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2026 Champion Hurdle

Quevega said:
Her UK official rating may now be in excess of 160 I reckon, but may depend on how Sunday goes as they don't have to rate her until she's over here.
I think of all the top horses she has been under rated overall from most rating systems which is good when the markets reflect that also, as she's been a good money spinner for those that believe she's better than her ratings suggest.
I certainly do.
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Yep, would certainly be good if she were nearer a170 horse than a 160 that she’s currently rated at.
 
Carnage at Taunton said:
Yep, would certainly be good if she were nearer a170 horse than a 160 that she’s currently rated at.
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They have to run in the bigger races to get the rating. The key is seeing that they look capable of more.
Chase ratings are also usually a few pounds higher, not sure why but always have been.

Annie Power was rated 162 when she won the Ch hurdle. She had randomly been raised to 165 prior to her stayers run after winning a couple of grade 2's.

Honeysuckle was rate 161 when she won her first, so got rated higher (165) after that, and no higher.

Epatante was rated 159, and was given 162 after winning her champion hurdle.

Don't need to speak about Golden Ace :ROFLMAO:

So going in with a 160 and getting 7 on top is a tough ask for any opposing horse really, and IMO she'a probably worth another 3 or 4 on top.
 
This century , just 19 out of 300 horses to have ran in the Champion Hurdle were Mares. Of those 19, 5 have won the race and all since 2016.

The above figures just prove how very difficult it is for the Geldings to win the race when top class Mares run. A lot has been discussed re the Mares allowance but there's no doubt at all that it's an enormous advantage and one that is very hard to overcome.
 
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Quevega said:
They have to run in the bigger races to get the rating. The key is seeing that they look capable of more.
Chase ratings are also usually a few pounds higher, not sure why but always have been.

Annie Power was rated 162 when she won the Ch hurdle. She had randomly been raised to 165 prior to her stayers run after winning a couple of grade 2's.

Honeysuckle was rate 161 when she won her first, so got rated higher (165) after that, and no higher.

Epatante was rated 159, and was given 162 after winning her champion hurdle.

Don't need to speak about Golden Ace :ROFLMAO:

So going in with a 160 and getting 7 on top is a tough ask for any opposing horse really, and IMO she'a probably worth another 3 or 4 on top.
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Well it’s a lot to do with using your eyes of course, and if you want you can use ratings as some sort of guide, not that I do really.
With Lossie I see a horse that stays well over further, has winning festival form and imo has the talent to beat any of the likely runners over 2m at Cheltenham, and yes she is likely higher than current rating.
If CHill turns up it’s a bit different imo but he’s got his own issues to overcome.
Now she has to prove it, and I hope she’s given the chance.
 
Lobos said:
This century , just 19 out of 300 horses to have ran in the Champion Hurdle were Mares. Of those 19, 5 have won the race and all since 2016.

The above figures just prove how very difficult it is for the Geldings to win the race when top class Mares run. A lot has been discussed re the Mares allowance but there's no doubt at all that it's an enormous advantage and one that is very hard to overcome.
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I’d say since 2016,only two geldings have been good enough to cope with the allowance.
It don’t seem to be the case now of many getting to 170 standard.
 
Carnage at Taunton said:
I’d say since 2016,only two geldings have been good enough to cope with the allowance.
It don’t seem to be the case now of many getting to 170 standard.
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It's the modern day obsession with chasers to blame too, for me I'd be sure Douvan would have won the champion hurdle Annie Power won and Shishkin would have beaten Honeysuckle, plus whilst the record books will show a mare won the race last year it's a stretch to claim Golden Ace was the best horse in the race.
I don't know what changed with NH racing but hurdles is almost now seen as a second class game, it wasn't that long ago the Supreme winner went champion hurdle and often bumped into the reigning champion, horses like See You Then, Istabraq, Rooster Booster, Kribensis, Hurricane Fly, Binocular and plenty more never needed to go chasing to prove their class....
 
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Harry Cobden on Anzadam!

Danny Mullins on Poniros.
 
Harry has a great set of hands, if he can't get Anzadam switched off..then it'll never happen, this booking might put the horse into the CH picture on form rather than potential.
 
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Harry has trouble settling them at times.
He's not popeye.
I have the 40's anzadam, and a saver double for sunday and lossie in mares, so covered either way.
His booking would not over excite me personally. The ground should help him settle really, if that doesn;t then nothing will.
It is obvious that W Mullins likes him though, so that's a positive.
Lossiemouth all the way for me.
 
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Quevega said:
Harry has trouble settling them at times.
He's not popeye.
I have the 40's anzadam, and a saver double for sunday and lossie in mares, so covered either way.
His booking would not over excite me personally. The ground should help him settle really, if that doesn;t then nothing will.
It is obvious that W Mullins likes him though, so that's a positive.
Lossiemouth all the way for me.
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I agree. I am in the same boat. Let’s not forget regents stroll on debut this season. Harry coul do no more on him than Patrick could do on Anzadam. Let’s hope it works on Sunday.
 
EnvoiAlien said:
How does the ground help a horse settle ?
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Slower ground obviously has a natural effect on a horses speed and enthusiasm.
Even if he wants to bounce off it he won;t be able to.
 
EnvoiAlien said:
How does the ground help a horse settle ?
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Yes, softer ground can help a horse to settle, primarily by reducing the physical impact on their joints and legs, which often makes them more comfortable and less anxious. Hard ground causes higher concussion, leading to soreness, tension, and potentially "hot," unruly behavior.
Here is a breakdown of how softer ground affects a horse's demeanor:
  • Physical Comfort Reduces Tension: Hard ground can cause concussion-related pain in the legs, leading to stiffness or anxiety. Softer, cushioned surfaces (like maintained arenas or soft turf) reduce this impact, making the horse feel more comfortable and, consequently, more relaxed.
  • Slower Pace: Softer ground is more holding, forcing the horse to work harder, which generally results in a slower, more controlled speed, helping to calm a horse that is prone to rushing.
  • Reduced Overreaction: While some horses may panic initially on very deep, soft ground, they generally adjust to the increased, consistent support compared to the sharp impact of hard, uneven terrain.
  • Reduced Risk of Injury: Riding on hard, uneven, or concrete-like ground puts horses at risk of concussion-related injuries (e.g., to tendons and ligaments). Softer ground removes this immediate physical stress, which can make a horse more willing and relaxed in its work.

Google AI agrees with me :ROFLMAO: 👍
 
EnvoiAlien said:
How does the ground help a horse settle ?
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Yeah, I couldn't work that out either. Make him go slower ??

I see, it's been explained now.

He'll probably go off like a scalded cat now!!
 
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