I think the best horse that Istabraq beat was French Holly. That horse was very classy, but better suited by 2m4f and longer. It was rated 172 and is the one I would consider a decent yardstick. But he wasn’t Champion Hurdle material and all those beatings of Cockney Lad, Theatreworld, Limestone Lad, Master Beveled and so on didn’t really impress me. Istabraq beat what was there, but none of the above mentioned was close to being a Champion hurdler.
