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Cracking race – the tension as Denman came level at the 3rd last was unbearable. The tank ran a wonderful race but I hope they haven’t bottomed him for the season there.
I’ve loved Diamond Harry since I watched him win a Uttoxeter Novice Hurdle. Brilliant for his small stable. Just beware following him as he gets lighter and lighter as the season goes on and if he is to run well in the Gold Cup, I would hope that is his next race.
Good to see Nipper and Madison gallop on ok. Would have loved to have seen how Nipper ran if he’d stood up.
That said, Diamond Harry looked good and to my eye was just dossing in front at the finish.
I was disappointed with Weird Al’s run especially as I knew that the stable were 100% happy with him. He ended up looking like a non stayer to me but perhaps the dead ground didn’t suit.
I just watched the race again, ready to submit my post, and you’ve actually highlighted two important points that I very much agree with you on, Tuffers.
John Francombe thought that Diamond Harry won a shade cosily, whilst Jim McGrath disagreed.
I, too, have come to the conclusion that Diamond Harry was idling on the run-in. He started to wonder slightly after the last and I think he won with plenty left in the tank.
One of the main reasons I found myself siding with the horse was his high cruising speed. He had the gears to maintain a position in a race where rhythm is essential and there was no chance of him being run off his feet, providing his jumping held up – which it did.
What impressed me more than anything with the winner was that he was able to keep tabs on Hey Big Spender, who set a decent pace, and still find plenty at the finish. I don’t think he was ever out of third gear until Daryl Jacob, who was sublime in the saddle, had to ask him a few questions between the final two fences.
Is he a Gold Cup horse? On that performance you have to say he is certainly a contender. Prior to his excusable effort in the RSA, his form figures at Prestbury Park read 113. So the track isn’t a problem. The pace won’t be a problem and neither will the trip. I’d just like to see another polished round of jumping before I believe he really is the young pretender, but he jumped like a stag today and is clearly maturing all the time.
Diamond Harry could be the real deal.
I’ve been a fan of Burton Port since his fine second in the RSA. No fluke about that effort and he has certainly leapfrogged both Long Run and Punchestowns now. I first mooted him as an ideal Hennessy candidate last season, stating that he would turn out to be the best second season novice. He came up slightly short today, and one would assume that Diamond Harry has the more obvious potential for improvement, but the little horse is as game as they come and whilst he may fall agonizingly short of the highest level, there is clearly a big race in him. You would expect him to get further, so maybe the Welsh National, where he has been installed as favourtie with most firms, will be his next target.
His jumping can be a little scrappy at times (made a few costly errors today), but he’s generally very clever at his fences and will always give 100%. Such a likable little horse.
Denman ran an absolute blinder under his big weight and he clearly retains most of his ability. He looked very content today and very well in his coat. I don’t think he could have done much more today on his seasonal debut and connections are quite right to aim him straight at the Gold Cup after this. Keep his mind happy and his body healthy and he will once again run a massive race in March.
I took 10/1 ew about him for The Festival during the week, anticipating a massive run. I don’t think his price has changed much, but his supporters will make sure that he will be no bigger than 6/1 come March. Double figures for a horse with such a fine record in the race was much too generous, in my opinion.
The Tother One stays forever and could turn out to be a National horse. His jumping is a concern, but the race isn’t as daunting as it once was and I’ve seen poorer jumpers negotiate those big fences. His half-brother, Thisthatandthother, finished fifth in the Foxhunters a couple of years ago and The Tother One could improve on that effort.
Of the others, Weird Al travelled, and jumped, as well as anything but was unable to mount a challenge down the straight. It may be too early to cite stamina as the main reason for this arguably disappointing effort, but he was reported well and faded tamely. He won the Towton last year over three miles-one, but it may turn out that he struggles to see out this trip in the highest company. He has two wins at Cheltenham over two miles-five, and perhaps the Ryanair will be a more suitable longterm target. Today was a bridge too far for a horse having just his seventh outing.
A wonderful spectacle. Wasn’t it a great sight watching Denman and Diamond Harry jumping the second last in unison? The old warrior and the young pretender. The youngster may have had his day today, but Denman proved there’s still a few rounds left in him.
As Rocky Balboa said "Ain’t nothing over ’til it’s over."
Great race.
Fantastic to be there. Most racegoers shouting on Denman when they turned for home, even if they’d backed something else.Haven’t gone through the form yet, but at first glance I’d say Denman ran somewhere near his best. Only beaten by a couple who had a good deal of improvement in them.
Be nice for Newbury to name a race after Denman, sooner rather than later.
Value Is EverythingI expect I’m being overly protective of him, but I thought he looked very tired, too, and wished they hadn’t run him – giving so much weight to such good horses.
Also, I can’t believe it won’t have taken an undue amount out of him. Though he’s as tough as nails.
Any chance of seeing that wonderful photo of him and Kauto greeting it each other, Cormack: the Tank in his best Irish brogue and zee Frenchie, well, viz ‘ees Frenchie accent?
how are his best days behind him you fool he ran a cracker . some ppl come out with stupid comments on here
Denman ran an absolute cracker of a race!I was on Neptune collonges so had to switch my allegiance to Denman very early and for a moment about 4 out i thought he might pull it off but unfortunately it wasn’t to be!Looking at him at the end he looked absolutely exhausted,hopefully the break between now and March helps get him back in good form (Not too good mind you as i continue to back Kauto antepost)
how are his best days behind him you fool he ran a cracker . some ppl come out with stupid comments on here
I’d say no more on the matter, rather let actions speak louder than words.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion Simon. As said, I think Denman probably ran to form. It was a better quality race than last year. But then again, Denman will be 11 years old come March, so this may be the last time we see the best of him.
Value Is EverythingI expect I’m being overly protective of him, but I thought he looked very tired, too, and wished they hadn’t run him – giving so much weight to such good horses.
Also, I can’t believe it won’t have taken an undue amount out of him. Though he’s as tough as nails.
Very over protective Grimes.
Timeform had him rated 2 lbs lower than top rated for the Hennessey. But you don’t think he should’ve run carrying 11 stones 12 pounds?
When Denman goes for the Gold Cup, then (if taking their current ratings). He will be 10 lbs lower than top rated Kauto Star. Carrying the same weight as he did today.
There is every reason to think Denman would have at least as hard a task at Cheltenham against Kauto Star and Imperial Commander – as he would giving weight to inferior animals. Even if we believe Kauto not as good at Cheltenham than Kempton.
Denman is built to carry weight.
Value Is EverythingI am some judge
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My main worry is nothing gets Diamnond Harry off the bridle and he wins in a hack canter which is not hard to imagine him doing with 10 stone on his back.
Against that it’d hard to imagine Denman not having everything at it by the 3rd last so I’ll go with Burton Port who may just have that bit more stamina about him to allow him to mow down Denman in the closing stages
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So what do I do…I back both Diamond Harry and Burton Port in doubles which get beat… So I back Denman…Dumb springs to mind
[/quoteThat’s tough luck, Fist, considering you called the race so accurately.
Diamond Harry ran a stormer but I wonder how much he had left…?
I’m not so sure he isn’t a bridle horse.
Burton ran a stormer after making a howler 5 out. I’d rather back him than Diamond H if they both ran at Chelters as I think the former would find more and relish the stiffer finish.
Excellent run from Denman, he comes out best in the race IMHO looking purely at the blue riband race in March.
Zip
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reet,one of these days you will realise!
That Haydock race over brush hurdles was the key point to my assessment of this race from a long time ago!Burton Port
is the better Cheltenham prospect of the two!! How does TAPK"s mind work?
Fair do’s TAPK, though I couldn’t back him if they ran the race again. You sure he wasn’t a ringer, ‘cos he ran nothing like the horse who walked around Newbury the last time?
Good pick for all those that believed in him, though there’s probably only one who’ll remind us for the next 9 months about it.reet,one of these days you will realise!
That Haydock race over brush hurdles was the key point to my assessment of this race from a long time ago!Burton Port
is the better Cheltenham prospect of the two!! How does TAPK"s mind work?
Fair do’s TAPK, though I couldn’t back him if they ran the race again. You sure he wasn’t a ringer, ‘cos he ran nothing like the horse who walked around Newbury the last time?
Good pick for all those that believed in him, though there’s probably only one who’ll remind us for the next 9 months about it.He stood shoulder to shoulder with a Gold cup winner today reet,i saw him change from the horse who won the Challow,i saw an even bigger change today!I"m too modest to say i knew before he jumped a fence he could win the Hennessey,trouble is its down here in black and white! I"ll take the "Fair do"s" as a Well done you ****** B*stard!
He wont win the Cheltenham Gold Cup mind,but neither will Denman or Kauto star! FWIW, I really think that if ever there was a case for a change in tactics working the oracle and being the absolute making of a horse, then a front-running Burton Port would be it.
He has all the ingredients.
FWIW, I really think that if ever there was a case for a change in tactics working the oracle and being the absolute making of a horse, then a front-running Burton Port would be it.
He has all the ingredients.
Apart from the jockey? When do AP or Barry ever ride start to finish?
I’m sure they’re more than capable, although a dose of STD (Sam Twiston-Davies) could work if all else fails!
Well done to Diamond Harry Backers. All of the first 7 home ran absolute crackers – just look at the time 6.19 seconds faster than standard. Loved Denman’s run: if anything he was more impressive in defeat in a race of that pace
Here’s where my money went.
£100 e/w Burton Port @ 9/1
Laid Denman to be unplaced @ 2.43 to lose £100 (Betfair)
£100 e/w Carruthers @ 20/1
£200 place Burton Port @ 2.66 (Betfair)
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