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During the last few weeks, little Katchit has became a bit of a forgotton horse in terms of the Champion Hurdle.
I’ve read through most of the threads about the CH and ever since the AIG, Katchit is not at the forefront of a lot of people’s idea of the winner. I personally believe he is still the one to beat next month and he simply has to win on Saturday – if he doesn’t, and there are no excuses, then he won’t be good enough to win a Champion Hurdle this year.
I don’t know how Kachit’s form this season stacks up time or ratings wise, but visually I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with his form whatsoever.
When Harchibald is on a going day (Like he was at Newcastle), there are very few horses who can beat him. He is a very experienced hurdler and though Katchit was hot favourite, I don’t think there is anything wrong in his defeat in the Fightin Fifth.
Katchit then went to Cheltenham and finished well ahead of CH rivals Sublimity, Afsoun and Straw Bear. Other than Sublimity, who was having his first run of the season, I don’t think any of the horses who finished behind Katchit can turn around the from come March. As for Osana, I personally believe he got a soft lead and he won’t be allowed the luxury in the CH.
Providing Katchit shows his well being on Saturday, and gets to Cheltenham in tip-top condition, I can’t see him finishing out of the places, I really can’t. I can see him sitting closer to Osana this time and he will probably be off the bridle after the second last, with a few travelling better in behind. But this little boy will keep finding and finding up the hill and he will be fitter and faster than he has ever been before.
Horse racing is all about opinions – but in terms of horses it’s all about guts, and little Katchit has plenty of them and just loves that Cheltenham hill. 13.5 (11/1 with PP) is still available. If he wins well on Saturday (as I hope and expect) then he will be half those odds. Amaretton Rose, Blythe Knight and Straw Bear are very much respected in the Kingwell, but if Katchit can’t beat them, then I will be gutted.
Have I convinced anyone?
Mike
Not me…
I can’t see how he his good enough to win this year’s Champion hurdle on any of his runs – either visually or on the book.
It is also very unlikely he will halve in price even if he wins on Saturday.
Not Convinced either the line up isnt that great Sat and will tell us little we dont know already…..on the other hand if Blythe Knight wins i suppose it opens more debate
He faced an almost impossible task in giving weight to Osana in the Boylesports International, especially as the winner was year his elder, and I don’t think the defeat will have done him any harm. But he was beaten quite readily, as he was at Newcastle, and whether he has any real improvement left in him is open to debate.
A place would be the best he could hope for but with Sublimity, Harchibald, Sizing Europe and Osana in attendance even that is a long shot.
I hope so.
There is so much i like about this little gutsy horse.
I really hope he can go on and win the Chapion Hurdle, it will be a tough ask, but i really hope he can do it.
He is a lovely horse and i hope he can go to Cheltenham, after Saturday, with another win to his name.
If guts and a will-to-win counted for anything then Katchit would be a short priced favourite.
I think, alas, that a couple of others (maybe SE and Sublimity) will have scooted clear and Katchit will outbattle Harchi for third.
I’ve said before that I think that the Irish hurdlers are as far in front of the UK ones as UK-based ‘chasers are ahead of the Irish ones.
As tough an ask as it may seem on paper, I wouldn’t be so quick to discount Lemon Silk on Saturday, although were he to beat or get very close to Katchit the knockers will come out in force devaluing the form rather than giving LS any credit no doubt. What I do know is that LS has improved a huge amount, is flying at home and will be very surprised if he isn’t in the shake up. He carries my money Saturday and in the Supreme Novices.
As tough an ask as it may seem on paper, I wouldn’t be so quick to discount Lemon Silk on Saturday, although were he to beat or get very close to Katchit the knockers will come out in force devaluing the form rather than giving LS any credit no doubt. What I do know is that LS has improved a huge amount, is flying at home and will be very surprised if he isn’t in the shake up. He carries my money Saturday and in the Supreme Novices.
Would a bit more rain be handy, Naps? I tend to think of your fellow of needing a bit of a test at 2m – the bad going at Lingfield accorded it to him, but I’d worry about things happening just a tad too quickly around a sharper-than-Cheltenham-or-Sandown 2m on a fairer surface.
Another win for the yard on the Fibresand today, I see.
gc
Adoptive father of two. The patron saint of lower-grade fare. A gently critical friend of point-to-pointing. Kindness is a political act.
Ground will be ideal for him GC…..anything just to the soft side of good is perfect, and with Katchit in the line up should get the strong pace he needs.
During the last few weeks, little Katchit has became a bit of a forgotton horse in terms of the Champion Hurdle.
I’ve read through most of the threads about the CH and ever since the AIG, Katchit is not at the forefront of a lot of people’s idea of the winner. I personally believe he is still the one to beat next month and he simply has to win on Saturday – if he doesn’t, and there are no excuses, then he won’t be good enough to win a Champion Hurdle this year.
I don’t know how Kachit’s form this season stacks up time or ratings wise, but visually I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with his form whatsoever.
When Harchibald is on a going day (Like he was at Newcastle), there are very few horses who can beat him. He is a very experienced hurdler and though Katchit was hot favourite, I don’t think there is anything wrong in his defeat in the Fightin Fifth.
Katchit then went to Cheltenham and finished well ahead of CH rivals Sublimity, Afsoun and Straw Bear. Other than Sublimity, who was having his first run of the season, I don’t think any of the horses who finished behind Katchit can turn around the from come March. As for Osana, I personally believe he got a soft lead and he won’t be allowed the luxury in the CH.
Providing Katchit shows his well being on Saturday, and gets to Cheltenham in tip-top condition, I can’t see him finishing out of the places, I really can’t. I can see him sitting closer to Osana this time and he will probably be off the bridle after the second last, with a few travelling better in behind. But this little boy will keep finding and finding up the hill and he will be fitter and faster than he has ever been before.
Horse racing is all about opinions – but in terms of horses it’s all about guts, and little Katchit has plenty of them and just loves that Cheltenham hill. 13.5 (11/1 with PP) is still available. If he wins well on Saturday (as I hope and expect) then he will be half those odds. Amaretton Rose, Blythe Knight and Straw Bear are very much respected in the Kingwell, but if Katchit can’t beat them, then I will be gutted.
Have I convinced anyone?
Mike
I told you you were a good judge Mike
He is definately going to be thee horse to beat at Cheltenham. Prolific winner, tough as nails. never been at his best all season, good trainer………be nuts you leave him out of calculations……….seen it a hundred times same pattern same result.,,,,,,,,,,,,,he’s probaly the best EW bet of the entire meeting IMOGround will be ideal for him GC…..anything just to the soft side of good is perfect, and with Katchit in the line up should get the strong pace he needs.
True, true. Game on, then!
gc
Adoptive father of two. The patron saint of lower-grade fare. A gently critical friend of point-to-pointing. Kindness is a political act.
I don’t think Katchit has anything like the class to win a Champion Hurdle. He has already been found wanting in the Fighting Fifth and Bula hurdles with no excuses. I am surprised so many of you fancy him.
Harchibald is becoming the forgotten horse in the CH. He is the best value of the field for me.. 9/4 the place is almost buying money. Osana will ensure they go a strong clip and that’s what Harchibald needs.
He’s still only nine even though he’s been around a long time and he looks back to his 05 peak which is more than good enough to place.
I can see harchi and sublimity stalking sizing europe after he goes on from Osana… After that anyone’s guess really!!
As tough an ask as it may seem on paper, I wouldn’t be so quick to discount Lemon Silk on Saturday, although were he to beat or get very close to Katchit the knockers will come out in force devaluing the form rather than giving LS any credit no doubt. What I do know is that LS has improved a huge amount, is flying at home and will be very surprised if he isn’t in the shake up. He carries my money Saturday and in the Supreme Novices.
Would be the first 4year old in history to win the race. I have no doubt in what you say but there is a massive difference between working well at home and sending a 4 year old to tackling a Triumph hurdle winner who is a top contender for the champion hurdle.
Very strange decision IMO..I watched him at lingfield and while he won well I wouldn’t fancy him at Cheltenham, No doubt he’s an ok horse but that was one ordinary race. I think even with the weight concession he’ll be totally outclassed and any chance he has in the Supreme will be gone. However good luck a lot of people thought the same about Gardasee and missed a good oportuinity.
FOF Katchit has run right up to his best form of last season this season so I don’t know where you get "never been at his best all season".
He just simply isn’t good enough end of.
Game, gutsy, consistant – yes, good enough – no. He will not win the Champion Hurdle.
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