2026 Champion Hurdle

[Rooster Booster]

Kind of where I am.
They've put themselves in a pickle with all of this.
A run over hurdles in a lesser race was the best option and then it's an easier choice for the next step.
Now they are in no man's land.

I’m not sure it was a pickle at least not from the owners point of view. I wouldn’t be surprised if the only two options from his point of view tonight were flat career or retirement. Listening to his interview just then those falls have really taken their toll. My guess is he had already ruled out the CH at least emotionally. He must have got a huge buzz from tonight and that must feel so hugely different from all those negative emotions he has been feeling for so long now.

 

[FinalFurlong91]

I'd agree he wouldn't stay in an Ascot gold cup, he looked average over two and a half at Aintree. Maybe they keep him in training, find some early flat season assignments then give him a break for a go in the Arc lmao.

I always forget which races geldings can and cant run in

Can they run in the arc?

Though i doubt hes near that level these days

Maybe 2 or 3 seasons ago he was

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Have to remember he is 9 years old - very old to be having fanciful thoughts about Ebors and Melbourne Cups. I dont think he has beaten much tonight at all. The only horse in the Field with a rating was Skeltons who finished 3rd and he was rated 83. Giving CH 6lbs. The Level he has run to there probably wouldn’t be good enough to get a run in the Ebor.

Not really that bothered what level he is or could reach on the flat personally.
To me it’s all about the welfare of the horse.

 

[Quevega]

I’m not sure it was a pickle at least not from the owners point of view. I wouldn’t be surprised if the only two options from his point of view tonight were flat career or retirement. Listening to his interview just then those falls have really taken their toll. My guess is he had already ruled out the CH at least emotionally. He must have got a huge buzz from tonight and that must feel so hugely different from all those negative emotions he has been feeling for so long now.

If it was that obvious and not a pickle then he'd just say it now.
Nothing to ponder really.
Wouldn't have had an issue, or be in this position had they scratched him weeks ago and not kept schooling him. but they did.

But yes, you'd like to think they wake up tomorrow and see sense.
Not really pointing that way though.

 

[Yosser]

He is very lightly raced in flat terms. He could easily give 2 solid years at that level despite his age.

 

[Rooster Booster]

If it was that obvious and not a pickle then he'd just say it now.
Nothing to ponder really.
Wouldn't have had an issue, or be in this position had they scratched him weeks ago and not kept schooling him. but they did.

But yes, you'd like to think they wake up tomorrow and see sense.
Not really pointing that way though.

Last sentence ?

 

[Carnage at Taunton]

Definitely couldn't say it was the best for the horse, could they ?
But they will put a spin on it either way unfortunately.

Nope, it’s obvious what’s best for the horse out of the two racing options .
Do they really want to take the chance of the fallout of injury, or worse, that would happen,on the biggest stage in NH racing?
That alone should convince them.
IMO it’s an absolute no brainer.

Don’t laugh, and I’m serious…..if I get an opportunity tomorrow at Kempton, I am going to tell him how I and many others feel.

 

[Quevega]

Last sentence ?

I think that tonight was the perfect time to put it all to bed.
They must have discussed outcomes and how it may influence the next choice.
I'll give them the respect of allowing the dust to settle and decide in the next couple of days or so, as this is always a wise thing to do.
But the longer it goes on.....
The more it shows that they are thinking more about themselves than the horse. IMO.
Unfortunately some individuals thrive on drama. I'm not saying he's Munchausen's levels but it seems he likes the attention.

 

[Kauto’s star]

Surely the fact they are continuing to school him over hurdles suggests they want him to jump again? I can see him rocki in up on the CH, ruining everyone’s books, but everyone sitting back and enjoying, saluting, and applauding.

 

[Rooster Booster]

I think that tonight was the perfect time to put it all to bed.
They must have discussed outcomes and how it may influence the next choice.
I'll give them the respect of allowing the dust to settle and decide in the next couple of days or so, as this is always a wise thing to do.
But the longer it goes on.....
The more it shows that they are thinking more about themselves than the horse. IMO.
Unfortunately some individuals thrive on drama. I'm not saying he's Munchausen's levels but it seems he likes the attention.

Got it. My best guess is the owner has decided tonight but hasn’t communicated his decision to the trainer and wants to do that in private. I think we will all know tomorrow.i also suspect the owner had made his decision in principle before tonight but was looking for the horse to make things more straightforward one way or the other. My guess is the result the owner was dreading most was the horse finishing a respectful but inconclusive second/third/fourth.

 

[ComplyOrDie]

I wonder if Nicky is going to be sitting at home tonight scrolling through what the Fatjockeys think he should do with the horse.

Some strong opinions here, I reckon a fair bit of pocket talk too.

Willie won't be as keen sending Lossiemouth after what he's no doubt just watched, and if he hasn't, he will do at some point. Ruby saw it.

Could you imagine. There'd be tears all over the place.

 

[Quevega]

Surely the fact they are continuing to school him over hurdles suggests they want him to jump again? I can see him rocki in up on the CH, ruining everyone’s books, but everyone sitting back and enjoying, saluting, and applauding.

You cannot but admire how good a horse he is and those performances he has put in at previous festivals.
So him winning again would be phenomenal after everything.

But I'd feel even worse watching connections celebrate than I did when that smarmy aeroplane fella walked in grinning ear to ear after delta work mugged Tiger roll that day. Another one who uses the welfare argument when it suits.

Then we'd have people calling him a fucking genius on top.

Already had that useless twat Tom Park off the racing post waxing lyrical about how he (Henderson) knows best etc etc.
Tom ? if you're watching. I've never once seen you say anything of note, and if you have I've forgotten it.

 

[Kauto’s star]

You cannot but admire how good a horse he is and those performances he has put in at previous festivals.
So him winning again would be phenomenal after everything.

But I'd feel even worse watching connections celebrate than I did when that smarmy aeroplane fella walked in grinning ear to ear after delta work mugged Tiger roll that day. Another one who uses the welfare argument when it suits.

Then we'd have people calling him a fucking genius on top.

Already had that useless twat Tom Park off the racing post waxing lyrical about how he (Henderson) knows best etc etc.
Tom ? if you're watching. I've never once seen you say anything of note, and if you have I've forgotten it.

Yep. I feel your pain on this one. I don’t know what I want anymore part of me thinks let him win on Tuesday, the other part thinks don’t put him through the risk…..also that reminds me, add delta work to the cliff horse thread. Backed that thing heavy throughout in the browns and gold cup, lost faith, then was absolutely fuming for what he did to tiger.

 

[FinalFurlong91]

I really didnt need my memory jogging about the tragedy for the sport that was delta work beating the tiger

Just why, why, why did they do that

Wouldve completed the legend of tiger roll

Sigh

 

[Brooksie]

I always forget which races geldings can and cant run in

Can they run in the arc?

Though i doubt hes near that level these days

Maybe 2 or 3 seasons ago he was

I'm not sure to be honest, I take 6 months off from racing the moment Punchestown is done. Couldn't really care for the flat so don't know much about it really. Would rather spend my summer doing other things.

I'd hazard a guess there hasn't been too many 9 year old geldings turn up for it though xd.

 

[Rooster Booster]

Surely the fact they are continuing to school him over hurdles suggests they want him to jump again? I can see him rocki in up on the CH, ruining everyone’s books, but everyone sitting back and enjoying, saluting, and applauding.

I think the only thing that confirms is the owner hadn’t plucked up the courage to tell the trainer knowing or hoping that tonight would make that conversation much easier for him. That’s just my guess . Watching your horse of a lifetime fall three out of four must have been brutal. The conversation he can now have is so much different to the one he could have had 4 weeks ago and the risk to the horse of letting him school over hurdles in the meantime would be an acceptable risk to take. Just my take on it having watched the owners interview . Probably talking complete bollocks

 

[Quevega]

I wonder if Nicky is going to be sitting at home tonight scrolling through what the Fatjockeys think he should do with the horse.

Some strong opinions here, I reckon a fair bit of pocket talk too.

Willie won't be as keen sending Lossiemouth after what he's no doubt just watched, and if he hasn't, he will do at some point. Ruby saw it.

Could you imagine. There'd be tears all over the place.

Do you know when they say "what's best for the horse"
They can never know for sure what the horse thinks can they ?
But if you could ask that horse tonight, what do you think he would say ?

 

[ComplyOrDie]

Do you know when they say "what's best for the horse"
They can never know for sure what the horse thinks can they ?
But if you could ask that horse tonight, what do you think he would say ?

Neigh?

 

[Quevega]

Neigh?

That's your best post ever.

 

[Lobos]

Surely the fact they are continuing to school him over hurdles suggests they want him to jump again? I can see him rocki in up on the CH, ruining everyone’s books, but everyone sitting back and enjoying, saluting, and applauding.

Has anyone actually got a book on the CH?? With him and the Lossiemouth saga it's been a complete shambles for a long time now and no one else has put their hats into the ring with any conviction imo. It's a total bag of crap.