Todays Racing

RichieLawlor

Big day for the likes of Punjabi Twist Magic Whiteoak and in particular Diamond Harry.

While he may be able to make a winning debut over fences ( I will be taking him on fwiw ) Diamond Harrys mid season switch to chasing is a big worry. While I'm sure people will use Well Chief as a pointer that it's not a hinderence but Well Chief was not an embryo chaser. He started that season struggling in handicap hurdles. Wheras DH was being talked about as a chaser in the making all through last season.

So why the delay in embarking on a chase campaign. It's not as if he was held up, he was out plenty early enough. I know the fixed brush is a valuable race buy I don't buy that as a proper reason. Did he not school well, did he not take to fences. Ok so they realize Big Bucks is too good so now it's understandable to change approach.

Whatever the reason, couple his inexperience with the above and the fact that Knockara Beau (who is a very good animal)will make him go then I'm happy to be against him.

Twist Magic is also a massive lay today in the VC. Won't like the ground, won't like the track, and Petit Robin is guaranteed to stay and his form stands up against anything. Would have been a good second in last years CC buy for the fact he was the only horse to try take it to Master Minded.

I also don't like Punjabi today, while I think he will be in the shake up on the Champion itself, and is much better horse than medermit, he is notoriously stuffy (was it whiteoak that beat him this time last year i'm not sure) and Nicky Henderson said he will need 2 runs to get right for the CH. I'll take Medermit to beat him today. ( In saying that I'd probably take 1/2 Punjabi to finish in front of Medermit in march but todays a different day).

mdwexford

I do not advise taking on Diamond Harry.
It is a fair point about not jumping fences straightaway this season though.

I like the other 2 as you know.

Whyno

It'd have been interesting to see had Bensalem stood up would he have challenged Harry.Otherwise it was an impressive debut over fences. Daryl jacob state in his atr interview this morning that the ryanair was his intended chel target.maybe it was a mishap perhaps.

Petit Robin was just outjumped.Clattered to many for his stamina to kick in but twist magic was still very impressive in the manor he disposed of his rivals.

Good call on opposing punjabi but i fell in the trap an got involved.Still think hes a live contender for top honours in march.

mdwexford

I dont think he would personally, pity all the same though. He must have been drunk.

I dont think we'll see him go right handed again, jumped markedly to his left most of the way, id still take him in a match bet vs Twist Magic in the Champion Chase.

Im now almost convinced last years Champion Hurdle was bad and this years crop are far better, just need Solwhit to dispose of Celestial Halo tomorrow to confirm it.

westlife2010

Just to answer the question about Diamond harry and chasing. Connections said he was brill from day 1 over fences but when they saw him getting in to a £60,000 to the winner race off 149 (dropped 6lb for finishing 3rd at Cheltenham?) they could not resist as they thought (rightly) that he was thrown in. Then of course he was so impressive they had to see if he was capable of been the best staying hurdler around..... obviously NO! He jumping was as good as I have ever seen from a novice first time over fences and he has the potential to be top notch.

<snip> you have to admit that its now clear as day the twist magic is a different animal this year. His jumping is breath taking, Ruby had no doubt about his stamina and it was exhibition stuff from the start. yes, Petit Robin threw it away and it might have been a different story had he jumped straighter.... but he didn't and the 'he is better going left handed' thing for him is not backed up. He jumped perfectly straight at Kempton last time out showing none of the tendancies he did today. Last year in the CC his jumping was really sloppy at times. The pattern about this horse is as the season goes on his jumping confidence seems to deteriorate. I will take any match bet TM to beat PR in the CC.

Whyno

mdwexford wrote: »

I dont think he would personally, pity all the same though. He must have been drunk.

I dont think we'll see him go right handed again, jumped markedly to his left most of the way, id still take him in a match bet vs Twist Magic in the Champion Chase.

Im now almost convinced last years Champion Hurdle was bad and this years crop are far better, just need Solwhit to dispose of Celestial Halo tomorrow to confirm it.

westlife2010 wrote: »

Just to answer the question about Diamond harry and chasing. Connections said he was brill from day 1 over fences but when they saw him getting in to a £60,000 to the winner race off 149 (dropped 6lb for finishing 3rd at Cheltenham?) they could not resist as they thought (rightly) that he was thrown in. Then of course he was so impressive they had to see if he was capable of been the best staying hurdler around..... obviously NO! He jumping was as good as I have ever seen from a novice first time over fences and he has the potential to be top notch.

Richie, even you have to admit that its now clear as day the twist magic is a different animal this year. His jumping is breath taking, Ruby had no doubt about his stamina and it was exhibition stuff from the start. yes, Petit Robin threw it away and it might have been a different story had he jumped straighter.... but he didn't and the 'he is better going left handed' thing for him is not backed up. He jumped perfectly straight at Kempton last time out showing none of the tendancies he did today. Last year in the CC his jumping was really sloppy at times. The pattern about this horse is as the season goes on his jumping confidence seems to deteriorate. I will take any match bet TM to beat PR in the CC.

Lets get it on.......