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Willie Mullins has confirmed in his ATR Stable Tour, that Annie Power will go down The Champion Hurdle route again, whilst of Faugheen he states…….
“He’s in good shape and his starting point will be either the Morgiana Hurdle or the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle. He won’t have any problem with two-and-a-half miles in the Hatton’s Grace if we point him in that direction. He’ll be one that we play by ear as the season progresses.”
Certainly seems to be an outside chance he could go The World Hurdle route, though all speculation at this point, and a lot of water to pass under the bridge. I’m sure there’ll be much chat, not least on here, as to the various targets of the pair of them. At least the stable switch of Apples Jade, has allowed Elliot to confirm that she is bang on target for this.
Worth taking a look at some of WPM’s other candidates, as his team dominate the betting, here are the “plans”
Arctic Fire – Not back out till second half of the season, and undecided over Hurdles or Fences
Limini – Mares Hurdle
Min – Novice Chasing
Nichols Canyon – Staying Hurdles route
Wicklow Brave – No mention, but I’ve included him as a potential runner.
Yorkhill – No decision over Hurdles or Fences, but WPM does think he’ll make a “fantastic hurdle horse”It’s another two of the Mullins team who catch my eye though, in the shape of Ivan Grozny & Vroum Vroum Mag.
I’ve been banging the drum of Ivan Grozny for a while now, and at 25’s, I don’t think he’s out of this. Having caught my eye at Leapordstown last winter, on his comeback from injury, he then had no luck in running in The County Hurdle, finishing just out the frame. He’s not done much wrong since then, and WPM says that he thinks he’s “matured”. I reckon it’s more a case that they’ve figured out the best way to run him. He’ll likely be heading The Morgiana route, and I’m hopeful that he runs well enough to stay in The Champion Hurdle picture. I’m on 33’s ew, and bigger prices on Betfair, up to 200’s (edited)……if Steeplechasing comes on here, and says he got higher, I will not be amused lol. I get the impression he might be difficult to keep sound, but I think he’s worth the risk.
Mullins freely admits that Vroum Vroum Mag may fill the “Supersub” role, and I think that’s a bit of a shame. I haven’t seen her break a sweat in any of her runs so far, and I think she’s dynamite. Impossible to say where she’ll head then, and just as hard to guess whether it’ll be fences or hurdles. I really do like her for this though, and have had the niggling feeling since Punchestown, that this is where she’ll end up. She’s generally available at 16’s, and considering her “supersub” role, that doesn’t make much appeal right now. I might be reading too much into it, but she’s only 9’s with Betbright for this, make of that what you will. I’ve taken a chance though at 42’s to 150’s (edited).
Those the main pair, but Sutton Place and Heartbreak City in the wings as backups.
JP has a few likely candidates. I still think Yanworth will head here, while he also has potential in the shape of The Triumph winner, Ivanovich Gorbatov, and last years runner up, My Tent Or Yours. Both the latter are very big prices at the moment, 25’s and 33’s respectively. I also threw a few quid the way of JP’s Sutton Place, but he appears to be going chasing. Winter Escape is another of his who could come into contention.
Ivan Grozny & Vroum Vroum Mag for me at this stage then, but at lot still to happen between now and March.
I am totally shocked that with the news Annie Power is going down the champion hurdle route, Faugheen starting off at 2 and a half miles and Limini going for the mares hurdle, that none of the bookies have altered their odds.
Took 4/1 on Annie Power and 7/1 Limini with Hills last night for an opening day double and added Faugheen in a treble at 4/1 for the world hurdle.
If these are indeed their targets then I think Hills certainly have missed a beat there….I still think Yanworth will head here, while he also has potential in the shape of The Triump winner, Ivanovich Gorbatov
Alan King, interviewed on ATR the other day, stated that Yanworth might head to the Champion Hurdle if it came up heavy but is being considered for a step up in trip. Certainly, he has looked more of a stayer in both his festival defeats so far, tapped for toe before staying on in both the bumper and the Neptune. If JP McManus has a horse for the Champion Hurdle it’s Winter Escape, in my opinion.
While the Closutton battalions have to be feared, I can’t look further than Apple’s Jade in this race. Now that she’s been transferred to Gordon Elliott, she won’t suffer from any tactical shuffling and her new trainer has already stated that the Champion Hurdle is her target. Annie Power will give her a nice lead to the home turn and then it’ll be goodnight.
I’m on Apple’s Jade to win, with smaller speculative bets on Winter Escape.
Thanks for that Bob, it really does whet the appetite for the festival. I think
Annie Power is an amazing horse, she is capable of winning top races at distances
from 2 to 3 miles and not many can claim that. She won the Champion Hurdle so well
last year that I’m not surprised that at this time Willie says she is heading there
again, even if I think that 2 1/2 miles is her optimum distance. She looked even better
over that distance when she strolled away with the Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle after her
Champion Hurdle success. However, as much as I love her, I’m very much in Gladiateur’s
camp. I can’t believe that anything will get close to APPLE’S JADE if she
produces a run even near to that of her win in the Betfred Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle
at Aintree. I can’t think of a more impressive win…..ever! She did endorse her credentials
in the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival after that.Sky Bet are a stand out 10/1, and I’m having some of that. I hope she (and all) get there in
one piece.I am totally shocked that with the news Annie Power is going down the champion hurdle route, Faugheen starting off at 2 and a half miles and Limini going for the mares hurdle, that none of the bookies have altered their odds.
Took 4/1 on Annie Power and 7/1 Limini with Hills last night for an opening day double and added Faugheen in a treble at 4/1 for the world hurdle.
If these are indeed their targets then I think Hills certainly have missed a beat there….Why are you shocked? RR has a soft spot for AP who was as impressive, if not more impressive, than Faugheen the year before. I was of the opinion they were always going to let her defend her crown and have her wrapped up in loads of anti post multiples at 4/1. Love it
I am totally shocked that with the news Annie Power is going down the champion hurdle route, Faugheen starting off at 2 and a half miles and Limini going for the mares hurdle, that none of the bookies have altered their odds.
Took 4/1 on Annie Power and 7/1 Limini with Hills last night for an opening day double and added Faugheen in a treble at 4/1 for the world hurdle.
If these are indeed their targets then I think Hills certainly have missed a beat there….Why are you shocked? RR has a soft spot for AP who was as impressive, if not more impressive, than Faugheen the year before. I was of the opinion they were always going to let her defend her crown and have her wrapped up in loads of anti post multiples at 4/1. Love it
Just shocked that they haven’t shortened them all up, now they have a slightly clearer idea where they might be heading. Annie Power broke the track record last year….so am shocked she isn’t priced up as favourite for the race. It’s clear she won’t be won’t heading for the mares race yet is heading the market along with apparent substitute Vroum Vroum Mag. Loving the 4/1 myself….although 10/3 now, still not a bad investment in my opinion.
I haven’t had a bet on the Champion Hurdle yet and will be keeping the powder dry for another while I imagine. I imagine Annie Power and Faugheen will both be campaigned as Champion Hurdle contenders for the first half of the season, being kept apart in much the same way as Faugheen and Hurricane Fly were two years ago. If they both get to Cheltenham fit and well, then connections have a decision to make. I doubt they will take each other on although it would be great to see. Annie Power is an excellent mare but Faugheen is a different level for me.
Outside of those at the head of the market, I’d love to see Yorkhill go this route, he has bags of speed and a drop to two miles will suit. Arctic Fire has had his problems but he is a horse who I could see placing again. Not one you could back until we see him back though. Apples Jade was brilliant in the spring but she still has plenty of improvement to make for me. Will be one of the most interesting contenders to watch as the season goes on, would be great if she can make up into a strong contender.
If Yorkhill is confirmed as staying over hurdles he would be my selection but until then nothing appeals.
it will be very difficult i think. but i was so impressed with ALTIOR last season. they went a real gallop in the supreme. the way he still quickened was very impressive. so he is for me even though only his 2nd season hurdler
I must admit to having a few pounds at 300’s downwards on a horse who is currently rated 4 Stones inferior over hurdles than last years winner Annie Power.So i thought it was a good time to put this one up now, just in case he gets aimed at the Festival which is quite possible.
Improved enormously in his last 2 runs on the flat which culminated in a great second in the Melbourne Cup.
The horse in question is Heartbreak City
Another one I’m on as well Botchy, and been chipping away at him for my book for the last few months, and I’ve got him 310’s to 510’s.
After that SDR bet, I hope it’s a case of “great minds think alike”, rather than “fools seldom differ”, but I fear it might be the latter, as I’m not convinced he’ll go, but hey, at those prices, it’s worth the risk to find out
Wow, your crazier than me, do you know that LOL
Interesting that after the Melbourne Cup Aidan Shiels ( the crazy Irish guy ) was interviewed on TV and if i remember right said something like ” we thought we would give this ago, but we have had a big target for him, but i can’t tell you that one ”
He could always run in a h’cap at Cheltenham but that does not seem big compared to the CH.
They have had success at Cheltenham before with Benefficient.
Anyway we will see
Oh that quote changes things then Botchy, very encouraging news that, I there can only be a few “big” targets which he is likely to head for.
I started chipping away at him at the tail end of September, but although I thought of him as progressive, I didn’t think he would head here this year. Bit more interested in the bet now
VTC, i know Vintage Crop tried the double, but in those days the MC was more of a ” handicap ” as opposed to what it is now.
The only other top class flat horse i can recall was Alderbrook who improved massively on the flat before going over hurdles a few months later.
Reports are that Hong Kong is possibly next on the list against the likes of Highland Reel and Jack Hobbs so it will be interesting to see how close he gets to those.
I suppose the good thing he has in his favour is that he has a bit of experience already over hurdles.
I think i’m trying to convince myself now
Certainly seen worse 500 to 1 shots
Im all over Yanworth at 16s ew. THIS HORSE IS A MONSTER AND 16/1 IS A VERY FAIR PRICE and i think he will be about around half the price after he mops up today.
He’s in so many of CHELTENHAM EW ANTE POST L15’S. We havne’t seen the best of this horse, i think he is somthing special and 16s is MASSIVE. Back him before he runs because his price will tumble.
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