Forum Replies Created
- Posts
One of IC’s owners posts on betfair.
He was adamant that IC’s "prep" would be KG or Lexus, as they want 12 weeks to prep him for either the GC or the Ryanair – last year they felt he was actually a bit "undercooked" for the Ryanair. Just passing that on. Trainer and jockey are mad keen on the Gold Cup, he said.
I believe IC’s connections were preparing for the Gold Cup, maybe not now!! Just took the 11 for Barbers for this race, with IC already backed at 12.
Hopefully they both go for this now, that was simply outstanding from a total legend in the Hennessy.
Punjabi should be fav as reigning champion. (respect)
Zaynar may well be better than him, however.
There’s no way in the world that race could see Solwhit at his best, and he stayed on really well, again suggesting his 20f class will help him no end at Chelts. Go Native is a Festival winner (respect); Halo’s debut was impressive and we know he’ll find up the hill.Cracking stuff innit.
I’m sure Binocular will have yet more excuses made for him
Strange race though, agree Solwhit did pretty well off a crawl but the winner may just have laid down a serious marker there, wouldn’t be in a rush to dismiss him.
Good result for Zaynar backers mind
Not being surly! I didn’t back Punjabi but it is verging on the ridiculous, imo, that people are proclaiming Binocular the best in the business. He quite plainly is not. It’s just a trait I have to correct the view that Binocular was somehow the "moral" winner of the Champion, just because he did what he did at Ascot. In the same sense I suppose Kasbah Bliss is still the best stating hurdler around, oh no, he always got beaten up around Cheltenham too
Just a strong view, nothing else, but looking forward to this clash. Being the best horse around Binocular should win this comfortably…
I see. So big-field at the festival, beaten 2nd; big-field at the festival, beaten 3rd….but hold on, looks flashy in a race with only one opponent (who was nowhere near his best that day), a race that you couldn’t throw in his favour any more than what happened that day, and suddenly he’s the "best around". LOL.
No wonder he was a ridiculous price for the Champion in March and, oh look, he’s a bit of a silly price for the contest this time around too. Must be just a coincidence.
I can’t see how for the life of me. His best run was in the Champion Hurdle, where he was beaten fair and square on the day. A huge disservice to Punjabi, the Champion Hurdler, to say at present he is not the best 2m hurdler. IMO.
None of that will stop Binocular being impressive in this race of course. I’ve not had a bet in the Champion Hurdle but I’m hoping Solwhit can give him a real test, or maybe the other way round.
Qiute like Roberto Goldback, good novice hurdle form and looked in need of the run (as did Osana) when battling that one to a head over 2m. Step up in trip will suit and everyone loves Jessie H
Anyway tomorrow he takes on the best hurdler in the country
I appreciate the different angle available on Solwhit, but there is absolutely no way in this world Binocular is the best hurdler in the country. Twice beaten at the festival. It is PUNJABI who is the reigning Champion Hurdler, PUNJABI who showed the greater tactical speed around Cheltenham and PUNJABI who they all have to beat.
Worth clarifying I think!!
If they target the 171-rated Punchestowns at this it may not matter what turns up
altho Sizing Europe has always threatened to be a top class novice chaser. Crack Away Jack’s run style puts me off him slightly, coupled with the fact they may switch him to the Champion Chase! One of the top-rated hurdlers will win this imv, as is the norm.I disagree and believe Solwhit could be top class, along with Zaynar. His victory over 543 on goodish ground at Aintree, when 543 was fit and primed, showed just what a talent he has. He has beaten the reigning Champion Hurdler and won effortlessly without having a race the other day, showing his acceleration over 2m. Binocular is worthy of being a flat-track champion but he’ll get one hell of a race in this, whatever the outcome.
Yes I didn’t mean to belittle Killyglen as ‘just’ a trends pick. He and Barbers are my ante-post plays. Thought it was a bit odd that connections were "worried" about Newbury being quite soft, however. Maybe they were just remembering his impressive Aintree run on better ground, which as you say Bulwark has been boosted since. Knockara Beau has also run a stormer since and Weird Al could be very smart.
Backed both Cappa and WAF at Chelts in March so have liked them at some stage before
Cappa has it all to do following a listless comeback. People will say wrong trip, ground, etc etc, nice enough comeback, but only the revolutionised cheek-pieced Madison has bucked the winner-profile of this race in recent times. All horses for an age prior to him had been 1st (now 5 of the last 6) or 1st/2nd (10/12) last time out. Whilst Gingembre was 3rd he was beaten a mere 2.25L on a fine comeback run fto.WAF is a bit more tricky. He hits the profile well and PN said before the RSA that he may not have be 100% well in himself. Even so, he has an awkward head carriage, has only beaten up small-field novices – the Ballyfitz form now doesn’t look that strong at all – and Ruby doesn’t want the ride. I suspect a large-field strongly run race is not his cup of tea but could well be wrong there.
Barber’s 33L 7th is also off the radar but he’s only in this race because of Denman’s presence and not many Gold Cup runners run in this race off BS’s weight after such a good effort (imo).
10/1
Cappa has it all to do following a listless comeback. People will say wrong trip, ground, etc etc, nice enough comeback, but only the revolutionised cheek-pieced Madison has bucked the winner-profile of this race in recent times. All horses for an age prior to him had been 1st (now 5 of the last 6) or 1st/2nd (10/12) last time out. Whilst Gingembre was 3rd he was beaten a mere 2.25L on a fine comeback run fto.