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Gotta say I find the comments bizarre to say the least
We spent a whole season last year with Katchit turning up to races and being told that he’s too cheap, too small. not good enough and yet every time he would win. Today we take him back to Cheltenham and he ran a cracker – he’s a 4 year old! We were absolutely floored by defeat at Newcastle and arrived at Cheltenham today thinking that we need to prove that we can live with Sublimity, Afsoun, Macs Joy (grhs), Straw Bear all of whom on paper have done more than our boy – our race was about them and we got caught out by a surprising run by Osana – not taking anything away from him he absolutely breezed up.
Sublimity passed us coming round the top bend and our boy has taken him on and beaten him by more than 10 lengths(alright in receipt of 4lb) but our best form was spring, the ground was dead today so we’re all likely to improve – we have every right to take our place in March and fancy our chances
All you nay sayers – you’re in the easiest space – picking apart good horses… the field was much better than last years race and it was a good race won by a horse that deserves his place in the betting for the CH in March but it is a close division this year whether you think it is good or not.
Keep knocking our boy – he had a hard race in Newcastle, didn’t like the track or the travelling but was back to himself today – Choc’s first words when he got off him this afternoon were "you’ll be in the first three in March"… and that is brilliant – he’s a fab horse, he’s young and he’s getting stronger – if we can place this year… be worried next!
Gotta say I find the comments bizarre to say the least
We spent a whole season last year with Katchit turning up to races and being told that he’s too cheap, too small. not good enough and yet every time he would win. Today we take him back to Cheltenham and he ran a cracker – he’s a 4 year old! We were absolutely floored by defeat at Newcastle and arrived at Cheltenham today thinking that we need to prove that we can live with Sublimity, Afsoun, Macs Joy (grhs), Straw Bear all of whom on paper have done more than our boy – our race was about them and we got caught out by a surprising run by Osana – not taking anything away from him he absolutely breezed up.
Sublimity passed us coming round the top bend and our boy has taken him on and beaten him by more than 10 lengths(alright in receipt of 4lb) but our best form was spring, the ground was dead today so we’re all likely to improve – we have every right to take our place in March and fancy our chances
All you nay sayers – you’re in the easiest space – picking apart good horses… the field was much better than last years race and it was a good race won by a horse that deserves his place in the betting for the CH in March but it is a close division this year whether you think it is good or not.
Keep knocking our boy – he had a hard race in Newcastle, didn’t like the track or the travelling but was back to himself today – Choc’s first words when he got off him this afternoon were "you’ll be in the first three in March"… and that is brilliant – he’s a fab horse, he’s young and he’s getting stronger – if we can place this year… be worried next!
Sublimity blew up he wasn’t fit.
The problem with Katchit is whereas other horses can and will improve he won’t. His last two performances have been on a par with his novice form. He’s consistant and hardy but he isn’t improving as his size suggested he won’t.
I can’t even see him being placed in the Champion Hurdle.
Katchit clearly has the ability to win what is going to be a poor renewal of the CH. Unlike many of his rivals, he’s also genuine and by far the most consistent. I’d be very surprised if he finished outside the first three at the Festival.
Black Jack would be an interesting runner. Best watched at present.
Cheers Flash!
agree with the view that he needs to improve beyond his juvenile form but we all know that – what he’s doing is enough to justify competitiveness – nobody said he was head and shoulders above
his physical scope (or lack of) is obvious but he building muscle mass and i’ve yet to meet anyone in the game who can describe what he should look like to succeed (and we are asking)
we’re delighted to have a horse as good as him running so close in these races – lets not forget he was an average flat horse, he’s less that 15 hands and was bought for fun
would you trade places with me to be in this position even if he does get thumped in March?
Now I would like to see Black Jack over 2m as he has a high cruising speed, but it isn’t going to happen as the owners reportedly want to keep him at 3m, which we’ll find out next week whether he really does get it in top grade. Personally I’m not convinced, anyway Jonjo has Wichita and Refinement who are true stayers.
Now I would like to see Black Jack over 2m as he has a high cruising speed, but it isn’t going to happen as the owners reportedly want to keep him at 3m, which we’ll find out next week whether he really does get it in top grade. Personally I’m not convinced, anyway Jonjo has Wichita and Refinement who are true stayers.
Another "disappointing" run from Black Jack over three miles and surely the owners will see sense?
I appeal to them, they’re missing a fantastic opportunity with this horse.
Cheers Flash!
agree with the view that he needs to improve beyond his juvenile form but we all know that – what he’s doing is enough to justify competitiveness – nobody said he was head and shoulders above
his physical scope (or lack of) is obvious but he building muscle mass and i’ve yet to meet anyone in the game who can describe what he should look like to succeed (and we are asking)
we’re delighted to have a horse as good as him running so close in these races – lets not forget he was an average flat horse, he’s less that 15 hands and was bought for fun
would you trade places with me to be in this position even if he does get thumped in March?
Good luck to you mate enjoy it.
I don’t mean to rain on your parade I just look at things through the eyes of a punter rather than emotional ones.
Great call Sunshine Street, well done hope you lumped on.
My bets on Sublimity and Katchit for champion hurdle looking a bit shaky now I think. Both look vulnerable all of a sudden.
To my eyes Katchit all of a sudden doesn’t look quick enough. He was readily outpaced at Newcastle and today alarm bells were ringing when he was being chased along just to hold a position. As I said earlier the jumping advantage of last season has disappeared. I guess it is unlikely to happen – at least short term – but it looks like he would benefit from a step up in trip.
One thing is for sure the winner Osana was ready to run for his life today
I wouldn’t fancy he will win the Champion Hurdle or even run well in it.Sublimity wouldn’t be 100% far from it, Katchit a bit straighter but doubtful he has been over worked either.
Every trainer wants the Champion Hurdle and there is a huge difference in thinking when the opportunity arises.
Sublimity will be different proposition come March but I am not convinced he is suited by Cheltenham. I just didn’t like the way he came up the hill last year despite the winning margin.
Someone said Katchit doesn’t have the size or scope for improvement. You could jump over Sea Pigeon e.g. and I can’t agree with that. I think his trainer knows he has a live one and is in no hurry to get him to peak fitness.
If he gets there fit and well there is no way on God’s earth he won’t be in the first 3 and is a knocking EW bet at 10/1.That leaves my only pal Harchibald. He should have won the Champion Hurdle by now. Jockey was right to hold him up but got it all wrong trying to smack him across the line with 50 yds to go……I am not convinced he is that big or a rogue the Jockey couldn’t have gone to the front half way up the run in…….any way that’s history.
On his last run alone you would have to make Harchibald a strong favourite but the doubt remains hence his big price.
If anything puts Sublimity under pressure and he comes of the bridle he won’t have the drive or fight in him to take him up the hill. I just can’t see him winning again.
Don’t leave much does it?
We might well see a repeat of yesterday with some thing no one has thought about winning at a big price……if ever there was a Champion Hurdle to bet EW only in, it is this one and the best option for me is Katchit in the hope the surprise winner never materializes.
Anyone who thinks Katchit can improve fitness wise is in cuckoo land – this was his third run! The trainer isn’t a fool – he would have known he would have had to be spot-on to be competitive at this level.
However, we all know that Harchibald is not the same animal when he has to fight – he WILL need to do this at Cheltenham.
Hardy Eustace was the only animal good enough to make Harchibald "fight" in his Champion Hurdle. Better horses than Katchit like Brave Inca could not get him off the bit in time.
I dont put Harchibald down as a non battler…rather a non stayer or an animal who gives everything he has on the bridle.
Take into consideration that he’s a far better horse around Cheltenham
Because he has done all his winning there does not mean he is a better horse there. Was his run at Cheltenham yesterday all that better than his run at Newcastle? I think not.
All these posts about Sublimity, Katchit, Harchibald et al, discussion of the Bula Hurdle and the Fighting Fifth – and the name of the 2008 Champion Hurdler hasn’t been mentioned even once, not even to reject his chances in passing.
Currently 33/1 in places (but only 20/1 with TDK?), he’ll be a lot shorter after he wins the Grade 1 at Leopardstown on Dec 29th.
Since I never bet ante-post (how many mentions had Sublimity had on here by mid December last year?), I’m happy to reveal the name.
Catch Me.
AP
That is an interesting one AP…has been nibbled at in the betting for the big Christmas hurdle at Leopardstown over the week.
Big shout AP- there are certainly worse 33/1 shots. My reading of him is that 2 miles on soft ground is what he needs- I just worry whether he’d have the pace for a good ground Champion Hurdle.
Regarding the Bula, I can’t have the "not fit" excuse for Sublimity- he’s run his best races fresh. I go with the stamina theory but reckon he’s now got plenty to prove and is a poor favourite. The Greatwood form is looking pretty good, which must bring Sizing Europe into it, especially as he’s likely to continue improving.All these posts about Sublimity, Katchit, Harchibald et al, discussion of the Bula Hurdle and the Fighting Fifth – and the name of the 2008 Champion Hurdler hasn’t been mentioned even once, not even to reject his chances in passing.
Currently 33/1 in places (but only 20/1 with TDK?), he’ll be a lot shorter after he wins the Grade 1 at Leopardstown on Dec 29th.
Since I never bet ante-post (how many mentions had Sublimity had on here by mid December last year?), I’m happy to reveal the name.
Catch Me.
AP
Good luck with the 33/1. I think he is that price for several reasons – form nowhere near good enough (beat an over-hyped bridle horse last time), needs soft ground, unproven on the course and if the trainer did have a ‘real’ Champion Hurdle hope waiting in the wings why was he so keen on Clopf?
One thing is for sure the winner Osana was ready to run for his life today
I wouldn’t fancy he will win the Champion Hurdle or even run well in it.Sublimity wouldn’t be 100% far from it, Katchit a bit straighter but doubtful he has been over worked either.
Every trainer wants the Champion Hurdle and there is a huge difference in thinking when the opportunity arises.
Sublimity will be different proposition come March but I am not convinced he is suited by Cheltenham. I just didn’t like the way he came up the hill last year despite the winning margin.
Someone said Katchit doesn’t have the size or scope for improvement. You could jump over Sea Pigeon e.g. and I can’t agree with that. I think his trainer knows he has a live one and is in no hurry to get him to peak fitness.
If he gets there fit and well there is no way on God’s earth he won’t be in the first 3 and is a knocking EW bet at 10/1.That leaves my only pal Harchibald. He should have won the Champion Hurdle by now. Jockey was right to hold him up but got it all wrong trying to smack him across the line with 50 yds to go……I am not convinced he is that big or a rogue the Jockey couldn’t have gone to the front half way up the run in…….any way that’s history.
On his last run alone you would have to make Harchibald a strong favourite but the doubt remains hence his big price.
If anything puts Sublimity under pressure and he comes of the bridle he won’t have the drive or fight in him to take him up the hill. I just can’t see him winning again.
Don’t leave much does it?
We might well see a repeat of yesterday with some thing no one has thought about winning at a big price……if ever there was a Champion Hurdle to bet EW only in, it is this one and the best option for me is Katchit in the hope the surprise winner never materializes.
Couldn’t agree more, FOF.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion but Katchit, at a best priced 10/1, is still the best value on offer. The CH is rapidly becoming the sort of race where it seems every horse is being tipped, to win or EW.
I can’t emphasize enough, however, that most of the horses mentioned thus far have question marks hanging over them.
We know that Katchit has the ability, consistency, can operate on ground ranging from good to heavy, is completely genuine and thrives around Cheltenham.
I still maintain, at this moment in time, the winner will emerge from either Katchit or Sublimity. The remainder have much to prove.
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