Cheltenham '21 Reviews

Desert Orchid said:
I think the Covid situation played a big part but it also highlighted something I normally wouldn't dwell on. With all the talk about "social runners" I had always assumed this really only applied to the non-handicaps but, from memory, the cut in the handicaps was much lower this year across the board:

F Winter 123 (not sure of the norm but that seems low)

So clearly there must be "social runners" in these races every year too. In the non-handicaps, they're easy to identify. In the handicaps, you've no chance.
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The entry/numbers running were to capacity, so it had to be the cut in prize money, it's the only thing that runs parallel to the anomaly!

Incidentally; How did Jeff kidder get in with a stone less than Saint Sam for just under 3 Length's...he was no 80/1 shot under the circumstances...
 
Desert Orchid said:
I think the Covid situation played a big part but it also highlighted something I normally wouldn't dwell on. With all the talk about "social runners" I had always assumed this really only applied to the non-handicaps but, from memory, the cut in the handicaps was much lower this year across the board:

Ultima 132
F Winter 123 (not sure of the norm but that seems low)
Coral Cup 130
Grand Annual 136
Pertemps 126
Plate 130
Kim Muir 122
County 129
M Pipe 132

I would never have imagined a race like the Martin Pipe having a higher cut off than either the Coral Cup or County.

So clearly there must be "social runners" in these races ever year too. In the non-handicaps the're easy to identify. In the handicaps you've no chance.
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The Martin Pipe is fast becoming a higher class race than the County/Coral because it's full of Grade 1 horses pretending they are 130/140 horses. It was bottom of the list of targets for The Shunter.
 
Slim said:
The Martin Pipe is fast becoming a higher class race than the County/Coral because it's full of Grade 1 horses pretending they are 130/140 horses.
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This is something that requires saving and recalling in 50 weeks' time :)
 
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Slim said:
Langer Dan's performance was overrated because the commentator was clearly on. Sean O'Keefe absolutely tanked through the race and admitted he held off going for him as late as possible. If anything Langer Dan was flattered to finish so close. If they meet again the form won't be reversed.
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Langer Dan also benefitted from Skelton being ineligible to ride in the race, which he is unlikely to benefit from in his next few runs!!

Sent from my SM-J415FN using Tapatalk
 
Slim said:
The Martin Pipe is fast becoming a higher class race than the County/Coral because it's full of Grade 1 horses pretending they are 130/140 horses. It was bottom of the list of targets for The Shunter.
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I think in terms of a racec with a horse to be a potential genuine Grade 1, it already is
 
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