Stayers Hurdle 2018

A

Aughex

At the Start
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Jul 27, 2015
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L'ami Serge ran like a true stayer yesterday in the Ascot Hurdle on his seasonal debut, outpaced on the turn-in but almost to the leader at the line. I remember an interview 1-2 weeks ago with Nicky on Chappers he said that L'ami is his Stayers horse.

His run behind Arctic Fire in a truly run County then his French champion hurdle win and his good first run from which is sure to come on, makes his 16/1 a nice bet in anyones a/p portofolio. NC and UNWIMH are short for a reason but I think L'ami Serge offers the best value.
 
Daryl Jacob’s column in the Sporting Life:

”As for L'Ami Serge, it’ll be tough for him to give weight to Defi Du Seuil in the Coral Hurdle, but he has to start somewhere and all roads lead to the French Champion Hurdle for him.”
 
French Champion Hurdle wouldn't preclude a run in the Stayers for L'Ami Serge, as it's held in May.
 
I wasn't a big fan of Harry last year but a year on and I can see no reason why he wouldn't win this time round.

Lami Serge does have a touch of class and him going for the SH can only make it more interesting.

He does need things to go his way though like in France Daryl Jacob gave him a brilliant ride keeping his apart from every other horse in the race.

Despite his second to Arctic Fire I would worry about the hustle and bustle of Cheltenham really suiting him as much as the wide open spaces of Autieuil
 
Harry's run yesterday was very disappointing, surprised he's still in the single figures I don't think he stands many chances as a 10yo with his form declining by some way from last season. Depending on how NC comes back tomorrow he could end up a 2/1 6/4 shot on the day.
 
The mistake they made with Harry is keeping him going between Jan and March last year when he suffered his first defeat in 9 races.

Given a fortnight off and brought back he reversed form with the Mullins horse.

In his first run he was certainly nowhere near his peak and yesterday they again would be bordering on the edge of just fit enough.


Just because Tizzard's media pack say Thistlecrack was fit doesn't make it so.

As I suspected it would be slowly away for him. If not what on earth is a Gold Cup horse doing running over hurdles and if he was so far forward why not the Betfair for the 1million?

Common sense and what we say indicates he badly needed the run. He may not be my cup of tea but FF to say he's gone is nuts. One look at the way he travelled shows the engine is still in good working order.

As for Harry he is being trained for Cheltenham and nowts earth and while I backed him yesterday I feared Colin's Sister might outgun him if he wasn't 100% as it tuned out Beer Goggles set such a pace he failed to peg him back but lack of ability? Old Age? that's nonsense
 
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Old age is nonsense? for a championship race?

The decline in his form is undeniable, he got done by a handicapper while last season he was winning G1s.
 
Anyone* know when entries are made for the Long Walk at Ascot? Not sure if it's an early closer or not.

* I'm mainly looking at DG here! :lol:
 
I’ve backed L’Ami Serge at 16/1.

I don’t think there is a standout this season, and I don’t think the horses at the head of the market are solid, and when that’s the case, I usually look for a high-class (rather than top-class) 2-miler hurdler, that might get further......Solwhit and Inglis Drever being two examples of the type of horse that fit that mould.

L’Ami Serge is in a similar bracket, imo - though perhaps not quite so good at the minimum trip, as the two-named above - and has the added benefit of a G1 win over 3m in the bag already; running-out a ready winner of the French Champion Hurdle over the summer.

He came out of the Ascot Hurdle (2m3f) a better horse at the weights than Lil Rockerfeller, and whilst he has perhaps found less than expected in some of his races, I believe that is actually down to him being a little run off his feet, rather than him have any serious temperament issues.

Certainly, he ran all the way to the line in that French Champion, and he remains seriously unexposed - and I hope progressive - at staying trips. He got the Long Walk entry, and I can see him run a big race - hence I want to be on before he is cut.
 
Harchibald was a bona-fide mutt, TheBear.....with the emphasis on bone.

Already said that I dont believe L’Ami is the hound some make him out to be. He will be a different prospect over 3m.
 
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He's got more 2's next to his name than Richard Johnson.

All the best with him Grassy but I wouldn't back him with your money.
 
TheBear said:
He's got more 2's next to his name than Richard Johnson.

All the best with him Grassy but I wouldn't back him with your money.
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Have a look at the ‘1’ next to his name, on his only journey at 3m. It’s more important in the context of a Stayers Hurdle. :cool:
 
Grasshopper said:
Have a look at the ‘1’ next to his name, on his only journey at 3m. It’s more important in the context of a Stayers Hurdle. :cool:
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Make you right and I’ve put him up at 16s. Had him down as a bit of a ponce for a while but he bit the stick at the business end of the County and proved, much to my surprise, that he could see out 3m in Paris.

In a messy and potentially fractious division, I think he could be a serious player if that’s the confirmed target.
 
Holds the Long Walk entry, Ivan. We’ll hopefully know a bit more (one way or the other) before Christmas.
 
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