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I’m not saying there was anything terribly wrong with the ride. What happened coming round the bend with Townend getting one over on Ruby is not what I think Ruby is at fault for. Townend was on a filly who was travelling better and he made the most of it. What I felt was strange Steeplechasing was that they made the running with this horse last time out. It looked to be the making of him over this distance, yet today they reverted back to hold up tactics which were always going to leave him vulnerable to a horse with a turn of foot over two miles. In my opinion the best horse finished second, partly because of a tactically poor ride from Ruby Walsh, and partly due to a masterful ride from Paul Townend. The tactics may have been as much Willie Mullins plan as Ruby Walsh’s though it must be said.
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Precisely, THM. You don’t make all – with a horse who stays well anyway – in a strongly run soft ground 2m, to sit off the pace next time; without ulterior motive.
WPM now has more clue where he stands with the horse, and I’d doubt he sees him as Champion Hurdler; may well even go chasing, as was mooted earlier.The way he was ridden today must increase the doubts about Hurricane Fly’s making the Festival. Thousand Stars would probably be good enough to earn some place money in the Champion but he is always going to be vulnerable to a horse with a turn of foot over 2 miles. If you take into account the 10lb the winner was receiving for age and fillies allowances then Thousand Stars would still come out the "best" horse but over 2 miles I would expect Unaccompanied to win more grade 1 events than Thousand Stars.
apart from the clever tactics by her jockey, it was a superb performance by Unaccompanied. Jumped well, plenty of tactical speed, she will be a real contender in March.
I’m not saying there was anything terribly wrong with the ride. What happened coming round the bend with Townend getting one over on Ruby is not what I think Ruby is at fault for. Townend was on a filly who was travelling better and he made the most of it. What I felt was strange Steeplechasing was that they made the running with this horse last time out. It looked to be the making of him over this distance, yet today they reverted back to hold up tactics which were always going to leave him vulnerable to a horse with a turn of foot over two miles. In my opinion the best horse finished second, partly because of a tactically poor ride from Ruby Walsh, and partly due to a masterful ride from Paul Townend. The tactics may have been as much Willie Mullins plan as Ruby Walsh’s though it must be said.
Who knows? You might be right. If Ruby had the chance again he might lead although it is rare for the horse not to be held up.
I agree with Gareth brilliant piece of riding by Towsend to cease the initiative and keep Ruby in a pocket. If Townsend had have sat a bit longer and conserved her energy he would probably have still done him for toe. Best horse won IMO
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Best horse won IMO
Yep, the 142 rated winner of a minor gd1 beats the 164 rated CH 4th and French Champion Hurdle victor.
Behave yourself.
Saw the reply on TV in the evening, gave a different impression to being at the track.
At the track Thousand Stars looked beaten just after the turn in. Even without Townsend’s great bit of riding, Unaccompanied was going to win.
It must be remembered that Thousand Stars gets 3m (Oscars Well, is probably better over 2m4f) and his slight closing in the last 100m was proabaly due to his stamina kicking in. I think the best horse over the distance won.
Of course the real star here was Istabraq parading before hand. Looked great.
Best horse won IMO
Yep, the 142 rated winner of a minor gd1 beats the 164 rated CH 4th and French Champion Hurdle victor.
Behave yourself.Don’t be so picky Reet I knew that but thought just befor I posted surely I don’t have to write "The best horse at the weights on the day won" without someone pulling me up
I should have known better.
1pt for you but I will get you back
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