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A fantastic duel – can’t wait for round two at the Curragh!!
I’d select New Approach to reverse the placings, based solely on the fact that the Curragh places a greater emphasis on stamina. There’s no doubt that New Approach was rallying again inside the final furlong and it’s blindingly obvious that the Curragh suits him better.
His two most impressive victories were gained at the Irish venue. His Futurity defeat of Curtain Call (Henrythenavigator held) and his National Stakes success, beating Rio de la Plata and Myboycharlie.
He was far from impressive in last years Dewhurst and tasted defeat for the first time today at the same course.
Henrythenavigator had every right to get closer to New Approach today. His defeat in the Futurity was less than two weeks after the Phoenix Stakes, where he had a hard race on ground that was far from ideal.
The one horse that I’d take from the race is Moynahan. He was beaten about eight lengths, but was staying on well and is sure to improve again given his inexperience. He holds a Dante entry and is well worth keeping an eye on.
If the first and second lock horns again at the Curragh, I am convinced that New Approach will reverse the Newmarket placings with Henrythenavigator.
I disagree. New Approach got the run of the race but Henry came from behind and did him for toe. I doubt he’ll ever finish in front of Henry over a mile.
100%
Surely it just counts as “fair comment” to say that Godolphin do appalingly given their equine resources…
It does, but the thing that gets me is the level of seemingly heart-felt hatred and ill-will towards the operation.
I don’t think they have worked out the best way of doing things, and I wouldn’t like to be the financial analyst reporting on what the return on their investment is, but I don’t hate them.
I may be wrong But maybe just maybe Kevin thought he had the race won before the final struggle.Was he show boating at some stage ,looking for the competition?Did he perhaps allow New Approach to lose concentration?Remember how he was looking around at the Curragh ?Why did he hit the horse when the race was over?He was perhaps angry at himself for losing?Would Frankie have lost on the horse? I cannot answer these questions . What do you think? You have to earn a group one victory. Nobody will give it to you. Least of all Aidan.
it’s a fair point Andy that when he kicked on he did look over his shoulder. Couldn’t blame him for the horse’s defeat though.
Possibly if he’d upped the pace earlier it might have made a difference but purely conjecture and again I wouldn’t blame the jockey at all.
Lee
If New Approach forces a stronger pace, or the ground comes up any slower than it did today, then I would expect the result to be comfortably reversed. Henrythenavigator looked likely to go a length or more clear at one stage, but the runner-up was clawing back ground with every stride late on.
Will New Approach stay with Jim Bolger now or is he set to join Saeed Bin Suroor, before presumably being retired at the end of the season?
I think any criticism of Godolphin is entirely justified given their conduct over the last few years, with their attitude to the training of juveniles and ‘if we can’t breed or train it, we’ll just wait and throw money at it’ swagger proving particularly irritating.
Far too many decent young horses are uprooted and removed from deserving trainers’ care because one of the Arab clan has decided that they’ll only be fit for purpose (‘purpose’ being a switch to Godolphin and then premature retirement) entering their classic season. Factor in the almost predictable pre-season trips to Dubai, late returns and the equally inevitable subsequent failures of all horses involved, and I don’t see too many positives (and I haven’t even got to the ruining of the likes of Bull Run, Doyen and Papineau, the disappearance of Iffraaj or the deplorable decision to retire Shamardal and Rule Of Law).
Well there you have it. Narrow down to two and there had to be one choice for the winner … I did sway from Henry to NA but they were both backed and finished 1-2.
Not bad for someone 15,000km away.
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Agree with Carv that NA was beaten for speed, but could well see the placings reversed at the Curragh.
Imo K Manning got the pace wrong, and the way the horse took an age to pick up in the Dewhurst surely signalled that a stronger pace would have been more in his favour, rather than the waiting in front and trying to quicken from 2 out?
See the RP gives the winner a s/f of 115, which about sums up the race for me. On ground any slower in Ireland, NA would be the logical choice, on faster ground it would be jockeys, rather than horses, which made the difference.Always find it interesting to read through these threads before they disappear.
Bouquets to MFC Stan, M Deering, brickbats to Salselon, Clivex and many more…
Lesson? be flexible and don’t sack a horse for one or two poor runs under unfavourable conditions.Don’t back horses with stamina doubts in a 2,000 Guineas, whatever about the 1,000.
Let’s hope more of us get it right next year!The lessons Ive learnt is never discount the AOB No1 choice, no matter how little chance they may look to have on paper.
Ive always went against speed horses in the guineas and always look to the 7f 2yo races for the guineas winner, this year that would have been hard but most years that is the case. Im not 100% convinced that Ravens Pass doesnt stay 1 mile, and I suspect that we have just seen two top class performances by the first two on the day, Id expect Ravens Pass to win at ascot either in the jersey or the st james palace if getting a suitable surface, and he does appear to be a rather genuine and consistent horse.
In terms of this years renewal im of the seeming minority that thinks the 2000 was absolutely top class, and where henrythenavigator may prove to be a bit of a hawkwing type over time I think New Approach should frank the form well and truly this season at a bigger trip possibly Would love to see a king george clash between him, Getaway and the Derby winner.
Always find it interesting to read through these threads before they disappear.
Bouquets to MFC Stan, M Deering, brickbats to Salselon, Clivex and many more…
Lesson? be flexible and don’t sack a horse for one or two poor runs under unfavourable conditions.Don’t back horses with stamina doubts in a 2,000 Guineas, whatever about the 1,000.
Let’s hope more of us get it right next year!Well, best not have an opinion on big races anymore Clive for fear of being highlighted as a know-nothing
Seriously, well done Myles. You had a lot of faith and whilst I disagreed strongly with your selection (more so the reasons behind it) I take my hat off – 14/1 and 10/1 winners of the 2 recent big races is quite impressive
Not so much dismissing the runs on suitable ground (why was he running on it ?) as the form prior to that being less than awe inspiring. Henry had to improve a lot to win this year..which he did…but assumptions that he had done so, were pure guesswork IMO
As for the stamina doubts for the Guineas. Spot on…
Sometimes forget that it is often a fierce race over a mile that takes some gettingIn fairness Salselson it’s implied that I’m including myself in this (hopefully mild) criticism having backed Raven’s Pass. Hopefully we get a little wiser every year, otherwise what’s the point of being alive? When you’re staring at a row of red figures in the book humility is required, as well as a resolution to eliminate mistakes if possible.
Glad Henry won, I was one of the first to give him a mention a long time back and was given stick for it, but the form was there if people looked past all the hype surrounding others. I don’t think there were any hard luck stories which is always good. Raven’s Pass was ridden to get the trip and even though he came from a long way back, didn’t close up that much on the front 2 in the last half furlong or so. I said all along that Ibn Khaldoun’s 2year old form wasn’t anything to write home about, indeed Godolphin won 2 very weak group 1s last year with him and Rio De La Plata who may win in France next week, but unless there is a good unexposed horse running, it could prove to be as weak a major classic as there’s ever been.
Chances are New Approach will overturn the form at the Curragh, but only if the ground is on the easy side as usual, good or better and you’d fancy Henry all day.
Sometimes forget that it is often a fierce race over a mile that takes some getting
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