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Rock On Ruby has gone for a bit of a walk in the market – the 10/1 now looks quite good value unless it is the result of something specific – anyone heard any negative rumours about him?
Don’t get too sure about that. Paul Nicholls has confirmed in his stable tours and interviews that Zarkandar will not go down the Champion Hurdle route this season.
Where have you heard this as I’ve heard the opposite
Haven’t read his stable tour from the Racing Post(not sure if it’s been out yet), but having seen his preview videos on youtube, Nicholls seems pretty sure that the Champion Hurdle is his aim.Oh really, wow. I must have got a bit of misinformation then. I read somebody’s post on another forum, reporting that Nicholls thinks the horse obviously doesn’t have the speed for a Champion Hurdle and will step up gradually via the Ascot Hurdle.
Oh really, wow. I must have got a bit of misinformation then. I read somebody’s post on another forum, reporting that Nicholls thinks the horse obviously doesn’t have the speed for a Champion Hurdle and will step up gradually via the Ascot Hurdle.
Taken from a Paul Nicholls stable tour…..
Zarkandar
He had a little injury that kept him off the course until February. Then he became the first horse ever to win the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury on his seasonal debut but then developed a cough. He never really sparkled after that and did well in the circumstances to be fifth in the Champion Hurdle before falling at Aintree. He’s looking really well and we’ll let him tell us when he’s ready. The Champion Hurdle is again the number one target and he might take in the International at Cheltenham in December. We accept he might need a bit further in time but he should be a stronger horse this year, as a lot of horses strengthen remarkably in their fourth to fifth year.
I’m another big Grandouet fan and have backed him accordingly @ 12s.
but the dark horse and potential value could be Balder Succes.
Nobody knows quite how good this horse could prove to be and there is no evidence yet that he won’t handle quicker ground.
Hopefully he’ll have had his jumping brushed up over the summer and he’s due out in a few weeks time.
50s available with SJ while only 37 on the machine.
Lee
Add another one to the list of Grandouet fans.
Based on ‘feel’ rather than any great statistical analysis, I don’t rate the novice hurdlers from last year particularly highly. Cinders And Ashes is a grinder who didn’t always look the most pacy, so his victory in the Supreme tells a tale for me.
The old guard aren’t appealing, so you have to look elsewhere. Rock on Ruby is a horse i liked last year, but i wouldn’t be confident in a repeat.
So we have to look at last years novices/juveniles or unexposed types. Grandouet definitely fits the bill and is a very likely winner IMO.
Darlan/Montbazon are the most interesting 2 mile second season hurdlers. I didn’t particular believe the hype of Darlan until Cheltenham, and his Aintree win was impressive. Montbazon i would fancy, but apparently is suffering training issues and i’d actually be suprised if he ran this year unfortunately.
Different view on Cinders and Ashes really in that the only time he encountered good ground he put up by far his best performance. Not sure why but the market doesnt seem to reflect his superiority in the Supreme. I look forward to seeing if he has improved over the summer because if he has then he will be a likely winner.
Cant work out why rock on ruby is also priced up at the level he is, baffles me, not too many winners will have been double figure prices even at this stage when defending their champion hurdle crown in the last 10 years. When racing over hurdles over 2 miles or 2 miles 1f he has won every time apart from when he missed the last flight in the xmas hurdle at Kempton and was beaten a neck by Binocular. In all seriousness someone tell me why Hurricane Fly should be half the price. Very strange
Balder Succes running in the Elite tomorrow.
Getting weight from Zarkander and practically levels with Prospect Wells. He’ll most likely need the run but he only has to run into a place and his odds will reduce.
Personally I think the race and weight will suit and expect him to win.
In which case 50/1 will be long gone.
Lee
I am feeling rather vindicated in my negative view of last year’s novices after Zarkandar gave some of the supposed best weight and a beating at Wincanton today.
Maybe it is a little too early to write off Balder Success completely though. Mille Chief had a similar profile and improved markedly from run to run last year before his unfortunate demise. Still, the BS supporters will be a little sheepish now.
With daryl Jacob back in the saddle with Zarkandar he knows the horse better than anyone with prospect wells receiving 17lb today it was a good display of how well Zarkandar stays. Last year didn’t go to plan with little niggles and coughs hopeful of a much improved challenge for the crown of champion hurdler still a long way off the finished article but a solid start.
Like they said after his 5th in the champion last year of you watch the closing stages nothing gets up the hill better. If he’s sitting 4th at the bottom of the hill he ll power home.
My opinion on a few points raised on Zarkandar / Grandouet
Do you think he suited by a fast pace? He won a triumph that was run at a strong pace.
Lump it all on Grandouet? If I remember wasn’t he 3rd to Zarkandar in the triumph????
Zarkandar problems cough, too soon after Newbury, started season too late? All factors that would effect any horses performance but all rolled in to one I don’t think he did to bad.Plus he’s the half brother to zarkava, which has got to be worth something
Taking everything into consideration Zarkandar did remarkably well to finish so close in the CH, yesterday showed just how good he could be giving lumps of weight away and encouragingly jumping far quicker and cleaner. Happy with my ante post bets and Darlan is looking like my main idea of the danger
My opinion on a few points raised on Zarkandar / Grandouet
Do you think he suited by a fast pace? He won a triumph that was run at a strong pace.
Lump it all on Grandouet? If I remember wasn’t he 3rd to Zarkandar in the triumph????
Zarkandar problems cough, too soon after Newbury, started season too late? All factors that would effect any horses performance but all rolled in to one I don’t think he did to bad.Plus he’s the half brother to zarkava, which has got to be worth something
He hit the front too soon, was cantering all over them two out. And then travelling even better at Aintree when brought down.
He will be 6/1-7/1 after winning The International at Cheltenham on the 15th.
I’m happy with my ante post bets on Zarkandar and Darlan and have tonight added 20s about Grandouet winning tomorrow and March
I’m happy with my ante post bets on Zarkandar and Darlan and have tonight added 20s about Grandouet winning tomorrow and March
Without the Grandouet double I’m on the same. I’d join in but unfortunately Christmas is a brassic time
Liked Darlan today. some will say race was set up and so on but (and maybe eyes deceive me here) hes looked very much like a good ground horse that won in spite of conditions. Past changes to engagements perhaps bear that out and if so, thats a big positive
Of the others, i have been with Grandouet so far but slight suspicion he isnt going to battle away. Might be wrong i just believe its so necessary to be a fighter in th CH
I was very unimpressed with HF’s last run and not interested.
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