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Can anyone lower the colours of Big Buck’s? I think not, though it is interesting that Dynaste runs after it was indicated that he would be going chasing, however 6/1 looks a little on the skinny side, but could be one for the forecast, given his impressive victory last time out.
Surprised to see Five Dream at 33/1, was the closest to Big Buck’s (did win it easily) last time out, so should 8 go to post, I might have a little each way, though it isn’t going to be a race I put a massive amount on.
Dusty, I heard Dynaste was staying over hurdles, and for me will definitely be the first in line to be staring at the back of him in March. Easy forecast for Saturday
Something needs to be done to make the 3-mile hurdle division more competitive, bigger purses, fewer 2+1/2 mile races etc. As long as it lacks financial backing an prestige it will remain uncompetitive. Big Bucks is a monster but the standard is so low it diminishes his achievment.
Something needs to be done to make the 3-mile hurdle division more competitive, bigger purses, fewer 2+1/2 mile races etc. As long as it lacks financial backing an prestige it will remain uncompetitive. Big Bucks is a monster but the standard is so low it diminishes his achievment.
There are a few horses who would have a chance but also definitely pick up some prize money, and yet trainers don’t run them. If i was an owner, had a decent horse who stayed the trip, he’d be in. Oscar Whisky going for the Scottish Champion is just another vanity trip. It should be taking on Big Bucks here.
Too many are also obsessed with Cheltenham
I do not think even NH breeders go out with the intention of breeding a 3 mile hurdler. Even Big Bucks was a failed chaser, therefore the prize money will be modest. At the moment it is a wholly uncompetitive division and is hardly likely to attract huge amounts of new sponsorship.
I do not think even NH breeders go out with the intention of breeding a 3 mile hurdler. Even Big Bucks was a failed chaser, therefore the prize money will be modest. At the moment it is a wholly uncompetitive division and is hardly likely to attract huge amounts of new sponsorship.
And yet there is a Grade 1 three mile hurdle at the festival, but no Grade 1 two & a half mile hurdle for older horses, even though there is in the novice division. Never understood that. Are all hurdlers who stay over 2.5m + supposed to go chasing ?!
Big Bucks has never before went right handed in 33 runs in France and UK. Probably will not affect outcome but an interesting snippet nonetheless.
I do not think even NH breeders go out with the intention of breeding a 3 mile hurdler. Even Big Bucks was a failed chaser, therefore the prize money will be modest. At the moment it is a wholly uncompetitive division and is hardly likely to attract huge amounts of new sponsorship.
point taken, Eclipse, tho C’ham have tried to big it up with their also-ran thursday card.
Big Bucks has never before went right handed in 33 runs in France and UK. Probably will not affect outcome but an interesting snippet nonetheless.
Interesting statistic.
I was very impressed with Dynaste, when winning at Haydock recently. He did set a fairly good pace in the race, raced prominently the whole race, and still managed to quicken and/or maintain that speed up the run in and put further distance between himself and the horses in behind.
Dynaste won by a respectable margin that day, despite winning well and being eased down before the line. He is only a 5 year old, so still has a lot of room to improve, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on at the weekend against Big Bucks, and see how he is ridden, and whether or not he will be the ‘pace’ within the race so to speak.
It is wrong to think there aren’t any good staying hurdlers around. Whenever there is an outstanding horse at a particular distance, its main rivals tend to go elsewhere.
Big Buck’s is the best staying hurdler we’ve ever seen. So it is only natural connections of main rivals should go for other races.
Without Big Bick’s around I am sure Grands Crus would’ve stayed hurdling. Time For Rupert the previous year and Punchestowns the year before that. Also, when there is a horse equally effective at 2m or 3m, like Thousand Stars, why go in against Big Buck’s when the 2 mile division looked (before Hurricane Fly) so open? Hurricane Fly then frightens away some rivals, with Thousand Stars likely to turn up against Big Buck’s (unless Hurricane Fly is not expected to be at his best in March). We’ve seen the prospective Champion Hurdle second favourite Peddlers Cross go chasing. Now both he and Al Ferof look outstanding Arkle prospects, and a cloud hangs over Hurricane Fly, Menorah has (usuccessfully) put his racing shoe in the hurdle ranks again.
Oscar Whiskey is so good at 2 1/2 miles, the Relkeel a no brainer. Far from certain to stay 3 miles anyway.
Dynaste is a stayer who would not be as effective at 2 1/2 miles, so doesn’t have as many alternatives. Surprised Sparky May is taking part, possibly best at around 2m4f. Restless Harry didn’t run as well as expected on chasing debut and could pick up nice prize money for being placed. Cross Kennon needs an extreme test so this has to be his target, with or without Big Buck’s.The staying Hurdles division is only so "uncompetitive" and/or "poor quality" because Big Buck’s is so brilliant.
Value Is EverythingAnd yet there is a Grade 1 three mile hurdle at the festival, but no Grade 1 two & a half mile hurdle for older horses, even though there is in the novice division. Never understood that. Are all hurdlers who stay over 2.5m + supposed to go chasing ?!
Mark,
In a thread where paople (including yourself) are moaning at how uncompetitive the Lough Derg Long Walk is; why suggest something that will make the Cheltenham Festival far less competitive?Do you remember how good Hardy Eustace’s Sun Alliance Hurdle was? Nowadays, top staying novice hurdlers can fight shy of each other. It’s no coincidence that the same horse (Fingal Bay) is currently favourite for both staying novice hurdle events at Cheltenham.
The reason why Cheltenham is so good is quality, competitive racing. If there was a 2m4f Grade 1 Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, it will enable even more connections to fight shy of the best horses. Therefore, both Champion Hurdle and Stayers Hurdles become less competitive and poorer quality.
Most top horses effective at 2m4f are also as/almost as effective at either 2 miles or 3m. I can only think of one horse, Fondmort, who wasn’t. Sizing Europe, Imperial Commander, Master Minded, Oscar Whiskey, Hardy Eustace, Istabraq etc.
Value Is EverythingAnd yet there is a Grade 1 three mile hurdle at the festival, but no Grade 1 two & a half mile hurdle for older horses, even though there is in the novice division. Never understood that. Are all hurdlers who stay over 2.5m + supposed to go chasing ?!
Mark,
In a thread where paople (including yourself) are moaning at how uncompetitive the Lough Derg Long Walk is; why suggest something that will make the Cheltenham Festival far less competitive?Do you remember how good Hardy Eustace’s Sun Alliance Hurdle was? Nowadays, top staying novice hurdlers can fight shy of each other. It’s no coincidence that the same horse (Fingal Bay) is currently favourite for both staying novice hurdle events at Cheltenham.
The reason why Cheltenham is so good is quality, competitive racing. If there was a 2m4f Grade 1 Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, it will enable even more connections to fight shy of the best horses. Therefore, both Champion Hurdle and Stayers Hurdles become less competitive and poorer quality.
Most top horses effective at 2m4f are also as/almost as effective at either 2 miles or 3m. I can only think of one horse, Fondmort, who wasn’t. Sizing Europe, Imperial Commander, Master Minded, Oscar Whiskey, Hardy Eustace, Istabraq etc.
Agreed Ginge.
If it wasn’t for the DN Mares race perhaps we’d have been treated to seeing how Quevega would get on against the mighty Big Bucks with her allowance.
Lee
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Most top horses effective at 2m4f are also as/almost as effective at either 2 miles or 3m. I can only think of one horse, Fondmort, who wasn’t.
Oscar Whiskey is so good at 2 1/2 miles, the Relkeel a no brainer. Far from certain to stay 3 miles anyway.
Dynaste is a stayer who would not be as effective at 2 1/2 miles, so doesn’t have as many alternatives. Surprised Sparky May is taking part, possibly best at around 2m4f. Restless Harry didn’t run as well as expected on chasing debut and could pick up nice prize money for being placed. Cross Kennon needs an extreme test so this has to be his target, with or without Big Buck’s.Ginger
Of all the people on this forum, only you could argue against your own point in the space of 2 posts and 20 mins.
The reason staying hurdles aren’t as competitive is most of the better horses graduate to staying chases, where the rewards are bigger, more prestigious, and more frequent – which is exactly where Big Bucks would be now, could he hack it.
Oscar Whiskey is so good at 2 1/2 miles, the Relkeel a no brainer. Far from certain to stay 3 miles anyway.
I think Oscar Whisky would give Big Bucks at least a scare over 3 miles. Travels like he would, has a turn of foot, breeding says stamina.
We’ve had a succession of "best staying hurdlers ever"; Barracouda, Inglis Drever, and now Big Bucks. Another sign now uncompetitive the division is, definitely the poor relation of NH racing. If BB was fast enough, he’d be a 2 mile hurdler, if he could jump he’d be a chaser.
I suppose it is pretty pointless taking on big bucks, its really the gambling equivalent of smashing your head against the wall, but equally he’s becoming increasingly like a no-bet proposition, so short are his odds now.
just for the sake of entertainment if nothing else, i’ve had a small dabble on the pipe horse. he probably won’t be good enough to beat big bucks, but given how well he finished last time having been stepped up in trip, i’d be hopeful that he’ll at least be able to give him a race.
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