- This topic has 155 replies, 34 voices, and was last updated 17 years ago by
.
- Posts
I think Master Minded stopped almost like he did at Aintree the other year; ok, he made a mistake at the 2nd last [?], but I thought the petrol had run out at that point. Big Zeb would have won had he jumped the last.
Definitely agree about Big Zeb could have won that, MM looked to be running on empty at the death there, suspectsomething may have been amiss, was going really well and then virtually nothing.
Gutted I never backed Rare Bob, I quite fancied Cooldine to get overturned today but, when I looked at Rare Bob I actually liked the look of him but campaignwise I thought this looked like a desperate attempt to get him a race after his Irish National Flop and he may not be 100%.
Didnt believe that the ground for the first two days at cheltenham was riding soft, and with Kempes overturning Go Native and Cooldine not seeing out the trip quite as effectively today, when heavily fancied by Mullins, I still think that was the case at cheltenham. Killyglen definitely looks like the one to take from the 3mile novice chasing division for me.
I’ve just seen the race for the first time (didnt have a bet on this at all)…
I just wonder whether Big Zeb was really going to get there? The vibes from the markets are that he went 1/10 in running. He wasnt that close! He only got that close after the line, where he actually overtook MM one stride after the post.
I’ll be slightly controversial here and say that I think Big Zeb is the kind of horse that finds something extra when he hits a fence when under pressure. Theyre rare types but you do see those type of horses that almost get ‘spooked’ that they run on!
MM bottomed out, he wont run so soon after Cheltenham again!
I am pretty new when it comes to races, so it is good to see all your comments here. I have to find out where I can see which horse is running at what time at this festival. All I know so far is that Master Minded won a race today.
I dont know if something perhaps happened to Master Minded towards the end there, he was going very well until virtually just coming to a stand still. May have pulled something.
I wouldnt be in any sort of hurry to back big zeb at 7s for the QMCC on the back of that run, as neither horse looked to be going that well at the end there and IMO he has missed his window.
I am pretty new when it comes to races, so it is good to see all your comments here. I have to find out where I can see which horse is running at what time at this festival. All I know so far is that Master Minded won a race today.
Hi Debby, you can find the cards on "Racing Post", "Sportinglife" or "irish racing websites". Also, If you log into the website "At The Races" (you will have to give them a few basic details first) then you can watch replays of all todays races from punchestown (they also have cards there too i think).
If Big Zeb had jumped the last and got away from the fence, he would have beaten Master Minded there, i have no doubt about that.
Hurricane Fly was impressive, after getting boxed in for a while before nudging his way through.
3/1 for next years’ Champion Hurdle is ridiculous though.
Many thanks Bulwark. As I said, I am fairly new and I am still learning and discovering things every day. I am going to look for At The Races. Many thanks for the tips.
- Total Posts 17716
First off I think I am losing the plot completely. I could have swore I read yesterday tthe ground was perfect/good.
So much for Alberta’s
never mind staranger thing have happened.I think Noel Meade should be sacked and I should take over training his horses
. Did the man learn nothing from Cheltenham? Absolutely no pace on at all.Iam taking nothing away from Hurricane Fly that was an absolutely brilliant performance from a novice and just about what I expected if the pace was slow.
You have to love the bookies though. They cut him to 4/1 (7/2) with Corals and Binocular is still at 6’s in places buta few cut himas well to 5’s . They really do take the punters for mugs at times. Only Corals ahve Binocular at 13/2.
Master Minded certainly looked the part comig of the final bend and looked in a different class to Big Zeb and looked like leaving him for dead but the the whole picture changed by the 2nd last..
As Mo points out it looked like Aintree all over again which may be a clue to why he didn’t sparkle like he has ealrlier in the season.
Absolutely no doubt Big Zeb would have won.
Surely that wasn’t him reaching his stamina limitations though. There isn’t a better judge of pace than Ruby and I doubt he would make the mistake of going too fast.
I think there is more to it than the ground and stamina. Ruby reckons he wasn’t quite himself at Cheltenham and he certainly was no where near as impressive as he was at Sandown. He’s only a young horse and perhaps he’s feeling the strain of being kept on the go so long. PN did say he’s hard to keep right and perhaps a good break is all he needs to get back to himself.
Now evens for the QMCC I’m sure PN will learn from this and have the horse spot on by March 2009 .He’ll be even stronger next year and perhaps be stay at his peak longer.
That evens could look a very very good price when he storms up the hill for the third time.
I’l be looking to take a bit of that along with Crack Away Jack if Alberta’s is unplaced tomorrow.
If Big Zeb had jumped the last and got away from the fence, he would have beaten Master Minded there, i have no doubt about that.
Hurricane Fly was impressive, after getting boxed in for a while before nudging his way through.
3/1 for next years’ Champion Hurdle is ridiculous though.
Agreed Gaz – it’s far too big. There’s only one possible horse in the Hurricane’s league – only one who can quicken off a fast pace and can cruise up to them on the bridle and go past. Both are too big
Agreed Gaz – it’s far too big. There’s only one possible horse in the Hurricane’s league – only one who can quicken off a fast pace and can cruise up to them on the bridle and go past. Both are too big
And she’ll go to the mares race again IS!
Seriously impressed by the Hurricane again today. It was a messy enough old race and Ruby hardly covered himself in glory but the distance this horse can put between himself and his rivals when shaken up is just incredible. The only doubt I have about him is that he’s a Montjeu and it’s probably questionable as to whether he’ll have the longevity of the stouter national hunt breds. He’s got a serious engine though and he’ll set the standard amongst our two milers next year without doubt.
All credit to Barry Geraghty for what I thought was an inspired ride on Big Zeb in the Kerrygold. It’s the second time he’s took Master Minded on (Petit Robin in the QMCC) and the Nicholls horse hasn’t looked overly impressive. I don’t think there is any doubt that he’d have won if he hadn’t tried to take the last fence home with him to Wexford! That’s how it looked from my vantage point on track anyway. Funnily enough, the last fence was due to be omitted because of a collapsed drain but it was repaired in time. I’m sure Colm Murphy won’t be thanking the groundstaff.
Cooldine was the disappointment of the day. I’m a huge fan of the horse but I was concerned that he’d be beaten today and my fears were realised. I thought Joncol might be the horse to do it so I was surprised when Rare Bob put his head in front especially with this race coming so soon after the National. He’s been knocking on the door all year though and was due a big one. That was clearly not Cooldine’s running though and I still think he’ll be a Gold Cup contender come next spring.
If Big Zeb had jumped the last and got away from the fence, he would have beaten Master Minded there, i have no doubt about that.
Hurricane Fly was impressive, after getting boxed in for a while before nudging his way through.
3/1 for next years’ Champion Hurdle is ridiculous though.
Agreed Gaz – it’s far too big. There’s only one possible horse in the Hurricane’s league – only one who can quicken off a fast pace and can cruise up to them on the bridle and go past. Both are too big
Who’s the second one IS?
I still think Binocular might actually do it next year
IC has it bob on – Quevega will be running in the Champion if I have to drive the horse box myself (I’d have to pass my test first)
never mind staranger thing have happened.
. Did the man learn nothing from Cheltenham? Absolutely no pace on at all.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.