2020 Arc

barjon said:
Yes, I shouldn’t think they are best pleased! Do horses generally take a change of feed in their stride, or do they take a bit of time to get used to it?
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It really depends on how different the ingredients are. Horses have pretty delicate digestive systems hence the large amount that get colic (horses can’t vomit) so any change should be introduced gradually. I was speaking to a feed rep the other day who said one of her clients (a former jockey) was clueless about feeding and had whacked his entire string overnight onto a high protein high carbohydrate full blown Racing Mix from the low energy feed they were on and wondered why they were all experiencing extreme “looseness!”
A good “feedman” (ideally your headlad) will understand exactly what you can and can’t feed and when. Every horse is different and should be treated accordingly. Just because one horse can tolerate 15lbs of a Racemix doesn’t mean the horse in the next door stable will.
I fed Gain for a while but it was very inconsistent in its quality and often had a white bloom on it (and a short shelf life). I switched to Connollys Red Mills and my horses always look superb on it. I think Nicky Henderson uses it which is one of the reasons I think his horses coats always looks great. Mind you, trainers can be very fickle in their loyalty and any dip in form, they blame the feed and switch companies.
 
Just watched the race.

Well done Sottsass backers.

Well-ridden in the circumstances but a race worth forgetting unless you backed the winner.
 
reet hard said:
Times, at worst, make it near g/s on the straight course.
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Strange one,that; the Abbaye ground didn't look nearly as cut up as it did in other races.
Assuming it's the same course, I can only surmise that far side was less trodden than the rest of the track?
 
Think the Abbaye time was OK too. 58.? I backed the winner on the strength that he stayed and would need to on the ground but I don’t think he’s your typical 5f horse.
 
reet hard said:
Strange one,that; the Abbaye ground didn't look nearly as cut up as it did in other races.
Assuming it's the same course, I can only surmise that far side was less trodden than the rest of the track?
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Only used for one race. In fact may only be used once a year. Only been to the Arc once but the 5f course is laid out similarly to the old turf 5f/6f course at Kempton.
 
Thanks,ED.Bet the 3rd myself, but Glass Slippers would've won easily, had she not ceded 5l at the start.
 
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The first time we went to Longchamp I said to Mike prior to the Abbaye, these horses will go faster than any horses you've ever seen before. So we duly stood in the grandstand looking rightwards only to eventually see them coming from the left hand side. I was totally bemused and, not for the first time, felt a complete idiot.
 
....I know it's petty but Scottsass [or whatever he's called] is a horrible name for an Arc winner. I do like good horses to have lovely names.
 
Simon Rowlands's analysis of Arc day sectionals:

https://www.attheraces.com/blogs/se...y's-scintillating-prix-jean-luc-lagardere-win

I wish Simon would come back on here occasionally to help the sectional debate along as I, for one, am always keen to learn more.

I do have a question just in case he's looking in but not contributing.

Can finishing percentages be taken at face value in unsuitable ground?

By that, I mean that, for example, I was never any great shakes as a runner but if I ran within my comfort zone I could probably accelerate to a degree if required. I know for a fact that I can 'run' for 30 minutes on a treadmill at 6mph then for one-to-two minutes at 12mph. I can even do that final stage with the treadmill set at an incline.

But put me on the sand at Aberdeen beach and I probably couldn't run faster than 4mph without struggling and then I would really struggle to quicken. Again, I know that from experience.

So how relevant are the sectionals on Arc day - in any race - if the ground was extreme?

Surely the only conclusion that can safely be reached is that the winners will be able to act in it should they encounter it again?
 
Thanks, Roger.

I don't do Twitter. (I'm seriously thinking of ditching FB too. Hate the new format.)

Yes, please. Ask him, with my thanks in advance for any light he can shed.
 
Desert Orchid said:
Thanks, Roger.

I don't do Twitter. (I'm seriously thinking of ditching FB too. Hate the new format.)

Yes, please. Ask him, with my thanks in advance for any light he can shed.
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His response

"They apply across all ground types with little variation."
 
Diamond Geezer said:
His response

"They apply across all ground types with little variation."
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Thanks, DG. I'm not convinced he is taking into account the type of example I mentioned.

Also, Dettori said after the race that Enable was out of her comfort zone early in the race so she's probably just run slowly then not quite so slowly.

I got an email from someone else saying something similar to SR but, again, I'm not convinced. I can see that maybe within 'normal' variations in ground conditions that the effect on finishing percentages might be negligible but not on/in extremes.
 
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