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As himself suggests, it is a formidable stat against KS – trying to get back the crown. He has been lightly raced this year after perhaps not being quite at his best. The KG form is a little tricky to assess, bearing in mind Albertas Run’s other runs, but on the whole it suggests he still has ability in spades. If he arrives in good shape, as the Paul Nicholls suggests he will, I don’t think his old adversaries like ED and NC will beat him this time. As has already been said, if he didn’t get the trip, he wouldn’t have won it before.
Sadly, Denman’s style of winning (steaming off the others like an equine Paula Radcliffe) suggests he cannot possibly get back to that level in the time available. There are several progressive second season chasers, but they have a huge amount to find. They need to up their game considerably, even to place MdB has done his job for the year. I think KS has a great chance.
A good call by HTH. I’m sure Punjabi will come on a bit, but I don’t think today’s race will have Binocular quaking in his boots.
I haven’t been paying much attention due to the snow, ice etc, FOF. Is CB being targeted for the Arkle now? I wonder if he won’t get out-paced, like Racing Demon. His form’s a bit patchy over shorter trips. Maybe connections would be better holding him back for a longer trip at Aintree after all?
I don’t think Sub’s Champion Hurdle was a fluke, but I do think that he took his best opportunity. A turn of foot is not always so decisive in the Champion. I’d fancy Punjabi to confirm his form with him. It’s a shame Sizing Europe was so disappointing, he looks difficult to keep sound.
No Katchit, I was on top of Rodborough Hill, Glos. Hope your little fella feels more himself soon.
I took this from a post Katchit put on the Bula thread
He quoted from a post I made
"I wouldn’t take any of Katchit’s runs this year as representative of his true running. His defeats as a four-year old were better runs, and you could put them down to age/being prepared for Chelters. Alan King says he can get him better, but he seems to be lacking his enthusiasm, which has always been such a feature of his running. Perhaps his Champion effort has taken something out of him? I think it is this lack of edge, rather than ability, that looks to compromise his Champion chances. I’m a big fan. It would be a shame to see him defend his crown without his zest."
Katchit said
"Are you sure you weren’t in the ring with us after the race? That is pretty much the conversation we had with Choc and Alan.
For whatever reason he isn’t firing – we think he could be a little bored but there is the chance that he’s left a little of himself at Cheltenham last march given it was about as hard as race as it gets
Rest now for him until it’s time to get him ready for March and we think he’ll go fresh now. Alan says he can get him better but on today’s evidence we;re running for a place (which is what we thought we were doing last year)… Binocular looks a very fine animal!"
When Katchit was a three year-old, I doubt the original plan was to win the Triumph. As a four year-old, he was campaigned for the Champion. I’m sure he is again, but the way he has been running can’t be part of the plan. Previously, you could guarantee that he would try his heart out, but I’m not so sure at the moment.
Interesting what people say about Alan King. He really does bring horses on. One of his best (My Way) has really bombed out lately, but his horses don’t seem to have as many unexpected problems out of novice company as, say, some of Jonjo O’Neill’s do. Penzance hasn’t done much since he won the Triumph, but that was probably the best as he could have done. I can’t think of many of his that have gone wrong – are there many?
Binocular was very, very impressive, not even asked a question. To use a Bibilcal turn of phrase, we have seen and believed, blessed are those who had not seen but believed! Sure, CH will suit Cheltenham more, but can you see him turning around the form?
Punjabi, Sizing Europe and Osana look threats. If Osana didn’t win last time, I don’t see him doing it now. SE looks tricky to keep sound, and I don’t see anything in his form to put him much beyond Osana anyway. Punjabi looks to have improved, but how to assess that against what we saw today? I doubt Binny can win shaken up, and it will be interesting to see how he does if he has to fight.
I wouldn’t take any of Katchit’s runs this year as representative of his true running. His defeats as a four-year old were better runs, and you could put them down to age/being prepared for Chelters. Alan King says he can get him better, but he seems to be lacking his enthusiasm, which has always been such a feature of his running. Perhaps his Champion effort has taken something out of him? I think it is this lack of edge, rather than ability, that looks to compromise his Champion chances. I’m a big fan. It would be a shame to see him defend his crown without his zest.
