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All valid points, but you said he appeared “happier“, and there is no way of knowing what he was actually thinking.
You are being too literal, Glad. I simply meant he looked better throughout the race. I don’t see how that can be denied.
He also looked uncomfortable in the latter stages of the race at Punchestown. Whether that was down to an issue with his jumping or a physical issue, who knows? But he certainly didn’t give off the aura of being “happy” that day. Something was bothering the horse. Physically, mentally or both.
He certainly surprised me in a good way and whilst I don’t want to see him crash down at a hurdle my personal opinion is it would be an anti climax to see him plying his trade in mundane flat races like the John Porter and Sagaro.
The more I know the less I understand.
He enjoyed himself last night , as Henderson said himself after Newcastle he doesn’t like and can’t jump hurdles anymore , hopefully everyone takes a breath of air and they plan a realistic flat campaign , he’ll draw crowds where ever he goes , let him enjoy himself
Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026
He probably should stay on the Flat now but connections must be thinking the Champion Hurdle is there for the taking if he stands up. Nothing in the race would be able to get within at least 10 lengths of him.
He wont CAS , can people please remember last night was a decent maiden , it wasn’t a champion hurdle or anything remotely like it , go back and watch his last hurdle runs ….FF5F , that day in Punchestown he travelled fine then when Townsend went go he came off the bridle and found nothing …
Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026
I don’t think he will run at Cheltenham either. I got the impression Buckley is not enthusiastic about the idea.
They can’t risk him after that , the public love him , if he was to get hurt or worse at the festival they they,d be in a dreadful situation , plan a realistic flat campaign and let people go watch him , it’s not for me but it is for plenty of people , I’m sure other racecourses would love to have him run there
Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026
The King George at Ascot this year will be worth 2 million. I don’t know how much the prize money is for being placed but I should imagine it wouldn’t be far off winning a Champion Hurdle.
Hendo certainly would earn legendary status if this NH bred horse could win a flat race at the very highest level.
To me he has nothing further to prove over jumps. Had they taken the Champion Chase & Gold Cup route things might have looked differently.
As a 9 year old let him have a serious go at a flat campaign. If he stays over hurdles he is going to seriously injure himself whether it’s in the Champion Hurdle or some other hurdle race. He doesn’t deserve that.
Constitution Hill has been a great horse for both owner and trainer. He has won enough money to be retired gracefully. But if he still enjoys racing he should be allowed to run on the flat. Prize money in this case is not important. It would be great for racing as it would surely (as already mentioned by others) bring the crowds back.
In a few year’s time we could have a quiz question: Name the race in which the favourite rated at least 30lb better than any of the opposition went of at 6/4.
It’s a bit of a leap to expect a horse of his age to end up in the King George. In his heyday, it might have been realistic but he’s nine now.
As previously stated, the next step on the ladder should be a Listed or Group Three race. I nominated the Sagaro, but others have mentioned the Ormonde and that would be a good shout, too.
Fortunately for HDLG, who is panicking about losing all his Champion Hurdle bets on The New Lion, connections certainly gave the impression in their post race interviews that they were at least leaning towards a campaign on the flat rather than reverting to hurdles.
I am with Refuse to Bend.
Why go from the biggest hurdle in the world at the best race meeting in the world to running in listed or Group 3 races?
They should only go flat if they think CH can compete at the highest level.
I would go Champion Hurdle then give him a break and try the Coronation Cup.
I’m an advocate of going to the Ormonde Stakes a Group 3. Then depending how that went the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. If he ran well in those you seriously would have to consider the King George.
Only 5 runners went to post last season although the increased prize money might attract a few more this year.
It might be tilting at windmills but as long as the race description doesn’t have ‘hurdle’ in the title what is there to lose?
“I would go Champion Hurdle then give him a break and try the Coronation Cup”
The problem as I see it is that he might not be alive after the Champion Hurdle! And if he did manage to get round and win it it’s only a matter of time before the inevitable happens.
Would the BHA allow a horse that has only jumped one hurdle successfully this season run in the Champion Hurdle?!
Sectional times for last night show CH ran the last 3F in 35.01s – pretty good and much too quick for the opposition he faced.
Southwell have a 0-95 1M 4F handicap run on New Years Day. This year it was won by, coincidentally, the 9-y-old Enemy. He ran the final 3F in 34.8s.
And for reasons I can’t remember (or never knew), Southwell staged the Winter Derby last year, run over 1M 3F – the race is run today at Lingfield. At Southwell, the winner, Royal Champion and the runner-up, Military Academy, both ran the final 3F in 34.7s.
I’m reminded of a remark made to me more than 40 years ago, by my first trainer, Mr David Elsworth – “They all look good running past trees Alan”. And the horses that were expected to provide the main opposition to CH last night, might have made trees look quick. The runner-up appeared in the paddock to be a malnourished pony and the Mullins entry showed all the athletic ability of a one paced giraffe.
It was great fun to watch and enjoy, but let’s not get carried away – Group 1 races are out of reach.
King George , Coronation cup ..annnnyyyyywaaaayyyyy as I said a realistic flat campaign is the way to go , he isn’t going to run in a King George never mind win 1
Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026
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