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I thought he would win today but it is not unusual for French breds to begin to lose their lustre as they reach nine (might be Exotic Dancer’s problem too). Could be something but I fear we have seen the best of old champ’.

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I think Gungadu can outclass them on a flat track at this trip.

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At the beginning of the season I was sceptical about CAJ as a Champion Hurdle horse but it doesn’t look a particularly strong year yet and as results have accumulated CAJ is starting to look properly priced at under 8/1.
I hate to see Champion hurdle horses running above 16f (except maybe as a novice) and I agree its a strange choice of race, given other opportunities could be more rewarding both educationally and financially.
I think he will win tomorrow but hope he can put them away without a battle in the straight.

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"Shabby
He didn’t beat a great deal in the Betfair two years ago really. Beef And Salmon never was a good traveller, L’Ami was a fair sort but not top class IMO, Ollie Magern who was 19L behind that day has never got within less than 40 lengths of the winner in all of his Grade 1 chases out of novice company with the exception of his first try at Lingfield, Iris’s Gift was pretty useless over fences and Kingscliff who was capable if in the mood but darn right awful if not. I know he won easily but in hindsight was entitled to."

aaron’
Can’t say I heard to many judges at he time saying he was ‘entitled’ to win like that. I was doing speed ratings at that time and along with Kicking Kings 1st KG it was the highest rating I had given. It remains his joint best RPR.
Also a forensic examination of any big race can produce similar results to the ones you list for the ’06 Betfair. For example last years King George,
Our Vic was attempting to win the KG on his reappearance (not done for 20 years), Exotic Dancer’s tactical ride was an admitted disaster by connections, Racing Demon is a non staying headcase, Hi Cloy was 2 stone outclassed and doesnt stay, My Way De Solzen never went a yard the entire season and Taranis broke down fatally. The above race was Kauto’s other joint top RPR!

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Kauto being best righthanded has suddenly seemed to have been established as fact but I dont think there is much evidence of it myself.
To my eye, and on some ratings, his best ever performance was in the Betfair two years ago. I was there that day and it was about the most impressive steeplechase performance I have seen in 20 years, certainly at 3 miles. His Gold Cup performance in 08 was amongst his best and his 07 Gold Cup was not too shabby (given he looked to have a fair bit in hand).
He got beaten at Aintree last season due to his normally excellent and reliable jockey being temporarily unbalanced mentally after the Gold Cup reverse. All of the above left handed.
Kauto has already reached the age when I normally stop backing French breds, though he might be an exception. Down Royal proved very little about his ability in top company I dont see any overall downturn in his known ability since the King George last year.

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trackside
Its surely a more likely outcome that they did run to Chepstow form, by your reckoning they both ran below form to the exactly same degree based on their respective Chepstow then Cheltenham finishes?
In any case the winner deserves our attention… he won with a ton in hand, by 11 lengths, from representatives of two of the nations top stables, giving them both 8lbs. He is a confirmed runner in the RSA and his trainer has given him an entry in the Grand National (a race he knows a bit about).
The RSA is over the same course and distance as Ballyfitz win on Saturday, he looks versatile as to ground and how he is not 5/1 favourite is beyond me.

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Glad to see the opinion that the Champion Hurdlers between Istabraq and Katchit weren’t worth much coming under attack.
An ill informed opinion. Brave Inca and the admirable Hardy have rightly had their defenders but I think a word for Rooster Booster is required. Some outrageous opinions here on his apparent standing in the pecking order with him being compared to some vastly inferior horses. Whilst his late development and win ratio could not have him in the stratospheric echelons of Champion Hurdlers he produced performances on 3 or 4 occasions that were beyond the capabilities of horses with far better reputations.

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Glad to see the opinion that the Champion Hurdlers between Istabraq and Katchit weren’t worth much coming under attack.
An ill informed opinion. Brave Inca and the admirable Hardy have rightly had their defenders but I think a word for Rooster Booster is required. Some outrageous opinions here on his apparent standing in the pecking order with him being compared to some vastly inferior horses. Whilst his late development and win ratio could not have him in the stratospheric echelons of Champion Hurdlers he produced performances on 3 or 4 occasions that were beyond the capabilities of horses with far better reputations.

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[Not really. I think (at the moment) he’s a three miler that is best on goodish ground when allowed to bowl along in front. I’m amazed they didn’t go on with him today in a small field. If I were an odds on punter I’d be pretty annoyed to be honest, horses generally aren’t going to win when you don’t play to their strengths.

That said the ground and the course were a bit against him today IMO I think he wants quicker conditions and a speedier test.]

Maybe you are right Ian… last year I wasn’t that sure but took my medicine as his defeats were at big prices (Ascot and the Festival). He was easy to leave today at odds but to tell the truth right now… I don’t like his head carriage, his jumping or his leg cadence (the latest of those may be down to the ground, admittedly)

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Having followed Battlecry very closely last year both visually and financially…has anyone else came to the conclusion that he is a bit of a dog?

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All it needs is four clowns in a car cutting diagonally across the course after they jump the last.

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Thanks Katchit, I can see your POV re the handicapping of the Elite, can I asked what changed to require another run before the Boylesports Bula?

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Interestingly when listening to Alan King on the Racing Post Stable Tour he laid out a pretty clear campaign for Katchit;
Kempton
Boylesports
Christmas Hdle
Kingwell
Champion Hdle

This campaign was as simple as it was sensible, given the champion’s record and taking into account the big bonuses to be considered. He did mention the Elite Hurdle but as an alternative to Kempton if he wasn’t ready (he was). He clearly stated that the Boylesports would be his second run of the season.
In my experience, when a trainer departs from a clear, lucid plan for a star horse so early in the season it is a sign that he is not happy… and Katchit’s performance yesterday may have supported this.

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I was very much taken by his action and energy at the end of the race.
As has been said the world has moved on but its great to have him back and he is a contender.

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