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Thanks Steeplechasing, I’m still no closer to forming a concrete opinion on the race though!
A case can be made for all the principles, and I find myself unable to confidently rule any of them out of contention.
Our Conor did fold quickly enough to be fair, and you’d have to take it on trust that there was plenty left to work on to back him for Cheltenham.
Mullins says there’s more improvement to come from Hurricane Fly and if he’s right then neither of the two behind will reverse the form in the Leopardstown Champion Hurdle next time out. He’s still the best around imo, but I don’t think he functions at 100% at Cheltenham. Even still he should probably be favourite.
Seemingly Rich Ricci was interviewed on RTÉ during the week and more or less said the Champion Hurdle was the aim for Annie Power. Will Mullins let both Un De Sceaux and Annie Power run against the champion, or even one of them? Perhaps his hand will be forced by his owners. If the two young pretenders still have their reputations intact come March they’ll deserve their chance.
Connections of Our Conor said before the race he could not be any ready for the race?
I heard an interview a week or so ago and I got the impression he was ready to start off but would definitely improve for the run.
This is what Dessie Hughes said today, taken from Sky Sports:
"He’s fine. I was happy enough he got so close. He jumped the last upsides," said Hughes.
"He didn’t have the finest preparation in the world after he got hurt at Naas and was laid up for three weeks to a month.
"You could call it his first run – Naas was a waste of time – so it was a gutsy performance.
"He’ll come on for that. He came on a lot from Leopardstown (Spring Juvenile Hurdle success in February) to Cheltenham last year. It’s the Irish Champion next time and he’ll be ready for it."
I’ve only watched it the once but I’m sure Our Conor pulled quite hard early on which would of not helped his cause.
Blackbeard to conquer the World
I’ve only watched it the once but I’m sure Our Conor pulled quite hard early on which would of not helped his cause.
When TAPK says a horse wont win it inevitably Loses…..
Our Conor
has No chance of winning this seasons Champion hurdle.’Hurricane Fly’ legend that he is wont be winning either,simply because he’s had his day and in ‘The New One’ and
My Tent or yours
he is up against 2 phenomenal young hurdlers.
Jezki
is booked for 3rd place.
Our Conor is a very, very good horse Gord but I agree with you, it’s one thing cantering past juveniles and another stepping up against the likes of the Fly, MTOY’s, TNO, Jezki et el.
Blackbeard to conquer the World
OurConnor beat juveniles in the TH.you say; But he himself was only a novice also.He is still four year old!
The New One,will take all the beating,a little improvement expected,just a slight worry of the last hurdle over excitement from jockey?
Of the principals, I got the impression Jezki will be most suited by the Cheltenham hill. AP was just beginning his run turning in, and fair play to young Mullins who spotted it and simply outrode the champ on a horse with more tactical speed. I think pride/embarrassment might have made AP keep trying for much longer then he should have before pulling back and coming round them.
The Fly had flown before AP got Jezki balanced and running again, but at Cheltenham, with luck, I think you might see a different result.
Jezki already had a go up the Cheltenham hill in the Supreme Novices and couldn’t catch Champagne Fever and My Tent Or Yours on that occasion. I find it hard to see how it would be different this time around against a much stronger field.
Jezki was an impressive winner at Punchestown, turning the form around with Champagne Fever but the evens favourite ran like a drain, leaving the moderate Ted Veale taking second place. I don’t think that form amounted to much with the Supreme winner performing so poorly.
Despite the perception of bad luck in his latest run behind Hurricane Fly, the form book reads "no impression winner" and although it is possible The Fly isn’t at his best at Cheltenham he is 2/3 at the track (and at the highest level) whereas Jezki is 0/2
I would happily lay Jezki at 6/1
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
jezki wont be in the first 3 for the champion hudle ..our conor needed the run the last day and wasnt fluent ..he can improve ..the new one will beat my tent or yours any day of the week..so between the 3 …i think our conor has the most potential and will put it up to the hurricane….p.s i have backed the fly blind with 3 years including last week ..but i am most weary of our conor ..
Just to clarify this is not me before someone gets ideas (looking at you Nathan)
Tommy, anyone with half an eye can see you in the red shirt nearest the camera. The guy in the white shirt and glasses who went a wee bit mental was infact the one and only
CheltenhamSpecialist……..
Blackbeard to conquer the World
Our Conor won the Triumph easy and his form winning juvenile hurdles in ireland before his festival win was very impressive.
Triumph Hurdle winners dont progress through further festival races as well as those winning the Supreme or placed in the Bumper and winning the Neptune so cant have him for the Champion.
Personally I think Champagne Fever would have been good enough to win last years Champion Hurdle but as Mullins had The Fly in there they entered Champagne Fever in The Supreme and won both, conseqeuntly MTOY who ran CF close for second in the Supreme can pick up this years Championship race now Champagne Fevers gone chasing.
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