Latest ratings from Timeform in the build up to the three Festivals
Attachment 1638
Latest ratings from Timeform in the build up to the three Festivals
Attachment 1638
edgt (8th January 2018), Maruco (10th January 2018), NewApproach (8th January 2018)
There's been plenty of talk about Good Boy Bobby's win at Chepstow on Saturday. Even though he was wearing a hood (the horse, not the jockey), Sam Twister had a job to hold onto him until the straight and it took ages to pull him up afterwards. The horse was so much better than the others that he wasn't in a race at all even though he was givinng them all at least 7 lbs.
To me it's a good thing with the Champion Bumper in mind that a horse has been through a battle and knows how to race as opposed to leading out a procession. His debut win was in a much tighter race, but he came up the stands rail on his own that day while the others were out in the middle of the track, although it's fair to point out he stretched on in the final furlong when asked. There's no doubt he is a talented horse but I'd like to see him have another run before taking on Cheltenham.
Nick Gifford's JP horse looked full of potential at Ascot. He'd be the one I'd be inclined to row-in with, if forced to have a bet today.
"Beat the price and lose. It's what we do".
SlimChance, March 2018
115 seems quite a low rating for a top-rated horse.
Does anyone know what the ratings for previous festival bumper winners were?
Illegitimi non carborundum
As a point of reference, Timeform (Chasers & Hurdlers) rarely have their top-rated higher than mid-120’s, DO.
Bear in mind the higher marks will likely not be achieved until the best meet the best at the Spring Festivals. Fayonagh was on 118 after last season, along with Paloma Blue. Highest-rated Bumper horse in last 25 years is Cousin Vinny (134).
"Beat the price and lose. It's what we do".
SlimChance, March 2018
edgt (8th January 2018)
Massive fan of Gallahers Cross. Don't think he'll get a run at Cheltenham though.
131, Fonz.
Since 2000:
Quadco - 129
The Bajan Bandit - 128
Pizzaro/Rhinestone Cowboy - 123
Rhinestone Cowboy - 123
Secret Ploy - 122
Karanja - 128
Leading Run - 123
Theatrical Moment - 124
Cousin Vinny - 134
Dunguib - 131
Cue Card - 132
Cheltenian - 128
Don Cossack - 128
Briar Hill - 130
Shaneshill - 124
Bellshill - 126
Ballyandy/Blow By Blow - 123
Fayonagh/Paloma Blue - 118
Last edited by Grasshopper; 8th January 2018 at 8:23 PM.
"Beat the price and lose. It's what we do".
SlimChance, March 2018
Hollowgraphic here for me. Early Doors & Rapid Escape have advertised his Punchestown Goffs Landrover 2nd very well. Rapid Escape won 3 bumpers on the trot, the last 2 penalised.
Hollowgraphic then destroyed Dunvegan who won tidily last weekend himself. Mullins making all the right noises about him too.
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I like the Nick Gifford horse too.
The programme for the new Dublin festival includes two 75k bumpers, one for colts and geldings and the other for mares. Each will be worth roughly the same to the winner as last year's Champion Bumper, which will surely change the landscape. It would be nice to see some entries from England.
In the longer run a bonus for the horse than can win a Spring triple crown at Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Punchestown might be interesting.
3 bumpers like that would possibly bury a horse
Gigi will probably go all out for the Dublin Festival version seeing as theirs wont be travelling
Rapid Escape seems the best of their lot on what i've seen
Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done
In my opinion this is all wrong and not what our sport of NH racing is about. I thought the game was about jumping and in my view bumpers served the purpose of introducing young horses usually store ones to racing each other and the different winter ground conditions without the added complication of obstacles. There is already 3 big NH flat races 4 if you include Aintree. I would much rather see the prize money invested in hurdle and chase races and in my view these 75k flat races are to felicitate the high end owners and breeders
Given the price of some of these pointers and sales horses, I think it's reasonable that anyone running one in a bumper gets some kind of reward
They are ultimately a nursery for future championship type horses which is what will keep the sport going
Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done
Didtheyleaveuoutto goes straight to Cheltenham.
Can I have a Melbourne Cup instead?
That'd be Piltown, so.
"And still they gazed and still the wonder grew. That one small head could carry all he knew.
And that small head knew that Impaire Et Passe would win the Champion Hurdle."