A Couple of Good Ones Out Today

[barjon]

Already talked a bit about Strong Leader- 5:00 Cheltenham - on the What Are You Backing thread. It was a good run from him, but he didn’t show the explosive move that he made in his first (and only) race. I don’t really understand the ground description as “good” when they were coming in covered in mud. I suppose it must have been soft on top, but still firmer underneath where the going stick goes. So it may be that he didn’t like it too much. Anyway, this may have been as much a prep run as anything since he is destined for hurdles and I think that’s where we will see him next.

I can’t believe we won’t see again that explosive burst of speed that highlighted his first run and if he shows up as a slick hurdler he might be going places.

Sounds Russian - 2:48 Kelso - won this Class 2 very well in the end and all the more commendable since he didn’t have the easiest of passages. It’s a shame Does He Know fell at the first since I would like to have measured Sounds Russian against him. As it is he’s a strong stayer who won’t need much more development to feature in some good handicaps.

 

[yorick]

Nice winner with Sounds Russian BanP. 7/2 -

I thought the one to take from that race is Hill Sixteen. He travelled like a dream but a mistake four out did for him. The Court Cave breeding doesn't say stayer but he ran well for a long way in the Scottish Nash last season so I wouldn't be adamant. Certainly he ran on really well, just failing to catch Snow Leopardess in last season's Becher Chase when 4Lbs out of the handicap. Perhaps another go at that race is on the cards and If he went there, this time from within the weights, I'd be backing him.

Have a look and tell me what you think.

 

[barjon]

Yes, I thought he was always travelling well within himself until the mistake which seemed knock him out of his rhythm as well as making his jumping look more of an effort. He’s been running in C1 and would have been closer in this C2 without the mistake. Heavy looks his favoured ground. He is 9 now so I can’t see him improving which then relies on Sandy placing him right and conditions being spot on for him.

 

[yorick]

Jumping of the National fences is a specialist occupation and the fact that he's 9 wouldn't bother me.We know that older horses have won the Nash before, don't we.

The other thing is how lightly raced he is as a 9yo: he's had just 24 races under rules.

If we look at his run behind Nuts Well last season, he might reasonably be rated 144 and might have a little improvement in him yet.

I'll look forward to the Becher entries.