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Prior to the race Getaway was regarded as a bit of a good thing by some good judges. Fortunes were lost that day so I am somewhat surprised why I am being asked why I think he may be a better horse than SOF.
SOFv wont be winning the arc and you can take that to the bank. No way is he good enough IMO
Getaway whipped round unseated his rider before the race, he was hanging to such an extent he jockey could hardly ride him> his head was so far to the right you would think he was looking for someone in the stands and I am asked why I thought he never enjoyed Epsom.
A blind man running for a bus could see the horse was hating the place and if one cound’t see that I think one should give up racing and take up golf..On second thoughts better not as I doubt one could spot the fairway.
I hope that answers my learned friends question.
how about distinguished,or humble? or learned colleague or constant friend?or
just say reader.Or writer.Or whatever.
But I like learned.I can’t spell distinguished
Either SOF has improved out of all recognition or Channons wasn’t fully would up (left it too late) and Getaway ran well below form.
In last years Arc both went past SOF like he had hit a brick wall.
I tend to believe that form more than I do that of the Coronation.
Decent horse as he is he is not top drawer IMO.
SoF was severely impeded by DT when making his move in the Arc.he was moving up on the rail. Fallon cut him off. Murtagh had to check SoF to avoid trouble.As a result he lost his rhythm and his stride and fell back from second to fifth in a matter of strides.Johnny admits now he might not have won but he is probably talking for the stable and would not want to take anything from DT. However he does say he expected to win that day.Had he been riding for another stable he would probably have objected.
Soldier Of Fortune is a couple of shades below the very best. And that will not do in the Arc.
No doubt he likes Longchamp – 2 wins and a severely hampered fifth at the course is very good. Plus a record time in the Niel but the two horses behind him that day, Sagara and Zambezi Sun, don’t seem anywhere near top class either.
Hit and miss. The Foy should deliver the telling blow.
Soldier Of Fortune is a couple of shades below the very best. And that will not do in the Arc.
No doubt he likes Longchamp – 2 wins and a severely hampered fifth at the course is very good. Plus a record time in the Niel but the two horses behind him that day, Sagara and Zambezi Sun, don’t seem anywhere near top class either.
Hit and miss. The Foy should deliver the telling blow.
I think you’re making your judgement of SoF’s merit based on his 3-Y-O form and not allowing for the normal improvement and strengthening up a relatively lightly raced colt will make.
At the time SoF won the Niel, Zambezi Sun was seen as the best in France (Manduro excepted) and despite his defeat was still J2Fav for the Arc (with DT behind only Authorised).
OK, ZS’s run in The Arc and efforts this season have been disappointing but I feel that it’s a case of him not reproducing and improving on his best form rather than making SoF out as a second rater. In my view SoF is at least as good a 4YO as DT was at this stage last year and (with normal luck)will have a very fruitful season .Is Soldier Of Fortune up to winning an Arc? I don’t know, but I think its unfair to judge him on his Arc run where he looked in poor condition before the race and got himself into a right sweat before the off. Looks over the top to me that day.
SoF was severely impeded by DT when making his move in the Arc.he was moving up on the rail. Fallon cut him off. Murtagh had to check SoF to avoid trouble.As a result he lost his rhythm and his stride and fell back from second to fifth in a matter of strides.Johnny admits now he might not have won but he is probably talking for the stable and would not want to take anything from DT. However he does say he expected to win that day.Had he been riding for another stable he would probably have objected.
He wasn’t impeded until he was stopping it may have cost him one place at best.
May not have won? Dylan Thomas had him cooked there’s no way he would have held of the fast finishing 2nd and 3rd never mind get back to DT IMO
The one thing that Henrythenavigator hasn’t been this year is really fast. Both his 2000gns wins have been aesthetically pleasing, but not exceptionally fast. He did run fast in the Coventry here last year. Imo, over a mile, he’s only the 4th fastest in this field at the moment. Twice Over, Raven’s Pass and Falco have run faster, but I accept Henry probably could run faster, if the ground is right and race sets up that way, but he’s still got that to prove.
I’m not sure about this race, if you takes times literally, I suppose Falco and Twice Over are the horses to support, with Raven’s Pass & Henrythenavigator just behind…..but I sense that class may tell in a race like this, & I believe in terms of class, Henrythenavigator is the best horse in the race, with Raven’s Pass second best.
I like Rio De La Plata, but can’t really have him after running in the Derby, & Stubbs Art may run well, but is not good enough. The other three are imo outclassed.
I do think that Henrythenavigator is the most likely winner. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Falco and Twice Over were to win, I can’t really get my head around their form though. My pick for the race is Raven’s Pass. He will need the ground to be quick, if it is, I’m convinced he will get the trip and he probably has as good a turn of foot as anything in this race. I’ve had my £10 each-way on him.
Falco’s a lay.
Given the ultimate treatment in the Poulains – electrifying pace, just kept his cool behind the pacemakers and ahead of the traffic which took out a few runners. That bird had flown a long way out.
His form prior to the Classic indicated no quality that would be competitive against any of Henrythenavigator, Raven’s Pass, Twice Over or heck – even the progressive Stubbs Art! (Drawing a long bow yes …)
Have to review the Craven Stakes again and then the Dante/2,000 Guineas to pinpoint where Twice Over and Raven’s Pass are at the moment. But I’m looking at 4/6 for Henrythenavigator here in Oz and wondering if he’s just too far ahead of these to even consider them.
Falco’s a lay.
It would be a brave lay. His 3yo form in France could be interpreted as very progressive….and he has already proven to be a very fast horse.
Falco’s a lay.
It would be a brave lay. His 3yo form in France could be interpreted as very progressive….and he has already proven to be a very fast horse.
At his current odds on Betfair – 7/1 – for what it’s worth, I think laying him is an awful bet.
As previously stated, the French 2000 was run at terrific pace , yet Falco had little problem stalking the speed and seeing the race out really well. I know some saw this race as a hard-luck story for RDLP, but the truth is that he wasn’t able to eat that much into Falco’s lead , even though he’d gone through much easier sectionals.
And for us clock followers, this race rates as a very similar effort to Henry’s Guineas performance.
I’d just watch and enjoy what is , no doubt, going to be a very intriguing race.
Couldn’t have Raven’s Pass on my mind here- exposed as a non-stayer in the Guineas for me. My gut is telling me to try and get the fav beaten, but the opposition is not convincing- will probably pass.
After the Twice Over discussion pre Craven and pre Guineas, i will stupidly or stubbornly back Twice Over, I ain’t interested in Henry at that price.
HENRYTHENAVIGATOR – just enjoy watching him!
Two starts this term, two classic victories, beating a future Epsom Derby winner in the process. He loves fast ground and won the Coventry here last year.
Falco doesn’t impress me and has never encountered ground this quick before. With Henry being too short to support for the average punter, it may be worth looking at the forecast and I fancy TWICE OVER to follow him home.
Out stayed Ravens Pass in the Craven before running a fine race in the Dante despite his problem (finding Epsom Derby runner-up Tartan Bearer just 2 1/2L too good). The drop back in trip won’t be a problem because he travels so well in his races and this is a stiff mile.
Supporters of Stubbs Art should be rubbing their hands together. Placed in two Guineas, 20/1 is an insult. He could reach the frame.
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Couldn’t have Raven’s Pass on my mind here- exposed as a non-stayer in the Guineas for me. My gut is telling me to try and get the fav beaten, but the opposition is not convincing- will probably pass.
Agree that RP is a non-stayer, also think that the favourite could be, it depends on whether the others allow Minneapolis to dictate a dawdle.
Both Falco’s and Twice Over’s jockeys should alive to this, and as both need a proper test, hopefully we’ll get one.
If so, I fully expect the ‘superhorse’ HTN to bomb out.
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