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Champion Hurdle 2018

DDS won't have to improve to beat Charli Parcs

I didn't say he would need to?

I'm saying Charli Parcs needs to but I think he is a fair price to do so, if you fancy DDS (which I don't)
 
Strong Rumours coming out that Buveur D'air could start in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle. Will have to make sure I am in attendance
 
Strong Rumours coming out that Buveur D'air could start in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle. Will have to make sure I am in attendance

I've seen it confirmed via connections .... and then Hobbs said he'd like to go with DDS there but might not be able to because BvD might be running :encouragement:
 
Melon is running this Friday @ Down Royal, be interesting to see how he starts the season. Lightly raced last season, so expecting a bit of growth and a solid performance.
 
Melon is running this Friday @ Down Royal, be interesting to see how he starts the season. Lightly raced last season, so expecting a bit of growth and a solid performance.

And a reminder to get my ew bet on him!
 
I've seen it confirmed via connections .... and then Hobbs said he'd like to go with DDS there but might not be able to because BvD might be running :encouragement:
hopefully everything is fine and we able to see best race possible
 
I've just re-read the Nicky Henderson stable tour regarding Buveur D'air, and I know it's only words, but he was quoted as saying "At the time we made the decision we didn’t know that Faugheen was not going to make it to Cheltenham but that made the decision slightly easier and he came up to our expectations."

Now, obviously they had already thought about going down the CH route with Buveur D'air, before the news broke about Faugheen, however, it is almost an admission that Faugheen not running in the race was a factor, albeit small, in their decision as well.

Clearly, when a trainer of Nicky's ability and experience talks about one particular horse not running in a race with regards to one his own it must speak volumes about how highly he is rated amongst the rest of the horse racing fraternity.

I do have a question, based on this post, and that is IF Faugheen makes it to Cheltenham, simply, does he go off favourite regardless of how his come back run(s) go (assuming he just wins)?
 
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I do have a question, based on this post, and that is IF Faugheen makes it to Cheltenham, simply, does he go off favourite regardless of how his come back run(s) go (assuming he just wins)?

Personally I think, IF he does actually run this season, and he fails to show the old sparkle Mullins/Ricci will retire him.

But if the ability remains, he will win his prep races and turn up on the day as favourite.
 
Agreed Innoko. If he doesn't show his old sparkle in his first couple of starts this season he'll more than likely be retired. It sounds like they've had him in training for a while so he should be fit and ready to go first time up.
 
I do have a question, based on this post, and that is IF Faugheen makes it to Cheltenham, simply, does he go off favourite regardless of how his come back run(s) go (assuming he just wins)?

I could see no possible way Faugheen wouldn't be favourite if he turned up on the day.

IF he turns up, he'll have had to have proven a level of ability that means they believed he'd have a fighting chance and even if he shouldn't be fav, the money would just keep coming?

No possible way might be a bit strong.... but that is my line of thinking.

I think BvD was more decisive than they'd anticipated but I think Hendo is just saying they'd have had a crack at Faugheen anyway, and him not running made it easier...?
 
Agreed Innoko. If he doesn't show his old sparkle in his first couple of starts this season he'll more than likely be retired. It sounds like they've had him in training for a while so he should be fit and ready to go first time up.

I did hear (what I thought was) a good point that he might not improve as much as you'd expect after the Morgiana... so whatever he DOES show there, might be exactly where he is at in terms of ability, as he's been in training all summer and they'll surely give him a break after this race, rather than turn him out again afterwards before Christmas? (Which would be unlikely in any case!)
 
I did hear (what I thought was) a good point that he might not improve as much as you'd expect after the Morgiana... so whatever he DOES show there, might be exactly where he is at in terms of ability, as he's been in training all summer and they'll surely give him a break after this race, rather than turn him out again afterwards before Christmas? (Which would be unlikely in any case!)

He's been ticking over all year and not left out at grass, rather than having a hard time of it and needing a break after 1 run. I'd expect the intention would be to go onto the Christmas hurdle at Kempton boxing day all being well.
 
I could see no possible way Faugheen wouldn't be favourite if he turned up on the day.

IF he turns up, he'll have had to have proven a level of ability that means they believed he'd have a fighting chance and even if he shouldn't be fav, the money would just keep coming?

No possible way might be a bit strong.... but that is my line of thinking.

I think BvD was more decisive than they'd anticipated but I think Hendo is just saying they'd have had a crack at Faugheen anyway, and him not running made it easier...?

I mean, if he's going to run, I will rearrange all my plans to attend the Tuesday just to see him. That's the kind of mentality that will surely make him fav right
 
He's been ticking over all year and not left out at grass, rather than having a hard time of it and needing a break after 1 run. I'd expect the intention would be to go onto the Christmas hurdle at Kempton boxing day all being well.

That wouldn't be any different to the norm though would it? he'd then have been ticking over since about April, right up to Christmas? Then a break?

I think they'll go Morgiana... then duck Buveur D'air in the Christmas hurdle and send Melon over for a sighter..... before calling stumps and Faugheen is retired :devilish:

I mean, if he's going to run, I will rearrange all my plans to attend the Tuesday just to see him. That's the kind of mentality that will surely make him fav right

Yes robith, absolutely this haha
 
I mean, if he's going to run, I will rearrange all my plans to attend the Tuesday just to see him. That's the kind of mentality that will surely make him fav right

If took a risk and backed him at 8s. But I can deffinately see a way he turns up and dosent go off fav, especially if he stays in Ireland, and or buveur dair cleans up the opposite trials. If he's sound I doubt you'd retire him without giving him his chance to bounce back and regain his crown on the day , simular to sprinter sacre being workmanlike against sire de grugy and un de sceaux winning well beforehand
 
That wouldn't be any different to the norm though would it? he'd then have been ticking over since about April, right up to Christmas? Then a break?

I think they'll go Morgiana... then duck Buveur D'air in the Christmas hurdle and send Melon over for a sighter..... before calling stumps and Faugheen is retired :devilish:



Yes robith, absolutely this haha

That wouldn't be the norm, faugheen would be left out at grass and come in as fat as a pig in October the last few years
 
If took a risk and backed him at 8s. But I can deffinately see a way he turns up and dosent go off fav, especially if he stays in Ireland, and or buveur dair cleans up the opposite trials. If he's sound I doubt you'd retire him without giving him his chance to bounce back and regain his crown on the day , simular to sprinter sacre being workmanlike against sire de grugy and un de sceaux winning well beforehand

I did think about good old Sprinter Sacre before I posted...I think the Mullins/Ricci factor would sway it...but I guess it does depend on EXACTLY what we do see!
 
I did think about good old Sprinter Sacre before I posted...I think the Mullins/Ricci factor would sway it...but I guess it does depend on EXACTLY what we do see!

If buveur dair and faugheen both met in Christmas hurdle and buveur dair won by 1- 8 lengths with a simular gap back to the 3rd. I'd be shocked if they just suddenly retired faugheen without giving him his 1 chance on the day.
 
I am firmly of the opinion if Faugheen turns up a)he will be fav b) Walsh rides c) small select field as he scares away opposition d) will win , say that because he would have shown form prior , so punters know he retains ability .

He so far clear on ratings , he could turn up slightly less the horse he was and still win.
 
Anyone think we need to factor in an appearance in the Irish Champion Hurdle?

His/THE standout 2 mile performance since, well since before my time.