Jumps Only Enthusiasts - Avert Your Eyes

I find the stride length angle really interesting - how does one go about measuring this I wonder. It's certainly more interesting than times which imo punters can be over reliant on and use them to almost the exclusion of any other factors.
 
I’ve never quite been able to get to grips with it. One horse has a slowish cadence, but can run the time because of a large stride length, another horse with a much shorter stride length runs the same time because of a faster cadence. So what? They both can run the same time unless it is a particular ground condition that favours stride length as against cadence or vice versa?
 
barjon said:
I’ve never quite been able to get to grips with it. One horse has a slowish cadence, but can run the time because of a large stride length, another horse with a much shorter stride length runs the same time because of a faster cadence. So what? They both can run the same time unless it is a particular ground condition that favours stride length as against cadence or vice versa?
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Like all these things, I wouldn't be the type to use one measure/dynamic in isolation.

But it does fascinate me that a combination of stride length and cadence can point to optimum distances for the horses.

I would imagine exceptions to the 'rules' will always come along but I'm always keen to find out more about this kind of stuff.

Every day is a school day...
 
I can only say I hope he knows more about flat racing as he does the jumps.

With all his advice on sectionals and getting paid thousands of pounds for his labours
he managed 1 winner from 13 selections over the 4 days of the Cheltenham Festival.

So I will take DO's advice and ignore the twat
 
barjon said:
I’ve never quite been able to get to grips with it. One horse has a slowish cadence, but can run the time because of a large stride length, another horse with a much shorter stride length runs the same time because of a faster cadence. So what? They both can run the same time unless it is a particular ground condition that favours stride length as against cadence or vice versa?
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Had a look at stride patterns a while ago, but then I thought "do they use them in other countries?" . None that I'm aware of, so I dished them as using maths, rather than one's own eyes, to judge form.
As an aside, I find that MPH figures, displayed on many replays,are a more reliable guide to what's happening in a race. Not only do they tell the speed of the leaders, you can physically see horses slowing for a bend, speeding up for a downhill section etc.
Probably effective for NH races too, if one's so inclined.
 
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I firmly believe a horse either has gears or he/she doesn't and that they all have a top speed they are capable of.

The best will find off a slow pace or a fast pace and be able to turn ot on over the last 2 or 3 hurdles/fences.

So when comparing I tend to study how horse A compared to horse B and look for every opportunity to do so........for instance how fast did Galopin Des Champs cover the ground from the 3rd last
in comparison to Chacun Pour Soi on the same day at the DRF?.

When I did despite Galopin's race being over 1/2 mile faster and you would expect him to be slow when in fact he covered that distance slightly faster.

Considering Chacun was all out and is no mug it convinced me that Galopin was an exceptionally fast horse for a possible stayer.

Pity he fell on his ass when it mattered :lol:
 
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