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2026 Champion Hurdle

Had a chuckle about the comment about posts and pocket talk - I am sure whoever said that has never done that.

Bit surprised they couldn't tell anyone what would happen next. They must have considered the idea of him winning easily. I wouldn't suggest one way is better than the other. Beating a very ordinary field very easily doesn't make him a Group horse, and if he goes Champion Hurdle then he will still have those pesky hurdles to contend with. I think tonight did confirm he is essentially speed over stamina. That said not too sure that you could just potter round at the back in a Champion Hurdle. I can't remember too many coming from last to first. Where is the pace going to come from? Is Tutti Quanti going to end up with another easy lead?
 
Daisycutter said:
You're in dangerous territory when you ask what's best for the horse as you could say jumping obstacles puts unnecessary risk on every horse in training.
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Yes, but when a horse has fallen as many times as CH has the risk imo is increased.
In this case a decision is going to be made as to whether they continue with that risk or lessen it considerably by running without jumps.
 
Brooksie said:
Exactly! And if I ever see a dumb ass jumps trainer even try running their hurdler in something like a breeders cup turf I'll be laying it for all I'm worth!
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I hope you didn't lay Ethical Diamond who won last years Breeders Cup Turf after placing in the County Hurdle off 143? Willie is the master(i'm not losing faith in both Kopek/Final Demand winning which would make my festival 😁).

Although CH was very impressive yesterday and I loved the performance, the horses he beat were dogshit. But hurdlers can run very well on the flat and I would personally target the Melbourne Cup where the ground is typically no better than good. That to me would be something fun to do with the horse rather than risk him over hurdles again. Vauban came 6th in the MC last year and Absurde 8th.
 
Daisycutter said:
You're in dangerous territory when you ask what's best for the horse as you could say jumping obstacles puts unnecessary risk on every horse in training.
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Totally agree, which is why I shudder every time I hear a trainer say this.
Henderson is one of the worst for it.
 
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I think there’s been a discussion on here in the past on whether enjoying horse racing and being a lover of animals is hypocritical.
If that’s so then I’m one, and I guess so is Hendo.
 
If it had been the 80’s conny would run in the c h but social media has a lot to answer for , I think he’s a certainty to win If and it’s a big if he stands up but I just don’t get why he’s never been asked to take it up from the front and dictate the pace , that must be easier than running behind horses surely
 
Carnage at Taunton said:
I think there’s been a discussion on here in the past on whether enjoying horse racing and being a lover of animals is hypocritical.
If that’s so then I’m one, and I guess so is Hendo.
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It is something I've struggled a lot with over the years. Like many fans of the sport, I have become adept at blanking out the deaths. TV cameras swiftly cut to a different angle when a horse breaks down, the passing of a horse is noted with due sadness and reverence, and then its on to the next race. I feel guilty for being thrilled at the the sight of a horse soaring over a fence and, no matter how often I tell myself they are treated like royalty, it is always in the back of my mind that they are just one piece of bad luck from disaster. I force myself to look at the racehorse death watch site regularly to remind me of the toll the sport takes on its greatest asset: https://www.horsedeathwatch.com/

There are horses, like Vautour, who met their end just running around in a field. There are untold deaths in flat racing where some part of the horses body is stretched beyond its limits. But asking a horse to repeatedly jump obstacles adds a whole new dimension of risk and I couldn't do it. I have had a couple of offers to join a syndicate owning a jumps horse but have politely declined. I love jumps racing but am permanently asking myself whether the awful toll it takes on the horses can be justified. I tell myself that life is full of risks (just look at the number of traffic deaths each year) and at least the authorities and protsgonists in horse racing are trying to lessen that risk. That's why I think running Constitution Hill over hurdles again would be putting something else (be it greed, ambition or whatever) in front of reducing risk to the horse's wellbeing. Give him a go on the flat but if that doesn't work, for whatever reason, retire him. Don't ask him to jump obstacles again.
 
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Odddog said:
It is something I've struggled a lot with over the years. Like many fans of the sport, I have become adept at blanking out the deaths. TV cameras swiftly cut to a different angle when a horse breaks down, the passing of a horse is noted with due sadness and reverence, and then its on to the next race. I feel guilty for being thrilled at the the sight of a horse soaring over a fence and, no matter how often I tell myself they are treated like royalty, it is always in the back of my mind that they are just one piece of bad luck from disaster. I force myself to look at the racehorse death watch site regularly to remind me of the toll the sport takes on its greatest asset: https://www.horsedeathwatch.com/

There are horses, like Vautour, who met their end just running around in a field. There are untold deaths in flat racing where some part of the horses body is stretched beyond its limits. But asking a horse to repeatedly jump obstacles adds a whole new dimension of risk and I couldn't do it. I have had a couple of offers to join a syndicate owning a jumps horse but have politely declined. I love jumps racing but am permanently asking myself whether the awful toll it takes on the horses can be justified. I tell myself that life is full of risks (just look at the number of traffic deaths each year) and at least the authorities and protsgonists in horse racing are trying to lessen that risk. That's why I think running Constitution Hill over hurdles again would be putting something else (be it greed, ambition or whatever) in front of reducing risk to the horse's wellbeing. Give him a go on the flat but if that doesn't work, for whatever reason, retire him. Don't ask him to jump obstacles again.
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I am kind of on this train. As much as i love the sport, the older i get, the more i find myself thinking about the horses' welfare rather than the fun of the actual racing. But i have a genuine passion for the sport. Finding a middle ground is difficult.
 
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There is always going to be a danger, you cannot remove that. You either come to accept it, or not. The biggest issue I have is hitting horses under the banner of entertainment when the sport could exist without doing that. You need obstacles for jump racing, but you don't need a whip for anything other than steering.
 
All RP readers have so far said he should stick to flat from now on. Seems all punters are unanimous.
 
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I'll just say this, If Buckley wants to run, and Henderson says no, he'll just call another trainer and they'll run him.
Think of that whatever you want, but thats the sport, not one trainer won't think "Best hurdler in the UK, 8 clean jumps and I've a Champion Hurdle in the bag".
I'd wager if he called 3 trainers, all 3 would be sending a horsebox to Seven Barrows within the hour, don't doubt that for a second.

If they wasn't planning to run, they sure wouldn't have spent the last few months schooling him, they'd have spent it mapping out a flat programme & letting him kick his heels in a paddock somewhere.
 
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EnvoiAlien said:
I'll just say this, If Buckley wants to run, and Henderson says no, he'll just call another trainer and they'll run him.
Think of that whatever you want, but thats the sport, not one trainer won't think "Best hurdler in the UK, 8 clean jumps and I've a Champion Hurdle in the bag".
I'd wager if he called 3 trainers, all 3 would be sending a horsebox to Seven Barrows within the hour, don't doubt that for a second.

If they wasn't planning to run, they sure wouldn't have spent the last few months schooling him, they'd have spent it mapping out a flat programme & letting him kick his heels in a paddock somewhere.
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Far from convinced that the owner is more keen than the trainer and jockey but I’ve lost the will to live on this already.
 
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Odddog said:
Timeform caught up in the hype - rated him 106P :ROFLMAO:
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Everyone's a cheerleader these days. Realistically, is anyone saying I can't wait to see any those he thrashed? I doubt any of them are worth more than 80 something.
 
Probably not but the manner of his win suggests he is way above average in flat terms. They weren't class 6 horses he was beating. Square Necker is right at the start of his career and was half a length behind Bedouin Prince who has since finished second in two listed races for Godolphin. Con Hill could easily contest a Group 3 minimum on the flat.
 
kinloch brae said:
Everyone's a cheerleader these days. Realistically, is anyone saying I can't wait to see any those he thrashed? I doubt any of them are worth more than 80 something.
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Square necker beat Nuit well giving weight at Dundalk. Nuit rated 93, listed placed, was behind Zahrann at Leopardstown who went off 11/2 in ICS.
 
kinloch brae said:
Everyone's a cheerleader these days. Realistically, is anyone saying I can't wait to see any those he thrashed? I doubt any of them are worth more than 80 something.
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If those he beat are mid 80s then he will be worth a mark in the low 100s , bordering on Group 3 class. He is obviously not going to be a world beater but he is a 9yo hurdler with a history of issues behind him so that's pretty good going. Would love to see him do a Sea Pigeon and win an Ebor off top weight at the age of 9.
 
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