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Punjabi should be fav as reigning champion. (respect)
Zaynar may well be better than him, however.
There’s no way in the world that race could see Solwhit at his best, and he stayed on really well, again suggesting his 20f class will help him no end at Chelts. Go Native is a Festival winner (respect); Halo’s debut was impressive and we know he’ll find up the hill.Cracking stuff innit.
I think Celestial Halo would be the most solid proposition after today but it was such a farce it would be daft to start drawing too many conclusions from that
I think it’s very easy to get into a mindset about certain horses; some will always be underrated and some overrated..once that happens it’s difficult to move away from it. When horses are overrated there are always excuses being made when they run badly.
Dunguib to come from nowhere and surprise them all.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
It’s looking rather a tricky race to unravel. The Figthing Fifth was a bit of a crawl, but that shouldn’t have inconvenienced horses with a turn of foot like Solwhit and Binocular? I agree that the form of last year’s race might not prove all that reliable – the first six were pretty close together. Last season’s novices are turning in some good results though.
Well we have to wait and see what happens in the Bula with Celestial Halo/Punjabi rematch, but so far Zaynar would have to be conisdered the most impressive hurdler so far this season has to be Zaynar, a very impressive Triumph winner who won with something in hand that day with how lazy he ran.
Also I think you could throw Donna’s Palm as a interesting outsider with the 303 he trades at Betfair, Mourad ran a great race at Cheltenham last year and Donna’s Palm has run Hurricane Fly to a good race before so he could be a real big surprise package.
Binocular, I’m one of his biggest fans and was sad to see him being totally bossed like that as it hasnt happened in any of his races, Henderson blamed the pace, McManus seems to have lost patience with the horse, and wouldn’t be surpsised if he does go for Dunguib. I would still give Binocular the beneft of the doubt, Solwhit though was much more disappointing for me even thoug he placed higher, he proved he can win races of slow nature yet couldnt do it here.
So far its Zaynar the most likely winner and Im pretty much convinced Geraghty will choose him over Punjabi.
McManus seems to have lost patience with the horse, and wouldn’t be surpsised if he does go for Dunguib.
JP and Michael O’Leary have already tried for silly money and there isn’t a hope they’ll get him now.
I personally still cannot believe the price on offer for Celestial Halo, 7/1 in most places and 5th in the betting behind Binocular, Hurricane Fly, Solwhit and Zaynar.
The horse ran a great race in the CH in March, and i think he has more than enough ability and speed to replicate that performance again next March.
Great price.
Will Hurricane Fly be in the December hurdle race where he is joint 11/4 fav with Solwhit.Is that is next race.
Will Hurricane Fly be in the December hurdle race where he is joint 11/4 fav with Solwhit.Is that is next race.
That’s the one. I’m expecting (well hoping) he’ll show similar improvement from his seasonal reappearance like last year.
Will Hurricane Fly be in the December hurdle race where he is joint 11/4 fav with Solwhit.Is that is next race.
That’s the one. I’m expecting (well hoping) he’ll show similar improvement from his seasonal reappearance like last year.
I sense a lack of confidence Imperial?
I have some doubts admittedly TAPK. However, most of Willie’s seem to be needing the run this year and the result of the Fighting Fifth would hardly inspire fear into HF supporters. False run race or not, Binocular and Solwhit were disappointing and its not like HF can’t handle Go Native.
I’d expect a far better show around Leopardstown provided he doesn’t have to cut out his own running like in the Morgiana (can’t see this happening again given that there are likely to be far more runners).
Whoever wins the Bula will probably be propelled into favouritism but I wouldn’t necessarily fear either Celestial Halo or Punjabi, admirable horses that they are. At the current prices HF, Zaynar and Voler La Vedette would be the three that would interest me but the picture is hopefully going to be an awful lot clearer three weeks from now.
Interesting comments today
Paul Nicholls is confident Celestial Halo can build on last month’s impressive Wincanton success in the Boylesports.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday.Last year’s Champion Hurdle runner-up had no problem defying top-weight in the Elite Hurdle and his trainer believes his charge is in even better form now as he prepares to lock horns with his Cheltenham conqueror Punjabi again.
"Celestial Halo is in good order. He came out of his race at Wincanton very well. He surprised me there with his performance and he looks like he has improved a lot for the run," said the Ditcheat handler.
"He was at a similar stage at Wincanton as Twist Magic was in the Haldon Gold Cup on his seasonal return. We saw how much Twist Magic had improved on Saturday and hopefully Celestial Halo has gone the same way.
"He was a good stayer on the Flat and he needs a good gallop. I will have to chat to Clive Smith to see if he will let us have Kauto Star as a pacemaker!
"Last year, he was four going on five and is much stronger and more mature this season. He likes Cheltenham and I am very happy with him. He needs to improve as he is taking on Punjabi, but we are hoping for a good run.
"We have also entered Oslot and, if it looks like there is likely to be no pace, we might run him to ensure a good gallop."
Alan King is set to be represented by Medermit, who was third on his first outing of the campaign in the Greatwood Hurdle.
"We did think about novice chasing, but we want to make up our minds after Saturday," said the trainer. "We think he has improved since the Greatwood and it is a question of whether we aim him at the Champion Hurdle or the Arkle Trophy.
"Deep down, I have a feeling he is not a Champion Hurdle horse, but we will see on Saturday. He was unlucky not to win the Supreme Novices’ last season and he ran very well in the Greatwood. I am looking forward to seeing him out again."
Nicky gives the latest on Punjabi, Zaynar & Binocular!
I want to see a Power packed display from Celestial Halo
tommorrow,No excuses,he needs to go clear of Punjabi,he needs to show he has improved enough to be a worthy contender to the crown.I expect him to be 4/1fav after the race,he showed us at Wincanton he was fit and well and that performance alone shouted "Beware all"!TAPK has snaffled the 14"s 12"s and 10"s and has left the 8"s alone!Tommorrow will see them dissapear,so anyone interested in a solid e/w punt for the Champion needs to get on quick!Initially i was dissapointed in todays performance by Celestial Halo,but having watched the race several times i believe as Paddy brennan points out that Khyber Kim is a machine when things go right!If Paddy is correct then Celestial halo having given him 4lb and a mistake at the last advantage,certainly puts him back in the Champion hurdle picture,he has now drifted to 10/1 and i still believe he is the e/w bet of the race!Binocular is still the only horse i fear!We beat Punjabi today like he should have and i just cant see Khyber repeating that run on good ground come March!
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