What If ?

[apracing]

A popular pastime amongst historians, who look at what might have happened if a specific crucial event hadn’t happened. For example, what if Hitler had died of the wounds he received during World War 1.

Back to racing, how about :

– What if Big Bucks hadn’t fallen in the Hennessey ?

Presumably, he wouldn’t then have been switched to hurdling, especially if he’d actually managed to win the race.

In which case, Punchestowns would have achieved the rare treble of Long Walk Hurdle (by 11 lengths), Cleeve Hurdle (under a maximum penalty) and World Hurdle (by 17 lengths). That sequence would have seen him praised as the best staying hurdler of his generation, perhaps one of the best ever.

But instead, Punchestowns is now viewed by some as having failed to live up to the hype that accompanied his two wins before Xmas.

On such slender margins are reputations made …..

[Gerald]

Also, Nicholls would have had the 123 in the Gold Cup again.

[Gerald]

I’d make Punchestowns favourite for the 2011 Gold Cup.

[rory]

Also, Nicholls would have had the 123 in the Gold Cup again.

That one takes rather a leap of faith, it must be said. I can’t see Big Buck’s ever scaling the heights he should over fences as he strikes me as being incurably clumsy.

[ReasonoverFaith]

Well if Big Buck’s had won the Hennessey then Paul Nicholls would have had to have thought of something (someone?) else to moan about for the next four months.

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