[Ghost of Rob V]

I’ve never seen anything like her and still can’t take in how she can consistently give horses 15 lengths of a start and treat them like selling platers.

She was only 15 lengths behind the leader and not the second last horse
Personally, I think Sea The Stars would’ve taken the sting out of her

[Ghost of Rob V]

Zaynar for me.

The half-lazy manner in which he easily beat Cape Tribulation last time out leaves me with no doubt that he’ll take this Champion Hurdle.
I can see this one doing what Rooster Booster did in 2003

[Ghost of Rob V]

Only two spring to mind so far –

Zaynar – Champion Hurdle – I think he’ll have it won before he’s even jumped the last flight.

Canford Cliffs to smash the 2000 Guineas.

[Ghost of Rob V]

Doesn’t Arkle still hold the track record at Sandown for 3 miles since 1965? If it still stands, then I find it very significant.

[Ghost of Rob V]

Truly sublime performance from Kauto Star. The 2nd and 3rd horses behind him are no slouches but they were totally brushed aside today … and with such ease!

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I fancied Denman to win the forthcoming Gold Cup. I’m now leaning towards Kauto Star to win it.

[Ghost of Rob V]

Mr Cecil is one of my favourite trainers. I agree with Himself that the Cecil/Cauthen partnership were the years I recall most fondly.

Of the horses he trained – Oh So Sharp, Indian Skimmer, Bosra Sham, Ardross and Precocious are the ones that always stick in my mind.

[Ghost of Rob V]

Heather Mills …. but not until I’d have smeared my lips with a Dorset Naga chilli and thoroughly chewed a clove of raw garlic.

Really though, I’d love to kiss that gorgeous L’oreal girl Doutzen Kroes … because I’m bloody worth it!

[Ghost of Rob V]

I don’t really take too much notice of Timeform ratings
OK, many European champion racehorses aren’t as statistically impressive as the US horses regarding the number of times they ran. However, as far as pure performance is concerned, European horses are still equal.

So, would Sea The Stars be in my Top 10? Yes, I think he would! This horse is close to perfection and he’d be granite-hard opposition for any horse that’s been mentioned in this thread. I believe he’d have claimed the scalp of Zenyatta if they’d have clashed.

The only slight gripe I have about Sea The Stars is that he didn’t possess the turn of foot that was jaw-droppingly spectacular like that of Dancing Brave. He had to quicken again to secure most of his wins … but that in itself is a sign of a true fighter.

[Ghost of Rob V]

Greville Starkey!

Christ! I nearly choked on my smoky bacon crisps when I read that! I started to laugh but was seeing red at the same time

Anyway, my hero has to be my Dad.

[Ghost of Rob V]

I feel the same. The Tingle Creek has never really stood out to me because it mostly seems to consist of one or two good horses competing against an average bunch. It reminds me of the Great Voltigeur Stakes on the flat … OK but nothing spectacular.

[Ghost of Rob V]

Gloria Victis was the first horse that I thought of after reading the opening post. His demise is a bitter pill that I spat out and never swallowed … I’m just gonna remember him for the potential superstar he was and what could’ve been.

I also recall, going out in a similar way like the above(over hurdles though and one being close to the height of his power), was the fatal fall of the brilliant Celtic Ryde. I was deeply gutted for months after he’d gone. He could’ve been one of the hurdling greats.

[Ghost of Rob V]

I thought Denman ran a cracking race considering what happened to him last season. Still, it didn’t stop me from backing him because I knew that he was the king. I think the opposition he faced in this Hennessy was stronger than the previous one. Amazing to say the least!

Judging from Denman’s and Kauto Star’s latest races, I’d say that the former is my choice for the Gold Cup.

[Ghost of Rob V]

We’re all the losers and we would never have got it but just think what could have been:-
Zarkava – Zenyatta – Raven’s Pass – New Approach – Rachel Alexandra – Sea The Stars

10f Gr.1. – a terrible shame.

Quite heartbreaking isn’t it? … like one of the great questions of the flat racing universe that’ll never get answered.

Bugger!

[Ghost of Rob V]

detached by fifteen lengths

There are two ways of reading that. Either 15 lengths detached off the leader or 15 lengths behind the second-last horse during the race

[Ghost of Rob V]

No doubt Zenyatta is a terrific race mare but I think the commentator was more dramatic than the race

Rip Van Winkle just didn’t fire. I suspect the long season he’s had finally caught up with him. Hope he stays in training next year.

[Ghost of Rob V]

I’m off to buy some laxatives for the little blighters

Or buy some scotch bonnet chillies and rub them over the sweets

[Ghost of Rob V]

Now that halloween in nearly here, I think its only right that you all ought to spend a night in the room and play with a ouija board

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