA?

I’m not the least concerned re SG jumping.
He don’t ping them, but he jumps them clearly and lands running.
 
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^^^^ This
He might make more of a chasers shape in the air, but he's still quicker clearing his hurdles than todays opponents, plus he always lands running from the back of them.
 
Be interesting to see how TNL copes with a true 2miler. Last time he fell so still unsure how quick he would have finished the race.
In his Turners he beat a load of horses that are now 3 milers.
Hope he proves up to it, the CH needs as many as can get!!
 
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Faugheen_Machine said:
It's not the field size but the pace of the race that i think is key. Like you say, he doesn't jump like a top hurdler and if he's slow at a couple when the pace is on, that could be enough to put him on the back foot.

He might be the second coming but I'm yet to be convinced, and he hasn't faced a top notcher yet - beating Kargese, Golden Ace and Lump Sum - plenty could do that.
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Yep, the one thing you can;t really know for sure, whether a small field or big field is what pace they'll go at the start the middle and the end.
But all the other known factors suit New Lion tomorrow. Course, weights, ground being more for stamina not speed.
But if Nico does go off in front and judges the pace adequately then New Lion will likely struggle to go by.
This is the most likely outcome as the odds suggest, and no reason Nico should get it wrong.
The biggest test is does the New Lion really have a turn of foot ? as this may be something we have underestimated.
If they ride him in behind as expected then they will be relying on this.
I doubt it myself, but hopefully for the race they get close enough.

The Champion hurdle will be different as I doubt Gino will lead, or get an easy lead.
 
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Faugheen_Machine said:
It's not the field size but the pace of the race that i think is key. Like you say, he doesn't jump like a top hurdler and if he's slow at a couple when the pace is on, that could be enough to put him on the back foot.

He might be the second coming but I'm yet to be convinced, and he hasn't faced a top notcher yet - beating Kargese, Golden Ace and Lump Sum - plenty could do that.
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Aye I can see that side, pace of a champion suiting The New Lion more but his jumping is very low and brave (suppose you could say how a champion hurdle horse should be). Sir Gino is big and as other have said still lands running from them.

I think The New Lion might be able to stick with him to a point on the bridle but as Q says not sure he’ll be able to go by with what pace he has, not sure we’ve seen a proper turn of foot from him imo.
 
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Quevega said:
Yep, the one thing you can;t really know for sure, whether a small field or big field is what pace they'll go at the start the middle and the end.
But all the other known factors suit New Lion tomorrow. Course, weights, ground being more for stamina not speed.
But if Nico does go off in front and judges the pace adequately then New Lion will likely struggle to go by.
This is the most likely outcome as the odds suggest, and no reason Nico should get it wrong.
The biggest test is does the New Lion really have a turn of foot ? as this may be something we have underestimated.
If they ride him in behind as expected then they will be relying on this.
I doubt it myself, but hopefully for the race they get close enough.

The Champion hurdle will be different as I doubt Gino will lead, or get an easy lead.
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Agree with all of that.
 
Quevega said:
What an awful spectacle all round that was.
He could have been a great horse.
Feel for connections.
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Awful. RIP

It was going to be a farce of a race the pace they went even if SG won it.
 
Watched back, could be a pelvis, or slipped tendon, eitherway its bloody awful luck for connections & the yard with this horse.
Hoping to hear something positive later today.
 
I've gone from "looking forward to seeing Sir Gino, and his future back over fences next season, and the DRF coming up".... and then poor old Sir Gino :-(

this game has a way of really kicking biting you in the arse and heart

doesnt look good at all :-(
 
In the cut throat nature that is elite sport, I would think this sways Lossie to the CH.

Fingers crossed for Sir Gino and in particular his groom who will feel it more than any
 
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