The 2021 Betfair Hurdle Sun February 21st Newbury

barjon said:
MARIE’S ROCK
Nicky Henderson
Everything that could go wrong did go wrong at Newbury last time where she was much too keen and then found plenty of traffic problems so I’m happy to draw a line through it because she is much better than that and we’re putting a hood and tongue tie on to try and get her to relax. We’ve always thought a great deal of her but she picked up an injury early in her career which kept her off for a while which was frustrating but her work is very good and she will be more adaptable than some with regards to the ground because she has plenty of knee action.
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Nico obviously doesn't form the same opinion though!!!!

And I still maintain. she would not be running here to get an extra 5Lb for a run in the Betfair in two weeks!

You ever thought, she could be running here to a get 3Lb drop for The County hurdle?
 
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Maxbet said:
Nico obviously doesn't form the same opinion though!!!!

And I still maintain. she would not be running here to get an extra 5Lb for a run in the Betfair in two weeks!

You ever thought, she could be running here to a get 3Lb drop for The County hurdle?
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You never can tell with Henderson - today you either back both of them or neither.
 
Desert Orchid said:
I reckon her next outing will be at Crufts.

That wasn't encouraging in the least.
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Jumped like she had been schooled over fences!

Still think there is an ulterior plan here. Milan by a Flemingsfirth mare, wants further and probably a fence...
 
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That de Boinville chose to go on Floressa - an exposed mare - tells you all you need to know about Marie's Rock. Easily said now, of course.
 
She was ridden on the worst of the ground. When she ballooned one she was rushed up immediately and uneccessarily. And when they got racing she was never put into it.

Henderson sent Ellusive Belle to the County with seemingly no chance and she ran an excellent race behind horses that are now very highly regarded. She benefitted for a big field off a furious pace, and I can't think of many horses that need that kind of race more than Maries Rock. She'll probably get a couple of pounds relief for today as well.
 
Maruco said:
She was ridden on the worst of the ground. When she ballooned one she was rushed up immediately and uneccessarily. And when they got racing she was never put into it.

Henderson sent Ellusive Belle to the County with seemingly no chance and she ran an excellent race behind horses that are now very highly regarded. She benefitted for a big field off a furious pace, and I can't think of many horses that need that kind of race more than Maries Rock. She'll probably get a couple of pounds relief for today as well.
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Old course requires that bit more stamina too!
 
I noted Hendo saying in today's telephone interview with Nick Luck that 'both mares ran very nice races' or something like that.

He also said he had a couple of 'nice ones' for the Betfair. He mentioned Buzz by name but said his task looked slightly more difficult off his rating/weight, especially if Ballyandy comes out.
 
Desert Orchid said:
I noted Hendo saying in today's telephone interview with Nick Luck that 'both mares ran very nice races' or something like that.

He also said he had a couple of 'nice ones' for the Betfair. He mentioned Buzz by name but said his task looked slightly more difficult off his rating/weight, especially if Ballyandy comes out.
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I did think the reason for Buzz being unleashed was to climb the ratings in order to boss the handicap if Ballyandy came out....I reasoned that it had to be for either Mister Coffee, whom on looking closer at his form (has lines with Favoir to suggest he's in with a chance) or Marie's Rock, whom I decided against, for reason's already talked about here!

I'm in his head :lol:
Or someone told him they've nobbled you on the Talking Horses forum and you need to back him now, hence the blue...:lol:
 
Mister Coffee will have also gone blue because of today's "The Monday Jury" in the RP

When they were asked who wins the Betfair...

Olly Murphy A really easy one! I like the look of Mister Coffey for Nicky Henderson and the Bamfords. He’s unexposed and will be well suited by a strongly run handicap.

Which, by the way became available late yesterday afternoon to read online
 
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With races like the Betfair and County, Hendo's entries are the first ones I check out.

For all his Mad schoolboy cover picture act and well-rehearsed eye-rolling and lash-fluttering - he's in danger of wearing his mirror out - he's a ruthless operator in them.

I think Nicholls realised he had to up his game to compete for these prizes. I'm not sure how many of each he's won. Zarkandar and Pic D'Orhy at Newbury and a County winner in Lac Fontana are the only ones that spring to mind.

That said, I do think the nature of the County has changed significantly in the last 10-12 years. It's much more of a plot race than back in the day when the likes of Cashew King, Willsford, Home Counties and Barna Boy were winning on pretty much exposed form.

The Betfair has been a plot race going back to the days of Ryan Price.

But I am pretty addicted to them :lol:

Edit - just checked - Nicholls has had plenty of County winners down the years but Lac Fontana (2014) was the last.
 
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wilsonl said:
Mister Coffee will have also gone blue because of today's "The Monday Jury" in the RP

When they were asked who wins the Betfair...

Olly Murphy A really easy one! I like the look of Mister Coffey for Nicky Henderson and the Bamfords. He’s unexposed and will be well suited by a strongly run handicap.

Which, by the way became available late yesterday afternoon to read online
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Went Blue yesterday...20/1 into 12's...
 
Desert Orchid said:
Maybe a reaction to that phone interview with Nick Luck.
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May well be, but I got in there well before....

Pity they didn't mention Maries Rock as having a chance, you could have cashed out for a profit....

Just have to factor the loss into a future saving investment on her...if you can find a way to forgive her running....Which was very conspicuous I might add!!!!
 
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Cadzand won well at Kempton but the horse that caught my eye was Torigni. Nothing traveled better 3 out until he seemed to blowup approaching the 2nd last. However he had put himself right into the thick of things and running on empty manged to secure 3rd place.

That surely put him bang on song for this and at 25/1 he has to be worth an ew bet
 
Maxbet said:
May well be, but I got in there well before....

Pity they didn't mention Maries Rock as having a chance, you could have cashed out for a profit....

Just have to factor the loss into a future saving investment on her...if you can find a way to forgive her running....Which was very conspicuous I might add!!!!
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I think Marie's Rock might be his County horse Paul. He's was just trying to get another couple of pounds off her at the weekend She settled fine too so they've worked on that, and wasn't given any kind of race. There's definitely a plan, and he doesn't mind running an unexposed mare in the County. The way he's talked about her you've got to think she's well handicapped when it all comes good.
 
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As I said after the race, I'm more concerned about her head carriage [on Saturday] than what race she might be targeting.
 
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