- This topic has 1,536 replies, 70 voices, and was last updated 2 weeks, 6 days ago by
.
-
Posts
-
Honeysuckle might get a tactical injury before Punchestown and be retired.
Value Is Everything“Honeysuckle might get a tactical injury before Punchestown and be retired.”
Based on what? They haven’t ducked a challenge with the mare yet.
BUY THE SUN
If anyone would be wise to pick up a tactical injury at this point it would be Constitution Hill, then he can retire while people think he is the second coming of Arkle based on one run!
Well said, Marlingford. That injury would be the Henderson Cognac nose.
Remember Emma Raducanu winning the womens’ US Open last year? All matches were won in straight sets and she looked quite dominant and a superstar on the horizon. Now, everyone seems to beat her pretty early in a tournament. Things can change very easily and the expected progress might not come after all.
I remember a horse called Monsignor, too.
Not fair comparisons. Monsignor got injured – who knows how good he could have been? He still slammed a horse which went on to win three Gold Cups.
As for Emma Raducanu, plenty of players in women’s tennis have only won one Grand Slam tournament and done little afterwards. There is always the possibility she will be another, especially as the draw opened up for her and she did not have to beat much. On the other hand, she is still young and could win more. Personally, I doubt it.
Constitution Hill put up a performance that was far superior. Timeform have him just six pounds off the best hurdler ever. I doubt anyone thinks Ms Raducanu is that close to the likes of Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf or Serena Williams at their peaks.
Even if he does nothing else, I will still remember him as an all time great that put up one of the best performances I have ever seen.
The front page of the “Racing Post” says Honeysuckle will stay in training for one more year to try to win a third Champion Hurdle before retiring to the paddocks.
I wonder if she will end up going for a second Mares Hurdle instead, after Constitution Hill sweeps imperiously to victory at Newcastle, Kempton and Sandown?
This threads great. Constitution Hill is better than Emma Raducanu!! Wonder how his second serve is?
BUY THE SUN
Most people who follow racing are always looking for a new superstar. I thought Constitution Hill’s performance at Cheltenham was stunning, and he could easily go on to become a great. I really hope he does.
But I can well understand how Honeysuckle’s connections might feel a bit miffed that people are so quick to write her off in comparison. She’s delivered the goods time and again, and not hidden away in mares’ races. While this may have not been a vintage era for hurdling, she’s been beating rivals of a similar standard to those that the revered Istabraq was beating.
A lot of this goes back to the oft-debated subject of how we define greatness. For me durability and consistency are part of the equation, and this is why I do not yet think Constitution Hill can be mentioned in the same breath as Honeysuckle.
“This threads great. Constitution Hill is better than Emma Raducanu!! Wonder how his second serve is?”
Nice one, TTC.
What I meant is Constitution Hill is the 7th highest rated hurdler ever.
Emma Raducanu won plenty of fans for her unexpected triumph in the US Open, especially after a bad experience at Wimbledon. However, I am sure even she would concede she is not in the Top 7 tennis players of all time. Few observers would put her in the Top 50.
Then again, given her youth, she is entitled to a Timeform “p” after her name!
I know what you meant marra, it just amused my child-like sense of humour.
BUY THE SUN
It’s our nature to dream; after the Leopardstown festival, more were raving about Facile Vega’s bumper performance than Conflated’s victory in the Hennessy. There is a fair chance that Facile Vega will never be good enough to compete in a Hennessy, let alone win it.
“This threads great. Constitution Hill is better than Emma Raducanu!! Wonder how his second serve is?”
After Emma won that US Open the first thing I wondered was will she handle the hill?
“It’s our nature to dream; after the Leopardstown festival, more were raving about Facile Vega’s bumper performance than Conflated’s victory in the Hennessy. There is a fair chance that Facile Vega will never be good enough to compete in a Hennessy, let alone win it.”
Quite right. I remember Luca Cumani bemoaning Falbrav receiving less attention during his brilliant season, than a wide-margin 2yo Maiden winner.
“After Emma won that US Open the first thing I wondered was will she handle the hill?”
Haha.
BUY THE SUN
Betfred are a solitary voice of dissent. You can still get 9/4 (was 11/4 on Sunday). All other firms are 2/1.
Even Betfair Exchange is only 3.15 (from 3.55 on Sunday).
Everyone is obviously desperate to get on!
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.