Challow Hurdle

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Aragorn

At the Start
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Apr 16, 2009
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Meanwhile, on a race track in Berkshire we're going to be treated to what I would think is the best Challow in years, certainly coming into the race. Had a good look at this yesterday and whilst I don't have the firmest opinion I am really looking forward to it.

Blaklion- Tremendously gutsy horse that stays very well and put in a career best last time when scooting away from the field at Cheltenham. Pleased to see Hatch keep the ride as I thought he gave him a good ride last time and this horse is improving; strong claims with conditions looking to suit.

Arpege D'Alene - Tough to work this one out, unfancied fto and apparently not one that shows much at home he bolted up in a very good maiden hurdle at Ascot fulfilling the cliche "the further he went, the better he looked". I was very taken with his performance and can see him in the shake up.

Native River - Archetypal chaser in the making. Long striding and good jumping he beat my Dark Horse Definitly Red in a burn up last time showing he has gears as well as Stamina. Just have a feeling that he will get outclassed in a better race.

One Track Mind - One for the very impressive and profitable to follow Greatrex/Sheehan axis. Effectively ran out last time but the fact they bring him here when they had other equally as strong form horses suggests they hold him in very high regard and this is fast becoming a stable to take seriously. He'll get the trip but after watching his races I'm not sure he'll have the tactical pace.

Parlour Games - Fast improving and was impressive beating Blaklion last time but I can't see the latter ever setting such a sedate pace again. He could be that good but I'll take my chances that in a strongly run race in this ground he'll get found out for stamina. I'm taking him on.

Vyta Du Roc - Dual grade 2 winner by about around two nostrils. Did well to win both races and plainly has stamina and guts in abundance. Despite that I'm not convinced either race is that good or that he has the class to win this. Nicky is clearly making hay while the ground is soft and I think he'll place but something will surely be too good.

After much deliberation I reckon the front three will be Arpege D'Alene, Blaklion and Vyta Du Roc and if I had a gun to my head id pick Blaklion but think the Nicholls horse could be the value and will be backing him each way.

Good luck!
 
This is certainly an intriguing race and I've backed Blaklion but think Arpege could be anything
 
Got Parlour Games wrong, good performance. You'd have to think he'd confirm form on good ground in a neptune but you suspect the 2nd and 3rd will go Albert Bartlett route.
 
What I took out of the race is the performance of Vyta Du Roc was worrying.

That's 3 really hard races in a month and it wouldn't surprise me if Nicky Henderson roughs him off shortly.

Hard to say if he is a chaser in the making, watching him on video , but if he has the physique for it surely the slower pace will suit and that's should be where he should be heading.

He's definitely a tough cookie but too many races like his last 3 and they may not have a horse left to play with
 
He ran as he always has Tanlic but id agree thats he's had three hard races and will need a rest. I imagine Hendo will put him away for the spring now, he's already shown spring/summer ground holds no fears and I expect we'll see him turn up in the Albert Bartlett.
 
Just to say it was a great days racing there and te biggest crowd I've seen for the fixture. No after timing but had the winner and was baffled he was three times black lions price. He's a nice horse and thought the assumption that a different run race and slight weight change would reverse the run. Is it another cae of sometimes assuming too much that different results come from different run races? He's just a better animal with a nice turn of foot.
 
I know. Appreciated your summary though. Good stuff. Just glad I didnt read it until this evening :)
 
Touche! :cool:

Parlour games has mugged me a few times now. Ferguson is really getting the hang of training hurdlers.
 
Yes. He was frequently sending them to sandown and Kempton and they always seemed to be over bet and didnt seem to see races out properly. Now he's ahead level stakes this season. . Watching his horses a lot closer now
 
Change of strategy on his jockeys has helped as well. Geraghty and Fehily have been riding a lot for him.
 
I was knocked out by the ride Barry gave Clean Sheet in the last. Nobody but nobody can ride Newbury better than him.

He deliberately let the others have a start turning for home so he could get some room and get his horse balanced before winding him up and get him into full flow at exactly the right time.

The best ideas don't always work out but without that mistake at the 2nd last and landing on all fours at the last he would have probably won by a couple of lengths.

Despite those mistakes there was more magic to come. Barry who is second to none, including AP in a finish,.......made 2 very good jockeys in Paddy Brennan and Sam Twiston Davies look like a couple of 7lb claimers with a power packed finish few are able to match.

You may have guessed by now I backed it:lol:
 
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His ride an Vyta Du Roc at Cheltenham was very similar. Geraghty might well be the best riding at the moment.
 
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