- This topic has 11 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 11 months ago by
.
- Posts
Not eaxctly a ‘big’ race, but what an intriguing line-up.
The favourite is Backspin, who landed the Challow Hurdle in very impressive fashion on his latest start. He beat subsequent winners, Court In Motion and Al Ferof that day – they have recently won by 20L and 21L, respectively.
Rock On Ruby continues on an upward curve and it would be unwise to keep underestimating this fellow. Beat a couple of smart performers in Megastar and Kid Cassidy at Kempton last time out and boasts a course victory.
Another course winner, Champion Court, appears well named. He looked every inch a champion when showing a smart turn of foot to win a Grade 2 at this venue in November. The form of that race leaves him with something to find, but he was electric that day.
Nicky Henderson has some fine juvenile hurdlers and it’s impossible to know just how good Bobs Worth is. Another who has to improve to beat the likes of Backspin, but there is a lot to like about what he’s shown thus far.
Champion Court looked a potential superstar last time out and I think he can upset the leading trio.
- Total Posts 17716
Backspin’s form is in a different league to the rest of this field. Banker.
Easily the most interesting race of the day. The bare result last time suggests Backspin might be the second best novice behind Cue Card so it will be disappointing if he gets beat.
Too short to back today though and consequently have had a little on Drive Time in the market without the favourite.
I like to see a novice do it at Cheltenham before getting too stuck in. That is why I like the chances of two – Champion Court and Bobs Worth.
Champion Court was lined up to run in Ireland a few days back, I cannot remember where – He got pulled from it, I think the ground might have been heavy. Nothing wrong with these conditions and it is going to carry the burden of my betting slip!
Yes, the Backspin bubble appearing to be well and truly and burst. Whichever race at the Festival if you have backed a horse without course form there is always going to be a doubt.
Backspin might well have underperformed today but I pointed out on another forum that I doubt his beating of Court in Motion will stand up. CIM was given a bad ride that day too far off the pace and CIM will have the beating of Backspin over 2m5f if they ever met. I was hoping CIM would drift for the Albet Bartlett after Backspins defeat but clearly it was obvious that Backspins win that day was bogus.
Their be no novice winners out of that race. A farcical early pace means the form is useless
- Total Posts 17716
Gobsmacked!
How can you say that Ruby?
To be honest I couldn’t bring myself to bet in the race and wasn’t around anyway.
The race may have thrown up a bit of a false result but the winner was still very impressive.
Knowing Jonjo and Nicky Henderson’s methods neither trainer would have their horses 110% fit 6 weeks before Cheltenham and a sprint finish is the last thing you want for a horse who is a bit short and there’s a chance he may blow up…..I’d totally ignore Backspin’s run he is a very very good horse and will be a different ball game come March. The fact Bob’s Worth has won this so well speaks volumes to how good he is, in my book.
I’d be surprised if both weren’t involved in the finish of the Neptune as they will both appreciate a much stronger gallop and be much fitter on the day.
Gobsmacked!
How can you say that Ruby?
To be honest I couldn’t bring myself to bet in the race and wasn’t around anyway.
The race may have thrown up a bit of a false result but the winner was still very impressive.
Knowing Jonjo and Nicky Henderson’s methods neither trainer would have their horses 110% fit 6 weeks before Cheltenham and a sprint finish is the last thing you want for a horse who is a bit short and there’s a chance he may blow up…..I’d totally ignore Backspin’s run he is a very very good horse and will be a different ball game come March. The fact Bob’s Worth has won this so well speaks volumes to how good he is, in my book.
I’d be surprised if both weren’t involved in the finish of the Neptune as they will both appreciate a much stronger gallop and be much fitter on the day.
I would agree this was a very good race, arguably the best novice hurdle of the season. The winner has a very good attitude and I would expect him to confirm the form with the runner up even if Ruby is on board. Can’t share your optimism for Backspin though and although I often take this trainer’s comments with a pinch of salt I think he got it right in saying the horse was simply not good enough. The tendency he showed to hang is hardly a plus either. The market confirmed he was fit enough to win. Incidently, what price would For Non Stop have gone off for the Challow had the race been run after yesterday?
I say it because did anything jump out of the screen at you for the novice races.
I think Henderson as a few better than tat winner and he did win easily in the end but the race at the festival will be the opposite to yesterday.
Also the winner was pushed along out paced around 3 out so their is question which race will suit him best. I be laying all the horses in that race persoanally for the festival.
Need to wait until the actual decs before we know what horse fits where.
- Total Posts 17716
I’m sure Nicky has better horses but I doubt if he has anything better suited to the Neptune than this horse.
What Jonjo said was he wasn’t good enough today which translated probably means he wasn’t very fit but will be at Cheltenham
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.