Hardy Eustace

[Grey]

What a fabulous horse to own, one with both class and guts. He's been around since before I was born* and been involved in the most amazing string of exciting races. I thought we had probably seen the end of him last season as a serious horse but there he was on Saturday running once again to a mark very close to his best.

By the way, he needs only another £27k now to become a sterling millionaire.

The RP Analysis of Saturday's race says he and Afsoun should go for staying hurdles from now on, but I'm not so sure. This season's CH could take less winning than last year's.

Sublimity is not a robust horse and might not make it back for this year's race - I hasten to add I have no inside line on this, I'm just going on his track record, or lack of one so to speak. Other principals such as Brave Inca and Detroit City sadly won't be there.

The HE camp would surely enjoy, rather than want to dodge, another set-to with Harchibald, who showed signs of being back on good terms with himself at Dundalk the other night. Indeed both camps would surely like to see it happen.

Sublimity apart, which other horse might persuade HE's connections he should start running extra laps of the track?


[SIZE=1]* It's been said he was in the GPO[SIZE=1]

[Flagship uberalles]

Katchit is the only other one which comes to mind. I suppose we'll have a better idea of his merits after Saturday.

I can't really think of another established horse that would put you off a Champion bid and no other of last year's novices stand out.

HE has been one of my favourites for a long time now, he landed me a nice bet when winning the Sun Alliance Hurdle.

I just wish I had backed him when he was 33-1 in the Champion - I honestly thought he was in the wrong race!

The more I think about it, the more you have a point - he has been beaten fair and square most of the times he's stepped up to 20f and beyond in a decent race. The only exceptions being his Sun Alliance win and the two Ascot Hurdle wins. There has to be a stamina doubt about him getting 3 miles at Cheltenham even though he has looked as if a trip will suit him.

If connections are going to a good quality 3 mile race with him next, it might be worth taking a fancy price for the Champion now in anticipation of a less than stellar run?

[Harbinger]

Let's not forget that he got into that duel with Brave Inca and was still only beaten 3 1/2 lengths last year by a horse who, although undeniably talented, had things fall nicely for him.

I'm sure all the stats are against him, and it's a big leap to think he might actually win it again, but he could be a very nice trading proposition in the CH market (currently 60 to tiny money).

[uncle goober]

I think they should give the Stayers a go. The three miles round there isn't the stiffest and well worth taking the chance when it must be likely that he will be done for speed at the end of The Champion.

[AliGupter]

I hope he goes for the Champion, I've got some money on him at 100, mind he didn't go down anywhere near as much as I thought for winning that race, I did the same last year backing him at 43 I think it was and he went off about 3/1...

[Warbler]

I can see that a Champion tilt is on the cards too. As has been mentioned three of the principals won't line up, (add Ikitiaf to DC and BI?) on top of what might also fall by the wayside between now and March. Katchit has the Triumph hoodoo to overcome, and still needs to run against older horses, though I suspect he'll cope fine. The novices didn't look particularly strong, and I'm pretty certain Ebaziyan isn't up to a truly run race, and suspect Clopf is similar, though not quite as vulnerable. FWIW I think Blythe Knight and Osana were the pick of last years crop. Harchibald, Macs Joy, Straw Bear and Sublimity couldn't really be relied on to line up this far out, and I'd be surprised if all 4 made it. Are there grounds to think that Hardy need to be scarred of any of them? they're quite exposed by now. Of the ones mentioned I'd be inclined to look at Blythe Knight as ticking most of the boxes, but he's been kept on the go for a long time now, and with my endorsement at 33/1 already there to burden him, he's got no chance.

[davidjohnson]

Likeable as he is, I can't say him winning the Champion Hurdle. Running well in it? Yes, but he won't win it. Afsoun would probably have beaten him over 2m on Saturday.

[Bar the Bull]

Is there a Ryanair hurdle?

[Warbler]

Originally posted by Bar the Bull@Nov 26 2007, 10:16 PM
Is there a Ryanair hurdle?

Don't think so unless Sun Alliance have withdrawn their sponsorship. There's a new hurdles race which is presumebly in need of a sponsor, but I thought that was for fillies and mares so Hardy wouldn't get in anyway

[trackside528]

Would tend to agree with DJ here.. weak as the 2m division may be, it is hard for me to see him having the pace to win a Champion Hurdle at this point..

[Grey]

Originally posted by Warbler+Nov 27 2007, 12:41 AM-->

QUOTE (Warbler @ Nov 27 2007, 12:41 AM)

Reply With Quote 27th November 2007, 1:12 AM #12 Harbinger View Profile View Forum Posts View Blog Entries View Articles Senior Member Join Date Mar 2004 Posts 11,282 Thanks 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Like it Reply With Quote 27th November 2007, 11:39 AM #13 clivex View Profile View Forum Posts View Blog Entries View Articles Banned Join Date Jul 2006 Posts 12,720 Thanks 48 Thanked 68 Times in 65 Posts Likeable as he is, I can't say him winning the Champion Hurdle. Running well in it? Yes, but he won't win it. Afsoun would probably have beaten him over 2m on Saturday It was also signalled by Nicky that afsoun would come on a lot for the race Its wonderful to see Hardy running so well at this stage of his career but maybe bypassing cheltenham altogther and going for the aintree hurdle might be best option? Reply With Quote 27th November 2007, 11:41 AM #14 an capall View Profile View Forum Posts View Blog Entries Visit Homepage View Articles Senior Member Join Date May 2003 Location Dalkey Posts 5,504 Thanks 426 Thanked 845 Times in 481 Posts Blog Entries 1 Ryanair - The Airline For Those Without a Proper Trip The end is not actually in Cheltenham, but there is a bus to bring the horses back. "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." Reply With Quote 27th November 2007, 12:48 PM #15 mcnugget View Profile View Forum Posts View Blog Entries View Articles Junior Member Join Date Nov 2006 Posts 27 Thanks 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Massive fan of the horse, one of the reasons why I love National Hunt is to see great horses come back year after year (hard to believe its almost 5 years since his SunAlliance win). Having said that it's hard to see him winning another champion imo, he's hardly improved from last year and I don't think a repeat of that run would be good enough in all likelihood (though not far away). If I was planning his season it'd be something like Long Walk, AIG Champion Hurdle then the Stayers. It's worth a shot at this stage... he owes connections nothing so why not give it a go? Reply With Quote 27th November 2007, 8:21 PM #16 Shadow Leader View Profile View Forum Posts View Blog Entries View Articles Senior Member Join Date Nov 2003 Posts 9,884 Thanks 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Originally posted by Warbler+Nov 26 2007, 11:41 PM--> QUOTE (Warbler @ Nov 26 2007, 11:41 PM) Reply With Quote 27th November 2007, 8:35 PM #17 Diamond Geezer View Profile View Forum Posts View Blog Entries View Articles Super Moderator Join Date May 2003 Posts 13,884 Thanks 2,576 Thanked 4,128 Times in 2,052 Posts I had the privilege of being at John Carr's stable on Friday. Sublimity is very well and we were able to watch him work on the Wexford sand gallops.Although the trainer has grass gallops up the road he says he is able to get all his horses as fit as he wants them here, but sometimes takes them to the grass gallops for no other reason than a change of scenery. There has been a conscious decision not to go for the bonus on offer via the Fighting Fifth route as the Boylesports / AIG/ Champion Hurdle readily fits into a six week break between races which suits the horse and they are adamant it will not be beaten in March. Should the horse be well and should the ground be suitable they will consider the Punchestown Festival but that is not definite. Incidentally they lifted the roof off the oncourse bookmaker's shop (Hacketts ?)at Gowran Park on Saturday when Hardy came to win his race, everyman and his dog were on. "The owls are not what they seem" Reply With Quote 27th November 2007, 9:01 PM #18 davidjohnson View Profile View Forum Posts View Blog Entries View Articles Senior Member Join Date Jun 2007 Posts 3,434 Thanks 3 Thanked 34 Times in 24 Posts Originally posted by Shadow Leader+Nov 27 2007, 07:21 PM--> QUOTE (Shadow Leader @ Nov 27 2007, 07:21 PM) Originally posted by Warbler@Nov 26 2007, 11:41 PM Reply With Quote 27th November 2007, 9:13 PM #19 Shadow Leader View Profile View Forum Posts View Blog Entries View Articles Senior Member Join Date Nov 2003 Posts 9,884 Thanks 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts I thought that initially about Zilcash but he is eligible for novice races since he didn't win his hurdle race until April 30th [this season]. Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess. False face must hide what the false heart doth know. Reply With Quote 27th November 2007, 10:18 PM #20 Harbinger View Profile View Forum Posts View Blog Entries View Articles Senior Member Join Date Mar 2004 Posts 11,282 Thanks 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks for the info on Sublimity DG. I thought I'd heard he was only going to have one run before the CH so it's good to know we'll see a little more of him than that. Reply With Quote Page 1 of 2 12 Last Jump to page: Quick Navigation General Racing Topics Top Site Areas Settings Private Messages Subscriptions Who's Online Search Forums Forums Home Forums Talking Horses News and Announcements Talking Horses Official Announcements Talking Horses News Forum Information & New Members Introduce yourself Forum suggestions Bug and issues reports General Racing Topics General Racing Topics Bookmakers Betting Offers Bookmakers Free Bets, Opening Offers and Bonuses Other Sports Other Sports General Chit Chat Chit Chat What are you watching? What are you listening to? What are you reading? Photography The Archives Forum Gold World Cup 2018 UEFA Euro 2016 « Previous Thread | Next Thread » Similar Threads Hardy Eustace Retired By Guest_ in forum General Racing Topics Replies: 20 Last Post: 17th January 2010, 1:26 PM Hardy Eustace By Guest_ in forum General Racing Topics Replies: 6 Last Post: 3rd March 2008, 9:25 PM Posting Permissions You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts   BB code is On Smilies are On [IMG] code is On [VIDEO] code is On HTML code is On Forum Rules -- vB4 Default Style -- Default Mobile Style Contact Us Talking Horses Archive Top All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:30 AM. Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved. (c) Talking Horses 1999-2022

[Harbinger]

Like it

[clivex]

Likeable as he is, I can't say him winning the Champion Hurdle. Running well in it? Yes, but he won't win it. Afsoun would probably have beaten him over 2m on Saturday

It was also signalled by Nicky that afsoun would come on a lot for the race

Its wonderful to see Hardy running so well at this stage of his career but maybe bypassing cheltenham altogther and going for the aintree hurdle might be best option?

[an capall]

Ryanair - The Airline For Those Without a Proper Trip

The end is not actually in Cheltenham, but there is a bus to bring the horses back.

[mcnugget]

Massive fan of the horse, one of the reasons why I love National Hunt is to see great horses come back year after year (hard to believe its almost 5 years since his SunAlliance win). Having said that it's hard to see him winning another champion imo, he's hardly improved from last year and I don't think a repeat of that run would be good enough in all likelihood (though not far away).

If I was planning his season it'd be something like Long Walk, AIG Champion Hurdle then the Stayers. It's worth a shot at this stage... he owes connections nothing so why not give it a go?

[Shadow Leader]

Originally posted by Warbler+Nov 26 2007, 11:41 PM-->

QUOTE (Warbler @ Nov 26 2007, 11:41 PM)

Reply With Quote 27th November 2007, 8:35 PM #17 Diamond Geezer View Profile View Forum Posts View Blog Entries View Articles Super Moderator Join Date May 2003 Posts 13,884 Thanks 2,576 Thanked 4,128 Times in 2,052 Posts I had the privilege of being at John Carr's stable on Friday. Sublimity is very well and we were able to watch him work on the Wexford sand gallops.Although the trainer has grass gallops up the road he says he is able to get all his horses as fit as he wants them here, but sometimes takes them to the grass gallops for no other reason than a change of scenery. There has been a conscious decision not to go for the bonus on offer via the Fighting Fifth route as the Boylesports / AIG/ Champion Hurdle readily fits into a six week break between races which suits the horse and they are adamant it will not be beaten in March. Should the horse be well and should the ground be suitable they will consider the Punchestown Festival but that is not definite. Incidentally they lifted the roof off the oncourse bookmaker's shop (Hacketts ?)at Gowran Park on Saturday when Hardy came to win his race, everyman and his dog were on. "The owls are not what they seem" Reply With Quote 27th November 2007, 9:01 PM #18 davidjohnson View Profile View Forum Posts View Blog Entries View Articles Senior Member Join Date Jun 2007 Posts 3,434 Thanks 3 Thanked 34 Times in 24 Posts Originally posted by Shadow Leader+Nov 27 2007, 07:21 PM--> QUOTE (Shadow Leader @ Nov 27 2007, 07:21 PM) Originally posted by Warbler@Nov 26 2007, 11:41 PM Reply With Quote 27th November 2007, 9:13 PM #19 Shadow Leader View Profile View Forum Posts View Blog Entries View Articles Senior Member Join Date Nov 2003 Posts 9,884 Thanks 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts I thought that initially about Zilcash but he is eligible for novice races since he didn't win his hurdle race until April 30th [this season]. Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess. False face must hide what the false heart doth know. Reply With Quote 27th November 2007, 10:18 PM #20 Harbinger View Profile View Forum Posts View Blog Entries View Articles Senior Member Join Date Mar 2004 Posts 11,282 Thanks 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks for the info on Sublimity DG. I thought I'd heard he was only going to have one run before the CH so it's good to know we'll see a little more of him than that. Reply With Quote Page 1 of 2 12 Last Jump to page: Quick Navigation General Racing Topics Top Site Areas Settings Private Messages Subscriptions Who's Online Search Forums Forums Home Forums Talking Horses News and Announcements Talking Horses Official Announcements Talking Horses News Forum Information & New Members Introduce yourself Forum suggestions Bug and issues reports General Racing Topics General Racing Topics Bookmakers Betting Offers Bookmakers Free Bets, Opening Offers and Bonuses Other Sports Other Sports General Chit Chat Chit Chat What are you watching? What are you listening to? What are you reading? Photography The Archives Forum Gold World Cup 2018 UEFA Euro 2016 « Previous Thread | Next Thread » Similar Threads Hardy Eustace Retired By Guest_ in forum General Racing Topics Replies: 20 Last Post: 17th January 2010, 1:26 PM Hardy Eustace By Guest_ in forum General Racing Topics Replies: 6 Last Post: 3rd March 2008, 9:25 PM Posting Permissions You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts   BB code is On Smilies are On [IMG] code is On [VIDEO] code is On HTML code is On Forum Rules -- vB4 Default Style -- Default Mobile Style Contact Us Talking Horses Archive Top All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:30 AM. Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved. (c) Talking Horses 1999-2022

[Diamond Geezer]

I had the privilege of being at John Carr's stable on Friday. Sublimity is very well and we were able to watch him work on the Wexford sand gallops.Although the trainer has grass gallops up the road he says he is able to get all his horses as fit as he wants them here, but sometimes takes them to the grass gallops for no other reason than a change of scenery. There has been a conscious decision not to go for the bonus on offer via the Fighting Fifth route as the Boylesports / AIG/ Champion Hurdle readily fits into a six week break between races which suits the horse and they are adamant it will not be beaten in March. Should the horse be well and should the ground be suitable they will consider the Punchestown Festival but that is not definite.

Incidentally they lifted the roof off the oncourse bookmaker's shop (Hacketts ?)at Gowran Park on Saturday when Hardy came to win his race, everyman and his dog were on.

[davidjohnson]

Originally posted by Shadow Leader+Nov 27 2007, 07:21 PM-->

QUOTE (Shadow Leader @ Nov 27 2007, 07:21 PM)

Originally posted by Warbler@Nov 26 2007, 11:41 PM Reply With Quote 27th November 2007, 9:13 PM #19 Shadow Leader View Profile View Forum Posts View Blog Entries View Articles Senior Member Join Date Nov 2003 Posts 9,884 Thanks 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts I thought that initially about Zilcash but he is eligible for novice races since he didn't win his hurdle race until April 30th [this season]. Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess. False face must hide what the false heart doth know. Reply With Quote 27th November 2007, 10:18 PM #20 Harbinger View Profile View Forum Posts View Blog Entries View Articles Senior Member Join Date Mar 2004 Posts 11,282 Thanks 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Thanks for the info on Sublimity DG. I thought I'd heard he was only going to have one run before the CH so it's good to know we'll see a little more of him than that. Reply With Quote Page 1 of 2 12 Last Jump to page: Quick Navigation General Racing Topics Top Site Areas Settings Private Messages Subscriptions Who's Online Search Forums Forums Home Forums Talking Horses News and Announcements Talking Horses Official Announcements Talking Horses News Forum Information & New Members Introduce yourself Forum suggestions Bug and issues reports General Racing Topics General Racing Topics Bookmakers Betting Offers Bookmakers Free Bets, Opening Offers and Bonuses Other Sports Other Sports General Chit Chat Chit Chat What are you watching? What are you listening to? What are you reading? Photography The Archives Forum Gold World Cup 2018 UEFA Euro 2016 « Previous Thread | Next Thread » Similar Threads Hardy Eustace Retired By Guest_ in forum General Racing Topics Replies: 20 Last Post: 17th January 2010, 1:26 PM Hardy Eustace By Guest_ in forum General Racing Topics Replies: 6 Last Post: 3rd March 2008, 9:25 PM Posting Permissions You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts   BB code is On Smilies are On [IMG] code is On [VIDEO] code is On HTML code is On Forum Rules -- vB4 Default Style -- Default Mobile Style Contact Us Talking Horses Archive Top All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:30 AM. Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2024 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved. (c) Talking Horses 1999-2022

[Shadow Leader]

I thought that initially about Zilcash but he is eligible for novice races since he didn't win his hurdle race until April 30th [this season].

[Harbinger]

Thanks for the info on Sublimity DG. I thought I'd heard he was only going to have one run before the CH so it's good to know we'll see a little more of him than that.