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So they breed grouse, let them free on a certain day, shoot them and (some) eat them.
I’ve heard this called a sport by some people.
Maybe I should start a petition to get it banned.
No, i don’t think i’ll bother. To be honest, is it all that important? Surely a more important thing to debate is stopping child abuse or violent crime. Why is parliament wasting time debating foxhunting when there are far more important things to discuss.
Spot on Esc.
The one big thing in Legal Right’s favour is his trainer – Jonjo. He certainly knows how to get the most out of a horse. If Legal Right has the ability to run well in Gold Cup, Jonjo will get it out of him. Maybe Liam Cooper will be riding him too, which would be a plus in my book.
Still, hard to fancy on overall form i’m not sure i’d want to be on such a fragile horse.
Regarding LLT’s injury – he’s recovered. He’s ok and Noel Chance has made sure the horse is well looked after during training. I don’t think he’ll be breaking down in the GC.
PR – I don’t think that race again Baracouda was in Hors La Loi’s favourite conditions. 2m 4f is not his trip – he’s show three times that he doesn’t stay.
When he raced fresh at Wincanton he defeated Auetaler by 1/2 length – hardly the profile of a horse that likes running fresh.(he then went on to be 2nd in the CH which shows he may have needed that Wincanton run) I don’t reckon things were in HHL’s favour that day at Ascot.
HHL, as we now all know, must have good or faster ground. 2 miles is most definately his distance and it could be argued that Cheltenham is his favourite track.
Whether he retains enough ability to go close again in the CH is another matter completely. He’s only a 7yo so there’s plenty of time for him to go chasing.
The one big thing in Looks Like Trouble’s favour is that he’s trained by Noel Chance. He is certainly one of the very best when it comes to training a good one. Look what he did with Mr Mulligan. He got that horse absolutely spot on for Cheltenham. That horse raced twice in his GC year and was trained to the minute for the GC.
LLT was liad out for the GC in 2000 as well and we know he is in 2002.
The form of his GC win is questionable though but if he is sound (if…the most overused word in racing) through the race, he ought to run well.
Hard GC to predict at this stage and i’m waiting for the Racing Post Chase to roll by…
Aidan, i don’t think Swan has lost his nerve. I’m talking about him being NERVOUS when riding Istabraq.
He is still a very high class jockey but I think he gets a little tense when riding Istabraq. Who wouldn’t? Not many.
Swan won’t be so nervous at Cheltenham but i’m damn sure he was nervous when riding towards the last at Leopardstown the last few times that Isty has run there.
The point i’ve been trying to make is that I do not believe it is Istabraq’s jumping that is the problem, i just think there has been a lack of connection between Swan and the horse – i think they’ll be fine at Cheltenham as Charlie’s never fallen off Isty there!
Dario – It could be considered fair to say that Landing Light, Copeland and Valiramix are NOT Champion Hurdle contenders AT ALL.
Personally I think the Champion hurdle is not great this year and that Landing Light has a decent chance. Copeland would certainly be on my list if he were running as he has the C/D form and the impressive Tote win (albeit on testing ground and stuffing a consistent loser).
Istabraq is the best horse in the race, although that doesn’t mean he’s a cert as we all know.
Maybe Bilboa will go close. After all, she beat Rodock at Sandown who previously hammered The French Furze who was previously defeated by Valiramix and Landing Light….form can be so damn complicated!
I agree, 33/1 was by no means a true reflection of his chances.
But from what you said Valiramix will have it tough making the THREE never mind first so why back him at 33/1?
If you don’t think a horse will win but you think it is overpriced at 33/1 – why would you back it to win? Seems mad to me.
Was that word ALVUE rm?
Something doesn’t make sense to me there: if 11/4 is no good about a horse "who was readliy put in his place by LL last season, and whose best form is on Flat tracks" why is 33/1 any better? If the horses chance is as bad as you make out (which im not agreeing or disagreeing with) it doesn’t matter what price you’d get – you’d be losing your money.
The Racing Post’s records don’t go far enough back – Isty would have to be his second winner then!
Thanks Rook, nice to see someone else point out that Swan and Isty aren’t exactly "as one" anymore.
Swan is (i feel) the problem (as i’ve said before). I think he’s getting a little nervous. Istabraq seems fine to me. I think Swan is just starting to get a little shaky on the horse and nervy.
I think perhaps Regal Exit’s connections should have been done under the non-triers rule. The horse was barely moved out of the rear and i think had one smack for the whole race. His sights are set somewhere else…Champion Hurdle?
Bacchanal is apparently going to be examined by Yogi Breisner. He said, "It has been discussed in the press but I wouldn’t entirely look upon it as a problem. Normally Bacchanal has jumped straight and certainly when he has schooled at home he has been straight. It wasn’t as ifhe was jumping badly right at every single fence, and he jumped well all the way up the home straight."
Personally, i think it is a problem, losing ground when jumping right. I think he’s always had a few jumping problems but he will surely improve.<br>
There is NO way Cheltenham fences form counts for very little.
It is not 100% vital but it is a definate bonus and not to be ignored.
MH – yes, the actual stats do not say "10yo’s are now chasing and not hurdling" etc but it is an interpretation of the stats that can be most important.
That stats tell us that not many 10yo’s RUN in the Champion. We can say that this is because they are chasing instead, and i believe that spot on. The stats are definately helpful and a good guide.
I think all the rumours surrounding Istabraq are unfair and he is the best horse in the field on paper. I don’t know if he’ll win or not yet because i’ve not made my choice but i’ll continue to stick up for him when people discuss his defeat of Bust Out. <br>
Take a look at the closing stages, Swan is cosy on him. I think he raises his hand right before the line. Istabraq took slightly longer to quicken than normal but beat Bust Out cosily enough.
Unfair to judge Istabraq on that one run as it would be to judge Landing Light on his run against The French Furze where he was only 80% fit.
