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Absolute joke of a result. Form is worthless.
On the contrary, all hail the Northern form. Nice to see winning from at Sedgefield and Cartmel taken forward to the Festival with success. Try telling connections of Countrywide Flame that it was a ‘joke of a result’ and I predict a short reply ending in ‘off’!
It’s not all about big stables and the big courses.
Rob
Through about 500 different formlines, Countrywide flame had no chance. It’s perfectly reasonable to say this result makes very little sense.
I don’t care about the location of its trainer.
He was joint top on Topspeed, 6lbs behind on Official Ratings and 6lbs behind on Racing Post Ratings. There will have been quite a few this week ‘less qualified’ to win their races. On that basis Countrywide Flame was quite entitled to be in the mix in this contest.
All that aside if 3 lengths third in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last time, and second in similar company at Chepstow, doesn’t entitle him to be in the firing line then I don’t know what does!
Rob
He was joint top on Topspeed, 6lbs behind on Official Ratings and 6lbs behind on Racing Post Ratings. There will have been quite a few this week ‘less qualified’ to win their races. On that basis Countrywide Flame was quite entitled to be in the mix in this contest.
All that aside if 3 lengths third in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last time, and second in similar company at Chepstow, doesn’t entitle him to be in the firing line then I don’t know what does!
Rob
On lines through nearly every horse near the top of the market, he had something to find with them.
He’s an exposed, gritty sort. Well done to the connections for sure, but time will tell that this form really won’t work out.
Countryside Flame was just 8 lbs below top rated in Timeform. In a year with no stand out performers, an upset was always possible. Baby Mix moved through the race like the best horse (with Dodging Bullets a possible exception), only to pay for being too free. I’d say the Tom George trained horse has more scope to win conditions hurdles next season than any of these. Grumeti probably ran to form in third. Countryside Flame wasn’t far behind Hisaabaat (second here) last time, that form franked and obviously under-rated beforehand. Run at a fast pace and Countryside Flame probably hasn’t had a race like that before; where stamina came to the fore. Likely to need further in future. Outpaced down the hill and then staying on stoutly after turning for home with plenty to do. Not much scope for improvement and don’t think he’ll be "top class" next season. It didn’t look as good a race as recent renewals and Countryside Flame will probably be difficult to place from now on. Form probably won’t "work out", unless under identical conditions. But at this point in time he’s the best juvenile under these circumstances. Anyway, it’s great to see a juvenile have a long campaign and still pick up a big one. All credit to the little terrier and connections.
Value Is EverythingAbsolute joke of a result. Form is worthless.
On the contrary, all hail the Northern form. Nice to see winning from at Sedgefield and Cartmel taken forward to the Festival with success. Try telling connections of Countrywide Flame that it was a ‘joke of a result’ and I predict a short reply ending in ‘off’!
It’s not all about big stables and the big courses.
Rob
Through about 500 different formlines, Countrywide flame had no chance. It’s perfectly reasonable to say this result makes very little sense.
I don’t care about the location of its trainer.
The usually reliable RP Spotlight writers didn’t agree with you and (shameless after-timing, I know) persuaded me to take the 85 on Betfair last night.
5
112123
COUNTRYWIDE FLAME
33 4
11-0
140
Dougie Costello
John Quinn50
140 151
33
Estio Pinnacle Racing
Progressive given stiffer tests of stamina on the Flat and made up into smart juvenile over hurdles, although seemingly beaten fair and square in Grade 1 events on last two starts by Hollow Tree at Chepstow and Hisaabaat and Shadow Catcher at Leopardstown; nonetheless, likely to give decent account.Well done Joe.
There’s always an inclination not to believe form when an outsider wins, but if you look closely enough there’s usually a reason for improvement. He certainly had a chance.Value Is EverythingWell done Joe.
There’s always an inclination not to believe form when an outsider wins, but if you look closely enough there’s usually a reason for improvement. He certainly had a chance.Thanks Ginger – had an incredibly lucky (unlucky) day with 2 winners and four 2nds (inc The Giant Bolster at 80 – odds on coming to the last!)
Though given the chance even now I wouldn’t back Synchronise!
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