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I think this years Champion Hurdle is a punting nightmare and i wont be backing anything until all the trials are run
From what I have seen Go Native & Solwhit are the best bets, due to there recent form and the class they have shown.
I can’t be having Zaynar as fav simply because his beat a bunch of decent stayers, and as far as im concerned all we can conclude from his preformances is that he has 4 legs
If i was going to back an outsider Medermit would be the one for me. Been the only king horse holding his form this season, and should enjoy coming of the strong pace.
Khyber Kim seems to be a different horse this season – won the Greatwood and International Hurdle in great style albeit on soft ground, but if NTD has sorted out his quirks he is definitely in with a chance and his past form suggests he is able on any types of ground. At 10/1 he might not be the best value against some very good horses but I would write him (and NTD) off at your peril.
Khyber Kim seems to be a different horse this season – won the Greatwood and International Hurdle in great style albeit on soft ground, but if NTD has sorted out his quirks he is definitely in with a chance and his past form suggests he is able on any types of ground. At 10/1 he might not be the best value against some very good horses but I would write him (and NTD) off at your peril.
Agree with you Rich although I’d only back Khyber Kim if he does not run between now and then. There is talk of going for the Tote Trophy at Newbury and if he turns up there (even if he wins) I wont want to be with him. That Newbury race is a hard race. Rooster Booster left the 2004 Champ Hurdle (Hardy Eustace won) behind when he just lost to Geos at Newbury imo.
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Just been reading an article on Punjabi. I found a certain comment that Barry Geharty made very interesting:-
"It was a good race last year and it will be as competitive this year. I don’t think there’s any horse better than the first three home in the Champion Hurdle. It’s very wide open."
Considering he has ridden Zaynar in all his races oh oh!!!! Time to press that lay button
Just been reading an article on Punjabi. I found a certain comment that Barry Geharty made very interesting:-
"It was a good race last year and it will be as competitive this year. I don’t think there’s any horse better than the first three home in the Champion Hurdle. It’s very wide open."
Considering he has ridden Zaynar in all his races oh oh!!!! Time to press that lay button
Backing Zaynar for the Champion hurdle is like Backing Denman over 21/2m! Some of us have been saying all year just how good last years race was,even i know Binocular is the danger to Celestial halo in this years race,Go Native is the pretender to the crown from this years challengers!
Four bites and you still can’t name the winner, Gord.
I reckon that crown of yours is slipping.
Four bites and you still can’t name the winner, Gord.
I reckon that crown of yours is slipping.
Grass, of all my Ante-Post books,nothing is more one sided than the Champion hurdle,everything is on Celestial Halo i haven"t got anything to back him up or level my book,unlike every other race,i am adamant Binocular will come back to his best on the day mind,remember he was the 6/4fav last year! what is going to win then? please dont say Mikael!!
Your winner is Solwhit.
I knew you were going to say that,just wanted it in writing!
Considering he has ridden Zaynar in all his races oh oh!!!! Time to press that lay button
I believe Andrew Tinkler rode Zaynar at Ascot earlier this season. I dont think Zaynar is a tough ride anyway, certainly not if they go a good gallop – which they will. Jockey might have to push and shove a little bit in the early to mid stages to keep in touch but should definitely have the stamina as they swing for home.
Not sure how much attention to pay to jockey and trainer comments sometimes. Although Geraghty and Henderson are two fellas whose comments I respect.
After much thought why Zaynar is best bet for Champion Hurdle.
Apart from Zaynar who is unbeaten everthing else has been beaten by others in the field.
Go Native has been beaten by Hurricane Run and Voler la Vadette and is likely to be ground dependant.
Binocular has been beaten by Punjabi, Celestial Halo, Go Native, Sublimity and Starluck.
Celestial Halo has been beaten by Punjabi, Solwhit, Binocular and Khyber Kim
Punjabi has been beaten by Solwhit, Celestial Halo, Khyber Kim and Medermit
Khyber Kim was beaten in 9 consecutive races prior to his recent 2 wins and in the last he was receiving weight.
Solwhit has been beaten by Go Native and Sublimity.
Voler la vadette not certain to run.So 13 reasons to back Zaynar
1. Best Champ Hurdle trainer.
2. Barry Geraghty to ride Zaynar.
3. Beat Karabak further than Big Bucks did.
4. Unbeaten over hurdles
5. Triumph hurdle is half furlong longer than Champ Hurdle, his winning time at Champ hurdle distance was faster than Champ hurdle winner.
6. Horse is still on the upgrade.
7. Nicky Henderson is sure he is a Champ Hurdle horse.
8. Price will contract when he wins prep race over 2mile
9. Price will contract further still when Barry Geraghty says he will ride Zaynar.
10. Horses that have won over further than Champ Hurdle distance have excellent record, ala Istabraq, Hardy Eustace
11. Zaynar has perfect blend of speed and stamina for race
12. Race is likely to be a strong pace on good to soft ground enabling Zaynar to settle in behind the leaders and pick them off on the home straight when his stamina and speed will come into play.
13. Fill yer boots now, will be around 7/2 3/1 on the dayOther people have said it as well but I think Geraghty will ride Punjabi. Jockeys do tend to stick with horses that have served them well before and Geraghty’s comments suggest he still fancies Punjabi. It’s a shame Walkon has been out this season because he would have given us an indication of how good Zaynar is.
I won’t be having a big bet in this but at the moment I think Zaynar is a worthy favourite.
So 13 reasons to back Zaynar
1. Best Champ Hurdle trainer.
2. Barry Geraghty to ride Zaynar.
7. Nicky Henderson is sure he is a Champ Hurdle horse.
9. Price will contract further still when Barry Geraghty says he will ride Zaynar.I agree Zaynar could easily win the champion hurdle but he is no 3-1 shot! Fact is if he comes into 3-1 then a few others are gonna have to drift to very tempting prices…some already are very tempting prices.
Point 1 – Punjabi and Binocular also trained by best champ hurdle trainer…so that isn’t a convincing argument.
Point 2 – Cant see Geraghty deserting "the champion hurdler" to ride Zaynar. Loyalty for one reason and secondly because no one can argue Zaynar is better than Punjabi until they meet in the Champ Hurdle.
Point 7 – See point one.
Point 9 – See point two.
1. Best Champ Hurdle trainer – Punjabi
2. Barry Geraghty to ride Punjabi
3. Beat Karabak further than Big Bucks did – Largely irrelevant for 2m
4. Unbeaten over hurdles – hasn’t raced a decent 2miler yet (with respect to Walkon)
5. Triumph hurdle is half furlong longer than Champ Hurdle, his winning time at Champ hurdle distance was faster than Champ hurdle winner. – Times are pointless in national hunt.
6. Horse is still on the upgrade. – much like half the field.
7. Nicky Henderson is sure he is a Champ Hurdle horse. – like Punjabi
8. Price will contract when he wins prep race over 2mile – like Punjabi
9. Price will contract further still when Barry Geraghty says he will ride Zaynar – but not when he rides Zaynar
10. Horses that have won over further than Champ Hurdle distance have excellent record, ala Istabraq, Hardy Eustace – true, see Solwhit.
11. Zaynar has perfect blend of speed and stamina for race – as does Punjabi, having already won the race.
12. Race is likely to be a strong pace on good to soft ground enabling Zaynar to settle in behind the leaders and pick them off on the home straight when his stamina and speed will come into play. – exactly how Punjabi won the race.
13. Fill yer boots now, will be around 7/2 3/1 on the day – very much doubt that.Seems like Punjabi it is then, with Solwhit as the danger.
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