Novice Hurdlers 2012-13

Same here.ill try and top up online through the week,otherwise I'll go to the local shop and fight my way past the students on the fobts.
 
Last edited:
Really like jezki,he looks a battler to me.I think we will see both CF and his odds contract for their respective races after this.As for Minsk,time to put up or.....
 
granger said:
Does Geraghty have first pick on Jessie's horses or does power still get the nod?
Click to expand...

Geraghty ditched rides for Henderson to take the ride for Harrington last time, so he presumably still has some call on the better ones (unless Power was injured/suspended).
 
Despite my last post I'm after having a decent cut at Minsk in the Royal Bond at 4/1. Champagne Fever to my eyes is a dour stayer and will need further and his jumping was not what you could consider slick fto at Cork...admittedly he will improve from that. I was surprised that they didn't go straight over fences with him but Mr Rici may not have too many other novice hurdlers to go to war with so therein may lie the reason. He looks all over a 3 mile chaser and would be dissappointed if Minsk hasn't got the gears over him at this trip. Jezki is the other danger. Won a decent race lto and was strongly supported to do so. He again looks a big unfurnished horse with plenty of improvement left in him. He ran inexplicably badly (at the festival ) like a lot of Harringtons at the time but that leaves a big ? over him for me. The vibes from the Minsk yard before his debut last year were very strong even by Dessie Hughes standards and whilst he was readily turned over he was a sick horse. He has been given plenty of time since has had a couple of spins on the flat before dancing away from a moderate field to win his maiden. Hype over substance for me and 4/1 is too big to resist. I am a big fan of this horse and think he is made for this game.
 
OTB
Agree that Champagne Fever probably needs a stiffer test, but I'd suspect that Minsk does, also. 2m winner on the flat, and didn't have the speed for 12f when tried at the higher level. Didn't quite have the toe for this c/d the last time he ran over it, either.
Unless the ground is absolutely bottomless, I'd suggest that Jezki has too much boot for both of them.
 
It is no secret that that I'm a big fan of Champagne Fever. I think he has all the attributes that, with luck, could make him to be one of the top horses of his generation. Not since French Holly have I been so positive about a bumper horse. I agree that everything points to him being a stayer but anything but a 'dour' one as he certainly sets my blood racing.

I, too, believe that he is a likely to be a better chaser than hurdler and indeed backed him to win the 2013 RSA, mindful at the time that he might go hurdling. Haven't written that off yet and it is is possible that Sunday's race will determine his path, it certainly should be a major examination.

His hurdling debut was a facile win but he needs to have learned from the experience if he is to win over the minimum trip at this level. That said the only time time he was beaten was when he was not right and he has been highly tried. It might therefore not be wise to dismiss his chances too lightly though I admit that I won't be backing him to the extent I have in the past.

Bring it on !
 
Pont Alexandre won a nothing race on his only start in France, but must have shown something for him to have been acquired by Mullins, and for them to be happy to throw him in against Don Cossack at Navan today. The horse has also been introduced into the Neptune market at 16/1.

At a shade over 3/1 on Betfair for today's race, I'll take my chances against the 1/2 jolly.
 
Mr Ricci has an embarrassment of novice riches. Champagne Fever, Pont Alexandre and Arvika Legionaire.
 
Don Cossack looks a chaser


todays race reminded me Miakel DHauguent beating Pandorama in this race


Mullins in the interview looked to happy
this winner must be something special
 
“I bought him during the summer and I just fell in love with him the first day I saw him,” said Mullins.

“We paid a lot for him but I was very bullish that I wanted him.

“He wasn't showing me anything until about three weeks ago and we decided to come here and take our chance.

“He looks an exciting prospect and a chaser in the making. I'd say that's probably the first time I've pitched a novice straight into a Grade 1 but that's how much I think of him.

“The obvious race for him is at Naas in January (Slaney Hurdle) but Champagne Fever may go there and we could look further down the line.”

Mullins also had a word about the ground:- “The ground is very testing but it's great to be able to race.

“Ruby said it was heavy at Cheltenham yesterday but he wouldn't know how to describe this!”

Walsh was also impressed with the winner and added:- “He was doing things nicely at home but it's always a worry first time over these hurdles and with him not having run in so long it's always a worry in a Grade 1.

“It was a good performance. In fairness to Willie he stuck his neck out to buy him and I'd say it was a good call.

“We were going a good old gallop as he stays well at home. He'll be a lovely chaser.

“It was a brave decision to run him here. I was thinking a winners' of one would be lovely.

“Rich and Willie probably thought that if Don Cossack beat him – so be it – it would still be a lovely run.”
Click to expand...
 
Back
Top