- This topic has 116 replies, 34 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 1 month ago by
.
-
Posts
-
With information now starting to filter through regarding the up and coming jumps season I just thought I’d start a thread for everyone to get their thoughts down on anything they fancy to be decent this season, or anything theyve noticed since the end of the 2007/2008 season.
One thing I’ve noticed is that Kauto Star is out to as big as 7-1 for the Gold Cup, theres usually no smoke without fire, and I think if he was back to his old self that wouldnt be the case.
Nicholls has mentioned that he wants to step Celestial Halo up in trip, and I fancied him last season to go much further than 2 miles. I think he could well be aimed at the World Hurdle, which must surely be due a transitional period by now, with Inglis Drever getting on and the rest of the competition being more tha beatable it could be an easy target for what is a very smart horse.
I backed Binocular last season for the Champ Hurdle before his aintree win but at a far bigger price I think Rippling Ring may be overpriced at 40-1. Nicholls really fancied him as a serious horse in the supreme novice last season but said (before and after) that he had problems acclimitising as he had arrived from south africa in his summer coat. He wasnt disgraced in the supreme novice (which was a very good race) and if he is indeed better than that then he is overlooked.
I noticed the other week that Mourilyan has changed hands from John Oxx to Moore and will no doubt be aimed at a stab at the Supreme Novices, he had some decent pieces of form in dubai and his third to hattan suggests he’s still got it.
Despite Master Minded probably being my favorite horse of last season I dont think I’ll be able to bring myself to back him this season as he’ll be well odds on every start, but with nicholls saying he has improved once again, I cant wait to see him.
Keen to everyone’s thoughts…
I wonder would Binocular be better on flat tracks than Cheltenham?
Agree about Rippling Ring.
I think following his success on the flat on Sunday, Kasbah Bliss is much the most likely horse to win the World Hurdle; still only a six year old.
It’s pretty awful this new trend of charging £12 for the stable tour, as being done by Nicholls, Pipe et al. Really not helping racing at all, and not sure where the need or idea comes from.
The 2m novice chasing division is shaping like a cracker- Captain Cee Bee, Straw Bear, Afsoun, Snap Tie, Ashkazar & Osana to name but a few are all possibles.
Horses I’m looking forward to seeing (off the top of my head):
Air Force One- looks the chief danger to Denman in the Hennessy IMO.
An Accordion- Grade 1/2 winner waiting to happen.
Barber’s Shop- still well handicapped IMO, Paddy Power possible off 136.
Viking Rebel- 33/1 for the RSA is cracking value, although I’m also quite a fan of The Tother One.The way Tidal Bay and Voy Por are campaigned is also going to be very interesting IMO.
Forpaddydeplasterer [have I spelt that right?]..I hope the season doesn’t just revolve around Paul Nicholls, Denman and Kauto Star..excited as I was about all the hype last year [couldn’t wait for Gold Cup day] I think the glory needs to be spread around a bit.
Friggo – I may be wrong, but I thought I read David Pipe saying Ashkazar and Osana would be aimed at the Champion Hurdle.
He definitely said Osana re-appears in the Boylesports, but if all is not going well hurdling, he may switch then to the larger obstacles.
Andrew
Friggo – I may be wrong, but I thought I read David Pipe saying Ashkazar and Osana would be aimed at the Champion Hurdle.
I heard that as well, but in all honesty I’d still be surprised if both were aimed at the Champion (I’d be equally surprised if both went for the Arkle, mind you).
Is there any betting out yet for the Paddy Power?
I don’t think so, though I haven’t searched exhaustively. It usually appears about the same time as the Silver Trophy IIRC.
Regarding Binocular and a flat track, I think that could be more suitable but think that the reason he was beaten at chelto was the ground combined with the solid pace throughout the race just stretching beyond his optimum. The early pace in this years champion wasnt as strong, by my recollection it was a slower time aswell, thanks to osana attempting to lead them a merry dance.
I think Binocular could have won this years champion as he is all speed and that was the sort of race it was, but with good ground at cheltenham he would be hard to beat. The only foreseeable problem is that he and katchit are very similar horses and both would be suited to the same style of running, so it will all come down to who is the better of the two, I think we will probably find that out long before cheltenham.
Agree about the novice chasing division, in fact I like all the novice divisions really.
Tidal Bay. Need I say more?
C’mon, people. The mighty Inglis Drever will still be the one to beat at Cheltenham – unless they take the hill away!
It’s Denman this, Kauto that. What about Neptune Collonges? Always a horse with plenty of potential, he ran a great race at Cheltenham before travelling to Punchestown and securing a second win in their Gold Cup.
Sure to improve further this season.
Agree about Air Force One. A proper chasing type. Was Mr Mulligan ever cloned?
He showed great resilience to return from his poor Cheltenham effort to secure wins at Market Rasen and Punchestown. Not sure Cheltenham is his course, but he’ll certainly be an interesting candidate in three mile chases on a flat track.
Voy Por Ustedes competing against some top class animals over two miles-four. A possible for the King George, too?
Is Master Minded the real deal? Was he just a one race wonder? I hope not, but we’ll soon know the truth!
Binocular, Katchit, Captain Cee Bee etc etc
Eagerly anticipating an exciting season. Can’t wait.
I want to be against the first four home in this years Stayers, and reckon Elusive Dream will start a relentless march towards World Hurdle success, in the Long Walk.
Air Force One has the look of a horse that’s going to be hard to place next season, to me, though I do admire Charlie Mann’s confidence. He’s like a breath of hot air.
The ballsy Chasing Cars is one for staying novice chases in Ireland.
There are a zillion others…………..
I’m bored with the new season already……….the same old tired names………blah di blah di blah!
Colin
Forpaddydeplasterer [have I spelt that right?]…
I think the paddy has only one d.. I think he will be a star this season..
Kauto at 7s? That could look very big quite quickly. If, god forbid, Denman goes a bit backwards or misses out, hes still the one for me
Interesting to see Afsoun go chasing. Henderson has indicated in the past that he jumps particularly well
Heez a Dreamer in big slogging soft ground handicaps. I always like venetias in those races and his one run last year was a good one against a good field
King has said he expects Katchit to have improved. If so, hes obviously going to be hard to beat at Cheltenham
Kingy also said that Group Captain was his best chance of a Cheltenham Festival winner.
Colin
I want to be against the first four home in this years Stayers, and reckon Elusive Dream will start a relentless march towards World Hurdle success, in the Long Walk.
I like Elusive Dream and backed him at Aintree, but I can’t see him liking the hill too much at this stage. I’d definitely be out to get the Drever if I were laying (personally I don’t think he’ll even make it to Cheltenham), but Kasbah Bliss sets a good standard IMO now he’s shown he stays, whilst blinkers may just keep Blazing Bailey going when faced with the hill. With most of the best staying novices going chasing this year, I’m struggling to see past Kasbah to be honest.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.