- This topic has 25 replies, 13 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 4 months ago by
.
- Posts
Hi all, I’m new to the forum, I was quite taken by the lack of support here for Flemenstar!
For me he oozes class from a small charismatic yard, he ran a scintillating display of jumping. He keeps progressing, the 3 miles doesn’t look a problem, if anything I think he’ll be better for the step up in trip. My other question for all the SDC fans is we’re you happy with his performance? First time out yes, but should he have been closer in the finish?
My concerns for Flemenstar are he needs to be racing with more horses around him, he obviously needs the experience of three miles against more seasoned horses (which he’ll get in the Lexus) and I want to see him come from off the pace not making the running. Other than that his jumping looks grand, he travels so well and in my opinion is going to be a real player in the 3 mile sphere.
Gonna be a champion!
love him, as you said really classy and gutsy. Seems to have a good look around in some of his races while the rest are struggling. Pure class and a real engine on him
I have nothing against Flemenstar, but am rather confused by his position so high in the Gold Cup market. It seems like a vast over-reaction for him to now be second favourite. He managed to beat Sir Des Champs in a relatively workmanlike fashion, despite that horse conceding a fitness advantage.
I think the other detraction from Flemenstar is the message being given by his regular runs last season and so far this year. It suggests that his connections know he is not quite top class, so wish to pillage as many novice chases and softer Grade Ones as they can before the best horses get into gear.
Runs for a selection of last year’s leading novices:
Bobs Worth 4
Al Ferof 5
Sprinter Sacre 5
First Lieutenant 7
Cue Card 5
Flemestar 6Not as if he was running far more regularly than anything else The Young Fella, good on ’em I say.
And I don’t quite understand how connections would know he’s not quite top class, as surely all they can go on are his track performances, which have been phenomenal. It’s not as if they have one better at home or have had one like him in the past to compare.
Pillage Grade 1s before the best horse get into gear? They are in gear and make no mistake he’s one of them
Over his novice season and this season combined, Flemenstar has been one of the most busy of the bunch, though. In addition, it is notable that most of his races have been hard Grade 1 races rather than the softer educational runs which Sprinter Sacre and Cue Card enjoyed.
I expect that jockey feedback gives the trainer a guide to Flemenstar’s level of ability. Andrew Lynch and others would have a fair handle on what an elite Grade 1 horse feels like, so their judgement would influence the trainer in placing his horse without doubt.
He takes a run or two to get fully fit though so that could easily explain his 2 runs already this season. It’s not as if they’ve targeted him at weak races. Other than bypassing Cheltenham they’ve taken on all comers and he’s dispatched everything with minimum fuss thus far. Fair point about Andrew Lynch. I know if he had to choose between riding Sizing Europe and Flemenstar over 2m4f he’d have to remain loyal to Sizing and de Bromhead but I’d say he’d be bricking it!
As a Sligo fella said to me today, the horse is a bashte!
Davy Russell suffered no lasting damage at Navan on Sunday after partnering three successive fallers.
Top 4 jockey?
I can’t recall the last time a raesonable jockey matched this feat in one day. LOL
Flemenstar vs Sizing Europe at Christmas looks more likely than Flemenstar vs Sir Des Champs at Christmas with Willie Mullins indicating that the latter is 50:50 that he is going to Kempton. Is this to avoid Flemenstar or that he think Kempton is more winnable?
As mentioned in a previous post this may pose a problem for Andrew Lynch. May also pose a problem for Davy Russell and where he rides on 26th.
However, suspect that the ground will remain at least soft at Leopardstown and Sizing Europe will run in the Dial-a-Bet. Also wouldn’t be surprised if Sir Des Champs goes to Kempton and Ruby rides (particularly with Al Ferof now out)
You really need to get a grip No Idea! To call Davy Russell anything less than top drawer needs to go to ape savers.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.