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I wonder how many people would be able to name the highest rated 4-y-old hurdler based on the current BHA handicap list?
The somewhat surprising answer is Mr Thriller, raised to 161 after his Chepstow handicap success, and that puts him 7lbs ahead of Zaynar according to the official handicapper.
We’ll get a chance to see if Mr Thriller measures up to this rating as he has entries at Ascot and Haydock this weekend. At Ascot, he’s top rated ahead of Lough Derg and Katchit, both on 160.
If he goes for the shorter race at Haydock, officially he has a stone in hand of Starluck.
How would you bet Mr Thriller v Zaynar over 2m 4f at Ascot – or Mr Thriller v Starluck over 2m at Haydock?
AP
Mr Thriller is also entered (and 5/2 fav) in the Hattons Grace over in Ireland AP.
The 15 length win in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow was impressive enough for me to put him in a couple of lists of tttf. But he had the run of the race there. First two I believe in those positions throughout. At the moment there is surely too many holes in the form to rate him above Zaynar? Unless rating him with a "?". I would certainly NOT make him favourite over Zaynar, unless Henderson’s lazy horse was known to need it. (Zaynar is in three lists).
As far as Starstruck at Haydock is concerned. If it came up bottomless think I’d have to rate Mr Thriller’s chance better. Even at the new tight Haydock, it’s questionable whether Starstruck will stay or act on it. I put Starstruck in two lists, primarily as an alternative for Punjabi in the Christmas Hurdle. But has Starstruck beaten a top horse yet?
Value Is EverythingI think the handicapper may be proven right on this one, although it’s a very bold move to do so. I was enormously taken by the Chepstow run and have no doubt that Mr Thriller is Grade 1 class, albeit at 2m4f and further. On the other hand, Zaynar hasn’t yet had the opportunity to show how much he’s progressed and Starluck seems an improved performer this year, based on how he has filled out and strengthened as much as anything.
I am actually upset Walkon is injured as I think he will prove to be the best of last seasons juveniles.
Although difficult to prove after Zaynar beat him twice I think he has the greater scope for improvement.
I’m with rory on this one.
I thought Mr Thriller was very impressive at Chepstow (a case of him dominating, rather than nothing else getting into it, imo), and whilst he’s probably going to prove more of a staying type, I had a small bet at 214 for the Champion Hurdle, just in case.
I’ve since gone in at 70-odd for the Stayers, all of which means he’ll probably be kept back for the Aintree Hurdle!
I confess, I would have to fancy him a touch over Zaynar, if they met over 19f on Saturday, and would be more worried about taking on Starluck at the minimum.
My gut feeling is that Mr Thriller may be a touch over-rated at OR161. Although I may look a bit stupid if he has improved vastly from 4yo to 5yo.
I sometimes get succered into judging a horse by how they are campaigned & backed. I saw Mr Thriller in a novice hurdle at Fontwell last winter, as a young 4yo. He won, but I don’t think he was even sent off as favourite. He subsequently was beaten in two decent handicap hurdles off around OR145. Not sures that’s the form/profile of a G1 horse.
I’ve no idea what he looks like as a 5yo, but at Fontwell as a 4yo, he looked lean, sharp & probably quite easy to get fit.
I think that over 2m on decent ground, a fit Zaynar or Starluck would be too good for Mr Thriller, but I think (& his record seems to proves) that MrT stays better, 2m4f on soft could be more of match.
Off topic a bit, the day I saw Mr Thriller at Fontwell, it was a Sunday meeting at the beginning of Feburary. Maybe going this year again, with the stand being re-built, what are you getting for a grandstand ticket, any undercover? It’s normally pretty cold, it ended in a blizzard last year.
I saw Mr. Thriller when he won at Chepstow and he didn’t give me the impression that he was a future star, he looked very fit but from memory was on the small side (not necessarily a negative) and didn’t have a great deal of scope.
I put his impressive win that day down to superior fitness but I have been wrong before (just the once or twice, of course!
)Colin
Mr Thriller against Starluck tomorrow ay Haydock.
1st tissue on the Sporting Life is Even money Starluck!
I’m sure if we could bet at Sporting Life "tissue" prices it would be a license to print money
Actually a decent bet to be had in that race..
2pt win Thumbs Up
2pt Straight Forecast Mr Thriller to beat Thumbs Up
Cant see Starluck figuring on this ground and dont think pemberton has the speed this low in trip, that looks like money in the bank…
Bulwark,
The ground on the hurdle track is certainly no worse than good to soft based on the first race time. They got round in just under 4 mins on my unofficial timing and that’s impossible if the ground is soft.
AP
Bulwark,
The ground on the hurdle track is certainly no worse than good to soft based on the first race time. They got round in just under 4 mins on my unofficial timing and that’s impossible if the ground is soft.
AP
Thats not good but should make the race interesting…
Poor Starluck. The tank ran empty again.
What a tough little bugger Mr Thriller is. His courage was slightly exaggerated today due to the runner-up ‘stopping’ but you can’t question his tenacity.
Like Zaynar, I can’t wait to see him jump a fence. Appears to have the right attitude.
I told you Starluck would not stay. (emotion for wiping brow)
Be interesting to see him at Kempton over Christmas. Hope this has convinced the Pipe team to go the Stayers route.
Value Is EverythingI told you Starluck would not stay. (emotion for wiping brow)
Be interesting to see him at Kempton over Christmas. Hope this has convinced the Pipe team to go the Stayers route.
The World Hurdle is awfully difficult for a five year old, especially as the highest rated hurdler(s) in training will probably be in opposition. It might be the lesser of two evils to stay at 2 – 2 1/2 miles and look at the Aintree Hurdle as the major prize (owner Joe Moran has won it before with Ilnamar).
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