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I think it’ll be Zaynars race. The way the Henderson horses have been running this week and the extra distance all point to him. I can’t have Khyber for similar reasons as I couldn’t have Imperial Commander, He is best fresh (I know the Boylesport win was only a month or so after his Greatwood, but maybe ther others weren’t right that day). I also think as a 10-12f horse on the flat (I know he’s out of a Shirley Heights mare) this will stretch him a bit.
I have viewed this race from all angles, and Zaynar just keeps sticking his head out in front of everything else.
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I was adament that Zaynar could not win the Champion Hurdle and he ran as expected over a trip short of his best.
A fantastic effort, nonetheless, and I think he’ll be hard to beat over this trip – sure to test Big Buck’s over three miles next year.
His Kelso defeat behind Quwetwo should be reversed on this better ground, although Howard Johnson’s giant should not be underestimated.
Kyber Kim finished ahead of my selection in the Champion Hurdle, but he’s impossible to fancy given his trainers poor form at this meeting thus far: 5th / UR / UR / 9th / 8th / 9th / 9th / 5th / 15th / UR / 9th.
Celestial Halo ran poorly in this event last year, but that effort is best ignored after the hard race he endured at Cheltenham.
Zaynar to beat Celestial Halo.
Zaynar appeared to hate the track, but take nothing away from Kyber Kim. It would have been interesting had Celestial Halo stayed on his feet.
How good is Binocular?!!
Nicky Henderson needs to find the problem with Zaynar, he was to me simply not bothered at all today, clearly he is saving a lot for himself, to be getting reminded so far out and finish like he did its frustrating to watch if you backed him, he was stop start all the way, the winner is obviously a good horse but he is a lot better than the horses he finished with.
The horse was just badly outpaced around a track far too tight for him. Give him 3 miles and this horse will be the dog’s.
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Duke
Binocular needs good ground, his action is very close to the ground. That is why imo he didn’t win the 2009 champion hurdle.
The horse appears to me to go equally well on anywhere from soft to gd.
Have to agree he really doesn’t mind any sort of ground. The reason he got beat in the 2009 was twofold. He was ridden the wrong way because everyone was thinking "Cheltenham Hill" and the fact he was only 5 years old. Most 5 year olds just lack that little bit of maturity it takes to see the race out completely.
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The horse was just badly outpaced around a track far too tight for him. Give him 3 miles and this horse will be the dog’s.
Would agree with the track but the horse? I think you could end up cliffhanging following this horse. His last 4 races although he did win the Relkeel have shown him to be bit on the subborn side and he’s not the keenest kid on the block. Loads of ability but I wouldn’t be having the kitchen sink on him anytime soon.
He may well be suited by 3 miles but he was plenty close enough today and just wouldn’t put his best foot forward.
Horse who surprised me was Celestial Halo who must have gone close. Ruby still had another gear up his sleeve when he came down. Can’t wait to see him go fencing and he must be on the short list for next years Arkle.
Nicky Henderson needs to find the problem with Zaynar, he was to me simply not bothered at all today, clearly he is saving a lot for himself, to be getting reminded so far out and finish like he did its frustrating to watch if you backed him, he was stop start all the way, the winner is obviously a good horse but he is a lot better than the horses he finished with.
I don’t think the horse has been himself his last three runs, personally. He was never over exuberant in the way he races, but what he had, seems to have diminished.
fwiw I can’t have Zaynar as a force at any trip. His current rating of 168 is certainly wrong.
If Andy Stewart wins the tug-of-war and Big Buck’s stays hurdling, then just like Diamond Harry and Karabak, Zaynar will be exposed early on in the (next) season.
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Horse who surprised me was Celestial Halo who must have gone close. Ruby still had another gear up his sleeve when he came down. Can’t wait to see him go fencing and he must be on the short list for next years Arkle.
Good luck with that project Fist; if he wasn’t quick enough to win a Champion Hurdle, he’s hardly likely to have the speed for an Arkle – 2 years on.
He appreciated the faster ground at Aintree, shame he couldn’t jump the last as he probably would’ve won. Have to give it to Khyber Kim though, has had an excellent season for a horse that was written off at the start of it.
Horse who surprised me was Celestial Halo who must have gone close. Ruby still had another gear up his sleeve when he came down. Can’t wait to see him go fencing and he must be on the short list for next years Arkle.
Good luck with that project Fist; if he wasn’t quick enough to win a Champion Hurdle, he’s hardly likely to have the speed for an Arkle – 2 years on.
I doubt My Way De Solzen, Tidal Bay or Azertyouip had enough speed to win a champion hurdle either. Suppose you could add Sizing Europe too.
Totally different ball game
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