International Hurdle 2007

[Flash]

For those who think Desert Quest is getting his favoured fast ground take a look at todays times.

[Charlie D]

His hurdles record on good ground or faster reads 2111112, he just hasn’t the same turn of foot on softer ground.
Hasn’t had his ground since Wincanton, Nov 06, where he was giving 23lbs to another speed horse, Crow Wood, and was maybe a touch unlucky.

If thats correct reet, he’s gotta be a cracking bet under these terms hasn’t he???

[Aidan]

I think Macs Joy has flattered to deceive his entire career and tomorrow will be no different. He’s only won twice in his last 14 runs and they were both 4 runner affairs.

He has also won 9 times…including three Grade 1s (one being a little race called the Irish Champion Hurdle),a Grade 2 and two top class handicap hurdles.

[davidbrady]

He’s also been beaten the last 4 runs, all where he went off a short-priced favourite. He’s mentioned as a hurdler of a golden generation but what he achieved on the track falls far short of what either Brave Inca or Hardy Eustace did. He did have a good period in Dec04/Jan05 where he won 2 Gr1s but since then, he’s been largely disappointing.

[Aidan]

He clearly had his problems last year and had an interupted season….thats has been widely acknowledged. Before that he had done little wrong.

[davidbrady]

I just think that even though you get a good run for your money with him, he never seems to get his head in front enough for my liking and therefore is one take on more often than not.

[Anonymous]

His hurdles record on good ground or faster reads 2111112, he just hasn’t the same turn of foot on softer ground.
Hasn’t had his ground since Wincanton, Nov 06, where he was giving 23lbs to another speed horse, Crow Wood, and was maybe a touch unlucky.

If thats correct reet, he’s gotta be a cracking bet under these terms hasn’t he???

If either Sublimity or Macs Joy are fully fit and firing, he wouldn’t beat them but who knows that?
Guaranteed fit, I couldn’t have him out of the first 3 though.
Imo, Katchit’s lto run is as good as he is, and I doubt he will place.

Flash
Based on Jack The Giant’s time today (8.05s over standard), I would have the ground exactly as a few jockeys described it; good with dead patches.

[Charlie D]

I’ve got it between Sublimity, Macs Joy, Afsoun and Desert Quest

Though respected, I’m not convinced yet by Sublimity, Macs Joy could take it if back and under these terms he is very tempting tbh, but stable not really firing on all cylinders.

So i’d have to say race is between Afsoun and Desert Quest and if latter has his ground and the 8lb plays it’s part he has to be the one, otherwise i think it will be Afsoun

[MikkyMo73]

I’ve got it between Sublimity, Macs Joy, Afsoun and Desert Quest

Though respected, I’m not convinced yet by Sublimity, Macs Joy could take it if back and under these terms he is very tempting tbh, but stable not really firing on all cylinders.

So i’d have to say race is between Afsoun and Desert Quest and if latter has his ground and the 8lb plays it’s part he has to be the one, otherwise i think it will be Afsoun

Charlie,

Don’t hold back will you , I mean, why don’t you have a few more selections

Seen as though everyone has ignored my question above, would you be kind enough to answer?

Why do you fancy Desert Quest, a horse beaten 95L in total over his last 3 hurdles races? On hurdles form he should be a 20/1 shot, regardless of the going. Does a few novice chase wins suddenly make him a contender here?

For me it’s Katchit all day. Loves the ground, loves the C&D, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with his last run in context of today’s race.

Mike

[Jim JTS]

I’ll not be having a bet in the race as my bets will be at Southwell & Wolverhampton

But here’s my 1, 2, 3, 4 in the correct order :-

1st . Afsoun
2nd . Katchit
3rd . Sublimity
4th . Macs Joy

Get in there!

[Charlie D]

I’ve got it between Sublimity, Macs Joy, Afsoun and Desert Quest

Though respected, I’m not convinced yet by Sublimity, Macs Joy could take it if back and under these terms he is very tempting tbh, but stable not really firing on all cylinders.

So i’d have to say race is between Afsoun and Desert Quest and if latter has his ground and the 8lb plays it’s part he has to be the one, otherwise i think it will be Afsoun

Charlie,

Don’t hold back will you , I mean, why don’t you have a few more selections

Seen as though everyone has ignored my question above, would you be kind enough to answer?

Why do you fancy Desert Quest, a horse beaten 95L in total over his last 3 hurdles races? On hurdles form he should be a 20/1 shot, regardless of the going. Does a few novice chase wins suddenly make him a contender here?

For me it’s Katchit all day. Loves the ground, loves the C&D, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with his last run in context of today’s race.

Mike

Mike

i’ve given you horses who i think have with claims of winning,and then narrowed that down to two, one of which i will only be having a small back e/w if ground is right for him, if it’s not, the small bet will be on Afsoun

May main bet here is the laying of Katchit, who imo has to beat those four horses i put forward. to even place, also add Straw Bear into that mix if right and that makes it five horses Katchit needs to beat

All in all it is a very competitive race, where the 3rd fav has probably the same claims of winning and placing as Osana and Penzance imo

[MikkyMo73]

Thanks for the reply Charlie.

My point is though, why do you (not just you in particular) put the chances of Afsoun and Desert Quest, to name but a few, ahead of the chances of Katchit?

I’m not picking on DQ, but like I say, he has been beaten a total of 95L in his last 3 hurdles runs – why would anyone consider him ahead of Katchit. Katchit’s C&D form is outstanding, and even his last time 3rd to an on song Harchibald was a massive effort considering it was his first time in Open company. Let’s not forget, Harchibald, at his best, is one hell of an animal.

Like I said earlier, I’ve got no strong opinions on the race. It’e easy in hindsight, after Desert Quest wins by 10L to say, "that’s why he was a strong fancy" – but prior to the race, I just couldn’t have him it all. I think to much is being made of his record on the ground. Let’s not forget Katchit is 4 from 4 on Good or faster ground.

If I were a serious punter I’d be laying Desert Quest. But as I’m not, and so many knowledgable people are putting him up, I’m wondering have I missed something, so I certainly won’t be having a bet in ther race.

Mike

[Fist of Fury 2k8]

He’s also been beaten the last 4 runs, all where he went off a short-priced favourite. He’s mentioned as a hurdler of a golden generation but what he achieved on the track falls far short of what either Brave Inca or Hardy Eustace did. He did have a good period in Dec04/Jan05 where he won 2 Gr1s but since then, he’s been largely disappointing.

"a hurdler of a golden generation" in a pigs eye it was.

Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace? who makes these stupid statements?…….Horses Persian War, Sea Pigeon, Night Nurse, Monksfield, Bula, Istabrag were in a totally different class to those 2.who were probably the worst Champion Hurdlers of all time.

Anyway if that thing wins today I’ll eat my hat..

[davidbrady]

The "good ol’ times" argument again.

[Gazs Way De Solzen]

If Straw Bear runs to his best i would have him ahead of Afsoun in the betting to be honest, has beaten him on 2 previous occasions as well.

It is going to be a really good/fascinating race though and im really looking forward to it.

[Charlie D]

Few below par efforts there imo, but a nice front running performance by the winner

Well done to anyone who was on

[Gazs Way De Solzen]

A very taking performance by Osana there.

I have been very impressed with him since switching to hurdles from the fences.

Very good performance, will be interesting to see where Mr Pipe takes him next.

[Author]

Posts