Mountain

rag2gar

Never got a run today in the end but surely an interesting newcomer for this season? I have backed him for the triumph and am eagerly awiting his debut for the same connections as BlackJack Ketchum.

He had moderate success on the flat which could lead to big things in the hurdling ranks this year. Anybody else keen on his chances this year?

masterK

I think you may well find somebody on this forum of similar opinions to yourself. It was reasonably well backed today, whether that was the AP factor or not I don't know. In light of the performance of previous O'Brien recruits to hurdling it would be hard to justify backing him ante post at current prices until he's ran, unless of course you got some of the 60/1 on Betfair.

rag2gar

Anybody know when we can expect this lads first race over hurdles?

fade2black

One of these:

3 Feb 2007 1:00 (Four Day) at SANDOWN, Michael And Sandra Keep Ruby Anniversary Juvenile Novices´ Hurdle
3 Feb 2007 2:35 (Four Day) at STRATFORD, Happy Birthday Jane Lambert Juvenile Maiden Hurdle
6 Feb 2007 1:50 (Five Day) at MARKET RASEN, WBX.com World Bet Exchange Juvenile Novices´ Hurdle
13 Mar 2007 2:00 (Five Day) at CHELTENHAM, Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices´ Hurdle Grade 1 Bet
BET
14 Mar 2007 2:00 (Five Day) at CHELTENHAM, Ballymore Properties Novices´ Hurdle (Registered As The Baring Bingham Novices´ Hurdle) Grade 1 Bet
BET
16 Mar 2007 2:00 (Five Day) at CHELTENHAM, JCB Triumph Hurdle Grade 1

fade2black

I'm sure know by now he'll be running in the first mentioned

fade2black

Showed a lot of speed on the flat but would need to improve the jumping. Would need to improve an awful, awful, lot to contest a triumph hurdle.

Morgans

Pretty much agree Fade. Given that the third comes out best at the weights, and he will give 7lbs to Lounaos, I would estimate he needs to improve the guts of two stone to win the Triumph. His class might mean that he will be given his opportunity, but 8/1 is IMO, an absolutely ridiculous price.

mdwexford

agree with FTB and Morgans

joke price, not experienced enough to have a hope in the Triumph. No course form, no big field experience, doesnt jump well enough etc etc

rag2gar

Has a decent engine though lads, think he'll be one for the future for sure

fade2black

If he learned to take the hurdles in his stride his natural speed would make him a serious hurdling prospect. At the moment though he's giving the obstacles too much respect, as if their just things in his way in a flat race. I wouldn't write him off just yet but the triumph will come too soon I think. I was hoping we'd see him a lot earlier in the season.

rag2gar

fade2black wrote:

If he learned to take the hurdles in his stride his natural speed would make him a serious hurdling prospect. At the moment though he's giving the obstacles too much respect, as if their just things in his way in a flat race. I wouldn't write him off just yet but the triumph will come too soon I think. I was hoping we'd see him a lot earlier in the season.

Yeah I see what you mean, its a pity he didnt start earlier in the year but the ground was probably the reson. Dont know if you saw the interview with jonjo fade but he said its not set in stone that he will be in the truiumph he might tackle other races instead as "its really very early days with him". That was pretty much what you felt too

Colonel Sanders

That would have been a very pleasing introduction if it had taken place in november or december however it only leaves connections less than 6 weeks to get more experience into the horse. Throw in the fact that any race he's likely to run in will more than likely be little more than an egg and spoon race and I agree 8/1 looks mighty short. Long term if he improves his jumping he could well be the best long term prospect among the 4yo hurdlers but as for the triumph, I'll be looking elsewhere.

fade2black

Would be nice to see a few similarly rated horses taking their chance over the hurdles.

Colonel Sanders

with the wbx million up for grabs maybe we will. If it came into existence a year or two earlier we might have seen gamut take his place at the festival.