- This topic has 88 replies, 29 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 9 months ago by
.
- Posts
I agree, Fists, but it was a point I made to you not so long ago when you thought you had the edge on the entire forum…
As for Neptune Collonges, I don’t think there’s any chance that he’ll meet either Kauto Star or Denman prior to the Gold Cup. It’ll be hard enough keeping the ‘big two’ apart though, without the added annoyance (if you can call having three top-class staying chasers annoying) of the loveable grey, but he’ll be no forlorn hope in any top grade handicap over 3m or more.
Not on the entire Forum LGR only you
take care mateOh stop, with all this attention you’re making me blush…
Naivety can be almost sincere in some people, Fists old lad, but somehow I don’t think that applies to you. I’d ask for the opinion of stable staff but they tell me you already know better…
C’mon Fist, you’re made of sterner stuff than this!
Besides, we need characters in life!
Beckster – I have said well done to Neptunes and given him credit for a solid performance. Short of giving him a virtual sugar cube, what do you want?
His Gold Cup performance was good – but I believe, as others do, that KS ran a lil’ below par that day.
I am sure there are better judges than I who can tell you exactly how much NC has improved over the last 6 months and how much, if at alll, he will continue to improve next season.
“Good Neptunes, sweet Neptunes”… *pats NC’s head*…”who’s a luuuuuuvley boy then?”
Talking of girlfriends – do you live near Kent Beckster?
I am not clinically obese and drive an Audi.
Zip
ha ha no i dont want anythink of anyone all i want is for fist of?????????better not write what i think lol is to stop slating nipper aka neptune is that really to much to ask
‘ermmm, while we are asking the question "is it too much to ask?"………..could I ask if it is too much to ask for you to make posts that are intelligible to those of us who are not into ‘text-speak’?
I know I’m a miserable reactionary old ******* but I can’t understand half of your posts!
Begging your indulgence,
Colin
Going back to the theme of this thread.
Neptune Collonges yesterday looked the best I have ever seen him. Although I find greys are harder to assess in a paddock inspection, NC looked really fit in the parade ring yesterday – certainly better than he looked at Cheltenham.
In answer to the question what did he beat? Well the bottom line is he beat what was put in front of him and he beat them well. Seven lengths and seventeen lengths in a Grade 1 is not to be sniffed at. Agreed it wasn’t the strongest field ever.
Beef or Salmon was there to make up the numbers.
Kicking King was on what turned out to be a failed recovery mission – he should now join Beef Or Salmon in the fields.
All the others, apart from one, ran as I would have expected.
The one exception was Mossbank, I did not see the incident from where I was in the stands and I haven’t had the chance to see a TV replay but I am told he took a kick at the start. It would have to have been a nasty kick for him to turn round a 24 length defeat though.
People who were already convinced NC was a top class horse waiting to happen (myself included) should have learned nothing yesterday IMO, he’s made a mediocre field look as much. What it hopefully does is prove that he’s a serious animal to all the doubters who were dismissive of the Gold Cup form based on his proximity to Kauto Star.
As for placement next year, Mr Smith will have no problems I’d imagine as Kauto can easily be campaigned differently to the other two. NC & Denman could prove more difficult to keep apart, although there would be an easy way around it by sticking to this year’s respective schedules and perhaps sending ‘Nipper’ to Wetherby for the Charlie Hall.
It depends to an extent whether they ever get the going on the chase course at Wetherby fixed, I guess, and even then whether Nicholls would want to risk Nipper on it; but yes, I think the Charlie Hall would represent as good an opening as any, and I’m sure the racecourse executive will be happy to have a >170-rated animal lining up, as there have been mere penny numbers of these in the last 10-15 years.
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.
they may start him late again next year so he’s still quite fresh for Punchestown…I know it wasn’t intentional this season, but it has worked out rather well.last year Dan Skelton came to our nh preview and mentioned NC as a National horse; I’m sure this is not the case now, and I tend to think that he needs a bit of organizing at his fences, but he definately went down in my notebook as National next year.
- Total Posts 17716
People who were already convinced NC was a top class horse waiting to happen (myself included) should have learned nothing yesterday IMO, he’s made a mediocre field look as much. What it hopefully does is prove that he’s a serious animal to all the doubters who were dismissive of the Gold Cup form based on his proximity to Kauto Star.
I doubt that many were dismissive of NC’s Gold Cup form; rather that the poor form of Kauto Star was responsible for their proximity.
Yesterday’s comfortable 7l victory over a horse that needs a much stiffer test to be anywhere near his best just accentuates the latter point of view.yesterday nipper did everything asked of him both Ruby and Paul said how much he had improved… as for the field he beat well one was 2nd in the ryanair and having seen his trainer after the race he said he thought he needed softer ground… i agree the two old irish horses were well past there best.. but on the way back in i said toRuby that proves PN has the best three 3m chases in the country and he said no the world!!!!!!!!!!
As for DS saying he might be a national horse dont believe a word he obviously doesnt know our family very well because its no chance!!!!!!!!!!!!
Denman and nipper will be kept apart next year till the goldcup and no i dont think we have a chance of beating him but you shouldnt be frightened of one horse…..
i think its such a shame sometimes and we had it with One Man to , the horse was going to get critized no matter what un less he won by 30 lengths which was highly unlikely. so if he wins or gets beat its the same…
Also people said Kauto wasnt right at cheltenham but what about Aintree was he not right ther either????? personally i think he didnt get the trip last year was faster ground and a slower run race, in a true run gold cup he doesnt get home…
But any way heres to nipper thanks very much for yet anther gtreat day and late night…..
Think One Man’s looking down on you all today beckster and smiling, and I’m just so pleased for you all!
thanx moe my lastpost was actually written by lisa hales not me, but yes thankyou they are all well pleased with nipper, i cant wait for him to come home for his holidays… such a shame jack wont be joining them xx
we were stood behind Mr Hales at Cheltenham when Noland came back after his race, and all he wanted was to see his horse come back safe and sound….he also told us to back Nipper at our Cheltenham preview meeting, and we didn’t listen! Have a good summer!!
Also people said Kauto wasnt right at cheltenham but what about Aintree was he not right ther either????? personally i think he didnt get the trip last year was faster ground and a slower run race, in a true run gold cup he doesnt get home…
…One has to wonder whether the Cheltenham form is slightly better than it looked at the time. After Aintree and Punchestown, I’m not even sure that Kauto Star would start shorter than Neptune if the race were run tomorrow (and both horses were fit and well).
Whatever, best of luck with Neptune next year…
The bright yellow Hales colours on a grey is the finest sight in jumps racing imo and watching Neptune this season has always put me in mind of my favourite chaser ever, the magnificent One Man.
The campaigning of Neptune Collanges this season is another tribute to team Nichols and I’m sure Nipper is talented enough to find success in graded chases again next season. Big well done!
take care mate
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.