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I’m sleeping soundly tonight having Zarkandar(14/1) and Darlan(12/1) both tucked away ante post. I was actually quite surprised the latter won today as I assumed his lack of race fitness may have paid against Countrywide Flame. I can still see Cinders And Ashes coming back on better ground but I’ve always been a believer that Darlan would of had his measure with a clearer run in last years’ Supreme. The only threat I see to my pair at the moment is Grandouet. Definitely a potential fly in the ointment
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.
Was half right, now 6/1-7/1, and he is still the heir apparent and next Champion Hurdle winner.
Have insurance on both Darlan and Oscar Whisky at 14/1 at the start of the season, but everything pretty much hinges on this for me!
Hi,
I doubt either Darlan or Oscar Whiskey will win at Cheltenham 2013.
Oscar Whiskey main target is the Aintree Hurdle and that is where he will get his optimum trip of 2 & 1/2 miles. Darlan is way too short considering he won a very slow paced trial at Kempton. He is speedy but you need much plenty stamina to win the Champion Hurdle. Yes he has ran well at Cheltenham in the supreme novices hurdle last year but that was a slow run race as well. He made a jumping error in that race and once again at Kempton his jumping was suspect.The top two in the market Hurricane Fly and Darlan are worth taking on big time in my opinion..great value to be had against the bookies and crowdCannot wait for March.
NickGood write up ‘Hurdy’but you are on the wrong Henderson horse here my friend!
Spirit Son
was my ‘Ante-Post Banker’ of all bankers for this years festival,I fancied him big time,I haven’t been put off him one bit for next years race and will certainly snaffle what double figure prices I can before then.(He owes me)!
However my number 1 selection for the 2013 Champion Hurdle is without any doubtDarlan
,I just see so much scope in the horse its unreal,his improvement over the past 4 months is quite phenomenal and with natural mental and physical development to come I see him being trained with the race as his prime target,(Always a good sign)! I’ve taken 20/1 3 times already and keep topping up on the machine,he’ll get the ‘Binocular’ treatment from now on though so dont expect to see him at his best till the day in question,bit like most of my Ante-Post wagers do!
Now who was it that said I hadn’t put this fellow up?? 25/03/12 appears to be the date of the post,a helluva long time ago now but someones got a short memory methinks!
After looking at last year’s race a few times now, I think the one to take from it has to be Binocular. Some may think I’m mad, but he had already beaten Rock On Ruby in the Christmas hurdle, albeit only just. Then in the CH itself, I think we saw two of the worst rides we’ve seem from the two best jump jockeys of all time in Walsh and McCoy. Walsh thought he was on the best horse in the race and would win easily, yet let the winner slip too far out. And it was plainly obvious that McCoy’s thoughts were to shadow Hurricane Fly throughout and pounce late. They both got it terribly wrong on the day. Coming to the last they still had loads of ground to make up, and if Binocular hadn’t smashed through the last hurdle he may well have got a lot closer to the winner than the four lengths imply. If Binocular is ridden more positively or in similar fashion to when he won the race back in 2010, he must have a major chance of confirming the form with Rock on Ruby from the Christmas hurdle. With ROR a general 8/1 – 9/1 chance,and many think he can win again, the 25/1 I took on Binocular has to be the value call. (Now 20/1) Obviously with a couple of new faces on the block in Darlan and Grandouet you can’t be sure, but looking back on the runners from last year, I’m certain at the prices, he has to be the value. McCoy has stated he won’t choose between Darlan and Binocular until two days before the race, so he clearly feels the horse still has ability, and the trainer also thinks he still has a champion hurdle left in him. Looking forward to the race!
After looking at last year’s race a few times now, I think the one to take from it has to be Binocular. Some may think I’m mad, but he had already beaten Rock On Ruby in the Christmas hurdle, albeit only just. Then in the CH itself, I think we saw two of the worst rides we’ve seem from the two best jump jockeys of all time in Walsh and McCoy. Walsh thought he was on the best horse in the race and would win easily, yet let the winner slip too far out. And it was plainly obvious that McCoy’s thoughts were to shadow Hurricane Fly throughout and pounce late. They both got it terribly wrong on the day. Coming to the last they still had loads of ground to make up, and if Binocular hadn’t smashed through the last hurdle he may well have got a lot closer to the winner than the four lengths imply. If Binocular is ridden more positively or in similar fashion to when he won the race back in 2010, he must have a major chance of confirming the form with Rock on Ruby from the Christmas hurdle. With ROR a general 8/1 – 9/1 chance,and many think he can win again, the 25/1 I took on Binocular has to be the value call. (Now 20/1) Obviously with a couple of new faces on the block in Darlan and Grandouet you can’t be sure, but looking back on the runners from last year, I’m certain at the prices, he has to be the value. McCoy has stated he won’t choose between Darlan and Binocular until two days before the race, so he clearly feels the horse still has ability, and the trainer also thinks he still has a champion hurdle left in him. Looking forward to the race!
After looking at last year’s race a few times now, I think the one to take from it has to be Binocular. Some may think I’m mad, but he had already beaten Rock On Ruby in the Christmas hurdle, albeit only just. Then in the CH itself, I think we saw two of the worst rides we’ve seem from the two best jump jockeys of all time in Walsh and McCoy. Walsh thought he was on the best horse in the race and would win easily, yet let the winner slip too far out. And it was plainly obvious that McCoy’s thoughts were to shadow Hurricane Fly throughout and pounce late. They both got it terribly wrong on the day. Coming to the last they still had loads of ground to make up, and if Binocular hadn’t smashed through the last hurdle he may well have got a lot closer to the winner than the four lengths imply. If Binocular is ridden more positively or in similar fashion to when he won the race back in 2010, he must have a major chance of confirming the form with Rock on Ruby from the Christmas hurdle. With ROR a general 8/1 – 9/1 chance,and many think he can win again, the 25/1 I took on Binocular has to be the value call. (Now 20/1) Obviously with a couple of new faces on the block in Darlan and Grandouet you can’t be sure, but looking back on the runners from last year, I’m certain at the prices, he has to be the value. McCoy has stated he won’t choose between Darlan and Binocular until two days before the race, so he clearly feels the horse still has ability, and the trainer also thinks he still has a champion hurdle left in him. Looking forward to the race!
That quite nicely sums up my take on this race. Come on McCoy, choose Binny and roll back the years! 20’s far too big.
Grandouet and the Fly for me, either way 12s and 6s will do me
. The rest won’t see which way they go.Grandouet and the Fly for me, either way 12s and 6s will do me
. The rest won’t see which way they go.Funny you should put up Hurricane Fly in the very last post Shack. I just went through the thread in it’s entirety and noticed that despite one or two saying they couldn’t rule him out, not one person other than yourself tipped him up outright. Now this may sound a little strange to say about an ante post favourite and former champ, but I think he could well be the ‘wild card’ in this and the forgotten horse of the race. As I said, he is favourite, but his claims seem to have already been dismissed by many. My opinion of him has always been that with an injury-free career he would have been the best Champion Hurdler since Istabraq, and one of the best of all time. His relatively poor showing last year has been put down to a poor ride from Ruby, but even so I don’t think anyone can say he was 100% at it that day. His form from this season is questionable, more so than ever I’d say(given the old ‘he’s only ever beaten Solwhit’ spiel), but I suppose he can only beat what’s in front of him. Rather than using that against him though, I think the biggest question would be just how much of that old sparkle remains with him as a 9 year old? If Willie has somehow got him as good as ever than personally I don’t see him getting beaten. It’s a big if however, big enough to make me an opposer. I certainly wouldn’t want to go laying him though! Suppose it’s just another element that makes an already fascinating race that much more intriguing.
Grandouet and the Fly for me, either way 12s and 6s will do me
. The rest won’t see which way they go.Funny you should put up Hurricane Fly in the very last post Shack. I just went through the thread in it’s entirety and noticed that despite one or two saying they couldn’t rule him out, not one person other than yourself tipped him up outright. Now this may sound a little strange to say about an ante post favourite and former champ, but I think he could well be the ‘wild card’ in this and the forgotten horse of the race. As I said, he is favourite, but his claims seem to have already been dismissed by many. My opinion of him has always been that with an injury-free career he would have been the best Champion Hurdler since Istabraq, and one of the best of all time. His relatively poor showing last year has been put down to a poor ride from Ruby, but even so I don’t think anyone can say he was 100% at it that day. His form from this season is questionable, more so than ever I’d say(given the old ‘he’s only ever beaten Solwhit’ spiel), but I suppose he can only beat what’s in front of him. Rather than using that against him though, I think the biggest question would be just how much of that old sparkle remains with him as a 9 year old? If Willie has somehow got him as good as ever than personally I don’t see him getting beaten. It’s a big if however, big enough to make me an opposer. I certainly wouldn’t want to go laying him though! Suppose it’s just another element that makes an already fascinating race that much more intriguing.
Grandouet was my first AP bet along with Fingal Bay in early September – I assumed his injury last season was not a bad one and given the international form and previous with Zarkandar, he would find the necessary improvement to be in there at the business end if he stayed fit. So far so good.
I backed The Fly on 10 October as I thought for a champion who was 4/6 fav last year, we’d quickly written him off and he’s not become a moderate horse overnight and 6/1 with Hills was worth having. His Leopardstown January romp stuck in my memory and to me, the champion hurdle last year was questionable – did Ruby make a b*llox of it and was Rock On Ruby carried along by Overturn? We’ll find out this year as the pace wont be the same.
I liked the way HF quickened impressively from the home bend at Punchestown and to my eye the way he jumped and pulled clear at Christmas was of a horse right on song. OK, the field was below top class, but there was a couple of useful types he left for dead. Walsh doesnt show blind faith to horses – if Zarkandar was better, he’d be on him. No question. Walsh apparently won’t entertain the idea. The 9/2 available post Christmas with Coral was generous so i lumped on again.
I don’t think being a nine year old should affect his chance, there have been many great 2m hurdlers who’ve won/challenged at the top level at this age.
Too often Punters always have to look for ‘The New One’ to come along instead of revisiting proven top level stalwarts. The same could be said of the Gold Cup. I’m not a massive Long Run fan, but he was as big as 10/1 with Boylesports end of November which was plain bonkers given his career placings. Needless to say he was added to my portfolio at that price.I backed The Fly on 10 October as I thought for a champion who was 4/6 fav last year, we’d quickly written him off and he’s not become a moderate horse overnight and 6/1 with Hills was worth having. His Leopardstown January romp stuck in my memory and to me, the champion hurdle last year was questionable – did Ruby make a b*llox of it and was Rock On Ruby carried along by Overturn? We’ll find out this year as the pace wont be the same.
I liked the way HF quickened impressively from the home bend at Punchestown and to my eye the way he jumped and pulled clear at Christmas was of a horse right on song. OK, the field was below top class, but there was a couple of useful types he left for dead. Walsh doesnt show blind faith to horses – if Zarkandar was better, he’d be on him. No question. Walsh apparently won’t entertain the idea. The 9/2 available post Christmas with Coral was generous so i lumped on again.All the best with that one Shack, would certainly take a brave man to rule him out. Saying that, as I’ve posted previously I have backed against him, so in the nicest possible way I don’t wish you too well
All the best with that one Shack, would certainly take a brave man to rule him out. Saying that, as I’ve posted previously I have backed against him, so in the nicest possible way I don’t wish you too well
Cheers Boz,
I don’t think i’ll be deviating from the pair unless, assuming the weather allows further prep runs, they run a stinker!I genuinely think Grandouet will gain revenge on Zarkandar, he’d have beaten him at Aintree if standing up and with a 4lb pull and being undercooked in December he should do it.
Darlan is the big unkown. Hugely impressive at Kempton, but is he the same horse at Cheltenham? Two runs there have been below his best level form. A ridiculously short price now in my eyes, however he’s got all the potential in the world.
I wonder if Henderson secretly knows who’s the best of his challengers?With the champion hurdle, I think it’s very much stick with the proven, and stick with horses who come back time and again. Istabraq, Hardy Eustace, Brave Inca etc etc… Sadly for race fans, the two previous winners who hadn’t previously clashed in the big race, forgot there were other horses in the race. Again back to Walsh and McCoy not being at their best. Binocular won in 2010 with no Hurricane Fly. Hurricane Fly won in 2011 with no Binocular. Last year should have seen the two of them fighting it out, yet were both ridden poorly, and perhaps Hurricane Fly wasn’t at his best. As Hurricane Fly is favourite again this year, I can see him being bang there, but again, at the prices, Binocular surely will be bang there as well, and represents better value. Wouldn’t surprise me if this was the forecast, with Rock on Ruby another champion back in third.
Roll on March!Hurricane Fly, if sunday goes ahead will have had the perfect preparation, the optimum of three runs spaced at 4-6 weeks between races. This is in stark contrast to last year when Willie was not happy with him until Christmas or just after.
As for the other candidates, their plans are up in the air.
Darlan, one run, where next?
Binocular, no run, out Sunday.
Grandouet, one run, saturday plan likely off.
Zarkandar, two early hard races, where next?
Rock on Ruby, one run, where next?Forget the 9 year old stat. The dethroned King is back, Rock on Ruby move aside and watch him go!
Hurricane Fly, if sunday goes ahead will have had the perfect preparation, the optimum of three runs spaced at 4-6 weeks between races. This is in stark contrast to last year when Willie was not happy with him until Christmas or just after.
As for the other candidates, their plans are up in the air.
Darlan, one run, where next?
Binocular, no run, out Sunday.
Grandouet, one run, saturday plan likely off.
Zarkandar, two early hard races, where next?
Rock on Ruby, one run, where next?Forget the 9 year old stat. The dethroned King is back, Rock on Ruby move aside and watch him go!
Yeah, it’s not been the best prep for the Henderson team
Personally think he’s too fussy about keeping horses apart but there we go
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