The Champion Hurdle

[Zoso]

Thanks Aragon good luck to you also.

The way I see things is if I was not confident then why would I bother to have a bet. Im so confident about the winner coming from Sublimity, Afsoun and Catch Me that I will be backing up my opinion with serious money.

Basically this race will be my biggest stake in the last 2 years. I will be splitting that stake on the three horses so that the winnings is the same whichever one wins.

Before anyone asks me to reveal my biggest ever stake, let me point out that this is a pointless excersise.

For all anyone knows I could be a multi millionaire and a 5k bet is neither here nor there, then again, I could be on the dole and a £10 bet could be a massive punt for me. Its the internet I can tell you whatever I like.

Instead I choose not to reveal any ammounts except to guarantee you that this is my biggest punt for years. Confidence is sky high. Afsoun, Catch Me or Sublimity.

I will be doing handstands and screaming when one of my boys puts the race to bed.

I dont normally get excited about any bet, win or lose, I tend to keep a poker face but this bet, boy aint I excited and I wont be wrong.

I can guarantee everybody that I wont be coming on this thread after one of my 3 horses has won saying I told you so.

I have said my piece pre race and all the talking will be done in the race itself. I will have no need to say anything after the race.

I wish everyone luck who has a bet in the race but must once again warn you if your selection is not one of the magic 3 then you are destined to taste defeat.

[Tuffers]

Zoso

I’ve already backed Catch Me and I’ll be tempted to back Sublimity if the ground is no worse than good and I get the nod from the boys in the pre-parade ring.

I’ve looked carefully at Afsoun but for me he is just a more exposed version of Catch Me and so I’m happy to reduce your shortlist to 2.

[Katchit]

For me there are two chains of thought here. The old and the new.

In one camp you have Sublimity and Afsoun and the other camp you have SE Katchit Osana and it’s a case of chosing which camp your in.

In between we have Mr Lonely………Harchibald No Friends….he would travel with the best of any generation whether it be hardy Eusatace or Persian War he’s got one of the highest cruising speed I ever saw in a hurdler……unfortunately for him a Bridle Horse has never won a CH

I have to say that I think Fist is right but am inclined to think that all three places will be filled by the new and the lonely…

Can’t have Afsoun (regardless of profile) looked massively outclassed in the Boylesports as did Straw Bear… Osana or SE whichever is best will be in the three with Katchit and Harchibald – can’t guess the order though

[Zoso]

Is anyone aware of a previous champion hurdle winner who fell in the same season he won the champion hurdle?

I have looked back over the last 10 years and no winner had fallen in the same season they won the CH. That has to be a big bad omen for Sizing Europe backers as Sizing Europe has already hit the deck, back in October. I noticed that the legendary Istabraq was sent off 2/1 fav for the race in 2002, that was a season when he fell, he ended up being pulled up.

The more I look at the race the more confident I become. I may well increase stakes for my three. Afzoooooooooom just keeps looking better and better and better. Micky Fitzgerald, Nicky Henderson and Afsoun – a winning combination. Disregard the profiles at your displeasure.

[Fist of Fury 2k8]

Did you know Dester Orchid fell over hurdles? Hasn’t got much to do with the price of coal Zoso………..have good nights sleep mate and enjoy the Champion Hurdle………..keep one ball attached though when laying SE or you could end up speaking in a very high voice

Take care

[Zoso]

Sublimity comes out to meet Sizing Europe
But Sizing starts to retreat
If Sizing Europe jumps any higher
He’ll wind up in Richard Hoiles commentary seat

Afsoun swings to the left
Catch Me swings to the right
Look at the young pretender Osana
Trying to carry the fight

Harchibald keeps on tracking
But there’s not enough room
3 furlongs to go and It’s a matter of time
Before Sublimity lowers the boom

Now Sublimity switches to the right
What a beautiful thing!
And deposits Osana, Katchit and Harchibald
Clean out of the betting ring

It’s the last fence and Sizing Europes still rising
But the favourite backers wear a frown
For they can’t start counting the money
Till Sizing Europe comes down

Now Sizing Europe disappears from view
The crowd is getting frantic
But our radar stations have picked him up
He’s somewhere over the mid Atlantic

Who would have thought that
When they came to the fight
That they would have witnessed
The launching of the first ever horse satellite!"

[Fist of Fury 2k8]

Boing!!!! said Sizing Zebidee Excellent stuff Zoso

[The real barney]

Punjabi must have a great chance of placing where the horses at the front of the market (Harchibald excepted ) all have questions to answer. He looks tailor made for a hold up ride I don’t think he will be outpaced.He looks to have improved this year, he’s only five, yet was one of the top Juveniles last season. Looks to have been readied specifically for the day, so he must be good.

[Seventy Four]

Excellent verse Zoso – very well done !

Huge smile on my face here.

[Getzippy]

Osanna EW looks a good bet.

Sublimity and Sizing Europe for the reverse forecast (I would also do both these dangers in a smal R/F too)

Zip

[Seventy Four]

I am not a fan of the Champion Hurdle especially and have a shocking record in predicting the winner of it (probably have to go back to the days of Night Nurse or Comedy of Errors to find my last winner ! ).

However, I have been impressed by Sizing Europe’s perfomances this season and hope to see him land the spoils tomorrow.

[dubai_millennium]

Straw Bear for me e/w @ 25’s. Yes he is completely hit and miss but he is a Grade 1 winner this season and will get the ground he likes. Would need to improve for sure but worth a nibble IMO.

[manwithaplan]

I’m not on Sizing Europe ante post but I have won a few quid on him in the past, including at a nice price in a maiden hurdle in Newbury a year and a half ago. Good to soft will be perfect, he’ll like the big field and he’ll get every yard of the trip. I have been hesitating but I’ll take a guaranteed 5/2 tomorrow morning if I can get it.

[Zoso]

I would think you will be able to get 7/2 on betfair on Sizing Europe before the race tomorrow as I expect him to drift.

Or you could always wait and take the 1000.00 in running.

[The real barney]

Punjabi seems to me to be Henderson’s first string so he may do better than just place. I have just seen a program where the interviewer asked if he had an each way chance.
I thought Henderson was going to splutter, he didn’t however. He stated that "See You Then went there as an each way chance (champion hurdle) and three years later he had won three."

Praise Indeed.

[Author]

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