Road to the Champion Hurdle 19/20

granger

granger

Senior Jockey
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Possibly early but i'm ready to come out of hibernation

Hopefully some of the regular posters return to form and get posting regularly again

Wide open race with the passing of last year's winner

Guessing we can write off the mares after last year's race



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Good man granger. Time to start dusting off the cobwebs and concentrate on the real racing. I’m still holding out hope on Buveur D’Air regaining his crown. I don’t think he was himself last year but did come to something like it at Punchestown.

An awful shame with what happened to Espior D’Allen.


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I can make more cases against them all not winning at the moment than being super strong on any of them

It's lazy to just write off juveniles but the jump up is huge
 
Klassical Dream is a worthy favourite but unbackable at the price. I was lucky to get him in some early multiples before the unfortunate news came out about Espoir D'allen though.

The two I'm on early at bigger prices are Saldier 50/1, who's price seems to have collapsed since for some reason, and Elixir Du Nutz 33/1 who I fancied to run a big race in the Supreme, and Tizzard has since stated he will campaigned for the race.

I'm avoiding last seasons juveniles for now. It's unlikely lightening will strike twice, but if it did the one I'll be keeping an eye on is Fusil Raffles. On the face of it his 2 length win against Fakir D'oudairies at Punchestown is below the level of form of Klassical Dream at Cheltenham, but JO'B had said Fakir had an interrupted prep at Cheltenham and was bang on at Punchestown so I'm not taking it too literally. Henderson really likes him too and thinks he's going to be very good. If he's not up to being a Champion Hurdler this season, and it's a year too soon in his development, I reckon he'll go close in the Arkle next season.

In the case of Buveur D'air, 9 year olds have a worse record than the previous season juveniles, and ex-Champions have a terrible record of comebacks. Only Kauto Star from memory has adone it on my lifetime, and as much as I like Buveur D'air, he's no Kauto.
 
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I got all excited when I saw the topic title and then deflated when I saw the field. If I had to back one now it would be BD at 7/1.
 
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Maruco said:
In the case of Buveur D'air, 9 year olds have a worse record than the previous season juveniles, and ex-Champions have a terrible record of comebacks. Only Kauto Star from memory has adone it on my lifetime, and as much as I like Buveur D'air, he's no Kauto.
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The Fly!
 
Mullins said: "Klassical Dream has done well over the last few months and he looks very well. He didn't do anything wrong last season and you would like to think he looks as good as some of our past champion hurdlers."

The trainer added: "He could start off in the Morgiana, but the race at Down Royal is definitely an option too and there is the Hatton's Grace at Fairyhouse as well. I don't like to pin mine down to one specific target this early, so we'll keep our options open."

"I know Saldier hasn't run in a while, but nobody has forgotten about him around here, that's for sure," said Mullins. "It's funny, it was only this morning that I commented to someone just how well he looked and how strong he had become. He looks great."
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Willie is strongly in favour of the mares chase that’s coming to the festival soon. Said he’d be sending Lurina there this year if he could. I’d keep BDD over hurdles, but I’m not a multi time champion trainer.

Buveur D’air for me this year, in what I believe could be another average renewal.

I’m with whoever posted Elixir De Nutz, I was all over him for the Supreme till he was injured. He beat Itchy Feet early in the season and that proved to be a good piece of form. With this the confirmed target, 33/1 e/w appeals very much to me.
 
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Morgiana beckons

Do look forward to seeing how KD has summered

Townend added: “Klassical Dream is a completely different horse to Hurricane Fly – he was a Flat horse with loads of speed whereas Klassical Dream is more of a National Hunt type, probably more like Faugheen.
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Double Handful said:
Was watching replays of this yesterday. He jumped a lot of the hurdles big towards the end. Has to be a slight concern.
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She :)

It's a huge step up for any mare to go into open company

I actually loved how big she was at her hurdles. She will jump a fence

Laurina went off fav for the CH last year (I think without checking). Honeysuckle should be just as good as her

That by no way means she can compete, just a comparison
 
granger said:
She :)

It's a huge step up for any mare to go into open company

I actually loved how big she was at her hurdles. She will jump a fence

Laurina went off fav for the CH last year (I think without checking). Honeysuckle should be just as good as her

That by no way means she can compete, just a comparison
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She, of course. My comment based on hurdling at the top table this season. No doubt a highly talented Mare, but not CH level. In all likelihood will make a better chaser.
 
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