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Going Chasing / Staying Hurdling.

I’d just consider it a massive red flag. Novice hurdle season I can just about accept, but if he skips next year and I Am Maximus doesn’t perform then he would have question marks all over him due to Course form or lack of it
 
Would be interesting to see the stats for GC winners that have bypassed Cheltenham in their Novice Season. Have there been many.......any ?

Just had a look myself.......just 3 in the last 20 years I think..............all roads lead to Cheltenham then for My Drago:boxing:
 
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Looks absolutely rife for one or two to emerge next year as staying hurdlers, a couple are capable of hitting 160 which is clearly good but not an outstanding division still. A few have started to try to piece together next years picture and with Paisley not going to be getting any better and Flooring Porter possibly a bit one dimensional off the front, Thyme Hill i can fully understand why he is staying hurdling thou not one i'd be scared to try to take on.

Going through the novice hurdlers who could improve for a step up next season will be interesting in this division.
 
Firstly it would be a rarity for a 10 year old to win this. One horse since 1930 has won this aged older than 9,and that was back in 1986. Therefore the current third and fourth favourites Rocksana and Sire De Berlais can be struck off as potential winners. Champ too if they're thinking hurdles is a better option than fences.

Horses having been beaten in previous editions also have a terrible record. So strike off all of this seasons also rans.

Currently we don't know any trainer that has come out and said any of the decent novice hurdlers are staying over hurdles Plus I'm not sure I can pinpoint a horse that i'd like to see stay over hurdles to target this, with one exception.

That leaves us with Flooring Porter 6/1, Thyme Hill 8/1, and Abacadabras 25/1 stepping up as he surely must, as potential winners. Anything else is coming from left field such as Saxon Warrior's suggestion Cape Gentleman 66/1. The other one I'd like to put forward at a price is Bear Ghylls 33/1. He was as green as anything this season and still ran a good race in the Ballymore behind Bob Ollinger, but some schooling and a step up in trip would make him a genuine contender for this in my opinion.

Outside of that, it will take a Flooring Porter type horse, essentially a horse that comes from absolutely nowhere, or a novice expected to go over fences not doing so, for the winner not to come from those four or five I think.
 
Spectre said:
Firstly it would be a rarity for a 10 year old to win this. One horse since 1930 has won this aged older than 9,and that was back in 1986. Therefore the current third and fourth favourites Rocksana and Sire De Berlais can be struck off as potential winners. Champ too if they're thinking hurdles is a better option than fences.
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You’re right Spectre but Roksana has arguably improved for the step up which is remarkable not just at her age but for a mare too who usually throw the towel in long before they reach 10.
I think she’s a serious player but not enough value in her price to tempt me, but I certainly wouldn’t be writing her off...
 
Spectre said:
Firstly it would be a rarity for a 10 year old to win this. One horse since 1930 has won this aged older than 9,and that was back in 1986. Therefore the current third and fourth favourites Rocksana and Sire De Berlais can be struck off as potential winners. Champ too if they're thinking hurdles is a better option than fences.

Horses having been beaten in previous editions also have a terrible record. So strike off all of this seasons also rans.

Currently we don't know any trainer that has come out and said any of the decent novice hurdlers are staying over hurdles Plus I'm not sure I can pinpoint a horse that i'd like to see stay over hurdles to target this, with one exception.

That leaves us with Flooring Porter 6/1, Thyme Hill 8/1, and Abacadabras 25/1 stepping up as he surely must, as potential winners. Anything else is coming from left field such as Saxon Warrior's suggestion Cape Gentleman 66/1. The other one I'd like to put forward at a price is Bear Ghylls 33/1. He was as green as anything this season and still ran a good race in the Ballymore behind Bob Ollinger, but some schooling and a step up in trip would make him a genuine contender for this in my opinion.

Outside of that, it will take a Flooring Porter type horse, essentially a horse that comes from absolutely nowhere, or a novice expected to go over fences not doing so, for the winner not to come from those four or five I think.
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I’ve not seen any plans yet and I don’t think he’s priced up but maybe another from left field could be ahoy senor if the aintree form proves not to be the fluke win I thought it was at the time.
 
Kautostar said:
I’ve not seen any plans yet and I don’t think he’s priced up but maybe another from left field could be ahoy senor if the aintree form proves not to be the fluke win I thought it was at the time.
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As somebody who didn't see any fluke in the Aintree win by Ahoy Senor I am looking forward to seeing him next year (or maybe Punchestown). As a ptp winner I see him as a strong contender for the RSA next year. Still 40/1 with B365
 
Spectre said:
The other one I'd like to put forward at a price is Bear Ghylls 33/1. He was as green as anything this season and still ran a good race in the Ballymore behind Bob Ollinger, but some schooling and a step up in trip would make him a genuine contender for this in my opinion.
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Really like him as well Spectre, I thought for his first race against proper grade 1 horses he ran a nice race. He also didn't jump the 2nd and 3rd last well and feel it knocked him back at a crucial stage and cost some momentum.

As you say if he can brush up him jumping and stays over hurdles I think he will continue to progress next year and will hopefully come into the reckoning for the stayers
 
Big Chac said:
Really like him as well Spectre, I thought for his first race against proper grade 1 horses he ran a nice race. He also didn't jump the 2nd and 3rd last well and feel it knocked him back at a crucial stage and cost some momentum.

As you say if he can brush up him jumping and stays over hurdles I think he will continue to progress next year and will hopefully come into the reckoning for the stayers
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Diidnt nicky martin say that novice chasing was pencilled in for him next year?
 
Birds Nest said:
Diidnt nicky martin say that novice chasing was pencilled in for him next year?
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I’m not sure birds nest, I can’t remember any quotes from Nicky Martin....maybe someone can pull up the quote.

if he is novice chasing then I’ll be holding on before backing him I think.

what’s your thoughts on him?
 
Big Chac said:
Thanks lobos, i can cross him off my list then unless something changes.
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Yep. Was never going to stay hurdling....he simply can't jump hurdles ! He'll treat his fences with a bit more respect.
 
The most important extract from Kenny Alexander interview re Honeysuckle........



“I’m delighted and hopefully next year we can get back to the track, everybody is in one piece and we can retain our crown with a crowd full of people enjoying themselves and she can get a proper reception.”
 
Lobos said:
The most important extract from Kenny Alexander interview re Honeysuckle........



“I’m delighted and hopefully next year we can get back to the track, everybody is in one piece and we can retain our crown with a crowd full of people enjoying themselves and she can get a proper reception.”
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Sounds like you've been spot on with your assessment on honeysuckle's targets Lobos........I just need to get her in the book now
 
Big Chac said:
Sounds like you've been spot on with your assessment on honeysuckle's targets Lobos........I just need to get her in the book now
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3/1 probably seems short to some this far out but the way she put away The field this year, if she arrives in the same form next year then nothing will get by her. She is an incredible Mare.
 
Lobos said:
The most important extract from Kenny Alexander interview re Honeysuckle........



“I’m delighted and hopefully next year we can get back to the track, everybody is in one piece and we can retain our crown with a crowd full of people enjoying themselves and she can get a proper reception.”
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Great news and makes perfect sense to me, wouldn't normally be overly keen on taking 3/1 a year out but i can't see what beats her !
 
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