Road to the Champion Hurdle 19/20

I thought he had a far harder race than was necessary. Asked to make up a lot of ground on heavy. Makes a mistake two out which means he’s got to make even more effort to catch the leader. He may well have sustained a cut (probably then) but I doubt very much he felt it (Adrenalin masks pain) but I felt Barry was just giving that as an excuse.
It’s rare that I criticise a jockey but on this occasion I think he was very much to blame (as were the others). You just don’t give that sort of rein in heavy ground. HB rode a blinder - he even stole more ground as he quickened round the last bend. Hats off to him.
 
Yes. I agree with a lot of that. Havent heard about the cut yet. Dont think its an excuse - but to be against B'dA in terms of proper Grade 1s - his jumping is becoming more and more of an issue. And he shouldnt have been beaten having got to the leader. I would dispute if he had a harder race than if he was to chase a pace harder than ideal for 2m by sitting on the tail of the leader rather than sprinting for 4f. Obviously, he would probably have won as expected had he done so.
 
HawkWing said:
Going to swim against the tide here.

If it was Geraghty's fault, you could expect Buveur d'Air's CH price to have remained the same after the race. He has drifted and it might be that now is the time to back him for the Champion.

If Cornerstone Lad hadn't run there he would have beaten the rest as easily as expected. Had Buveur d'Air been gaining ground hand over fist but not getting there on time, then yes, Geraghty would have clearly mistimed reeling in the outsider. The thing that you can really criticise Geraghty for is making up the ground too quickly in that ground, (the mistake at the second last didn't help (made a mistake at the same hurdle first time round)). But B'dA and Geraghty got the to leader at the right time, jumped the last upsides and clearly led. The leader who looked to have kicked round the bend battled harder than expected. Running the race against Bd'A would be long odds on, but think there is a good deal of overreaction here.
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I agree with a lot of that HW.

The mistake two out cost BdA enough momentum to have made the difference but he should have had several lengths in hand. Another long odds-on Henderson (my favourite trainer) beaten.
 
still there if you have a marathon account

edit : chopped to 14s now
 
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Double Handful said:
Christmas at Leopardstown will tell us a lot! Be amazing to see her take on the boys over the 2m Grade 1 at Christmas. Would love to see it! /QUOTE]

HDB hinting she'll miss Christmas and either drop down to two miles for the Irish Champion Hurdle, go to Gowran for the Red Mills Hurdle or revert to her own sex at Punchestown. Also says the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham is her main target.
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Curiosity will be the key here

They won't be able to relish the chance of taking on the boys before March

If she runs and wins, she can only go one way
 
Elixir De Nutz now probably going to Ascot in a couple of weeks rather than the International this weekend.
 
Elixir De Nutz declared for tomorrow. Lovely stuff. May not win, but his first run in nearly a year, if he can be within 5 lengths I’ll be more than happy.

My only slight worry is, although I know he didn’t run in it, the Supreme form from last season hasnt really stood anywhere. I think Elixir would have been close to Klassical Dream though, and he’s 7/2 fav.

33/1 may look massive for the Champion Hurdle come late Saturday afternoon.
 
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Scratch Elxir De Nutz off.

Chitebello was my marker to beat. Call Me Lord did that to put him in the frame, but I have to question that form with Ballyandy in second.
 
Double J said:
Scratch Elxir De Nutz off.

Chitebello was my marker to beat. Call Me Lord did that to put him in the frame, but I have to question that form with Ballyandy in second.
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Elixir drifted like a barge all morning. Clearly only a pipe opener today. Travelled and jumped well before running out of gas. Wouldn't write him off completely yet.
 
If I owned Buveir I'd be hoping he recovers from that injury for the Champion Hurdle.
 
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Double Handful said:
Elixir drifted like a barge all morning. Clearly only a pipe opener today. Travelled and jumped well before running out of gas. Wouldn't write him off completely yet.
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Scratch him for the Champion I will. Maybe target a big 2 mile handicap before going chasing next year. One I still very much like, just not for a Champion Hurdle.

I agree with Marbs comments about Buveur. Still think he’d win with what we’ve seen so far. Thought it was a poor run at Newcastle on first viewing, but understandable with a log handing out of his foot.
 
We'd get a fair price aswell, double.

Every bulletin that's come from the yard since his surgery has been very positive.

Oli Cumani just asked Henderson and the trainer switched the topic on to the Christmas Hurdle and Epatante and Raffles.

I think that's code for: Our next bulletin on Buveir will be in January!

Does any highstreet or mainsteam bookie want to do the honourable thing and quote the odds...
 
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