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Fortunately for us too much is made out of ‘getting up the hill’ and better value is to be had as a result. The Supreme is a race that comes early in the lives of these horses, and to judge their stamina purely based on that one race, in top class opposition when they are still on the weak side, is daft. Especially when these horses have still managed to make the frame.
At the prices however I don’t think anything sticks out as great value, none of the protagonists have met top class opposition and are all unbeaten. For Non Stop is totally unexposed over fences and it’ll be interesting to see how he fares next time out, I’m not sure he was flattered behind Al Ferof as many seem to think. Had he won the race by 15+ lengths he would be far more prominent in the antepost markets, but because Al Ferof was alongside, a neck better, he’s a huge price for both the Jewson and Arkle.
The market will change several times yet. Days Hotel is still underrated, and there are others from the top English stables who have yet to race. Well Chief won the Arkle and i don’t think he jumped a fence in public til February
I do not think even NH breeders go out with the intention of breeding a 3 mile hurdler. Even Big Bucks was a failed chaser, therefore the prize money will be modest. At the moment it is a wholly uncompetitive division and is hardly likely to attract huge amounts of new sponsorship.
And yet there is a Grade 1 three mile hurdle at the festival, but no Grade 1 two & a half mile hurdle for older horses, even though there is in the novice division. Never understood that. Are all hurdlers who stay over 2.5m + supposed to go chasing ?!
I remember many banging on about Harchibald and the hill when the problem was Carberry.
Binocular in the Supreme looks one paced up the hill then wins the Champion quickening up it.I think last years Supreme was a good race, and Sprinter Sacre should reverse form in the Arkle with Al Ferof.
I like Peddlers Cross ( i think Oscar is a brilliant sire and used to make bundles of money backing his horses in bumpers etc before he became a noted sire ) but still prefer the Henderson horse over fences
Something needs to be done to make the 3-mile hurdle division more competitive, bigger purses, fewer 2+1/2 mile races etc. As long as it lacks financial backing an prestige it will remain uncompetitive. Big Bucks is a monster but the standard is so low it diminishes his achievment.
There are a few horses who would have a chance but also definitely pick up some prize money, and yet trainers don’t run them. If i was an owner, had a decent horse who stayed the trip, he’d be in. Oscar Whisky going for the Scottish Champion is just another vanity trip. It should be taking on Big Bucks here.
Too many are also obsessed with Cheltenham
The market is saying this is a 6 horse race between LR, Kauto, MM, Captain Chris, Somersby and Diamond Harry.
The last two are fairly exposed now and seem to lack the class to win. I am not sure about CC – he has never raced over 3 miles and might be short of race practice. Similarly MM might not get the trip. On the other hand presumably the trainers know what they are doing.
Kauto was third last year despite a burst blood vessel. Conceivably he might have won otherwise, although he was beaten by Long Run by a long way in the subsequent Gold Cup when both were probably at peak fitness. In my view Kauto prefers Kempton to Cheltenham given his record overall. And as he has beaten LR recently on a flat track his odds of 9/2 seem quite generous either win or e/w. Difficult to see him out of the first three given the paucity of opposition.
The flipside :
Kauto was trained to the second for Haydock, Long Run was not, and Henderson’s have improved since then.
Both horses were 6 when winning their first King George in similar conditions, Long Run in the quicker time, and had also proven a liking for the course in the Feltham. Also, i think Long Run was tested more in his first year in Britain, running in a Feltham, an RSA and a Paddy Power before attempting the King George against quality opposition. Kauto a couple of wins to his name and a brief run in the Queen Mother, before meeting opposition at Kempton that was thin on quality.Long Run could well be a better horse than Kauto was at a similar stage in his career. Would you take on a 2007 Kauto with todays vintage ?
The only slight doubt for me is still Wally. I just think Long Run would be even better with Geraghty in the saddle
I’ve been disappointed with Henderson’s entries again this season. Where as Nicholls has horses in all the big races, most times more than one, there have been some valuable races without a Henderson runner. Huge stable with talented horses – don’t understand it. Big races at Grade 1 tracks.
Likely that he’ll have only the one runner in this.
Henderson strength is in hurdlers and two milers at that, he is the best at that discipline in the UK. Comparitively he doesnt have many staying horses….so many races will pass without an entry
He has lots of chasers, but makes mistakes with entries etc.
( Daves Dream is a two miler yet they persist with the 2.5 mile chases )
Master Of The Hall has ruined his handicap mark for £20,000 when there are £50,000 handicaps about. Just think they could be targeted better. He also has some stayers running over inadequate tripsSome strange decisions from the Hobbs yard in recent times.
Quinz in the National was unbelievably bad.
Riding out a finish a circuit too soon is not uncommon at Fakenham.
Why do you think that is Paul? Is there some feature of the course that hoodwinks them or just a statistical anomaly?
Short course. Rare to require that many circuits of a course to complete a race.
I’m still in Ongenstown Lad’s camp for this, but would like to see it given a run beforehand.
I’ve been disappointed with Henderson’s entries again this season. Where as Nicholls has horses in all the big races, most times more than one, there have been some valuable races without a Henderson runner. Huge stable with talented horses – don’t understand it. Big races at Grade 1 tracks.
Likely that he’ll have only the one runner in this.
It is patently obvious to all that he rode a finish a circuit too soon. He actually looked over his shoulder for challengers on 3 occaisions, and certainly made no attempt to pull the horse up before the finishing line.
Which begs the question – why no further enquiry ? If the stewards don’t believe his excuse and so impose the ban , they must assume he’s lied to them. Fallon was fined for not giving full disclosure to Chester stewards
His father’s influence ?
You can’t accuse people willy nilly of lying Mark therefore they just don’t accept Wally Cohen’s explanation and leave it at that.
They had evidence and proof against Fallon.How many folk thought Sean Fox jumped off Ice Saint a few years ago but he was exonerated.
They have accused him of lying by not accepting his explanation.
It is patently obvious to all that he rode a finish a circuit too soon. He actually looked over his shoulder for challengers on 3 occaisions, and certainly made no attempt to pull the horse up before the finishing line.
Which begs the question – why no further enquiry ? If the stewards don’t believe his excuse and so impose the ban , they must assume he’s lied to them. Fallon was fined for not giving full disclosure to Chester stewards
His father’s influence ?
Sometime in the future a jockey will probably ride a finish a circuit too early again. It happens.
People make mistakes.
SWC made one, looked like a prat then tried to salvage face. Not the first person to have done this and won’t be the last. He’s got a ban and his pride’s taken a good kicking. I don’t see any reason to berate him any further.
I think you’re missing the part where he lied. He refuses to even acknowledge his mistake, and so until he does, he deserves all he gets. I’m glad his conduct would do for you.
I’d have no problem if he held his hands up and apologised. And what about the scant disregard for punters?
Yep. Did he apologise to punters and racegoers ? No.
Ridiculous from Pitman, too. How can a horseman agree with that method of pulling a horse up – a few furlongs after Waley Cohen first looked round and subsequently jumped fences ?!
As De Fer
Course, distance and going should be no problem. Is it up to this class ? Possibly
Neptune Equester
Can understand the lure of the Grand National but think this race would be better. Loves soft going, stays all days, lovely weight, nice prep. Better chance all round than in April.
Giles Cross
Obvious chance of going one better.
the problem was that he tried to deny it, instead of being man enough to admit he’d made a mistake.
Made it ten times worse.
But it hasn’t made it worse because he has been banned for the incident itself only.
"Yeah, well, i thought i heard something – he’s had breathing troubles before – but i looked round and thought i’d jump one more fence. Then i looked round and jumped another fence. Then i decided to pull the horse up by riding it over the finish line. I didn’t realise my mistake afterwards, i didn’t formulate a plan, and i didn’t dismount the horse to try and influence your opinion "
He’s lied to the stewards, ridden a finish a circuit too early, and is given 12 days. Not much longer than someone trying to win a race but using a whip a few times too many. Racing is ridiculous.
He was obviously riding a finish because he looked round prior to jumping two fences and then pushed the horse over the line.
I’d backed it, it looked like a winner. Can i have my money back, please, Sam ?*
* Obviously joking.