I just think BDM is currently nigh on unbeatable over Haydock's 3m when the mud is flying but while I accept that his impressive course wins have come in a novice chase and a handicap I don't particularly rate last years bunch of staying chasers.
I don't doubt that CC still impresses them at home every day........but then again, it's going to look that way, if you only view him through rose-tinted spectacles.
It's not wholly-conclusive that the horse is in terminal decline, but his last few races very-much (to this observer, at any rate) show that he is some level of decline. Given what he has done for connections, and the self-evident risk of sending the horse out in a hotter race, after falling twice in his last three runs, I really would prefer it if they just retired him.
If they must go to the well again, there's no harm in changing the jockey, just to see if it makes any difference. I don't think this is a jocking-off, per se, as Brennan himself only got the ride relatively recently. It smacks more of a change-up for a last hurrah, to me.
For one, Djakadam in Soft ground over Haydock's 3m would be a very stern test indeed for BdM; something that might equally apply to EoD, if he showed anything like his Irish Gold Cup form (imo).
Native River already boast a comfortable victory over BdM at the trip on Soft ground (winning just under 4L conceding 1lb), and with fewer chase runs under his belt, is likely more progressive anyway. Minella Rocco is a dour-stayer who I would expect to dead-heat with a tortoise over 3m.
Betfair Chase has been increased in distance to almost 3m2f. That significantly changes the nature of the event, imo.
<dl class="userinfo_extra" style="margin: 5px 0px; float: left; width: 180px; height: auto !important;">Errrrm - It didn't the last time they chnged it; to 3m 1f.
According to the RP report, they will now start before the last, and jump it three times, DO.
RP analysis Nov. 2013<dl class="userinfo_extra" style="margin: 5px 0px; float: left; width: 180px; height: auto !important;">
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https://www.racingpost.com/news/more...creased/308002
This report states they have increased the race distance by one-and-a-half furlongs. The 2016 race was also registered as being run over 3m last season, both in the RP database and Chasers & Hurdlers.
If you can produce some evidence that contradicts these sources, I’d obviously love to see it.
Yes it was a nice start. He put some decent yardsticks away easily. What impressed most was his jumping.