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Champion Hurdle Road ToThread 24/25

Apparently Constitution Hill will do a racecourse gallop with today's Adonis absentees Lulamba and Palladium at Kempton Park on Tuesday.
 
I just think changes of plan don't happen for no reason.

The two 4yos were entered for the Adonis last Monday.

By Thursday morning they were withdrawn with Henderson suddenly deciding they don't need another run before the Triumph (despite their lack of hurdling experience).

Constitution Hill was going straight to Cheltenham, with Henderson saying both his last two racecourse gallops were a PR disaster, so no more.

Now, on Nico De Boinvilles advice, he's suddenly off to Kempton Park for a third-time-lucky spin.

Something's going on! 😂
 
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In racing, when something looks too good to be true, it's often because it isn't.

Maybe all her rivals ran below par at Leopardstown that day.

And maybe the owner - this is a bloke who ran his own Delta Work against Tiger Roll - doesn't view racing through the same romantic prism as some and might simply want to go where he's got the easiest chance of winning with her.

But IF Brighterdaysahead goes for the Champion Hurdle, getting the 7lb, it MIGHT just be interesting.

And remember Constitution Hill backers, if she somehow beats him, even by a nose, all the pontificating in the world on here afterwards about how she'd never have won without the mares' allowance, and how it shouldn't even exist (it does and you bet knowing it does), won't alter the fact you ain't getting paid out and her backers are.

I hope she runs tbh - because win or lose it'll be a bit of a "Bring It On" giggle. 😂
 
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Don't know how many times I've said it but holding up a horse hard puller or not does not benefit from giving the others a 10 lengths start. Not blaming Caoilln Quinn who no doubt told to drop the horse out.
But it was still a no win situation from backers a long way from home. However I wouldn't give up on the horse..given a less restrictive ride among other horses could be the making of him..a handicap awaits him at a big price imvho
 
Was the 2014 renewal the last great CH? Hurricane Fly relegated to 4th, with Jezki, MTOY and The New One ahead of him. Our Connor’s fatality was awful, of course.
 
simmo said:
I really hope they run Brighterdaysahead. Could be a race for the ages.
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Every Tom, Dick and Gordon has had their say but not a peep from the O'Learys. I have a vested interest but I still think that they are inclined towards the Mares if Constitution Hill stays fit. If they do go that way, there should be no criticism as it's been the publicised plan all season.
 
simmo said:
I really hope they run Brighterdaysahead. Could be a race for the ages.
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If they run it in the Mares its more or less a walkover and will be redemption for last year, I would have thought the O'Leary's are more interested in winning a race at the Festival than potentially being a gallant runner up to a revitalised Constitution Hill.
And why not pick up the Mares on the way to a shot at the Champion next season...
 
simmo said:
I really hope they run Brighterdaysahead. Could be a race for the ages.
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Henderson, Buckley, and Nico hope so too

She'll be an excellent pacemaker, he'll pick her off at the top of the hill and win as he likes

I think she will run, it's 62k for winning the mares hurdle and 94k for finishing 2nd in the Champion
 
Hope they all run as I shall be there - after being an apathetic non-runner last year, I find myself revitalised this time round.
 
Desert Orchid said:
Serious question - what would make her more valuable in breeding circles: being runner-up in a Champion Hurdle [getting 7lbs] or a winner of the Mares' Hurdle?
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Well they are both G1 so on paper if she wins she gets Bold black type whereas she'd get italic bold (I think) for second. But bloodstock agents would take into account the race I would imagine......but don't quote me on it!!
 
Desert Orchid said:
Serious question - what would make her more valuable in breeding circles: being runner-up in a Champion Hurdle [getting 7lbs] or a winner of the Mares' Hurdle?
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I don't think that it can be answered in general terms because it tends to be an individual circumstance based on a long term plan and most people would consider the form in its entirety. However for me, in breeding terms, winning a G! would generally be better than coming second in another one.

Lossiemouth has been well advertised as a 2 year plan involving the Mares last season and the Champion this.

Brighterdaysahead is a slightly different case because the medium to long term aim is chasing with maybe the Mares Chase next season and the 2027 Gold Cup being targets. Because she's still young they decided to stick to hurdles this season and the Mares Hurdle has been the target from the start. The Christmas demolition has caused something of a question mark but, while it was undoubtably a very good performance, the fact that State Man couldn't even beat Winter Fog does raise doubts. The only thing that might swing it to the Champion is the fact that she could finish her season in the Mares Champion Hurdle at Punchestown thereby taking in the Cheltenham Champion but still supporting the Mares Programme in its Irish finale.

All just my opinion of course.
 
Desert Orchid said:
Serious question - what would make her more valuable in breeding circles: being runner-up in a Champion Hurdle [getting 7lbs] or a winner of the Mares' Hurdle?
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They view her as a
Gold cup mare rather than a broodmares

So the question they may present is, what puts her in the best place to have the best chase career?
 
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