It's too strong a race for some random Frenchie this year. Maybe last.
And Fury Road is 20s I think. Strong Festival form
It's too strong a race for some random Frenchie this year. Maybe last.
And Fury Road is 20s I think. Strong Festival form
Is she really a 'random' Frenchie?
With the allowance, she's rated higher than any of the favourites [on RPRs]. It will be interesting to see what mark the handicapper gives her.
Edit
According to France Galop, she's rated 79.o [kg], which equates to 174. I don't know if that already factors in the sex allowance but it is still pretty high.
I have no idea if the cross-channel ratings are directly comparable but it still seems high.
As I said before, maybe Martin/Irish Stamp or Bachelors Hall will know more.
Last edited by Desert Orchid; 20th January 2021 at 3:05 PM.
Illegitimi non carborundum
Will she stay. Form all seems sub 3m and don't they crawl round?
prince regent (11th February 2021)
Highest RPR so far (159, plus the 7lbs) was over 3m 1.5f in heavy at Auteuil. Second highest RPR was staying on second over 3m at the same track, both in G1s. I would suggest those races are probably truer tests than some of the Listed/G3 kid-on events on these islands.
I'm very open to the idea that this is a stupid bet but I'm happy to have a bit of fun at the price with the NRNB concession.
Illegitimi non carborundum
And that year when the jockey bottled it on Sam Spinner.
Kind of think quality renewal means a better pace though
Anyone think Benie will rock up here? Mullins sends horses to races he thinks he can win.
Concertista could be better than her in a Mares hurdle.
He has a host of horses he could run the Mares Chase and win.
He has nothing for the stayers?
Benie goes in the Mares chase.
Last edited by tiggers1972; 25th January 2021 at 11:02 PM.
I would say mares chase most likely, followed by mares hurdle, with the starters being the outsider of the 3. Will be interesting to see where Roksana goes.
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Mares chase
Some people say he’s the best since Arkle and that’s certainly true when you look at what he’s done
Do you listen to Ruby? Watched the Road To Cheltenham, and he’s basically poured cold water on the idea of Benie going to the Stayers. Disappointing
The horse hadn't been right. If she runs in the mares it's by default.
Last edited by Slim; 6th February 2021 at 7:27 AM.
Double J (6th February 2021)
You’ll be happy to know she’s running at Warwick on Saturday, en route to the Stayers.
https://www.racingpost.com/news/memb...horizon/472599
Non members
French Champion Hurdle winner Paul's Saga is set to break new ground on Saturday at Warwick when she will become the first French-trained horse to compete in Britain since the end of the post-Brexit transition period.
In doing so she will lay a pathway for trainer David Cottin leading up to next month's Cheltenham Festival, where Paul's Saga could line up in the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle, while Easysland is on course to defend his crown in the Glenfarclas Chase over the cross-country fences.
Travel in and out of Britain for both horses and people has been complicated not only by leaving the European Union but by the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. But with help and guidance from Jockey Club Racecourses – owner of Warwick and Cheltenham – both Paul's Saga and Jason Kiely, a key component in the Cottin operation, have arrived safely ahead of the Close Brothers Warwick Mares' Hurdle.
Kiely described the various hoops which both horse and staff have to jump through as "doable but complicated".
His quarantine will be cut to five days through the 'test to release' scheme, while the horse travelled on a 'carnet de voyage', a pass which comes at a one-off payment for the year, as opposed to the VAT-deposit scheme whereby 20 per cent of the value is paid on entry to the country and can be redeemed from HMRC at a later date.
Describing his own journey, Kiely said: "I drove Paul's Saga over as a transporter and I dropped her off at a satellite yard, where a nominated member of staff looks after her while I quarantine in my hotel. I've got another test in Heathrow on Thursday to be deemed negative, then I'm cleared to look after my horse and take her racing."
The BHA and the UK government have nominated certain major race meetings likely to attract foreign participation as qualifying for the elite athlete exemption scheme and festivals such as Cheltenham and Aintree could require visiting staff only to pass a test either side of travel, with the quarantine period on arrival reduced to as little as 24 hours.
"By the sounds of it Cheltenham is going to be easier because of the elite status," said Kiely. "You can only bring one person per horse and you have to test negative. There'll be extra costs but it's Cheltenham, isn't it?"
The end of the tripartite agreement on the free movement of horses has burdened connections with a whole host of extra paperwork and costs when looking to move animals in or out of Europe.
Kiely said of the whole operation: "It's probably going to cost three and a half grand to run, with the tunnel, coming over a couple of days in advance, vet's tests, Covid-19 tests and the carnet de voyage."
Brian Hughes is booked to ride Paul's Saga at Warwick and Kiely said: "The race on Saturday doesn't make great financial sense unless she wins but she needs to run. It's all very doable but it's complicated and it's two or three weeks of planning for this specific race."
Cottin's neighbour in Chantilly, Hugo Merienne, is looking at running dual Cagnes-sur-Mer winner Margaret's Legacy in the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton at the end of the month, although he does not expect to send staff to saddle the horse.
"With Brexit and Covid it's got harder but if there is no change in the rules it should be possible to come over and the horse is in good form right now," said Merienne, who spent time working for Willie Mullins before taking out his own licence.
"I'm fortunate to have plenty of friends in England who can take care of the horse and I think Tom Ward or Gary Moore might be able to help out. The jockey, Ned Curtis, will have to go five days before, but he is English and has a house there so that's all right."
How travel plans will take shape for Irish participants at the festival are currently being explored by Irish and British racing authorities.
IHRB senior medical officer Dr Jennifer Pugh told the Racing Post: "Discussions and plans are under way in conjunction with Cheltenham racecourse and the BHA to ensure the safe participation of the Irish contingent at Cheltenham and will be in line with both Irish and UK public health guidelines. Information will be issued to all involved in the coming days."
Last edited by wilsonl; 9th February 2021 at 9:34 PM.
Alcohol, because no good story ever started with "I was eating this salad..."
Desert Orchid (9th February 2021), edgt (11th February 2021), Outsider (11th February 2021), tiggers1972 (9th February 2021)
Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle – Thursday, 18 March
Bacardys
Bachasson
Beacon Edge
Captain Zebo
Champ
City Island
Decor Irlandais
Diol Ker
Donna's Diamond
Emitom
Flooring Porter
French Dynamite
Fury Road
Honest Vic
If The Cap Fits
Imperial Alcazar
Itchy Feet
Jacamar
Kemboy
Lil Rockerfeller
Lisnagar Oscar
Main Fact
McFabulous
Next Destination
Paisley Park
Reserve Tank
Ronald Pump
Sam Spinner
Sams Profile
Sire du Berlais
The Mighty Don
The Storyteller
Thomas Darby
Thyme Hill
Tobefair
Vinndication
Younevercall
Benie des Dieux
Great White Shark
Heaven Help Us
Paul's Saga
Roksana
Withdrawals:
Dame De Compagnie
Kalashnikov
Bapaume
Sixshooter
Commander Of Fleet
Call Me Lord
Vision Des Flos
Ask Dillon
Last edited by Maxbet; 10th February 2021 at 3:56 PM.
Nice mention for her from Timeform:
Paul’s Saga
Close Brothers Warwick Mares’ Hurdle, 14:05 Warwick
Paul’s Saga caused a surprise when landing the Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil – the French Champion Hurdle – at Auteuil in October, finding plenty to lead on the run-in having been five lengths down on the home turn. She had shown smart form the previous autumn, winning the Prix Carmarthen and Prix Leon Olry-Roederer, but her performance in the Grande Course de Haies was a clear career best and a big improvement on recent efforts. She ran to a similar level when again winning the Prix Carmarthen and finishing runner-up in the Grand Prix d'Automne last time, and that form sets a clear standard in this listed contest, putting her nearly a stone clear on weight-adjusted ratings.
She is trained by David Cottin, who enjoyed Cheltenham Festival success with Easyland in the cross-country last season, and could have the Stayers’ Hurdle on her agenda. She is currently around the 16/1 mark for that race and is a really interesting runner on her first start in Britain.
Illegitimi non carborundum
I thought I'd check out the implications of this.
Pauls Saga apart, the highest OR in the field is that of Eglantine Du Seuil on 145.
Assume for now that this is also her Timeform rating.
Pauls Saga is giving her 6lbs.
Assume "nearly a stone" = 13lbs.
This means Pauls Saga is rated 19lbs higher than EDS, ie 164.
On top of that, she'll get 7lbs from the males.
Ergo, a male will have to be better than 171 to beat her.
I can't imagine any of them will have that kind of rating on current form. Even on RPRs, the top two male stayers are Paisley Park and Flooring Porter on 165.
I'm going in again on Pauls Saga.
Last edited by Desert Orchid; 11th February 2021 at 8:57 PM.
Illegitimi non carborundum
Desperate Dan (11th February 2021), edgt (11th February 2021), Outsider (11th February 2021)
Her Timeform rating in their last annual was 151