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The trainer’s take . . .
There is a fine line between lavish praise and serious doubt in racing, and halfway up the run-in at Cheltenham yesterday everyone was set to be in raptures about a win for Big Buck’s on his comeback run in the Cleeve Hurdle.
But because he got tired late on, on his first start in 14 months, a lot of people have questioned whether he is still the horse he was.
I suppose only the World Hurdle at the Festival will 100% tell us that – he was clearly below his best yesterday but that was to be expected, win lose or draw, as there is no substitute for race-fitness whatever you do with them at home – but the more we thought and analysed the performance in the aftermath of defeat, the more thrilled we were.
Of course, immediately after any defeat, disappointment and deflation are the first emotions you feel. Especially with a horse as high-profile as Big Buck’s, with his phenomenal 18-race unbeaten run going into the Cleeve.
But we have been down this route with the likes of Kauto Star and Denman before. And yesterday was more about finding out what horse we had left, and that is why I instructed Sam to be positive on the horse and to make sure that he had a proper race.
Sam rode him exactly how we had discussed beforehand. The horse travelled well, jumped well, quickened going to the last, and then got tired on very bad ground on the run-in.
We were thrilled, especially as we had a genuine discussion beforehand about whether he ran yesterday with the ground far from ideal. And had we been coming into that race in a normal year with a run already under his belt, then we would probably have withdrawn him.
But we had to get a run into him to have a serious shot at the World Hurdle in March, and I think that he answered plenty of questions yesterday.
Sure, the form doesn’t match up to his top-notch victories, most of whom have been on good ground, but his normal exuberance and slick jumping were there for all see, it is just that he simply got tired in ground much softer than ideal.
And the icing on the cake was to see him eat up last night and this morning, and for his legs to be cold and A1 when Clifford checked him out this morning.
So it is now all systems go for Cheltenham, where I genuinely feel that he goes as the one to beat yet again.
That race yesterday will have done him the world of good.
Can you publish what he said privately because I think that would be a good deal more informative?
Can you publish what he said privately because I think that would be a good deal more informative?
Too true Stilvi.
Everyone knows after a long break what you don’t want in a "prep" is a hard race. As it can even set a horse back, especially on heavy, testing ground. You don’t give the horse too much to do out the back, but neither do you make it a greater test than necessary. Yet Nicholls appears to be saying that’s exactly what they wanted. He knows better.
Could it be that he realises they made a mistake in tactics (win or lose); and feels a need to come out defending his jockey after their controversial choice?
Value Is EverythingDeleted because not adding to what recent posters have said, and in a more informed way!
My next door neighbour came round one aftenoon when I was watching the racing. It was during the time when The Fellow was running; Monsieur Doumen appeared on the screen, her jaw dropped and she went ‘who’s that!’….
Can you publish what he said privately because I think that would be a good deal more informative?
What do you suspect he said privately?
Quite! Sam gave him a positive ride, sensibly, as per orders. Horses are not machines…..he got tired because he’s not 100% fit yet. If he’d have been fit, he would have won. End of…..
Amazing really how Barney can get heaps of shite fit after long lay offs, but one of the top trainers in the country can’t, don’t you think someone is having a laugh?
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I crawled on six crooked highwaysAmazing really how Barney can get heaps of shite fit after long lay offs, but one of the top trainers in the country can’t, don’t you think someone is having a laugh?
Completely different scenarios. It’s not how long off they have had it’s how long they have had to train them. Big Bucks may have only been able to get into training after his injury a little while ago, while Curleys may never have even been injured and been kept ticking over. We don’t even know if Nicholls wanted Big Bucks 100% anyway. His target is Cheltenham in March. The target for Curley’s horses was Wednesday.
And why are they having a laugh? I’m sure all connections would have been thrilled if he had won, but as part of his prep for March, it was a good run.
Can you publish what he said privately because I think that would be a good deal more informative?
What do you suspect he said privately?
I will leave that to your imagination but I suspect it would be a little different to the quote.
Can you publish what he said privately because I think that would be a good deal more informative?
What do you suspect he said privately?
I will leave that to your imagination but I suspect it would be a little different to the quote.
I have no imagination on it. I take him at his word. Which part do you think would be different?
It is still schooling on the racecourse as far as I’m concerned. You should have heard some of the comments in my local pub!
I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I crawled on six crooked highways
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Almost perfect race for the horse, trainer and jockey.
Nichols wanted to find out if the horse still retained is talent and ability and to do this Sam was required to run the race he will in the World Hurdle. He did just that and like I assume Paul was expecting he did everything just as he’d hoped, apart from finishing at the line in 1st place. He went to the front well and picked up the pace fluently, all that was lacking was that extra 5% fitness that would have carried Bucks through the last 100 yards.
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