I’d like to open up some debate that does not concern betting or odds directly. This season the PtP purchase prices ha e gone through the roof and I’ve been keeping an eye on things more closely than previous seasons. The normal route for ex-pointers is to have a season in bumpers before engaging in a novice Hurdle campaign and then whatever future sphere afterwards. Even when a PtP recruit is deemed a future chaser, they still have a season in bumpers as they fill their frame and gain valuable experience. I’m not sure if it’s just this season or I have been oblivious to it previously, but it seems like a few expensive point to point purchases are skipping their bumper season and going straight over hurdles. The three that I am aware of (there could be more) are as follows:
Trevelyn's Corn 5yo (£400K) starts off in a novice Hurdle tomorrow for Paul Nicholls
Feel My Pulse 4yo (£330K) confirmed by Gordon Elliott that he will go hurdling this season. If he indeed does come out. They might have changed plan with him and brought in column of fire.
Champagne Platinum 4yo (£250k) has been entered up over hurdles by Nicky Henderson but yet to take up an engagement.
Now I’d like to gauge opinion from the learned folk on here with regards to how you’d interpret this decision:
1.) Would you back the above horses or consider them during their Hurdle season, knowing they’ve skipped bumpers?
2.) Are they being expedited into their Hurdle campaign because:
a) they are very talented and can be successful this season
or
b) they are just getting the Hurdle season out the way quickly so that they can start chasing as early as possible?
Answers on a postcard.