[Futurism]

Although Our Conor was the one of the most impressive winners of the whole week (second only to Sprinter), i wouldn’t be drawn in to the hype surrounding his Champion Hurdle claims.
It’s clear that he is a really fluent and quick jumper, but i feel that the form of the race was misleading.

1) Only two horses got into the race, and that was Diakali who made the running and Our Conor, who admittedly received a good ride.

2) The ground was definitely in his favour. It had rained for about 15 minutes before the off so the ground was slower than the advertised good to soft, soft in places. The placings were filled by horses suited by slow ground.

3) Look through Our Conor’s career form, all recognised form is on ground varying from heavy to yielding. The only piece of form on good ground was when he was 9th on his 2-y-o debut. He hasn’t run on quicker ground since.

To summarise :

I wouldn’t be backing Our Conor, unless he proves himself on faster ground than what he’s won on so far. Of course, he’s a fantastic talent and is a slick jumper, but if he comes back to Cheltenham, where it should be good ground and he hasn’t run well on the faster turf then he has no chance.

[Futurism]

My ante-post bets for the National:
They were made on the day the weights were released (13th Feb)

Wyck Hill @ 20-1
(Before the injury, but i still have faith.)

Roberto Goldback @ 33-1
(Former Grade One winner on decent ground, gone down in the ratings since and been running okay on bad ground recently)

Cappa Bleu @ 25-1
(Best chance of winning this year, at the weights. We all saw what happened last year and he’ll be right there again)

Quinz @ 66-1
(I know the form hasn’t inspired much, but he’s also slipped down the ratings and the yard is in decent form. I was delighted with his return at Kempton)

So now i’m hoping and praying

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