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I don’t know if I am missing a trick here and hopefully someone will put me right.
Nicky Henderson says he is concerned about the ground for tomorrow, but I don’t understand why.
The horse as won on going from heavy to good, so what is he concerned about. If SS had shown a disliking for soft ground then I would understand but he’s not as he won 3 times on ground described as soft and once on heavy.
Somebody please enlighten me or is he just making excuses before the race.SS is not getting any younger so imagine he takes a little bit longer to reach peak fitness. He was such a fluent mover in his prime that sticky ground wouldn’t be ideal.
Oh and Nicky’s record with chasers recently is horrific so yes he is getting the excuses in early.
Henderson is the jumps equivalent of Gosden / AOB, never shuts up about the bloody ground. “Sticky, tacky, dead” it’s a bit of rain in England FFS, who’d have thunk it.
BUY THE SUN
I can only think he’s concerned about how tiring he might find hauling that huge frame through tacky ground, but I think the most encouraging factor from a betting viewpoint is that he has the horse ready so early in the season. He must have had a pretty smooth prep, for the first time in a long time. Even past his best, he’s the fastest in the race by some way, and very well treated. PPower go 3/1,cash back as a free bet if 2nd, and I’ve taken that.
Henderson is the jumps equivalent of Gosden / AOB, never shuts up about the bloody ground. “Sticky, tacky, dead” it’s a bit of rain in England FFS, who’d have thunk it.
Yes, annoying isn’t it? I still haven’t forgiven Gosden for not running Golden Horn in the King George. I really do need to get over that but as yet I haven’t managed it.
As for Sprinter Sacre Henderson should run him. According to Henderson he really doesn’t want to wait to race this horse, Sprinter is ready to go right now. If that is the case I can’t see any reason not to run him. Sprinter Sacre has won on heavy ground and on soft twice over fences. The ground won’t be a problem for him.
People think and worry too much that’s their problem.
Soft or heavy ground wouldn’t be an issue as horses can get through it better, but when it is drying it goes through that phase of being dead/sticky/tacky which takes much more effort to gallop on and that is the ground Henderson is worried about.
For me, I have always been of the thought that he is purely a bridle horse and that once he comes of it he is vunerable as he doesn’t find much if anything – the conditions of the race vastly favour him, so if he can’t win or go close today you would have to wonder whether they will continue with him.
Mr Mole has a good record first time out and I would take a chance on him not playing about at the start and having an easy lead out front but I think Simply Ned with the benefit of a run should not be discounted.
He’s baaack…
If Sprinter Sacre is in that type of form come March, Un De Sceaux could have his ass handed to him.
This guy is a machine. All he does is work out and pick winners. Talk about fit. You should see him without his shirt off, serious side of beef.
Magnificent. The jumps season starts today!!!
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
I just love seeing him in the winning enclosure. Such a smart horse, acknowledging the crowd. Fingers crossed all goes well leading up to the festival as that would be one cool story bro.
I can only think he’s concerned about how tiring he might find hauling that huge frame through tacky ground, but I think the most encouraging factor from a betting viewpoint is that he has the horse ready so early in the season. He must have had a pretty smooth prep, for the first time in a long time. Even past his best, he’s the fastest in the race by some way, and very well treated. PPower go 3/1,cash back as a free bet if 2nd, and I’ve taken that.
Spot on Joe, 3/1 looks a CRAZY price now, I’d imagine Paddy
must have been skinned alive with that one.Such a relief to see a great horse looking like the horse
of old. Lets hope he keeps sound
Heart warming to see but it is still just the first step on a long road – the first two home were getting weight from the rest of the field so if he repeats the dose in the Tingle Creek against better rivals off level weights, then game on.
I still haven’t forgiven Gosden for not running Golden Horn in the King George. I really do need to get over that but as yet I haven’t managed it.
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Perhaps remembering that he ran in the Derby, Eclipse, Juddmonte International, Irish Champion, Arc and Breeders Cup might help. If not try the fact he ran in April, May, June, July, August, September and then twice in October. If none of that clears it up I would suggest seeking a medical opinion.
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
Thanks, BigG. Betting aside, days like these are rare, when dreams rise again from nightmares. Delighted for Henderson and his team. He’s never been the easiest trainer to read, but I have always liked him.
On the subject of why Nicky Henderson being a little worried about Soft or heavy: Action is that of a good ground performer, jumping style much better suited to fast conditions and main asset is speed. May be true that he’s won many times on “soft”, but just because a horse wins does not mean he’s run to his best. Sprinter Sacre’s best performances have been on no softer than good-soft. So – with SS probably not as good as he was – Henderson was quite reasonably concerned his now soft/heavy form (which was likely to be worse than his old soft/heavy form) may not be good enough.
As so often the case, when a trainer is truthful about his horses/opinions some are a bit too sceptical.
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