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I took on Katchit at 5/4, he still had to show the form to beat hurdlers of Harchibald’s class. Looks to me as though he is just not good enough to be a real CH contender.
I liked the way Mephisto travelled through that race. He possibly doesn’t jump well enough at 2m but if they can keep him sound, there’s surely a good handicap in him somewhere this season off 139.
I wouldn’t be too disappointed if you fancy Katchit for Cheltenham. He was staying on all the way to line and it is not hard to imagine that he is a few pounds better horse on a stiffer track like Cheltenham and both Harchibald and Al Eile are a few pounds worse. I always felt that King was making a mistake chasing the money rather than going for the Bula.
Katchit’s run was disappointing. I expect him to win or at least battle onto the line.
Though I felt Chocolate Thornton hit the front too soon and as consequence played into Harchibald’s hands; nevertheless, for me, this was not the performance of a Champion Hurdle contender, let alone winner.
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DJ is right imo – Katchit has run a huge race against better horses. Not his fault people made his a short-priced favourite. He is a really likable horse, but as with the great Attraction, found wanting when taking on his elders for the first time.
Had a hunch that Harchi would return and backed him for the CH at 30-1.
Looking pretty decent now, although Cheltenham may not see him to his best effect. He was forced to check at one point and was a little closer than he would like about 2 furlongs out.
He makes up serious ground with his jumping and travels so sweetly. If he can respond better to being pushed out and with a good ride from PC, he should be there or thereabouts come March.A juvenile hurdler coming up short in his second season hurdling….like thats never happened before!! Just not good enough.
Stilvi, on what grounds do you make the assumption that Katchit is a few pounds better around Cheltenham, and Harchibald a few pounds worse?
Katchit has raced 3 times at Cheltenham, winning on each occasion. But, he had a narrow victory over Freeze The Flame, an 8 length win over Ned Ludd (I could beat Ned Ludd with Jo Brand doing the steering) and a hard fought success over Good Bye Simon.
Not exactly form to shout about (his best run, in my view, actually came at Aintree when beating Punjabi at level weights).
Harchibald on the other hand came a close 5th in the County Hurdle when truly a bridle horse (and clouting the last), just lost out to Hardy Eustace in the Champion Hurdle and then laughed at Intersky Falcon conceding 8lb.
He just wasn’t good enough pitched in against the big boys (that’s not to say he doesn’t deserve any credit, because as a 4yo he does) and come March I know where my money will be going.
Katchit has raced 3 times at Cheltenham, winning on each occasion. But, he had a narrow victory over Freeze The Flame, an 8 length win over Ned Ludd (I could beat Ned Ludd with Jo Brand doing the steering) and a hard fought success over Good Bye Simon.
What about the Triumph. Surely that form was much better than the 3 runs you refer to. That said, his Aintree reappearance was just as good if not better considering the revised weights with a couple he beat in the Triumph.
I got my fingers singed a little (not burned) with Bk who they thought would just about win……..how wrong you can be in this game he never went a yard in the ground.
I suppose I should be happy I said if H was back to form he would eat these alive and he cetainly did that.
I immediately looked at the price for the champion and he was 20/1 until you asked for it and that was 2 hours after the race. He was quickly cut to 10/1….I was offered 12/1, but I am holding back to see how he comes out of the race……….if the vibes are good and he looks like a certain runner I will definately have a few quid on…….cos the fav stinks.
If he’s truly ‘back’, Harchibald is a place certainty for the CH, but for me he’s also a win lay. In the CH finishing up the hill you’re always going to have to come under pressure and Harchibald just wants none of it when the whip comes out, see the 2005 renewal of the CH.
if i remember rightly alan king said if katchit were to win the fighting fifth he would go for the xmas hurdle, if he were to loose he would go for the bula. so hopefully we will get a second chance to see how good he is against older horses at cheltenham in 2 weeks. im suspected he will come up just short again
It would be an odd choice to run Katchit at Cheltenham, where he’d have an 8lb penalty, rather than Kempton, which is a Grade 1 and thus run at level weights.
AP
Well I took a look again and I think that form alone would see him win the 2008……..on reflection the jocky should have used what he had in reserve much sooner IMO.looked he tried to galvanise the horse yds from the line by smacking him and snatching the race……..basically he messed up and should know his horse better than that…..even Sea Pigeon never waited that long and was nursed past….. a better ride and your 40/1 is looking very good….stuff it, it’s only money I’m having a few quid on and look for a saver on the day
Katchit was responding to Thornton’s driving of him as they went closer to the line, he left it too late in my opinion.
Didn’t get him going soon enough, and took him to the front too soon.
AP
I would hazard that the money on offer could have something to do with it, £115,000 for the winner of the Bula last year but only half that at Kempton. Also there’s an added bonus for Bula winners if they go on to win the Champion Hurdle whereas Katchit obviously no longer eligible for the WBX million. Presumably Harchibald will go to Kempton now, he’ll be far better off there than in a bog at home and is obviously in line for the bonus.
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