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Would any other “top trainer” start a 5 yr old off over fences in a grade 2?
Seemed to be a terrible error of judgement. Surely a beginners chase somewhere would have been far better for the horse
Frank Berry & JP would have as much a say in the placing of that horse as Hobbs would. He was the top rated in that field.
I doubt JP and Frank would have instructed Hobbs to do that. They have horses with many other trainers who don’t do it. He may have been top rated on hurdles marks, but that hurdles mark he has is no reflection of his actual ability. Triumph horses are generally rated to highly.
Agreed Kev, suspect Hobbs had no say in the decision myself.
I don’t really see his age coming in to it. What imo matters more is Defi was never a fluent jumper of hurdles and wasn’t surprised he didn’t jump well yesterday. Reve De Sivola was an even worse jumper of hurdles and failed miserably on 5 year old chasing debut in a Grade 2 at this meeting. Seem to remember the JP ran top hurdler More Of That in a Grade 2 Novice here too.. and although didn’t jump perfectly still won. So maybe Berry and JP were influenced by that.Value Is EverythingWhy didn’t you post before the race thewexfordman?
May have been a years difference between Lalor & Defi but makes no difference as both carried the same weight. In fact Defi had more experience, a higher rating and was shorter in the betting.
I didn’t post because I had quite a busy weekend and didn’t think of it. Is that OK?
And I don’t see Mullins, or Henderson or Elliot or Nichols doing it with any JP horses. Why would they have instructed Hobbs to do it?
Hindsight is a wonderful thing thewexfordman, even I can manage to pick one or two winners with the benefit of it.
I agree Wexfordman. A bizarre decision. I doubt he was told by JP to run there as I would have thought that JP would do best by the horse not the race. He doesn’t need the money anyway.
I am still not sure Hobbs horses are quite right despite his success rate at the minute. It would be interesting to know if he as 2 yards.
Anyway it will be interesting to see where he goes next but he would not be carrying my money.I’ve already discussed your point wexfordman, 15.19 post.
Lalor was also thrown into a Grade 2 on his chase debut but won, what do you say about that?
Would you have posted if Defi had won?
I said “top trainer” in my original post. With all due respect to Kaylee Woolacott, she’s not yet in the top trainer category. And for smaller trainers and owners with small numbers of horses I can understand the eagerness to contest big pots whenever possible. I don’t think JP needed the prize money
And I don’t see Mullins, or Henderson or Elliot or Nichols doing it with any JP horses. Why would they have instructed Hobbs to do it?
Why should the particular trainer and jockey combination matter, TWM? Connections want to win races.
Lalor isn’t the first debutant winner. Henderson won this race with debutant Captain Conan (and he was like Defi’ a 5 year old). So did Nicholls with Al Ferof. Phillip Hobbs was second in 2010 with Captain Chris and victorious in 2006, Fair Along won it easily by 9 lengths in 2012. Fair Along wasn’t a 5 year old though… he was 4.
JP wants to have horses running when he’s in residence, particularly at big meetings and even more particularly at Cheltenham. Easy to think why connections would want to run DDS.
Value Is EverythingI said “top trainer” in my original post. With all due respect to Kaylee Woolacott, she’s not yet in the top trainer category. And for smaller trainers and owners with small numbers of horses I can understand the eagerness to contest big pots whenever possible. I don’t think JP needed the prize money
In my experience top trainers and owners take more risks precisely because they have less to lose. Mullins, Henderson, Elliott and Nicholls; McManus, Gigginstown and Ricci are more likely to take chances because they know another good one is bound to come along anyway. The Woolacotts, D.G.Staddons and Murphys of this world need to be more cautious with their top horses – or rather… top horse.
Value Is EverythingJust to clear something else up DDS was gonna run in a lower grade race but missed it coz of firm going. He was ready to run so they went to Cheltenham. It may not have been soft enough there either but he had to run somewhere connections said. Some horses are being wrapped up in cotton wool until rain arrives some taken their chances. Even Lalor connections were waiting for rain but they went for it and it turned out just dandy for them.
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