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For me, all big races should be run at the weekend. If you decide to attend a footy match or do any other leaisure pursuit then that is entirely upto the individual. As much as older generations dont seem to like it, racing must re-organise its yearly schedules from time to time to try and increase attendance, awareness, and compete with other sports. Hence the Derby being on a Saturday where more people have the chance to see it/attend it.
I dont mind what day the "flat season begins" as its a year round thing now. However, one thing the flat could do, is ensure as many big races are held on saturdays (or Sundays) outwith the flagship summer festivals (York, Chester in may, Royal Ascot, Newmarket July meeting, Glorious Goodwood and York Ebor meeting). Aside from those happy for all other big races (and I dont mean listed and group 3 races, I mean Group One and Big Handicaps) to be run on the weekend.
But, at the end of the day, if the National or Derby or Cheltenham Gold Cup were run on Mondays I’d still see them one way or another (Sky + is great lol!)
I think Pieux rides too short for a jump jockey. Thats my only criticism. I had backed Kasbah in the World hurdkle so I was looking closely and from what I saw it was the horse not the jockey that lost the race. And, if Pieux really was that bad, I dont think Doumen would keep putting him up.
Imperious performance. One of the greats.
But what shambles of a start to the seasons best race! I had air force one each way and he must have lost 10-15 lengths being taken out by roll along and the starter still let them go. Kauto Star could have afforded to concede that ground, not one I’m hoping runs into a place!
Can`t have it that the NH year revolves around only one meeting. Sure its the championship but there are some great meetings at Kempton,Sandown, Chepstow ,Newbury ,Punchestown,Galway ( less so ) Ascot has some good races,Aintree of course.Pert,Ayr and Kelso in Scotland. Each have their own character. And of course there are some good races in the Summer these days. If youve bred or bought a NH horse all of these meetings are very important.
Back of the net, well said that man. Given how good they’ve been to you in recent seasons, I’m sure you meant to include Market Rasen’s Summer Plate and late September meetings inamongst that lot, too!
gc
I am not saying I dont love any of the other meetings, big and small, during the year. But so much of the season is geared around cheltenham. After any decent performance by a novice (hurdler or chaser) or after any decent handicap, comes the question of cheltenham on March. In a football sense it is the champions league, the creme de la creme of equine talent. As in football its not the be all and end all but its still the best. And thats why I love this forthcoming extravaganza more than any other meeting.
I dont see the problem with race course gallops. I think for many its just to get the horses a day out. I saw the Doncaster ones on saturday and didn’t look like they went nearly fast enought to warrant paying too much attention. I presume the other gallops over the weekend were the same. However, on a point davidjohnson made…like it or not the jumps season does revolve around one meeting. The reason being it is the best and therfore attracts the best every year. I love it!
I like both codes. Although because jumpers tend to be around year on year it does help me gain an affinity for them. The single greatest race meeting flat or jump anywhere in the world is the Cheltenham Festival.
I think to have flat without jump or jump without flat would become boring. We have it good in this country I think.
Sounds like a good comp…and seeing as I cant lose any money, lol, here are my selections.
Supreme Novices Hurdle = Red Moloney
Won a few naff hurdles at my local track but impressed with jumping ability. Had good ability on the flat and is a sporting go. Copper Bleu would be a second selection.Arkle Chase = Forpadydeplasterer
Quite keen on this one. Likes better ground than he has had this season and stays more than 2m. Kalahari King would be my second choice.Champion Hurdle = Harchibald
The most likely winner is Binocular but as this is a comp based on points per SP then I’ll risk a longer priced one. Harchibald might just get decent ground and will do. Katchit would be the other as regardless he is overpriced.RSA Chase = Killyglen
Howard Johnson has sounded very complimentary about Killyglen, and with this race sometimes going to an outsider, I’ll take a chance. Trafford Lad would be an alternative.Champion Chase = Well Chief
Master Minded should win but again what is point choosing him to get 0.33 points!!!! Lets hope for him tipping up and Well Chief taking advantage, lol!Ryanair Chase = Monet’s Garden
Again, Voy Por Ustedes will take all the beating but from value point of view will take Monet’s Garden. Tidal Bay would be a second choice but bit worried about that knock he has.World Hurdle = Mighty Man
Recurring theme here, but Kasbah Bliss looks worthy favourite. But will seek the value in Mighty Man. Another outsider would be Tazbar.Triumph Hurdle = Walkon
Probably the one race where I cant be sure who will turn up due to other entries…ie Torphicen. So I will choose a confirmed runner in Walkon.Gold Cup = Exotic Dancer
Based on his run of two years ago then fact is he is over priced. Should get a run for my "money" at least.So thats your lot! That 9 would make one hell of an accumulator, lol!
Some people have it in for Catt it seems. But if he was bad then he would never had had the festival gig in the first place.
Dont think it matters if a commentator uses bins or monitor. Surely, he sees the same thing? Although, in Thommo’s case, his eyesight must be failing! Numerous times in the Eider he had Jass challenging for the lead despite looking 10 lengths behind on my screen!
Without trawling back over the previous posts (I cant remember who said it) but I do like commentators who add something to a finish. Someone mentioned Simon Holt commenting on Florida Pearl in the King George. I will never forget Simons commentary on Rooster Boosters Champion Hurdle…"He’s running all over this leader Intersky Falcon". Could have said he was going well but using the phrase he did really made the point more clear.
Would love a go at commentating but dont think you southerners would understand my Scottish accent, lol!!! (Even some scotsmen dont understand me, lol)
Briery Fox! Must have backed it 7 or 8 times! Fortunately most of those were each way so his consistency has spared my losses being large!
Seems to be confusion surrounding what "over-rated" means. For example, over rated by whom? The media? Punters? Me and You? Or by the owner? Or trainer and Jockey?
Or is it just me who is confused?
Yes he is better at Aintree but still good enough at cheltenham to warrant consideration…still some 50-1 around I see.
Apparently Rambling Minster prefers good ground. Thought the jockey gave it a good ride.
At the very least Kasbah Bliss is now a worthy favourite for the WH. Puchestowns and Big Bucks do not have the form in the book that Kasbah Bliss does. A 1 length second to Inglis Drever is top form in my opinion…and I suspect Kasbah has improved since last year.
On a slightly different topic, I was intrigued to read the other day that Mighty Man is still a possible for the WH. Now there is a horse that could add something to the race if he shows up. Henry Daly is no stranger to getting festival winners off long lay offs.
From what looked an ultra competitive race a month ago, is starting to cut up and look a bit easier to solve! For me, past festival form (or past cheltenham form) is such a key thing and so cant see past Vy Por Ustedes and Tidal Bay. Depending on the odds on the day, I may be happy to invest a large each way bet on Tidal Bay. His cheltenham form just cant be knocked.
DavidBrady – there are plenty of statistical ways of assessing whether the number of bets is statistically significant based on the spread of results, strikerate and average price taken along with the profit/loss so far. I can go into it in detail if you are interested but it involves calculating something called a T statistic and checking to see whether your results fall within x standard deviations.
I knew I should have paid more attention in "Mathematical and Statistical Analysis" when I was at University!!
The arguments in this post are all correct! Anyone who has more money at the end of a set period than the beginiing of a set period, must be considered a successful punter. Whether they look for value or certainties or jackpots or scoop6 or there sons name, anyone showing a yearly profit cannot be considered anything other than successful in my eyes. But the key phrase in that whole post is "in my eyes". Success for me might be something completely different to success for other people.
