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He was all out and just hung on. If Celestial Halo had jumped the last cleanly he would have won. That’s why he has been at double figures to retain his title ever since. Barring accidents Barry Geraghty will be deserting the champion for Zaynar.
I really hope he does ride Zaynar, who can really clatter his hurdles still as he’s far from the finished article (despite being potentially top class), as that will keep Punjabi’s price inflated at double to triple what it should be. Jumping hurdles is the name of the game, Punjabi put them all to the sword and no wonder he was all out, it was a brutal race.
I’d go Punjabi, Solwhit, Zaynar, Halo, given the latter has already been suggested as being readied for fences after March.
Sea Pigeon, I agree 100% regarding Binocular, and I do think that Zaynar and Solwhit are potentially top-class horses. But there are huge doubts regarding both. Zaynar needs further, Ive no doubt. I dont see why Henderson wont try the Stayers with him, theres only one horse to beat there. Solwhit appears to me to be an Aintree horse, and I dont think he’ll appreciate Cheltenham.
Regarding Celestial Halo, I would bracket him alongside Binocular as a horse to avoid, until he shows something like his old sparkle.
I know Im beginning to sound like a broken record, but Im really fed-up of no-one giving Go Native the credit he deserves. You said Starluck would’ve won at Kempton but for a bad mistake? Go Native would’ve won on the bridle, but for hitting the front too soon. Yes, hes quirky, but the most talented of a bunch who all carry question marks. Also, if Sublimity hadnt tried to take the 4th last with him, he’d of beaten Solwhit, despite the ground being all against him. If Go Native ever goes as big as 7/1 again, I’ll be surprised.
Solwhit appears to me to be an Aintree horse, and I dont think he’ll appreciate Cheltenham.
I don’t understand this logic, to be honest. Solwhit has won twice round the undulations of Punchestown and won several times going left-handed. He travels great, jumps well, and stays on strongly at the end of his races.
Cheltenham is much more likely to be ideal for him, than against him, imo. There’s certainly nothing in his race record to suggest he won’t act on the track.
Go Native stuffs Solwhit in Newcastle, where the slow pace was the same for everyone. Kyber Kim stuffs Celestial Halo and Punjabi, yet neither are being seriously considered as potential Champions?? And the vanquished ones are?? Celestial Halo and Punjabi have serious questions to answer. I know Punjabi needed the run, but he went out like a candle, and worryingly quickly for my liking. Celestial Halo was reported to be spot-on, but was beaten fair and square by a rapidly improving Kyber Kim. Solwhit, I believe, just does not have the raw speed for a Champion Hurdle, I can see him plodding on for a place, at best. Go Native and Kyber Kim are the 2 improvers, and have shown the best recent form. They should be accorded more respect.
, if Sublimity hadnt tried to take the 4th last with him, he’d of beaten Solwhit
There’s no way of telling this. Personally, I feel that Solwhit was always holding Sub up the hill, and he never really looked like getting by.
but the one I keep going back to is Solwhit. Has stamina and a turn of foot, and I think the race will be run to suit him.
I’m with Grasshopper on this one. If the ground has the word soft in it I think Solwhit will win well and I don’t see proper good ground inconveniencing too much either. 4 out of 5 in Grade 1 hurdles (none of them novice events), the only blemish being the Fighting Fifth where the pace of the race would have not been to his advantage. The only slight concern would be that he is yet to run at Cheltenham but you would have to think it would suit him down to the ground. Celestial Halo is yet to win a grade 1 out of novice company, neither has Binocular. Punjabi has done it all before and has won 3 grade 1’s out of novice company and would rate a danger. Zaynar is interesting but I would want to see him run a 2M this season against some decent animals before making my mind up about him. Go Native wouldn’t want the ground to be too soft for me but there is no denying he travels strongly but I just think something will get the better of him up the Cheltenham hill. Sublimity has looked back to near his best this year and could travel in to the race but you have to think something would be staying on better. Khyber Kim is of some interest if NTD has found the key to it being consistent. Of the rest Voler La Vedette, Mikael Dhaguenet and Dunguib have preferred engagements though would cause some interest if being confirmed. Solwhit it is for me.
Grasshopper wrote:
I don’t understand this logic, to be honest. Solwhit has won twice round the undulations of Punchestown
The undulations of Punchestown????? U ever been there mate?? Its a very easy track to get, quite similar to Aintree. But Leopardstown isnt, and it was a good run last time by Solwhit. I still dont think he’ll be suited by Cheltenham, time will tell though.
Aaronizneez wrote:
the only blemish being the Fighting Fifth where the pace of the race would have not been to his advantage.
Are u trying to say the slow pace suited Go Native and Sublimity?? The faster they go, the better Go Native is.
There are as much ups and downs at Punchestown as Leopardstown mate. The straight may be flat, but once they turn away from the stands they’re up and down and up again. Leopardstown has a stiffer finish but is much flatter down the back.
Right, but Punchestown is a much easier 2-miles to get, just like Aintree is. Thats why I question the suitability of Cheltenham for Solwhit. I love this horse, as he always puts it in, but I just think something with more raw pace, something like Go Native,(hopefully!!!) will do him!!!
Grasshopper wrote:
I don’t understand this logic, to be honest. Solwhit has won twice round the undulations of Punchestown
The undulations of Punchestown????? U ever been there mate?? Its a very easy track to get, quite similar to Aintree. But Leopardstown isnt, and it was a good run last time by Solwhit. I still dont think he’ll be suited by Cheltenham, time will tell though.
Punchestown has undulations, Aido1 – unless I’ve imagined it when they disappear out of sight running downhill after turning away from the stands, and before climbing again after jumping the one at the foot of the hill.
Regardless, there is no basis for the suggestion that Solwhit won’t be suited by Cheltenham. The point I was apparently labouring to make, is that the horse has handled all conditions thrown at him so far (in terms of track conformation).
To field against him on the ground that he might not be suited by Cheltenham, when everything else is likely to be to his advantage (he’ll get a strong gallop, he travels great and stays strongly over 2m) seems a bit hasty, imo.
Grasshopper, Im not dismissing Solwhit, far from it!! Him, along with Zaynar, Kyber Kim, and a fit-again Hurricane Fly are the ones I fear most. As I said, maybe Il be proven wrong, but I dont think Cheltenham will be his cup of tea. Did Go Native not thump him in the Fighting Fifth, fair and square??
The undulations of Punchestown????? U ever been there mate?? Its a very easy track to get, quite similar to Aintree. But Leopardstown isnt, and it was a good run last time by Solwhit. I still dont think he’ll be suited by Cheltenham, time will tell though.
Have you ever tried walking the track at Punchestown? Its far more undulating than it appears on the telly. That said the chase track is probably slightly more undulating than the hurdles course.
I like Solwhit but I’d share people’s reservations about the ground. He’ll be staying on up the hill after the last but I think there might be one or two who have already done him for speed on quick ground ahead of him.
Like most people I’m really struggling to pick out a horse at this stage. Voler La Vedette stands out at the prices having beaten Go Native, but she’ll have to put up her best performance yet in the Irish Champion for Murphy to consider swerving the mares race.
Zaynar for me.
The half-lazy manner in which he easily beat Cape Tribulation last time out leaves me with no doubt that he’ll take this Champion Hurdle.
I can see this one doing what Rooster Booster did in 2003Imperial, although Volar La Vadette looked mighty impressive when slamming Go Native, Noel Meade made no secret of the fact that Go Native was only about 50% ready, much the way Punjabi was recently. Having said that, I would put Punjabis disappointing re-appearance down to more than a lack of fitness. The horse just didnt look happy, and he went from travelling, to being beaten very quickly. I have no doubt that Go Native would reverse form with the mare now though.
I know he wasn’t revved up that day – betting told us as much and the ground was against him as well. He may well reverse placings with VLV now but I still think she’s the one being overlooked in the market currently.
The option of the mares race probably explains the current price but I think Murphy will find it hard to resist the Champion Hurdle if she were to run Solwhit close in the Toshiba. She’s on the upgrade and Murphy knows what it takes to win these big hurdles having already had Brave Inca and Feathard Lady (similar profile to VLV). I think she’s the one that is slightly gone under the radar at the moment.
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