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Mares occupying the first and second places. Is it time to revisit the question regarding the mares allowance?
Take nothing away though, she’s some horse.
Top mare.
Helped by the second and third favourites not running to form (probably ground) and Jack Kennedy letting her through. But Honeysuckle flowered again.Value Is EverythingCongrats to a great mare.
Would have been interesting if Epatante had jumped the last and I think Appreciate It ran well until lack of match fitness told going to the last.
I just got the feeling that she wasn’t quite as dominate as she has been in recent races (and last year) and I think that she really might need all of that 7lb allowance next season (the Supreme was run almost 6sec faster).
“Mares occupying the first and second places. Is it time to revisit the question regarding the mares allowance? ”
No.
In general the mares allowance is right but when you get a real star mare at the top level it is a massive help – I could see the argument for reducing it for the Grade 1 races but I doubt it will ever happen.
‘just got the feeling that she wasn’t quite as dominate as she has been”
The pace was quite steady. She would have won by further off a fast pace as more of the others would’ve been out of their comfort zone sooner.
The pace was very steady nearly 6 seconds slower than the supreme, around 4.5 lengths per second I think so quite a lot slower
Epatante 6L closer to her this time on better ground despite making a horlicks of the last – just have the feeling she will have a lot more on her plate next year especially considering Constitution Hill will be a year old and stronger and with more experience/improvement to come considering today was only his 4th race of his life.
Henry De Bromhead was quite caustic in his post race interview on RTV, having a right go at Matt Chapman. I quite like to see a bit of emotion instead of bland sound bites!
“Is there a better combination than Rachael Blackmore and Honeysuckle?” asked Ed Chamberlain
Yes … Nico De Boinville and Constitution Hill
Yes, you could say Honeysuckle would’ve been suited by a stronger pace, but a lot went for her today.
That gap could easily have closed on her. You could say the favourite Honeysuckle was massively suited by both second fav Appreciate It and third favourite Teahupoo not liking the Good ground. ie Had the two who were thought Honeysuckle’s main threats been able to show what they could do the distances back to second and third may have been less… And had Epatante jumped the last better it would’ve been closer too. Trainer hasn’t been in great form either, so no surprise Honeysuckle was probably not at her very best.That said, the best horses don’t always need to be at their best to win.
Value Is EverythingRachel gives a lot of ground away, esp compared to Epatante; I suppose it demonstrates confidence. I wonder if they are tempted to retire her for breeding? Unbeaten in the 2nd most competitive class of NH racing is an incredible record, but perhaps she didn’t have quite the zest she had last year.
Zanayhir got me a nice e.w , also talked someone out of backing his teauphoo ( that horse needs to be up to his knees ) , can’t wait till next year for CH to have a go at her
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