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This race always seems to attract a small but select field and is one of my favourites of the season. Personally i think Menorah will win, although Cue card could be anything. Who does everyone else think will win?
it’s been re-opened, much to the annoyance of those who respected the entry deadline…
it’s been re-opened, much to the annoyance of those who respected the entry deadline…
Unlikely I know but does anybody think there’s a chance Hurricane Fly could get an entry? What with the Hattons Grace repeatedly getting put back, Mullins also has Mourad entered in the Relkeel
I think it will be a very good race and find it hard to split the top 3. Probably not a betting perspective for me but if I was lucking then with the likely small field I’m not sure the race will be run to suit Menorah and at the current prices I’d be looking to take him on, I have no concerns Cue Card’s lack of experience over hurdles and find it hard to split him and the Nicholls horse. With the Nicholls horse slightly longer in the betting I would be tempted to tentatively side with him.
Hurricane Fly won’t run here. Mullins doesn’t like travelling with them before the spring.
He’ll probably wait for Leopardstown now I’d say.
Courtesy of Galileo over at TH
Cristal Bonus 4.g
Silviniaco Conti (FR) 4.g
Clerk’s Choice (IRE) 4.g
Cue Card 4.g
Menorah (IRE) 5.g
Astracad (FR) 4.g
Der Spieler (GER) 5.g
Liberty Seeker (FR) 11.g
Nicene Creed 5.gCue Card is the most exiting Hurdler I’ve seen in the last 5 years so have to believe he’ll win on Saturday. Whether I back him depends on the price & would be looking for 5/2 or better
It’s a bit of a dilemma though, as have huge exposure on him for the Supreme (banker material if he goes that route), but fear he’ll end up in the Champion if winning/running well on Saturday
I too have a financial interest in Cue Card for the Supreme. So my wallet will be hoping for Cue Card does not win. However, I like to see quality racehorses running against each other. My heart would like to see him improve in to a genuine Champion Hurdle horse this year.
Yet to study the form in detail for this race so can’t give an opinion on the winner / value bet. Though it looks a "three horse race".
Value Is EverythingLooks a nice little race this.
Silviniaco Conti is going for the race too, i believe.
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Nice little race Gaz?
I’ll say it is and whichever horse wins it must have a great chance in the Champion Hurdle come March.I had a look at the field before the betting and had them the other way round but it came as no surprise the bookies have made Menorah favourite.
He’ll find this a lot tougher than giving weight to Bothy $ co and we know he isn’t bomb proof.
He was my choice for the Greatwood but really it was more a case of nothing else looking like it could win than me thinking he’s some kind of superstar.
Cue Card is exciting, travels well, has plenty of toe but this is a differant ball game to taking on the comparitive rubbish he has met to date. I think the Tizzard dream could end here as nice a horse as he is.
Silviniaco Conti looks a right horse to me and while he’s been running over longer trips I doubt if it will matter as 2m1f Round cheltenham requires both speed and stamina. He had some decents sorts off the bridle along way from home last time out so there can be no doubt he has the right sort of engine for this.
Both Menorah and Silviniaco Conti will want a strong gallop and Hobbs has Nicene Creed entered so that should be more or less garanteed. Cue Card I would expect to find this way too hot and be off the bridle by the 2nd last
Silviniaco Conti has to give the pair of them 4lbs but if he’s as good as I think he’ll do so without too much trouble.
I’d have made him near fav for this but then I am not a bookie.
I make Silviniaco Conti a nap bet here and think he’s as near a certainty as they come.
Silviniaco Conti from Menorah
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Cue Card has been wildly impressive in all four of his races to date and I have no doubt whatsoever that Dunraven Storm’s subsequent defeat can be attributed to his victor’s overwhelming dominance. However, Silviniaco Conti annihilated horses of proven ability at Ascot last time and arrives as the most exciting hurdler for quite some time.
I’m surprised he’s as big as 3/1.
I have to say I am a little undecided about Silviniaco Conti, not sure how good that race was at Ascot, I reckon the trip maybe too short for the Nicholls horse, but I guess we will find out on Saturday.
In relation to Menorah, he needs a fast pace and will require decent ground, as seen when he was kept wide throughout the Greatwood.
As for the young pretender, Cue Card, I think he is a very special horse. He has confirmed his ability to jump a hurdle, he beat a 140 rated horse by 18 lengths on the bridle, it could have been 40 lengths. I am not in favour of stepping novices up to meet their elders so soon, but in his case, I think it will only benefit his progression.
Cannot see past Cue Card for this.
JohnJ
I’d be wary of reading too much into this race, at least at this stage of the season.
It’s a pity none of the established 2 mile hurdlers are turning up so we’d have a good gauge on the form. All three horses are potentially very exciting but we don’t really know yet how they match up to the likes of Binocular, Khyber Kim, Solwhit, Go Native and Hurricane Fly. I know Zaynar was behind SC at Ascot but he never travelled or jumped with any fluency and looks like he’s turning into a bit of a rogue.
I agree with all the previous positive comments about how promising a number of the horses are.
What I cannot understand (and I am prepared for many to jump down my throat over this) is with regard to Cue Card, who I rate very highly, why have him taking on more experienced horses like Menorah before he has to.
In my view he is a novice who should remain in such company until he has picked up sufficient experience, and in doing so, proved himself to be a champion at that level.
There is a real possibility for him to be made to hurdle too quickly with insufficient experience to shorten up etc as required.
I will be happy for him to prove me wrong but can see it all going wrongIm a massive fan of Silviniaco Conti, and i think he will take the race.
I think the race will go a long way to prove that he will be top class. The signs that he is top class are there already, and i have harped on about him enough, but he is a big favourite of mine already, really like the horse, he is special.
Im a massive fan of Silviniaco Conti, and i think he will take the race.
I think the race will go a long way to prove that he will be top class. The signs that he is top class are there already, and i have harped on about him enough, but he is a big favourite of mine already, really like the horse, he is special.
Easy Tiger! I reckon for as much as this is an interesting race,there is no Champion hurdle winner in it,under the conditions of the race i would expect
Menorah
to get Cue card off the bridle and win,Cue Card should stay novice hurdling this season as he is still on the weak side,he has that i dont want to fight head carriage too! This Silviniaco Conti looks more like a 3 miler than a 2 miler to me and to see Ladbrokes only offer 8/1 about him for the Champion hurdle astounds me!
Backing Menorah and also having small stakes on Liberty Seeker. God knows why he’s bearing such price, but I guess I shouldn’t be wondering so much…
I’ll say it is and whichever horse wins it must have a great chance in the Champion Hurdle come March.
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