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Thread: The Road to the 2019 Champion Hurdle

  1. #81
    Senior Member Kauto Abu's Avatar
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    The Road to the 2019 Champion Hurdle

    Quote Originally Posted by Grasshopper View Post
    Wicklow Brave is an inconsistent hound over hurdles, and just about the last horse you would want to ‘yardstick’ handicap a race, I reckon. Don’t think that comparison tells us anything at all, to be honest, KA.

    One mans trash is another mans treasure GH. I’d argue that he’s been ultra consistent rather than inconsistent and is the only horse tying the bedrock /samcro form to previous champion hurdle form. Since WB finished 8th to Buveur D’Air in the 2017 champion hurdle he finished 7th again this year. He won the Punchestown G1 hurdle in 2017 and finished 2nd to Supasunday in it this year. Over the summer he won a pile of mickey mouse races on the flat, won a minor hurdle at Listowel and finished 3rd to Bedrock at Tipperary last month, a form line which received a big boost last Friday. That to me is consistent, maybe it’s not to you but it certainly is to me.




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    Last edited by Kauto Abu; 4th November 2018 at 11:27 AM.

  2. #82
    Senior Member Grasshopper's Avatar
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    I could care less about his Flat runs, tbh.

    You’re measuring him against Samcro, based on his CH run, but Wicklow Brave has been beaten 22L, 14L and 10L in graded company at the track. He did win a Festival handicap of course, but that was from a mark of 138.

    It’s the straight line you’re trying to draw between the Tipperary and CH form, that I’m taking issue with. It doesn’t really (imo) hold much water, insofar as telling you how much Samcro might have to find, to beat Buveur D’Air in the big race in March.

    Like you say though, each to their own.
    Last edited by Grasshopper; 4th November 2018 at 12:22 PM.
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  3. #83
    Senior Member Kauto Abu's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Grasshopper View Post
    I could care less about his Flat runs, tbh.

    You’re measuring him against Samcro, based on his CH run, but Wicklow Brave has been beaten 22L, 14L and 10L in graded company at the track. He did win a Festival handicap of course, but that was from a mark of 138.

    It’s the straight line you’re trying to draw between the Tipperary and CH form, that I’m taking issue with. It doesn’t really (imo) hold much water, insofar as telling you how much Samcro might have to find, to beat Buveur D’Air in the big race in March.

    Like you say though, each to their own.
    Yes but he did win a G1 at Punchestown in 2017 and was 2nd in a G1 this year after getting a trouncing in both champion hurdles. He has consistently run to that level in champion hurdles and you cant really argue he doesn’t handle the track after winning the county hurdle by 8L.


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    Senior Member granger's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Grasshopper View Post
    I have a feeling that trying to concede her 7lbs, might prove a tall order for any horse, in the coming season.
    How good do you think she might be?

    Annie Power level?

    She'll need to be near.

    Fact they aren't diluting her with the mares race is a good indicator that they must think she is pretty good.
    Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done

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    Quote Originally Posted by granger View Post
    How good do you think she might be?

    Annie Power level?

    She'll need to be near.

    Fact they aren't diluting her with the mares race is a good indicator that they must think she is pretty good.
    probably due to circumstances at the time but don't think they ever came out and said annie was to be aimed at a champion hurdle so early in her career, whereas they have with this one.

    whether that means what it actually says on the tin is another matter. given its wpm who said it.

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    AP was only ever the back up plan if Faugheen were injured. She wouldn’t have run in the 2016 CH, if Faugheen had remained fit.

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    Senior Member swedish chef's Avatar
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    I've watched Bedrock's race many times and have him running 155 and Samcro 158.It was a properly run race comparing the time to the G3 Mares Nov Hurdle on the same card. I got the impression watching Samcro's races he needs some cut in the ground. Samcro will improve but needs to find 10lb to be a CH contender and will need some soft in the ground. With soft I believe there is that amount of improvement in him. Too early to write off yet but I would be a layer if the festival ground was good or faster.
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    Senior Member Grasshopper's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by granger View Post
    How good do you think she might be?

    Annie Power level?

    She'll need to be near.

    Fact they aren't diluting her with the mares race is a good indicator that they must think she is pretty good.

    Probably needs to improve another 10lbs to a stone, to be a serious, genuine, CH contender. Not impossible, based on what I saw last season, and I’d say she is probably just as good - and possibly better - than Annie was, at the same stage of her career.

    My worry with Laurina is less about her talent, and more about her ability to handle spring ground, as she hasn’t raced on anything quicker than Soft, and you’d have to think Cheltenham ground won’t be anywhere near a bad next Festival.
    "Beat the price and lose. It's what we do".

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    Morgiana entries out and it's all the Irish principals

    The mare is entered along with Faugheen, Melon and Saldier who is the CH dark horse from that stable

    Samcro there too, as is Apple's jade
    Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done

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    Super Moderator Diamond Geezer's Avatar
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    If Samcro runs, Jack Kennedy is suspended for that meeting.

    Davy ?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Diamond Geezer View Post
    If Samcro runs, Jack Kennedy is suspended for that meeting.

    Davy ?
    Banker
    Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done

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    Samcro works Tuesday morning. All well and he runs Sunday in the Morgiana
    Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done

  13. #93
    Super Moderator Diamond Geezer's Avatar
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    Entries for the Fighting Fifth include Apple's Jade, Verdana Blue, Samcro, Buveur D'air, Summerville Boy, We Have A Dream, Sceau Royal.

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    Quote Originally Posted by granger View Post
    Samcro works Tuesday morning. All well and he runs Sunday in the Morgiana
    He may yet be pulled if ground too fast

    https://www.racingpost.com/news/late...hestown/353590


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    Struggling to see why Faugheen so much shorter than Supasundae .

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    Samcro only runs if the rain comes.. so how´s the weather there? will the brothers meet tomorrow or not

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    Senior Member Kauto Abu's Avatar
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    Very unlikely there’ll be any major rain. Small bit of drizzle overnight but not enough to change the going which is good. Down Royal was probably firmer than Punchestown however.


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  19. #98
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    Can't see him being chanced...they'll pull him after 2nd race tomorrow. Get on Supasundae now!

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    Senior Member Kauto Abu's Avatar
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    The Road to the 2019 Champion Hurdle

    Not long back in from walking the course at Punchestown. It’s beautiful ground. Watering last night has maintained good/yielding ground. There should be absolutely no reason to withdraw Samcro on ground concerns.


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    Last edited by Kauto Abu; 18th November 2018 at 1:23 PM.

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    Samcro a NR


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