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I think my nerves watching the race today were as much for Sam as the horse. Again, we seem to have followed him throughout this season, seeing him win at Kelso and Wetherby.
Is 14 months off likely to render a horse less fit than 6 months off, and if so why?
Well, very possibly, especially after an injury.
I’d be very keen on Big Buck’s especially if Annie Power goes another route. The race is not deep even if she shows up.
Thought it ran a great race today. Jumped quicker than before, no flat spots, was made plenty of use of and wasn’t given an easy at the end.
I’ll be highly surprised if there isn’t a deal of improvement to come, even at eleven. 3-1 with a few layers seems very big to me.
Mike
After all the attention regarding the change of jockey Nicholls was never going to criticise the new jockey in public.
‘Ride him positive’ doesn’t necessarily mean you take the lead three out.
I thought he settled and jumped better for Sam than he ever did for Ruby. When asked to quicken down the hill he did so and did it again going toward the last in perfectly straightforward fashion. No signs of a quirk throughout the race or on the run-in where he hung left, probably, imo, from tiredness. He kept on right to the end in game fashion.
Yes, but those quirks had already become a thing of the past. The horse is no longer a difficult ride. I am sure Walsh could have got exactly the same jumps out of Big Bucks had he so wished and I am also pretty sure Big Bucks would have won today had Walsh been on board.
Is 14 months off likely to render a horse less fit than 6 months off, and if so why?
Well, very possibly, especially after an injury.
I’d be very keen on Big Buck’s especially if Annie Power goes another route. The race is not deep even if she shows up.
Thought it ran a great race today. Jumped quicker than before, no flat spots, was made plenty of use of and wasn’t given an easy at the end.
I’ll be highly surprised if there isn’t a deal of improvement to come, even at eleven. 3-1 with a few layers seems very big to me.
Mike
I agree with all of this, especially the jumping. Skipped like Harchibald / The Fly.
I think he ran a blinder, and certainly hasn’t lost his spark, he has been off an awful long time, and he ran admirable in defeat from so long off, and I do think he hit the front too soon, but he was tired from the last, after lengthy lay off, he certainly will come on from that run
vf
And Betlarge is correct about the lack of a flat spot also – I remember when he was at his peak it looked like Dynaste had him well and truly "at it", before he walloped the Pipe inmate.
With Solwhit out of the way, the one to beat surely. Although At Fishers Cross seems to be heading the right way.
Not sure what people expected Sam to do, his seemingly 3 main market rivals were anchored out back from the off, had Sam done similar we may have had a crawl or the two outsiders getting a good few lengths head start, given that one of the ‘outsiders’ went on to win I think neither scenario would have suited BB.
I personally hate to see a horse pulled back when hitting the front, turning for home Big Bucks was cruising he had his ears pricked and all his rivals at it. The only thing that beat him today was fitness come the festival he wont be beaten.
Although At Fishers Cross seems to be heading the right way.
Care to elaborate? Was a seasons best today surely?
Although At Fishers Cross seems to be heading the right way.
Care to elaborate? Was a seasons best today surely?
I’m laughing at your Satellite delay PC.
At Fishers Cross
became a serious World hurdle candidate the moment he crossed the line in last years Albert Bartlett,his 2 previous runs this term were that of a horse being aimed at one race,todays race wasn’t it but the one that matters is on March 13th and like you say he’s heading the right way.
Drone, his seasonal debuts in the past have been in easier races than today’s. He’s run just twice on heavy ground over hurdles before today, both times, he’d had at least one race that season.
As to the fitness question, I don’t know. It depends when PN was able to start working him compared with previous seasons, and how much work he needs as he gets older.
But going by opinions on here, and social media, today’s run certainly seems to be dividing people, not least the bookies: anything from 5/4 to 3/1 for the big one.
PN said second time he’d run on grass since his return. Wanted to get a race course gallop into him but couldn’t
Sam will also have learned much
I don’t know why they keep rabbiting on about Knockara Beau springing a big surprise.
Reve De Sivola is a very fast 3 miler, yet at the weights, Knockara Beau had 8 points in hand on him in terms of their best respective RP speed figures for the distance. And 5 points irrespective of distance! A small field, a quagmire, and the hot-shots with an eye to Cheltenham….?
Nothing quite like after-timing.. tee hee.
I can’t possibly believe that Paul Nicholls gave orders for Sam to ride Big Bucks like that. How many times has Sam went too early in big races? I have no doubt that Ruby would’ve won on Big Bucks today.
Strange tactics by more than one jockey today.
I heard an interview with Richard Johnson beforehand, connections apparently believed he left the World Hurdle behind in this race last year with too hard a race. Therefore changed tactics despite the horse’s best recent form with stamina at an absolute premium/ridden prominently. Often spitting his dummy out when without a clear view of the front, as he did in France (imo only getting back up because the others had gone too quick too soon). Did not run to form here.
Boston Bob was well backed the night before and early morning of race, but went for a walk in the market on course and exchanges. Suspect something was not right, may be news got out had a bad trip over or played up in the paddock? Given a lot to do and ran poorly.
At Fisher’s Cross, who ran ok last time but didn’t come in to this race with any confidence after jumping poorly/back problems. Expectedly dropped out/held up for a run. Ran well, jumping better than previously this season back on heavy ground. Encouraging run given he came from an uncompromising position. Though beating Quartz De Thaix 10¾ lengths is not yet World Hurdle winning form, even giving 4 lbs. More improvement may well be forthcoming, but doubtful going will be so conducive come Festival time. McManus owner companion More Of That may be a better Festival option given the chance/fitness.
Would be interesting to hear what Simon Rowlands has to say about sectional times. Was the speed Knockara Beau went the most economical of all runners (equal pace throughout)? Out in front early when Reve, Boston and Fisher’s were going slowly (giving Jan a fair start). Then kept going at the same speed (outpaced) when Sam went for home? With the held up trio possibly trying to make up ground at the worst possible moment, just as Big Buck’s and Quartz De Thaix were quickening from the front. Winner got 4 lbs from runner-up and 8 from Big Buck’s, even so looks flattered. But who can begrudge connections, wonderful story for a small stable, journeyman jockey and horse who’s been “Knockar”ing on the door of a big win for years.
Little surprised Sam went up with the leaders, by far the most prominent of the main ones in the betting. There was always going to be a probability the other two leaders would drop back, leaving him in front too soon. Has pulled himself up in front before!… And although the trait hasn’t been so obvious recently – it is asking for problems going for home so far out. Then if going to lead – surprised again he didn’t wait in front. Pressing on on a horse that has a fine turn of foot, might be a gallop short and on heavy (testing) ground. However, not the jockey’s fault. Listening to his trainer afterwards, Nicholls said he told Sam to ride BB “positively”. Comes out best horse at the weights, but needs to come on quite a bit to be at his best come March. Still deserves to be favourite, 5/4 is bloody ridiculous though wouldn’t like to lay 3/1.
Form to be wary of.
Value Is EverythingDrone, I wasn’t nit picking
It’s just that, you know the way some things stick in your head in a ‘frozen in time’ way? We were at Cheltenham when Iris’s Gift won……and the thing that sticks with me is seeing Francois Doumen standing behind Baracouda, with his hands on the horses back and the saddest look on his face..not a sadness at losing the race but a sadness for the horse.Crippled me to see it
Not nit-picking at all: it was an oversight on my part as I used the word ‘toppled’ and ‘out with the old in with the new’ when Inglis Drever beat Baracouda which implies it was ID who wrested the king’s crown, whereas it was actually Iris’s Gift
Great races and great horses seen on-course do linger long, fresh in the memory don’t they
A glance at the suave Monsieur Doumen would weaken the kness of most ladies so no surprise a welling of emotion on that fine gallic face crippled you?
Under the circumstances (heavens opening shortly before the race, being left in front too long and returning from injury/layoff) Big Buck’s performance yesterday was highly encouraging.
While, in the back of my mind, I still expected him to win, he stuck to his guns really well and went down like a true warrior. He’ll be hard to beat in the World Hurdle. I’m sure his jockey will have learned a great deal about yesterday’s race.
As for the result itself, it reminded me of Snoopy Loopy’s Betfair Chase distinction. Won’t happen again.
It’s just that, you know the way some things stick in your head in a ‘frozen in time’ way? We were at Cheltenham when Iris’s Gift won…
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