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That would tie in with what Gaz said on the Fighting Fifth thread so unless I misunderstood the timings there’s been a change of plan. From a trends point of view the Elite is not a great race for a potential champion hurdler.
Interesting opinions as usual. It’s tough at the moment to know quite what to think about Katchit, other than he owes us nothing and we’re waiting for the Bula.
This run was about race practice, he’s fit and raring to go but is being prepared to win the bula at Cheltenham where we all know he’s 7lb better (at least). I don’t think there are any excuses just lugging 18lbs more than the others in that ground was always a big ask.
Yesterday, Takeroc and Chomba Womba ran smart races… made every pound tell and it did – I was as surprised as the rest of you that he came off the bridle so soon I don’t think he’s ever been beaten so far from home.
He was running off 166, a mark that he has only run to once (at Cheltenham), last year he ran 158-159 pretty much every race… had he been running off that yesterday he would have been hassling Chomba Womba all the way to the line. We also need to think about running him over 2m 4 or so on flatter tracks.
Alan isn’t worried (at least not overtly), we needed this run if we were going to win a Bula… that’s what we expect to do. If he doesn’t show up at Cheltenham then I think we have to have a long hard look at the rest of the campaign.
As for the "how did this horse win a champion hurdle" point made earlier, it’s one for you to debate – he runs every time with every bit of effort and if he isn’t the quickest or most talented, who cares – he epitomises guts, graft and determination… he DID win a champion hurdle and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he went and did it again!
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Katchit
Thanks for the update.
Agree with you that the horse will be much better suited by the Bula. Yesterdays race was more of a speed test against better horses than he beat in the Kingwell, and he didn’t run at all badly conceding them lumps of weight.
Just my opinion, but he probably would be better over a little further, the downside being the prizes aren’t nearly as good. The best of luck to him whatever you decide.Thanks for the update Katchit. I have to say I’m still not a total believer but I admire enormously your horses guts and will to win. Best of luck in the Bula!
Thanks Katchit, I can see your POV re the handicapping of the Elite, can I asked what changed to require another run before the Boylesports Bula?
Katchit,
I’d suggest that your horse just isn’t as good going right-handed – with one like him that depends so much on fluent jumping to be at his best, I feel that he loses that edge on right-hand tracks.
I know he won at Wincanton earlier in the year, but he beat Blythe Knight by 5L in what must have been the weakest Kingwell Hurdle for many a year – but he beat the same horse by wide margins at Newcastle before that and again at Cheltenham afterwards.
I would back him to beat the three horses that have beaten him in recent weeks on any l-h track.
racing seems obsessed at the moment with horses winning back to back victories in big races [is this the Best Mate/ Istabraq factor?] forgetting that it doesn’t happen all the time; history is full of horses battling it out at the end of the Champion Hurdle year after year without neccessarily winning. Doesn’t detract from their win and the style of their victory in my book, and I think the racing public have a greater fondness for Katchit a lot of the hurdlers running at the moment.
Interesting point AP, may well be right (or should that be left).
Katchit thrives on racing and runs particularly well after a run in close proximity. Kingwell being the closest trial (in time) to Cheltenham. Think the change of plan yesterday was due to thinking it was going to be difficult getting Katchit fit for the Boylesports without another run.
The fact connections are even thinking about stepping up in trip (on flat courses) seems to suggest Katchit is not showing the same speed at home. Do wonder whether he needs an undulating, possibly left handed track at 2m to be seen at his best these days. One course springs to mind
I agree, I’d look to oppose him in the Christmas and Kingwell this term, whatever he does in the Boylesports.
Mark
Value Is EverythingThe fact connections are even thinking about stepping up in trip (on flat courses) seems to suggest Katchit is not showing the same speed at home. Do wonder whether he needs an undulating, possibly left handed track at 2m to be seen at his best these days. One course springs to mind
Mark
There was no way Katchit could win that race yesterday – barring falls from the others. Too much weight allied to a horse – and this is the contentious bit – who has, in my opinion, gone backwards.
I was disappointed with his first run where I thought, even though he was not fully wound up, that he was good enough to see off Snap Tie. He didn’t quicken in the manner I expected and yesterday was struggling a long way out. The question is, have we seen the best of Katchit ?
Sadly,I think we have.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Neither of the two races we’ve seen him in so far this season have played to Katchit’s strengths, so it seems far too early to say he’s regressed. I can’t see him improving from what he showed in winning the Champion Hurdle last year however, and although he’s got time on his side I doubt we’ll have an equally weak renewal in the near future.
Think that’s a fair assessment Friggo. He’ll never be suited by tracks like Wincanton and Kempton. He’s 5 from 6 at Cheltenham and there’s no real doubt that he’s a good few pounds better around there than anywhere else, a bit like Fondmort was.
Everything fell into place for him in the Champion Hurdle last year though, with Sizing Europe going wrong and Sublimity having his speed blunted by the going. Think myself he’ll more than likely run up to the same mark again in this season’s Champion but I’d be surprised if there’s not two or even three unexposed hurdlers who improve past him.
He raced very lazily yesterday and didn’t seem to show the same enthusiasm that he’s shown in the past. Would expect a much improved performance in the Bula but I think he could be one to take on.
3 times in a row now Takeroc has gone from cruising to finding little. He looks to be the new Andreas to me.
I agree about Takeroc.
I thought he would be the one to beat yesterday, seemed to be travelling as well as Chomba Womba throughout the race, but found nothing when asked and to be honest, went out rather quickly i have to say.
I definately think they will go chasing with him after that performance, and the step up to 2 mile 4 might help him too.
This Christmas Hurdle could end up being a cracker. I wouldn’t mind having a bet the winner will be made fav for the big one.
This Christmas Hurdle could end up being a cracker. I wouldn’t mind having a bet the winner will be made fav for the big one.
wouldn’t expect to see us there though – big changes to prep for our boy following yesterday. Not to say it didn’t go as we expected but there’s nothing to be gained from running him on courses that don’t suit him and getting him beaten.
I should add that he’s fine as well.
Bula dictates all from here
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