chroniclandlord
Senior Jockey
Grade 1 mares hurdle
5 run
Glens Melody
Oilily
Shadow Eile
Swincombe Flame
Tarla
Annie Powers not declared
5 run
Glens Melody
Oilily
Shadow Eile
Swincombe Flame
Tarla
Annie Powers not declared
I was seriously thinking about doing a big double and buying some money on Hurricane Fly and Un Atout but I have decided not to.
As daft as it may seem I am more worried about Hurricane Fly than I am Un Atout winning.
Rock On Ruby ran well at Cheltenham when Hurricane Fly trounced him but I reckon Rock On Ruby is better than that. They knew how to beat Hurricane Fly but the execution of their plan left a lot to be desired IMO. Most likely it didn't make any difference and Hurricane Fly would have won anyway but on this type of ground horses don't always find what you expect them to.
If Noel Fehily can inject enough pace at the right time he could just get Hurricane Fly at it and steal the race.
Forgive me I can't remember who said it was a telescope job but I disagree. I can see this being very close and a lot different than the betting suggests. Hurricane Fly is a worthy champion and can be considered unlucky not to have won 4 Champion Hurdles but Rock On Ruby is much better than he's used to meeting plus you could say he's really only been at his peak once this season so he'll be going here like a fresh horse fighting fit.
I can see this being a right set to that could go either way
Luckiest horse in training
Every time he races a combination of the pace/ground/incompetence of other jockeys/alignment of the stars - take your pick - set up a situation where he somehow ends up winning, often comfortably.
If people think Hurricane was gifted the race at Cheltenham when the rider of the runner-up offered the opinion that ROR had run a better race than 2012 well, I guess people might never agree on that.
I think Bobbyjo has hit the nail on the head.