The 2014 World Hurdle

I have mixed views regarding AFC-he is obviously a Cheltenham specialist but listening to Francome talk about his back problems the other night you have to wonder how he will react when the gun is put to his head.
 
Grasshopper said:
Her chance of winning a Festival race is hugely enhanced by heading to the Stayers. She was no 2m form threat to any of the principals. :cool:
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They were clearly scared that she would beat Hurricane Fly so she has been diverted to try and make his task easier . Ruby raving about The New One today suggests they are preparing you for the worst :D
 
her breeding doesn't suggest she'll get the trip but she looked good powering up the hill on new years day in that bog, with ruby not getting in any way serious.

i think the two championship hurdle races are easily the best of this years festival.
 
JamesRB said:
her breeding doesn't suggest she'll get the trip but she looked good powering up the hill on new years day in that bog, with ruby not getting in any way serious.

i think the two championship hurdle races are easily the best of this years festival.
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It all depends on Big Buck's - if he has come on a bundle since the Cleeve and is back to his best he will win - if he isn't he is vulnerable .

Her problem is that sauntering round in the mud against a below par Zarkandar over 2m 4f does not mean she is going to be equally effective in a grinding 3m race on much better ground run at a better gallop. I think she has a lot of speed and she is in the wrong race.
 
Ardross said:
They were clearly scared that she would beat Hurricane Fly so she has been diverted to try and make his task easier . Ruby raving about The New One today suggests they are preparing you for the worst :D
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They diverted her to prevent Ricci looking like a muppet.

And selectively quoting Ruby will get you nowhere. I'm like Columbo - I miss nothing. :D
 
Annie is going to have to stay and some, and hope Bucks really has regressed. If that run has put him spot on and he is remotely close to the old Bucks, then she is getting chewed up and spat out.
If however he's not and she stays then she'll win. But lets just hope that in doing so, Bucks doesn't leave his lasting mark on her. Because come win or lose, she is going to need a month of box rest after this.
 
This could become a very tactical race with PN have 4 runners is it? Maybe they will try to do a' Carvills Hill' job on her.
 
Get in.
She's pure class. She'd be in a different league to Voler La Vedette and she gave Big Buck's the fright of his life last time he won this race.
 
tiggers1972 said:
Get in.
She's pure class. She'd be in a different league to Voler La Vedette and she gave Big Buck's the fright of his life last time he won this race.
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Under a brilliant Lynch ride, it made it look closer than it was. Once ruby switched him back towards the mare her cards were marked.
He dispatched them all with plenty in hand.
 
tiggers1972 said:
Get in.
She's pure class. She'd be in a different league to Voler La Vedette and she gave Big Buck's the fright of his life last time he won this race.
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At 2 1/2 mile that's for sure....but she's stepping into the unknown...
 
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Does she look like she won't stay?
At HQ on New Year's Day she won on desperate ground hard on the steel, another half a mile on better ground would be no bother.
 
tiggers1972 said:
Does she look like she won't stay?
At HQ on New Year's Day she won on desperate ground hard on the steel, another half a mile on better ground would be no bother.
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Oscar Whisky done what she did and looked very impressive but he folded like a lamb in the World hurdle.

I wouldn't be backing a horse at 6/4 having its first run over 3m in the world hurdle, I'd rather back BB and still enjoy it if its a scrap and she wins.
 
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She beat Zarkandar in a bog over two and half miles. Is Zarkandar a reliable guide in a bog, when he has never shown his best form in a bog?
 
Len Madeiros said:
She beat Zarkandar in a bog over two and half miles. Is Zarkandar a reliable guide in a bog, when he has never shown his best form in a bog?
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I would rather back him at 10/1 on good ground over 3m than her at 6/4
 
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tiggers1972 said:
You may be right Frankel but VLV wouldn't have got anywhere near the Power!!!!!
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Over 3 miles on that day, debatable as Annie has not raced over that trip. VLV ran the race of her life.
I've heard all this before, Grand Crus, Thousand Stars, Oscar Whisky. He dealt with all of them easily.

I do love Annie and she is some mare, but the notion that VLV got within a couple of lengths is a guide, is not the true extent of how much he could have won by.
 
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