The Road To The 2018 Champion Hurdle

[PlaceBacker]

Bloody hell, OC have just put the change of odds into 20-1 which is not quite so appealing!

it is NRNB on B365 though

[Danny]

Prepare to be disappointed if you think you will get 33/1 at B365. That price is at least a week out-of-date, if it was ever laid at all.

Yes, it's 20/1 and they've removed the NRNB concession in that market.

It's 20/1 with it at Sky but I didn't check the place terms.

It was certainly laid at 33/1 with 365 Grass I have a tenna e/w at that price. I topped up at 25/1 the night before the contenders hurdle same stake. After the contenders he was cut to 20/1 So that's how far out of date it is.

Des where have you got the impression that they have stopped NRNB on the market ? Still is as far as I can see.

Does anyone know if there is a catch with the Ladbrokes version ? They are labelling it NRMB ( non runner money back ). I got caught out once with something similar as some firm gave it you back as a free bet that had to be used in the same race. Was a few years back but I'm always cautious now about the terms.

[Desert Orchid]

Des where have you got the impression that they have stopped NRNB on the market ? Still is as far as I can see.

At oddschecker, when I went into that market the NRNB green tick at the top of the column wasn't there (it was with Sky).

[PlaceBacker]

The betting history on JC in without market crazy, going 33 then 20, back to 33 then 20...

[Desert Orchid]

It's just occurred to me that this cold snap might be bad news for JC's fans.

When he finally hit form last season it was in the spring and summer and the trainer was quoted as saying he was a spring and summer horse who had thrived with the sun on his back.

To balance that out, his form so far since the autumn hasn't been that far off his peak (at MR) despite clearly only being there for the fresh air.

[PlaceBacker]

Also trainer Evan Williams has been on the "cold list" for a while. But had a winner last Saturday, so hopefully stable are about to turn their form around

[Danny]

I'm not that much of a fan tbh even though I've backed him he was only a bit of a saver really for CML and Ch'tibello one of who'm will be a NR and the other I've lost any faith in since they ran him at Wincanton. Melon replaces CML as my number 1 hope for the race as boring a selection as that is I do think he's as solid a bet as one could wish for.

I think with JC its more spring ground than the actual time of year DO. Better the ground better his chance, stronger the pace, ditto.

[Grasshopper]

It's just occurred to me that this cold snap might be bad news for JC's fans.

When he finally hit form last season it was in the spring and summer and the trainer was quoted as saying he was a spring and summer horse who had thrived with the sun on his back.

To balance that out, his form so far since the autumn hasn't been that far off his peak (at MR) despite clearly only being there for the fresh air.

I'm not a "fan", DO - I just thought he was good value in the market, no more than that.

Think you're right though. His chance is probably diminished, in the absence of quicker ground.

[frontrunner]

You have changed your tune I thought you said they would be watering the course before tuesday week. I knew i should have listened to Digger.

[Grasshopper]

No....I said they'd be watering the New Course on Tuesday, to ensure good ground for the Gold Cup.

Pay attention.

[Tanlic]

John Constable V Charli Parcs is on..........Nicky convinced JP and FB he should run here and not in the Imperial so I reckon your in trouble Grassy

[Grasshopper]

CP will get pulled at 48-hr stage, or is left in to make the pace for BDA.....in which case, he finishes well behind a close like John Constable.

[Danny]

Without wanting to mention the weather again because I've heard quite enough about it but do you not think the rain has killed his chances a bit Grass ? I've left my bets to run rather than cashing them out but I hold little hope for him and he's gone way out on the Exchanges in the last few days.

TBF there has been a massive move on Wicklow Brave since Tanlic picked him he must be working the house down over there as the rest of Mullins lot have been fairly weak. Personally I can't touch the animal after doing my spuds on him in the Imperial Cup I said I'd never back him again and that included when he rocked up at the festival a few days later.

[wilsonl]

Apples Jade has been left in this. Anybody think there's any chance she could line up ?

Connections have been quoted as saying she's too slow for the Champion Hurdle but as there seems to be a possibility the word Heavy could appear in Tuesday's going - despite your own ideas of that - they'd be mad not to at least think about it if it did.

Would run Faugheen close for second favouritism if she did surely.

[Danny]

Think that's fair to say Lee.

I just have to say I love the way Betfred settle there NRNB's as winners.

1/11/2018 2:16:14 PM
325/
375
W:20.00 S:20.00
Single
Champion Hurdle 15:30/Outright Nrnb
Call Me Lord

40/1
Won

Haha if only

[Tanlic]

Without wanting to mention the weather again because I've heard quite enough about it but do you not think the rain has killed his chances a bit Grass ? I've left my bets to run rather than cashing them out but I hold little hope for him and he's gone way out on the Exchanges in the last few days.

TBF there has been a massive move on Wicklow Brave since Tanlic picked him he must be working the house down over there as the rest of Mullins lot have been fairly weak. Personally I can't touch the animal after doing my spuds on him in the Imperial Cup I said I'd never back him again and that included when he rocked up at the festival a few days later.

No surprise Wicklow Brave has been back Danny......beat the runner up of the CH 1 1/2 lengths has won 5 races on soft or heavy ground, lost lengths at the start last year and according to Patrick Mullins he's in great form. It's all down to to which Faugheen turns up because if he bombs ????

[Tanlic]

Apples Jade has been left in this. Anybody think there's any chance she could line up ?

Connections have been quoted as saying she's too slow for the Champion Hurdle but as there seems to be a possibility the word Heavy could appear in Tuesday's going - despite your own ideas of that - they'd be mad not to at least think about it if it did.

Would run Faugheen close for second favouritism if she did surely.

Can't see it. WPM had the same question asked of Quevega a hundred times but never did it because he knew the difference between the mares and the Champion Hurdle.

Unlike Annie Power Apples simply isn't good enough at the trip to contest the race..she's been beaten by some very ordinary horses at 2m

[Tanlic]

CP will get pulled at 48-hr stage, or is left in to make the pace for BDA.....in which case, he finishes well behind a close like John Constable.

Charli Parcs make the running.?...........you're supposed to share joints, obviously you forgot

[Grasshopper]

Maybe you missed the Betfair Hurdle, where he got his practice-run as BDA's fluffer.

[Danny]

No surprise Wicklow Brave has been back Danny......beat the runner up of the CH 1 1/2 lengths has won 5 races on soft or heavy ground, lost lengths at the start last year and according to Patrick Mullins he's in great form. It's all down to to which Faugheen turns up because if he bombs ????

I'm mildly surprised he's as short as he is though Tanlic. His win at Punchestown was as strange race tried to hold him up in his first time blinkers pulled his way to the front took ten lengths out of them and held on from the closing pack. He did fluff the start last year but that wouldn't be the first time he's done that. In 3 attempts off the back of breaks longer than 100 days he's not won. He's no spring chicken at the age of 9. You can't really rely on blinkers to have the same effect second time around. Question being as well if he pulls himself to the front in the Champion as he did at Punchestowns will he and Faugheen impede each other ?

Personally I'd have thought Melon would be better option but will concede that where the yard is concerned, Money Talks.

Not that you'd give two hoots of course as you won't be looking that far back as Buveur D'air crosses the line.