• REGISTER NOW!! Why? Because you can't do much without having been registered!

    At the moment you have limited access to view all discussions - and most importantly, you haven't joined our community. What are you waiting for? Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join Join Talking Horses here!

QIPCO British Champions Day

Interesting that Sheikh Mo still doesn't make an appearance on a racecourse but can still be seen up at the sales.
 
Calandagan just needed to get confidence in himself; the ability was always there in spades: he was never beaten more than 1.25 L the four times he was runner up.
Fair dues to Barzalona and Graffard and team Aga Khan for keeping the faith.
It will take a Champion to beat him in future once he holds his form.
Delighted Jamie and Jason Watson had a good season end to boost both morale and maybe get a slice of something good going forward.
 
It was a cracking effort, but I just wonder if the waiting tactics on Ombudsman were overdone.

The pacemakers set a good pace, but they didn't go THAT fast - if they had Devil's Advocate would have completely folded at the business end instead of ending up beaten less than ten lengths in seventh and arguably just about running to his mark.

True, Calandagan raced towards the rear himself early on, but Ombudsman was actually sat stone last and has been asked to make up a colossal amount of ground - he was also brought wide turning for home in what is a game of fine margins.

As for Delacroix, nice colt, dual Group 1 (Eclipse and Irish Champion) winner, but he got beat at York and got beat here - he's just not quite consistently top class against the very best that's around in this less-than-vintage year.

Delacroix reminds me a bit of Sadler's Wells, who was also decent in his year but not quite a top-drawer racecourse champion (I saw him get beat a few times too) but had sufficient ability plus the pedigree to be a roaring success at stud.

Almaqam has run an absolute stormer - he wants softer ground than it was yesterday and he's run a career best for me.

He's not a "champion" either, but he could pick up a Group 1 when conditions are in his favour.
 
Last edited:
Nah;Ombudsman was simply outclassed by a better horse.
You guys were also proved wrong about Kalppana
.Imo, her Arc run was down to a bad trip,from which she had to make up ground too quickly,
Watch the race again.
 
reet hard said:
..Yet also used her as a stick to beat Calnadagan with?
Click to expand...
Well, no, I merely made the observation that some who were backing Calandagan were imo bizarrely knocking Kalpana.

Not only did I bet and put up Kalpana at 3/1, I mentioned the imo related contingency form double I did her and Calandagan in pre race.

It's no big deal, but that's what actually happened.

Btw, I'm not saying Ombudsman could necessarily have beaten Calandagan, but I do think it could have been closer and that the winner got the better ride.

Game of opinions, though.
 
Last edited:
reet hard said:
Nah;Ombudsman was simply outclassed by a better horse.
You guys were also proved wrong about Kalppana
.Imo, her Arc run was down to a bad trip,from which she had to make up ground too quickly,
Watch the race again.
Click to expand...

It was more me amd Euro against Kalpana and I dont really think I was that far off i still dont think Kalpana's a proper 12F horse. The overall time yesterday would've been the slowest on the card. Give or take the 2mile race was fast by 3 secs the 12F was 3 seconds slow. You know enough about speed ratings Reet for me not to explain that. It was a fairly poor race yesterday Quissana who finished third is also a 10f horse. Kalpana was in the right position from the start and I'd also said she possesses a wicked turn of foot, she put the race to bed with that. I only really thought Waardah and Estrange had a chance of turning her over in a proper run race. Waardah is a horse that had won over 1m6f and was held up she was never going to be able make up that ground off a pace like that and needed a lot more use making of her if she was to ever to stand a chance. To a lesser degree the same can be said of Estrange whos stayed on well but had allowed Kalapana too much rope.

Ombudsman could've definitely have been closer with a more prominent ride I think outclassed is a bit much. I was surprised by Calagadan though ive always though he was top class but I always thought him better at 1m4F I never thought he'd have the pace to do that even in a strongly run affair but he was certainly impressive and he's some horse.
 
Danny said:
It was more me amd Euro against Kalpana and I dont really think I was that far off i still dont think Kalpana's a proper 12F horse. The overall time yesterday would've been the slowest on the card. Give or take the 2mile race was fast by 3 secs the 12F was 3 seconds slow. You know enough about speed ratings Reet for me not to explain that. It was a fairly poor race yesterday Quissana who finished third is also a 10f horse. Kalpana was in the right position from the start and I'd also said she possesses a wicked turn of foot, she put the race to bed with that. I only really thought Waardah and Estrange had a chance of turning her over in a proper run race. Waardah is a horse that had won over 1m6f and was held up she was never going to be make up that ground off a pace like that and needed a lot more use making of her if she was to ever to stand a chance. To a lesser degree the same can be said of Estrange whos stayed on well but had allowed Kalapana too much rope.

Ombudsman could've definitely have been closer with a more prominent ride I think outclassed is a bit much. I was surprised by Calagadan though ive always though he was top class but I always thought him better at 1m4F I never thought he'd have the pace to do that even in a strongly run affair but he was certainly impressive and he's some horse.
Click to expand...
Cracking post, imo, but as ever a like from me isn't necessarily 💯% endorsement.

I actually think, after winning this race twice and being runner up in a King George, Kalpana can claim to stay 1m4f.

But I agree she's got the pace for shorter, I agree they didn't go that quick and I agree she was given the ideal ride.

It was leagues below the Arc, Estrange needs it Softer and the over bet Burrows beast is a plodder.

Anyone who gave Kalpana an earthly in the Arc had to be all over the 3/1 against that lot - the only question was if the Arc had left its mark.

Tbf I said all this pretty much pre race - well, I put her up at the 3s, anyway.

Calandagan is a cracking gelding, but I do think that was the erratic Barzalona at his best yesterday - he judged it perfectly.

I'm not sure Buick can say the same.
 
The term "needs it softer" should be deleted from existence after Ciceros Gift won yesterday the sprint winner was plausible to a point but If someone would of said to me Cicero would of emerged triumphant yesterday id of gladly put my life on that not being the case. Amongst the most inexplicable results Ive ever seen in my life.
 
Buick was tracking the winner the whole way. At the two pole he probably thought he was going to win. If you switch the first two and their trip, Calandagan would still have got up and won.
 
Danny said:
The term "needs it softer" should be deleted from existence after Ciceros Gift won yesterday the sprint winner was plausible to a point but If someone would of said to me Cicero would of emerged triumphant yesterday id of gladly put my life on that not being the case. Amongst the most inexplicable results Ive ever seen in my life.
Click to expand...
I can't remember a card like it.

Kudos to reet hard for Powerful Glory (though if I backed a winner that had started about 250 on the machine at 50s ante-post, I'd have mixed feelings, frankly - I hope he pressed up at the death) for knackering my 9/2 overnight Lazzat, but I don't think anyone on here got Cicero's (I certainly didn't!) and in some ways that was the bigger shock despite being the shorter price.

What a game - what....a....F-ing....game.

Love it.
 
Danny said:
It was more me amd Euro against Kalpana and I dont really think I was that far off i still dont think Kalpana's a proper 12F horse. The overall time yesterday would've been the slowest on the card. Give or take the 2mile race was fast by 3 secs the 12F was 3 seconds slow. You know enough about speed ratings Reet for me not to explain that. It was a fairly poor race yesterday Quissana who finished third is also a 10f horse. Kalpana was in the right position from the start and I'd also said she possesses a wicked turn of foot, she put the race to bed with that. I only really thought Waardah and Estrange had a chance of turning her over in a proper run race. Waardah is a horse that had won over 1m6f and was held up she was never going to be able make up that ground off a pace like that and needed a lot more use making of her if she was to ever to stand a chance. To a lesser degree the same can be said of Estrange whos stayed on well but had allowed Kalapana too much rope.

Ombudsman could've definitely have been closer with a more prominent ride I think outclassed is a bit much. I was surprised by Calagadan though ive always though he was top class but I always thought him better at 1m4F I never thought he'd have the pace to do that even in a strongly run affair but Nah he was ceNrtainly impressive and he's some horseNah
Click to expand...

Danny said:
It was more me amd Euro against Kalpana and I dont really think I was that far off i still dont think Kalpana's a proper 12F horse. The overall time yesterday would've been the slowest on the card. Give or take the 2mile race was fast by 3 secs the 12F was 3 seconds slow. You know enough about speed ratings Reet for me not to explain that. It was a fairly poor race yesterday Quissana who finished third is also a 10f horse. Kalpana was in the right position from the start and I'd also said she possesses a wicked turn of foot, she put the race to bed with that. I only really thought Waardah and Estrange had a chance of turning her over in a proper run race. Waardah is a horse that had won over 1m6f and was held up she was never going to be able make up that ground off a pace like that and needed a lot more use making of her if she was to ever to stand a chance. To a lesser degree the same can be said of Estrange whos stayed on well but had allowed Kalapana too much rope.

Ombudsman could've definitely have been closer with a more prominent ride I think outclassed is a bit much. I was surprised by Calagadan though ive always though he was top class but I always thought him better at 1m4F I never thought he'd have the pace to do that even in a strongly run affair but he was certainly impressive and he's some horse.
Click to expand...
Nah,Dan - it was specifically Slim and ID in their (erronius) dissing of Calandagan {was referring to.
 
In all fairness, reet is commendably consistent in blaming me for things others have said and done.

reet's version of history: "9/11 - ID advised Bin Laden it was doable and the USA wouldn't bother going after him; Putin's invasion of Ukraine - ID told Vlad him and the rest of the Kremlin would be eating out in Kiev within a month; the October attack - ID assured Hamas Netanyahu wouldn't even react."

All good fun, though - I reckon reet's had the lot on Powerful Glory and he's got his tail up.
 
Ian_Davies said:
It was a cracking effort, but I just wonder if the waiting tactics on Ombudsman were overdone.

The pacemakers set a good pace, but they didn't go THAT fast - if they had Devil's Advocate would have completely folded at the business end instead of ending up beaten less than ten lengths in seventh and arguably just about running to his mark.

True, Calandagan raced towards the rear himself early on, but Ombudsman was actually sat stone last and has been asked to make up a colossal amount of ground - he was also brought wide turning for home in what is a game of fine margins.

As for Delacroix, nice colt, dual Group 1 (Eclipse and Irish Champion) winner, but he got beat at York and got beat here - he's just not quite consistently top class against the very best that's around in this less-than-vintage year.

Delacroix reminds me a bit of Sadler's Wells, who was also decent in his year but not quite a top-drawer racecourse champion (I saw him get beat a few times too) but had sufficient ability plus the pedigree to be a roaring success at stud.

Almaqam has run an absolute stormer - he wants softer ground than it was yesterday and he's run a career best for me.

He's not a "champion" either, but he could pick up a Group 1 when conditions are in his favour.
Click to expand...
If they ran the race again I’d be surprised if the result would be much different however they chose to play the cards. I think the race was a “proper” one and sorted them out quite well. Almaqam is obviously better than was thought and I suppose the only slight question mark is whether it was just a flash in the pan - given that it seemed a true run test that’s doubtful.
 

Recent Blog Posts

Back
Top