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Think anything negative about Sprinter Sacre would have been reflected on betfair. He’s rock solid. Not sure why anyone who knew something negative about the fav would be smashing up Peddlars Cross tbh. Seems a rather stupid thing to do.
Clearly he’s a quick horse but he hasn’t got a turn of foot some others have. More of a sustained run. The fact he ran such a fast time proves that he maintained a very strong gallop. I think he can do that again in the Arkle tbh and the faster they go to a certain extent the more it will suit him.
Ha ha yes I suppose he is rather strong with the way he puts them but tbh until the race has finished most of the views shared on the thread are very valid. And I do enjoy reading how different people believe in different scenarios. I’m very strong on SS but it wouldn’t really surprise me if even something like a Cue Card or a Kid Cassidy won the race. Certainly have plenty of respect for Al Ferof & Peddler’s.
From HurdyGurdyman to Zarkava it’s interesting to read the different opinions. As I have said from the 2nd post on this thread I think Sprinter Sacre will win it & that is purely based on the levels I believe he can reach. I don’t think he’s been asked to do anything very seriously until this season and now he’s thriving & improving over fences. Last year he very much impressed me over hurdles as he did in his bumpers but he really has been wrapped up in cotton wool. Even watching his Supreme run he very much looked the unfinished article almost like a Stoute maiden on the flat. Pushed out well by McCoy 1 slap and that was it. Still managed to come 3rd after clouting the last. Now a lot of people have held that run against this horse but for me it was a huge positive. A big rangey, gangley horse who despite his inexperience & weak frame still managed to run a very good race.
Sprinter Sacre would have no doubt turned into a better hurdler than the mark he has of 149 so Sanctuaire being a pound ahead would mean zilch to me. I would see him running a big race in a champion hurdle tbh he has such a high cruising speed. I think Sanctuaire ran very well the other day but not surprised he’s not being aimed at the Arkle. Don’t think PN holds him in the same regard as Al Ferof. I can’t see Cheltenham as a course being a problem given how impressive he was in the Fred Winter.
As for the talk of why isn’t Sprinter Sacre running in the Champion Chase I think that’s a silly question. The Arkle is a very prestigious race anyway and you only get one shot. That and the fact Henderson never rushes his novices gives you the answer. It won’t have even crossed his mind hence why no entry. I think it’s unfair to call him a hype horse he’s clearly very talented, got a huge engine and was built for chasing. Combine that with the way he attacks his fences with so much athleticism and power I can see why he’s at the head of the market. Looking forward to see him running in the Game Spirit & I think it will be an ideal prep and his toughest test yet.You said a national hunt jockey that has ridden thousands of winners can’t present a horse at a fence pretty much. I think that’s a stupid statement. You also said you think he will retire. If you want to play bookies go ahead if you are so confident offer a price like Zark said.
Richard Johnson would have been a multiple champion jockey if a certain AP McCoy wasn’t around. He’s one of the best jump jockeys Britain has produced. I don’t think you can blame Menorah & Captain Chris on him. There was clearly something up with Captain Chris at Cheltenham & Menorah was even worse under the young jock that replaced him. He didn’t make it past the 2nd fence if I remember rightly. Stupid statement. He won 6 Grade 1’s & a Scottish national in 2011 I’d say he will be doing anything but hanging his boots up.
I think people are getting slightly confused here. Ascot or any other course I have been to this season are doing anything but trying to stop the pissheads from turning up they love it. It’s just easy money to serve crap food & crap beer for far too much money.
I would much rather be surrounded by racing fans than idiots in fancy dress screaming at the horse as it goes by on the 1st circuit which he has his 50p e/w on at 5/4. But as many have stated most of these idiots are in suits anyway.
As far as dress code I do think it’s nice that people are fairly smart. But smart can be a polo top, a decent pair of jeans & shoes. One point I will make though is it’s not difficult to follow a dress code. I’m happy to go racing in a shirt & a pair of smart trousers or jeans but if I’ve got to wear a suit then I wear one. It really isn’t difficult to get dressed is it? Some racecourses want certain meetings in particular to feel like a special occasion & everyone dressing smartly like for example you would at a wedding or w.e. It certainly adds to or changes the atmosphere and image of the racecourse.I will genuinely be shocked if Sprinter Sacre doesn’t turn out to be better than Somersby. As for Master Minded being overrated what a load of rubbish. He was a fantastic horse look at the races he’s won. At times in an absolute canter.
Al Ferof ran well today I thought. I can see him being tapped for toe but he has a great attitude & he showed that today. I do feel that Sprinter is something a bit different though.I think the thing you have to remember with this horse is he’s been taken along very slowly with chasing being his only target. I would say this season has been the first when the trainer has actually thought about the festival. The vibe I got from Nicky last season was that he didn’t even want him to run at Cheltenham.
I will just point out that in the race with Frascati Park the horse returned sick. He would have pissed up in that race if he was sound (imo of course).
As for being a bridle horse while I agree he’s not a horse who needs rousting up to get hold of the bit I do believe he will always find plenty when asked. The Supreme is the obvious example to bring up as it’s the only race he’s been put under pressure apart from his first bumper run. Now my opinion of that race was although he was getting tired by the time he met the hill after going straight through the last he did keep on to get 3rd. He didn’t totally tie up & if you look at who he was racing with in Cue Card he won that silly battle rather well. That is the only reason he didn’t finish the race off he was taking on a high class much more experienced animal in Cue Card (don’t forget he was many people’s idea of a certainty at the time and flew up the hill in the chelt bumper) at the top of the hill and while strong stayers will get away with it I can’t see how it will ever suit a horse with so much class and speed. I have no doubt in my mind whatsoever that the main aim in the Game Spirit, win or lose will be to teach this horse to settle in off the pace & use his energy at the right time. If done correctly he will run on stronger and faster than anything over 2 miles, hill or no hill.Grumeti the only thing to me that has looked like a Triumph winner so far. Stumbled more than anything today and a bit of an unlucky fall when about to hose up under a penalty. Not sure how you could be negative about him.
Long Run 11/4 NRNB is a big price for me. His only problem for me is the liability sat on his back. Long Run unfortunately will always be judged by his bare form but he has a pretty average jockey flapping around. It’s not an excuse and you have to take that into account when backing him. I don’t think Long Run is a terrible jumper and if ridden correctly he can be very good so I think this can’t arch his back thing is a bit ott. I doubt a horse with a physical ailment is going to achieve what he has. Ruby Walsh on Kauto is a great example of how much difference a top class jockey makes to a horse. I think Long Run will probably win the Gold Cup again and if he had B Geraghty on board I would say he was a banker. Grand Crus would be the main danger and I think 8/1 NRNB is probably a very fair bet. With all due respect & as much as I have enjoyed the horse & everyone would be going mad I would be pretty disappointed if Kauto won the Gold Cup as a 12yo. It would be a great achievement for the horse & trainer but would only point out to me that it was a pretty poor Gold Cup.
Don’t think you can really say you want the Gold Cup to be a shorter distance it is what it is and what it always has been.I didn’t realise this was the Chester Vase thread & why is everyone talking about Nathaniel?
I think Grumeti should be out next week hopefully at Newbury. Should give him another chance to show his ability over hurdles & where he is among the juveniles.
While I think a horse clearly has to show some decent ability on the flat I do think jumping is a totally different game. I mean the star that is Istabraq was nothing special on the flat and he ran over staying distances but he certainly showed plenty of toe over hurdles. Please don’t drag me into the Ted Spread debate though because I don’t particularly rate him very highly.Couldn’t write off Baby Mix but not really for me. I was really impressed with Grumeti on his debut I thought he did it really well against older horses.
Dildar could be good but who knows I’m certainly not one for backing some flat thing who hasn’t jumped a hurdle. Judging by the price he went off in the Adonis I wouldn’t have thought they liked Zarkandar all that much at home last season. Brampour & Empire Levant were the talking horses but clearly both took their time to take to the NH game.
