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Whatever the reasons he couldn’t do it when he was at his best (sadly) and tonight must mean he has no chance of being the force he once was / could have been.
I know what the race was but who wants to see another Jan / Feb debate – really.
Let the boy relax.
Noel Meade seems to think they went no pace, and that didn’t suit Harchibald.
I personally cannot see him getting anywhere near the leading contenders for the CH this coming season, he didnt exactly have a great run in the race in March, even though his prior preparations went well for him, well, apart from the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
I’d like to see him sent him chasing first – see if that can rekindle some interest, and only consider retirement if it doesn’t.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Bit old though mate to go chasing. And wouldn’t his high cruising speed be a negative ?
The only race he’d get a 2m novice chase with the pace he needed would be at Cheltenham and I can see him absolutely cantering all over a Hobbs or King front runner coming to the last only to find nil.
Lee
anyhow GC you just want to see him pointing in some far fetched corner of the earth that only you and HJ know about
anyhow GC you just want to see him pointing in some far fetched corner of the earth that only you and HJ know about :)
Me and Tinkerater know these far flung corners as well Wilson and can assure you if I can get to Charing without a car, then they cannot be that far fetched.
Have you ever been or are you going to confine yourself to that miserable sand stuff, yeugh? And pointing is the ultimate all weather racing. I had all four seasons in the one race at Charing this Easter. Great fun.
Tell you what Wilson if you want to join me and my mate on the train to Charing from Victoria on Feb 22 and sample proper racing with a great atmosphere, you are more than welcome. I might even stretch to using my Network South East card and treat you to the fare. The Charing track is a short walk from the station, but the facilities are all on grass so bring stout boots or wellies.
This season’s fixtures are now available on Weatherby’s and Jumping For Fun Websites – starts on November 30th in Devon. There is a pointing fixture near almost all forum members in the UK so if you have not been, get out the picnic, the sloe gin and give the sport a try.
aaaahhh bbob,
Believe me, anybody who has the slightest inclination of following horses that are retired 12 months after they first set foot on a racecourse are IMO criminally insane.
My location, and previous post, is (are) – not sure which if I have two; misleading.
It was a joke – I rarely post on the raing section in here between Apr & Oct because a) I have no idea wtf I’m talking about and b) I like to watch my horse for a good 10 mins before I know I’ve done my dough.
But I welcome your gentle reposte (in the words of either messrs Pinza or Ostoomsysmeyer – or whatever). I am flattered you took the time.
Lee
aaaahhh bbob,
Believe me, anybody who has the slightest inclination of following horses that are retired 12 months after they first set foot on a racecourse are IMO criminally insane.
My location, and previous post, is (are) – not sure which if I have two; misleading.
It was a joke – I rarely post on the raing section in here between Apr & Oct because a) I have no idea wtf I’m talking about and b) I like to watch my horse for a good 10 mins before I know I’ve done my dough.
But I welcome your gentle reposte (in the words of either messrs Pinza or Ostoomsysmeyer – or whatever). I am flattered you took the time.
Lee
Fair enough mate, I was only having a bit of fun meself. It is nice to have a bit of a laugh on the forum. But seriously mate, the offer is still there if you can be bothered with the metropolis in winter.
No worries, Looks like I’m at L’pool st throughout this year so may well take you up on that.
Bit old though mate to go chasing. And wouldn’t his high cruising speed be a negative ?
His class should still win out over his age and profligate travelling style to secure him one or two easy, morale-boosting wins in ordinary beginners’ / novices’ chases (think along the lines of Hors La Loi III’s very late switch to the larger obstacles), which is really as much as I was proposing for him. If he is then suitably inspired to take higher order among the season’s other novice chasers, so be it, but if not little will have been lost in trying.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
anyhow GC you just want to see him pointing in some far fetched corner of the earth that only you and HJ know about
I’m pretty sure that the value of his Fighting Fifth win last year would exclude him from qualifying for points certainly this season and probably next as well.
A shame, as I’m sure he’d love to renew rivalry with former regular hurdling foe and current Wessex pointing type Perouse… and spread him over all four corners of Ston Easton.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
Why should it be retired just because it ran a bad race. As long as it is still enjoying the game and connections are happy, then let it run.
Champion Hurdle horse or not, Harchibald generally needs his first run of the season.
I think his chance has gone but the ground was all wrong for him in the Champion this year so I think they should persevere and run him in races like the Fighting Fifth, Xmas Hurdle & Kingwell Hurdle.
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