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As one who has questioned his resolution, I would say it is difficult to tell if it was lack of resolution or lack of fitness today. The symptoms are sometimes similar. I wouldn’t say he was obviously not fit.
A nice horse but is fairly experienced now and not a raw recruit, not the Arkle for me still and Terry B said, "you won’t see him at two miles from now on"…they will move him up in trip.

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Can’t say I am anything other than disappointed by Ballyfitz, looks a good winner and the 2nd to Bally’ at least meeting got beat yesterday also to diminish his previous form.
Being optimistic stable has been in better form and despite what many say he doesn’t need soft ground. Also will relish big field, fast pace.
Being realistic that didn’t look good enough for RSA…won’t be topping up for now, probably one more look before Cheltenham

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Agreed Prufrock, higher than I thought after Haydock but not quite 170.

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I generally enjoy Alan Lee and I get the Times most days but I felt he was a bit trigger happy on this one. You could almost feel his keeness to highlight and develop this point and I got the impression it was an article he had been waiting for an excuse to write.
Whatever the merits of the Morning Line (and it has for some time been a show desperately lacking in editorial innovation) it is no place for a professional athlete 3 or 4 hours before a big event. The fact that it is the only forum for terrestial coverage of this kind is not the fault of Thomas or O’Regan. Hopefully there will be a continued debate on how to promote racing better.
In truth in most sports initiatives that make the difference usually come from the broadcasters and not the participants.

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The Boylesports is on the New Course right?
This is quite a bit of a stiffer test of stamina than the Old Course were Binocular has run well previously (though just got outstayed then too).
I could see him getting beaten on Saturday as the last mile is the toughest of any hurdle track in the country but being significantly better back on the Old Course in the Champion. 6/4 looks very short.

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Binocular is a bit short against this field on this course but it is a very tough race to call and each post here makes me fancy something else. A tell tale sign to leave the race alone.
Is there a bonus for the winner if it goes on to win the Champion?

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You make some fair points Fist and maybe you are right and I haven’t factored enough for improvement…but there is something in his gait and approach that I instinctively dont like.
Free World is 20/1 this morning and Calgary Bay is 33/1…to me the Nicholls horse is the better bet at those prices.
Different story perhaps for those already on at big prices, good luck.

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Cheers Bos’ very atmospheric and conveys a winter afternoon’s sport very well …Sandown is easily the most cosy and customer friendly Grade 1 track

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Fair enough Bos’ I am certainly looking forward to seeing him run now but he just doesn’t look like a horse that is quick enough…although I accept his best performance was off a very slow pace at Cheltenham.
Still I am hardly putting my neck on the line with my 33 to 1 on chance that he won’t win the Arkle.

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But what he looks like Fist …is far too slow for the Arkle.

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What about Air Force One?…is the National on his agenda.
Seems the right type of chaser (maybe not on trends/stats) but a strong travelling, safe jumping staying sort with a touch of class.

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Calgary Bay has an enormous following on here and I must admit I am puzzled why that is. He seems to get beaten at short prices on a regular basis, to my eye there is a suspicion about his resolution and when he went into Festival conditions he disappeared out of the back of TV.
As well as some respected contributors on this forum Tony McCoy and Henrettia Knight rate him an Arkle prospect and so I must be missing something. Tomorrows race is exactly the kind of event he usually finishes 2nd in …at about 11/10. I just don’t get CB.

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Thanks Bos’ unfortunately (for me) you make good sense and I take your point about scope. I just thought Free World was a target Arkle horse and the Old Course would suit him better than Sandown.
Can’t say i am a big fan of Calgary Bay though…his profile and connections previous history would not point to the Arkle for me.

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Grasshopper I think your assessment of how MM came to get 186 is substantially correct and very perceptive.
Not in defence of Phil Smith but to give it some perspective, VPU came after a line of remarkeable Arkle/QM winners. Flagship Uberalles is a bit forgotten now given those that came soon after but he won Arkle & QM, much the best in both renewals and 3 Tingle Creek’s he had a very good record in the post Cheltenham festivals. Moscow Flyer was a top novice hurdler through to a top class Champion Hurdle prospect (I personally thought he would have won the Foot & Mouth Champion Hurdle), Arkle/QM double plus two Tingle Creeks and countless other Grade 1s. Remarkably, Azertyuiop was very nearly as good Moscow and Well Chief although he didnt win the QM was an exceptional Arkle winner who proved himself a high 170’s horse.
So along comes VPU he wins what was considered at the time a high class Arkle..Monets Garden 2nd, the pair well clear…Racing Demon, Foreman & Accordion Etoile amongst those beaten. He then wins his QM and they put him on 169. A high rating…too high in retrospect but a good 10lbs behind the Moscow/Az/Well Chief axis.
We had become used to stellar Arkle / QM performers and VPU was marked below them but not so far below he couldnt challenge them one day (ratings wise). That now looks too high but i dont think it was foolish at the time given recent history.

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As I mentioned earlier MM will find it difficult to grow in historical stature without a worthy rival but another QM and another Tingle Creek whilst performing at the same level will have him right up there with Moscow. I personally would have him as a 180ish horse right now. Remarkable for his age, even for a French bred.

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Hi Bulwark, if you don’t mind me adding to your thread…I had a bit of ante post play after yesterday’s action and we played in the same race but taking a different view.

1pt Ballyfitz …RSA at 14/1, this is a topping up exercise I am up to 4pts now and he runs on Friday at Cheltenham. I think he will win there (Lodge Lane would be an interesting opponent). My main ap tilt so far.

1pt Our Vic …KG at 16/1, I have taken a view against Kauto this term (due to his age and performance). The KG then becomes a really interesting heat. I have gone for OV as he made it his seasonal debut last year and beat all except an outstanding KS. Classy Pipe horses at big prices has always been a decent system imho.

1pt Free World…Arkle at 20/1, I too was very impressed by Araldur but his trainer wrote off the the Arkle immediately afterwards (may have a rethink of course). Reading some interviews with Clive Smith early in the year he bought FW to win the Arkle, although beaten yesterday the pair were miles clear (36 lengths a huge distance for a 2 mile chase). Most of the Irish novices look stayers. Also I can see see FW turning round the narrow defeat. So he is definetly aimed at the race, has excellent form and is with terrific connections. 20/1 looks very fair.

1/2pt Simarian…Triumph at 20/1, very taken with him at Open meeting, that was on the Old Course and importantly he looks the type to be much better on the New Course. Encouraging reports from up and coming trainer, topped up.

1/2pt WOA…Gold Cup at 20/1, just think this fellow has looked fantastic this year. Small top up pre John Durkan (which didn’t take place as it happens).

Importantly for me all of the above have clear targets and are very unlikely to have alternatives. That only leaves injury, loss of form, my poor judgement or better rivals to worry about!

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Joking aside Equi’ Master Minded can of course be mentioned in the same sentence as Moscow Flyer and its an enjoyable and legitimate exercise to compare their merits. As you suggest, its impossible to resolve unfortunately. But longevity is a significant factor for comparison, so to answer your question, the so far majestic Master Minded has plenty left to achieve.
On a more robust question, I am interested in why you think Az’ was better than Moscow…I would have thought there was a pretty strong case for the Irish horse.

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