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Lough Derg is one of the toughest horses I’ve ever seen. Never gives anything other than every inch he’s got. Fantastic horse and deserves every accolade he gets.
I have to say, when he was being ridden coming around the last, i thought he would start dropping back quickly.
What a courageous effort from the horse though, got his head back infront, lead over the 2 final hurdles and i thought he was even going to get back up to beat Serabad on the line.
A very, very tough horse, an absolute credit to connections.
Great training performance to keep this horse at the top of his game time after time.
I guess the difference is that last year we thought they were over racing the horse, but this year we have all realized that he really does love his racing and thrives on it…..
I have been lucky to have been following him around this season but even knowing what he is like to be giving over a stone away to everything in that ground and rally like that is exceptional.
I thought he was beat at the line but couldn’t bring myself to say it in the slim hope he may have at least shared it. Sadly not but still a terrific reception as he walked back in.
Horse Of The Year ?
I thought you might post Richard
I don’t think I’ve ever heard you get so excited over a finish! I agree with you though, horse of the year. He never, ever gives up does he? Absolutely tremendous.He is one of those horses who make you realise why you love the sport. I can honestly say I was willing him to win yesterday more than horses I have a significant bet on ( well, most!) without a penny riding on the race. Reminds me in many ways of Giants Causeway for his toughness.
Exactly. You can’t help but will him to win can you? I was on the edge of my seat yelling at the TV.
Having said that I still cannot see him winning the World Hurdle at Cheltenham – I would rather see him go next to the Aintree Hurdle.
Think connections are favouring the Coral Cup now – likely to give away hulks of weight all round, but what’s new?
Tremendous animal.
gc
I’m with Paul on Cheltenham whether it be the Word or Coral Hurdle but I wouldn’t send him to Aintree either. He has never won after February because that’s when the really top stayers usually hit top form.
He’s a brilliant horse in his own right but when it comes to the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals, sadly he just lacks the class to be a serious threat to the best.
Perhaps there is another race maybe even in Ireland he could go for .If there is such a beast I hope Davind Pipe digs one out for him
Having said that I still cannot see him winning the World Hurdle at Cheltenham – I would rather see him go next to the Aintree Hurdle.
Think connections are favouring the Coral Cup now – likely to give away hulks of weight all round, but what’s new?
Tremendous animal.
gc
I’m with Paul on Cheltenham whether it be the Word or Coral Hurdle but I wouldn’t send him to Aintree either. He has never won after February because that’s when the really top stayers usually hit top form.
He’s a brilliant horse in his own right but when it comes to the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals, sadly he just lacks the class to be a serious threat to the best.
Perhaps there is another race maybe even in Ireland he could go for .If there is such a beast I hope Davind Pipe digs one out for him
It may have something to do with the fact that he’s often been racing at the wrong trip in March / April, he doesn’t really get three miles.
I’m another, I didn’t have a penny on his race Saturday but I was screaming at the TV willing him on.
I guess the difference is that last year we thought they were over racing the horse, but this year we have all realized that he really does love his racing and thrives on it…..
I wonder if some of us – myself included – were perhaps a little guilty of presuming David Pipe is going to campaign his horses as frequently / aggressively as his father did and risk souring some of them in the same way. However, Lough Derg’s workload is one unusual for a David Pipe annual (I won’t say unique for fear of contradiction), but, with the benefit of another season’s worth of evidence, seemingly one on which he thrives. Fair play, Mr Pipe.
gc
Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.
While I agree with graysonscolumn that David Pipe’s methods are certainly different to his father’s, I still stand by my opinion at the time that the horse was overraced at the back-end of last season and looked to have lost all interest in the sport at that stage
Running twice in 3 days at Aintree merely to chase the OOM was a disgrace and then to run the horse again in the Scottish Champion Hurdle 14 days later was, IMO, bordering on cruelty.
Nobody but nobody could convince me that Lough Dergh was enjoying his racing in March & April last year. Combined beaten distances of 160l in the 4 races in that period do not lie.
It is a miracle that the horse has not soured.
While I agree with graysonscolumn that David Pipe’s methods are certainly different to his father’s, I still stand by my opinion at the time that the horse was overraced at the back-end of last season and looked to have lost all interest in the sport at that stage
Running twice in 3 days at Aintree merely to chase the OOM was a disgrace and then to run the horse again in the Scottish Champion Hurdle 14 days later was, IMO, bordering on cruelty.
Nobody but nobody could convince me that Lough Dergh was enjoying his racing in March & April last year. Combined beaten distances of 160l in the 4 races in that period do not lie.
It is a miracle that the horse has not soured.
I agree with you 100% David
LD was unbelievable on Saturday – such a shame he didn’t get his flaming nostrils in front on the line.
I really do think he is near to horse of the year – his achievements are almost matching his attitude – which is legendary, well – almost
Zip
I’m unsure as to whether I want to back him today but cant actually find a reason not to….just that the field is top class
It was enough of a test last year, when he beat what I reckon was a better field, giving weight to My Way De Solzen, Refinement and Elusive Dream.
I’m surprised he’s on offer at better than 7/4.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard you get so excited over a finish! I agree with you though, horse of the year. He never, ever gives up does he? Absolutely tremendous.
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