Novice Hurdlers 2012-13

Aragorn said:
Who is the mythical jock you'd have up then?!
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Unfortunately, I thought most people would have realised I was referring to Mark Walsh.

This thread should be about horses but as you have asked there are plenty of jockeys I would have ahead of AP. Clearly all jockeys make mistakes but at the moment Geraghty is the best around, given the way the McCain outfit operates Maguire is probably your man if you want an aggressive front running ride and O'Regan fits the bill if you want that bit of extra finesse. Since teaming up with Jonjo AP has made himself into an average hold-up jockey who very rarely turns in a blemish free round. Those mistakes often don't affect results at a lower level but on the biggest stage it is a different story. Yes, he has been champion jockey a million times but I think a fair few people appreciate that now has plenty to do with Geraghty and Walsh not being in a position to pursue the title.
 
AP McCoy spends the majority of his time riding expensively-purchased dogs that are beneath his talents. He is obviously comfortable with his decision to forfeit more big-race wins in favour of a top-end retainer.

Jockeys need to be judged by how many horses they get into the winners enclosure that have no right being there. McCoy is still, without question, the Daddy of them all in this regard.
 
Grasshopper said:
AP McCoy spends the majority of his time riding expensively-purchased dogs that are beneath his talents. He is obviously comfortable with his decision to forfeit more big-race wins in favour of a top-end retainer.
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In recent seasons O'Neill has received more expensive inmates than any other stable. There are two examples running in a novice hurdle at Doncaster tomorrow. These are facts but it is pure conjecture as to whether O'Neill/McCoy get the best out of these horses or they are in fact 'dogs' as you suggest.
 
treetangle said:
Unfortunately, I thought most people would have realised I was referring to Mark Walsh.

This thread should be about horses but as you have asked there are plenty of jockeys I would have ahead of AP. Clearly all jockeys make mistakes but at the moment Geraghty is the best around, given the way the McCain outfit operates Maguire is probably your man if you want an aggressive front running ride and O'Regan fits the bill if you want that bit of extra finesse. Since teaming up with Jonjo AP has made himself into an average hold-up jockey who very rarely turns in a blemish free round. Those mistakes often don't affect results at a lower level but on the biggest stage it is a different story. Yes, he has been champion jockey a million times but I think a fair few people appreciate that now has plenty to do with Geraghty and Walsh not being in a position to pursue the title.
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23% strike rate this year riding sh!te is not bad. Better than Maguire (21), better than O'Regan (13), not better than Geraghty (28) but he just picks the best of Henderson's and back home in Ireland without the firepower he's operating at a pokey 12.

McCoy's not my favourite rider and perhaps not the easiest on the eye but the bloke is bloody effective.

Ruby Walsh is still the best around though.
 
treetangle said:
These are facts but it is pure conjecture as to whether O'Neill/McCoy get the best out of these horses or they are in fact 'dogs' as you suggest.
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And the theory that McCoy has "turned himself" into a bad hold-up jockey? Is this fact or conjecture?
 
Grasshopper said:
And the theory that McCoy has "turned himself" into a bad hold-up jockey? Is this fact or conjecture?
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It is part fact (with Pipe it was mostly a case of point and fire - for me that suited him best and that coincided with the period he was at his best) and part opinion.
 
"I'd say Ballycasey will go in the Albert Bartlett all right," says their trainer. "He's a good stayer, he has plenty of stamina. Champagne Fever blotted his copybook at Naas. He is on the comeback trail, but he has to bounce back now. We might let him take his chance in the Deloitte Hurdle at Leopardstown on Saturday, and take it from there."
 
Noel Meade said it is "heartbreaking" that injury has ruled out smart novice hurdler Ned Buntline for the rest of the season
 
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chroniclandlord said:
Champagne Fever is still in the Cheltenham mix. Waaheb's exit made his task easier though. Ferguson's horse went out like a light.
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Yes, good to see him back. Where does he go next remains the question. Prior to the last run I always thought it was the Neptune with an outside possibility of ther Albert Bartlett. As it seems important that he leads or is at least prominent I think the Albert Bartlett may now be the better option.
 
They're talking about the Supreme for Champagne Fever

The front two in that race will make super chasers. Still plenty to come from Bright New Dawn
 
Bobbyjo said:
They're talking about the Supreme for Champagne Fever

The front two in that race will make super chasers. Still plenty to come from Bright New Dawn
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Either Mullins is working overtime at leading punters up the garden path or he seriously has a few screws loose. The horse has zero chance in the Supreme - he just isn't quick enough and we know he is comfortably held by Jezki in any case. Running in that race could set the horse back far more than a lung infection.

Contrast the records of Ballycasey and Champagne Fever. It would appear the sole aim of the running plans is not disturb the punt they have had on Ballycasey.

You wonder what Mullins will do next - perhaps he can make a late entry in the Champion Chase for Back In Focus?
 
Happier now. Champagne Fever jumped much better today- except first and last. Bobbyjo's comment about chasing is spot on and I know that very serious consideration was given to going chasing without a hurdling career.

My AP book improved today as I recovered the stakes I had on CF to win the RSA. I still have a large bet on CF to win the Neptune as well as a double CF Neptune/ Jezki Supreme to return @ £15K. I have a smaller but still decent bet on CF to win any race at 9/1.
 
"The plan is that Mozoltov, Champagne Fever and Un Atout will run in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle. Pont Alexandre will run in the Neptune and Ballycasey in the Albert Bartlett.
"It will be tough over there, but you send your best and hope that one of them will draw."
(Mullins on ATR)
 
It always is some start - I imagine JP would like a return to the days of the Gloucestershire Hurdle when it was on occasions split into two divisions - one for Jezki and one for MTOY !
 
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