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How Many Races Are Up To Scratch This Year?

kinloch brae

kinloch brae

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The Arkle looks as if it might be really good and then maybe the Ballymore but after that?

Perhaps we don't have that many superstars or perhaps where we do there is a lack of competition? I am thinking of the likes of Buveur D'Air and Altior.
 
Loads of ultra competitive races, quality a little lacking is how I’d sum it up
 
kinloch brae said:
The Arkle looks as if it might be really good and then maybe the Ballymore but after that?

Perhaps we don't have that many superstars or perhaps where we do there is a lack of competition? I am thinking of the likes of Buveur D'Air and Altior.
Click to expand...

Champion Chase would go down in history as a brilliant renewal if Douvan turned up ... and Min to some extent?
 
Would say its pretty good tbh... CC would be top class if Douvan vs altior vs min. GC is 100% better than last years so would say that was a good renewal. RSA looks ultra competitive. JLT definitely lacks a little, along with Ryanair if WP misses it. Supreme SEEMS to lack a potential superstar but that could easily change should Getabird hose up. Triumph looks class too with all the potential talent to be put to the test. Overall I'm happy with how the festival is shaping up to be. :triumphant:
 
kinloch brae said:
The Arkle looks as if it might be really good and then maybe the Ballymore but after that?

Perhaps we don't have that many superstars or perhaps where we do there is a lack of competition? I am thinking of the likes of Buveur D'Air and Altior.
Click to expand...

I'm thinking Faugheen , Douvan , Our Duke, Presenting Percy, Apples Jade, Samcro , Getabird , Hollowgraphic, Laurina , Footpad , Un De Sceaux , Apples Shakira , lAmi Serge , Cause of Causes , Burning Ambition and Fagan will all be my superstars.
 
Bigfish said:
I'm thinking Faugheen , Douvan , Our Duke, Presenting Percy, Apples Jade, Samcro , Getabird , Hollowgraphic, Laurina , Footpad , Un De Sceaux , Apples Shakira , lAmi Serge , Cause of Causes , Burning Ambition and Fagan will all be my superstars.
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Lots to agree with there BF but L'ami Serge a superstar - I'm actually laughing out loud at that one
 
Kevloaf said:
Champion Chase would go down in history as a brilliant renewal if Douvan turned up ... and Min to some extent?
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I think many have been hoping for a top form Altior against a top form Douvan but I doubt that we are ever going to see that now.

Obviously, it will still be a fantastic meeting but Samcro, Presenting Percy and maybe On The Blind Side apart I don't think I am looking forward to as many novices (chasers and hurdlers) going forward as in previous seasons. The Champion Hurdle should be a penalty kick, the Gold Cup is competitive but lacks a superstar and similar for the Stayers. Arguably the best horse won't be in Ryanair although I am hoping Cue Card could provide the story of the week.
 
charlie said:
Lots to agree with there BF but L'ami Serge a superstar - I'm actually laughing out loud at that one
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Hes already won the French Champion hurdle over 3M on soft going 'readily' . Perfect form.
 
Winning the French Champion Hurdle and a rubbish Tolworth does not make for superstar status.
 
How about beating Shaneshill 12L readily.(add 5L) taken as trueform then he should be rated 173.
 
Championship Races:

Champion Hurdle

Buveur D'Air vs Faugheen vs Yorkhill

or

Yanworth vs MTOY's vs Buveur D'Air

Champion Chase

Altior vs Min (vs maybe Douvan) / Politologue

or

Douvan vs God's Own vs Fox Norton

Stayers Hurdle

Supasundae vs Sam Spinner vs Yanworth

or

UNWIMH vs Ballyoptic vs Nichols Canyon

Gold Cup

Might Bite vs Native River vs Our Duke vs Road to Respect vs Sizing John

or

Djakadam vs Native River vs Cue Card vs Sizing John vs Outlander

Just to pinpoint a few in the markets. I'd argue all are better and stronger races compared to last season? Obviously Buveur D'Air looks an almost penalty kick with how the season has played out but if you had said at the start of the year you would have Buveur D'Air vs Faugheen vs Yorkhill then that would have been an unbelievable race to look forward to.

The Arkle is absolutely better.
The Ballymore (Samcro vs On The Blind Side vs Next Destination or Neon Wolf vs Bacardys vs Messire des Obeaux)
RSA (Presenting Percy vs Monalee vs Black Corton or Might Bite vs Whisper vs Bellshill)

Would also be other races i'd highlight. The JLT is looking a bit weak but I struggle to pinpoint many races where the previous year looks better than 2018 (on paper)

Add to the fact that the handicaps look even more competitive on first look...I'm not sure I get the downbeat attitude towards this season or festival (it has been an ongoing and consistent thought by many to be fair throughout the season)

Obviously all this is in hindsight. I'm always reluctant to judge the quality or strength of races before they are run.
Could be completely wrong but and i'll come back at the end of the season and read this back :)
 
Its simple addition charlie. Shaneshill is officially rated 156.
 
L'ami Serge = Zarkander.
Travel well and flatter to deceive over three miles and don't appear to go through with it (at least consistently, and need everything to drop right) Therefore should be bigger price in a good Stayers line up.
But a fast run 2 miles and a bit on a stiff track and they look like Hardy Eustace.
 
The trouble with assessing quality is that it's only in 2/3 years time will we really know.

At this stage I think the Ballymore is above average and the Supreme and potato races below average, but if the Supreme produces the next champion hurdle and Arkle winner I'll have to retract that.

The Gold Cup is already stronger with last years 1,2,3 showing up again as well as Might Bite, Our Duke and a couple of others.
The Stayers looks underpar possibly.

Handicaps will always be competitive and I don't have a strong view on the bumper, but the time to judge is probably April 2020...
 
Bigfish said:
Its simple addition charlie. Shaneshill is officially rated 156.
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A 12L beating of Shaneshill on deep ground in France does not propel a horse that's done little else anywhere near the realm of 'superstar status'
 
charlie said:
A 12L beating of Shaneshill on deep ground in France does not propel a horse that's done little else anywhere near the realm of 'superstar status'
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I’ll probabky back LS each way in the Stayers but I agree with you. Nowhere near being a superstar.
 
He won readily. Just saying.He will have optimum conditions. Its him or Penhill for me . 3L win
 
Bigfish said:
He won readily. Just saying.He will have optimum conditions. Its him or Penhill for me . 3L win
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We are in complete agreement that he won that race well BF, I am just shooting down the superstar part. I do think he is being overlooked for this though. My concern with L'Ami Serge is how game he is for a fight. He finds little off the bridle and that would be a concern as he faces that hill, even with his optimum conditions.
 
Bigfish said:
How about beating Shaneshill 12L readily.(add 5L) taken as trueform then he should be rated 173.
Click to expand...

Big fish.

Do you have a rating for the win of Bristol de mai in the Betfair chase? :)


Your not taking over from phil Smith are you?
 
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