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Mares Hurdle 2020

It was more than just Townend that was poor!

Robbie power wasn’t great either. Essentially team tactics going wrong. Could argue it’s a relatively new ‘team’
 
It was more than just Townend that was poor!

Robbie power wasn’t great either. Essentially team tactics going wrong. Could argue it’s a relatively new ‘team’

I've never been a big fan of team orders/tactics in any sport. If you're good enough to beat Honeysuckle over 2m4f, you don't need a front runner to make it a massive stretch of stamina. If you do need one, run in the 3 mile race.
 
I've never been a big fan of team orders/tactics in any sport. If you're good enough to beat Honeysuckle over 2m4f, you don't need a front runner to make it a massive stretch of stamina. If you do need one, run in the 3 mile race.

Fair point, though i'd say that's part and parcel of being in a big yard with multiple runners in the race. If you don't have some sort of plan "A" beforehand you're not being professional enough.

That plan yesterday went belly up for a number of reasons. Do i think Benie would've beaten Honey getting the inside run, yes. So i guess you could blame Townend there for his race positioning.
 
Fair point, though i'd say that's part and parcel of being in a big yard with multiple runners in the race. If you don't have some sort of plan "A" beforehand you're not being professional enough.

That plan yesterday went belly up for a number of reasons. Do i think Benie would've beaten Honey getting the inside run, yes. So i guess you could blame Townend there for his race positioning.

Absolutely, it comes with the territory, just like in F1 and other sports, it just doesn't sit right with me. Let the individuals do the talking themselves and not the tactics
 
It’s sometimes good to see dominant forces with multiple entries who dictate race pace and position, come undone.

Well done to Rachael and Honeysuckle for overcoming them all, not just BDD.
 
Seen a few of the connections have a go at the jockeys regarding BDD. I guess their money was down. They usually remain quiet.

Big defeat for Benie, as she gets talked up as though she is the best in the yard, and she got turned over.

Bad start for Willie.
 
Seen a few of the connections have a go at the jockeys regarding BDD. I guess their money was down. They usually remain quiet.

Big defeat for Benie, as she gets talked up as though she is the best in the yard, and she got turned over.

Bad start for Willie.

Might be the best thing for her as they may now move her up to 3m where she belongs. Been beat by the mares now - just go and start winning the open 3m in England, Ireland and France
 
Might be the best thing for her as they may now move her up to 3m where she belongs. Been beat by the mares now - just go and start winning the open 3m in England, Ireland and France

Yeah, hope she is in the Stayers next season.
 
Seen a few of the connections have a go at the jockeys regarding BDD. I guess their money was down. They usually remain quiet.

Big defeat for Benie, as she gets talked up as though she is the best in the yard, and she got turned over.

Bad start for Willie.

Let's hope for a bad day today too and then we can perm all his runners on Thursday
 
If the race was 100m further BDD catches her, so I would be annoyed at the rides given to SI and BDD if she were mine
 
Don’t think I’ll gain a whole load from reading into this race too much and I doubt I have anything unique to say that hasn’t already been said.


My personal opinion having watched the race back just now is that Benie Des Dieux would beat Honeysuckle over this trip more often than she wouldn’t. I certainly don’t have her as vastly superior though and price would dictate which way I leant in any rematches.


The slow pace certainly wouldn’t have played to BDD’s strengths. Initially I considered Cheltenham doesn’t show her to best effect as even her win in this race wasn’t visually impressive. The fact remains though that bar Honeysuckle, she’s just easily clear of anything else in the race and I’d be surprised if anything can match her. If Honeysuckle is going chasing, I’d hope to back BDD for the Mares before she got cut. She could realistically go up in trip to the Stayers Hurdle but I think when it came to crunch time she’d be the proverbial penalty kick in this again compared to what you would have to assume would be a more difficult race in the Stayers Hurdle and that’d sway the decision.


Of course if Honeysuckle isn’t going Chasing, then it could make the Stayers more attractive and I also wouldn’t want to back BDD as they’re too closely matched for me to get jiggy at the prices.

No interest whatsoever in the Mares in behind. Even at 20/1+ they’re only place chances in either of these turn up and that isn’t worth spending much time on in May 2020 for March 2021 for me.