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I’ve been having this argument with my only horse racing friend about whether Harchibald will win the Champion Hurdle. Harchibald has been one of my favourite horses for a while. I think the way he won the fighting fifth he will be there or there abouts. I just can’t forget the champion hurdle 2 years ago where i’m sure 1 crack from Carberry would have been enough, now 2 years older i just don’t know. Sizing Europe looks to have everything needed and has the form and looks exciting. Osana beat Katchit easily and came within 2 of Sizing Europe so again cannot fault the form. Katchit stays that’s for sure, and i wouldn’t be surprised if little Katchit gets there.Sublimity won at last years festival on the bridle and for me was the eye catcher at the festival, Harchibald has class but has no gaurantees, Straw bear has no chance and Afsoun looks a good bet at 33/1 for a place at least. Ebaziyan who knows can finish 1st or last.
Harchibald, Osana, Katchit for me.
Plus Kauto will beat Denman i think, actually i don’t know. I hope he does.Welcome to the Forum Sean.
I don’t mean to offend, certainly with you just joining etc. but while you express doubts about Harchibald you comment that Sizing Europe has everything going for him and Sublimity was the eye catcher of last years festival, winning on the bridle, and yet if I read you correct your three against the field are Harchibald, Osana & Katchit which pretty much covers everything at the head of the market except the aforementioned two.
It appears that your feelings are the same as most this year in that it’s definately an open affair.
Personally I’ll probably plump for the jolly as I was mightily impressed with his last run but watching Osana winning at Cheltenham brought back memories of Make a Stand and he’d be the one I’d fear most.
Lee
Worst course in the world for a bridle ponce
Ok. It will work out ok once in a while, but not for me…
The other main contender i would rule out is Sublimity. The lack of a run is disturbing frankly and even given his extremely lightweight campaigning, questions have to be asked as to why he hasnt been seen
i think it’s between the top 2 Sizing Europe has everything going for him the strong pace he needs to be seen at his best he will get, he has C/D win trounced the AIG all +’s IMO
Sublimity if back to his form of last year when he won will also be there abouts
i think with noel mede’s string comming back to form Harchibald might run on for a placeIf Harchibalds jockey had not taken a pull and deliberatly kept him that 1/2 length behind HE until the last few strides the rsult may have been different.
Had he just let out a little reen and swept past him going to the last it may have been a different story……He’s a funny horse Harchibald at Newcastle you wouldn’t have put him down as a quitter…..he just runs on at one pace when he does hit the front……….Howver he is older now I know of at least 2 horses who wern’t ight at Newcastle and he may have been a bit flattered………I think he is getting a bit long in the tooth to be bothering the likes of Sizing Europe who is probaly about 7lbs better than Hardy Eustace was in his prime.
That of course is down to opinion but although I think Harchibald could get into a place I can’t see him winning.
Catch Me ticks most of the trend boxes and is a working mans price at 20’s. Also think Jazz Messenger is overpriced at 66’s, worse each way bets out there than that for a proven Grade 1 performer who is definately heading to the race barring mishaps.
If Jazz Messenger places in the Champion Hurdle, I’ll eat my own hand.
Sublimity is the call for me, with Harchibald the each-way saver.
Sizing Europe 7lb clear of Hardy Eustace at his best? Never.
Just think Katchit’s age is against him – but I’ll be there on the Tuesday cheering him..he’s such a little star….
I think he is getting a bit long in the tooth to be bothering the likes of Sizing Europe who is probaly about 7lbs better than Hardy Eustace was in his prime.
Don’t know what you’re basing that on. Can’t for the life of me think what form would entitle you to say that.
I can’t have Harchi….v difficult ride and any horse that should have won a race already and then “tries again” is worth backing against…
I’m beginning to favour Osanna, with SE for the reverse forecast.
Uninspiring, I know…
Zip
Don’t worry, I’m not going to press my argument in favour of Katchit but there is a great article on At The Races.com doing just that… go and have a look at the Champion Hurdle article by Gary Nutting in the Cheltenham countdown section… seriously supportive of our boy and one of the most positive articles I’ve read since the Triumph
As I’ve said in a previous thread I think that Harchibald is a cracking each way bet at 9/1.
He’ll be travelling the best two out due to his excellent jumping and I think it will be a case of whether Carberry can time it to perfection so that he doesn’t get Harchibald to the front too early.
Whilst I admire Katchit I can’t have him this year being a 5 year old. Sizing Europe was impressive last time out at Leopardstown but how good is that form really seeing as he beat an 11 year old by 8 lengths and Al Eile who wants 2 1/2 miles. Before that he obiously beat Osana by 4 lengths but was in receipt of 6lbs – Would he have won over C&D on level weights?………He seems a bit skinny to me at a general 9/4
Difficult to judge how good Sublimity’s form is and I think Osana’s form is solid and I can’t believe that he’s a 6/1 shot and Sizing Europe is 9/4. It may transpire that SE really is that classy but not on what he’s achieved to date.
Harchibald & Osana against the field for me…..
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WW
He thrashed (not too strong a word) 2 high class horses – an 11yo that regularly runs 160+ over 2 miles, and Al Eile, who has also run 3 consecutive 160+’s over 2 miles – off level weights and in a fast time.
Can’t really see much wrong with that, personally.I dispute that reet.
I don’t think Hardy has run to 160+ over 2mfor at least 15 months. And I don’t think Al Eile has ever run to 160+ over 2m. No doubting that Sizing Europe’s AIG performance was very smart, but it isn’t ‘all that’ on the book, imo.
Reet – I’m not disputing that SE won well last time out but I just think that Al Eile best performances are over further than 2 miles and not many 11 year old’s win a Champion Hurdle (3 older than 8 since 1951).
Would SE have beaten Osana over level weights in the greatwood?…..I don’t think so and therefore think, based on that and Osana’s run in the Boylesports, he is better value at 6/1 rather than SE’s 9/4, coupled with cracking EW 9/1 for Harchibald.
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