2014 Champion Hurdle

anuprising

mdwexford wrote: »

Seems like not much got settled today.

Id still back MTOY to beat Jezki again tomorrow and it seems TNO backers feel the same.

Just a pity OC wont be around to show what he can do.

I presume we wont see HF at Cheltenham again.

you might lose again tomorrow then

there is one big day in every horse , today was jezkis , and I don't expect to see him run up a sequence of wins

I think we are entering another golden age of champion hurdlers where the best on the day wins but are so closely rated it would be impossible to back with any great confidence

mdwexford

That could well be the case.

Have heard chasing mentioned for The New One though, say it'll depend how Aintree and maybe Punchestown goes.

Wonder will Vautour be staying hurdling next year or going over fences.
His time today was just over a second slower than the Champion.

anuprising

heard 2nd hand that he is going chasing , he was impressive .

Soft Falling Rain

mdwexford wrote: »

Seems like not much got settled today.

Id still back MTOY to beat Jezki again tomorrow and it seems TNO backers feel the same.

Just a pity OC wont be around to show what he can do.

I presume we wont see HF at Cheltenham again.

Not sure how you could make such a comment given Jezki won sweetly enough.

Then again, taking the whole season into account I wouldn't be surprised if MTOY battered Jezki next season only for the latter to do it when it matters this time next year. I really find it hard to believe that this is the same Jezki today as I've seen all season.

bilbonetta

hucklebuck wrote: »

Well done man, while gloating about Christmas is great lets not forget he met no UDS, Annie Power, poor Our Conor died and badly hampered TNO.

That said you were totally right...

Jezki won fair and square. I wasn't on him and it was a sad race no doubt. The New One powered up the hill because he was given time to settle after being hampered, and as even the trainer said prerace, that was the mistake they did last time. He couldn't beat My Tent Or Yours last time because he shot for the win too early and he should have been held up longer. When you are against quality opposition, the minimum of things matter and I still can't say he would have won it but he was unlucky to be hampered and Our Conor lost his life for nothing, didn't even have a chance in this race only for ambitious wannabes.

mdwexford

Soft Falling Rain wrote: »

Not sure how you could make such a comment given Jezki won sweetly enough.

He was all out to win by an ever diminishing neck.
He was given a much more positive ride today by a jockey who seems to get on very well with him. Still thought MTOY would have him covered though.

bilbonetta wrote: »

Jezki won fair and square. I wasn't on him and it was a sad race no doubt. The New One powered up the hill because he was given time to settle after being hampered, and as even the trainer said prerace, that was the mistake they did last time. He couldn't beat My Tent Or Yours last time because he shot for the win too early and he should have been held up longer. When you are against quality opposition, the minimum of things matter and I still can't say he would have won it but he was unlucky to be hampered and Our Conor lost his life for nothing, didn't even have a chance in this race only for ambitious wannabes.

What are you talking about.

Motivator

Every horse needs a bit of luck in running & if any horse deserved it then Jezki did. The time was incredible, quickest champion hurdle time by 5 seconds. He made his own luck & put them to the sword. Delighted for Jessie Harrington she deserves her day in the sun. Commiserations to Barry Connoll he's not having the best of luck lately & it is sickening to see a young horse killed before he's really had a chance to show his true potential. As they say though the show must go on & hopefully there won't be any more fatalities.

ste2010

bilbonetta wrote: »

Our Conor lost his life for nothing, didn't even have a chance in this race only for ambitious wannabes.

Are you serious? Number one it's awful to even put it into that context given what happened today but to post nonsense like this about the most exciting 5year old in Ireland for decades.

It's hard enough dealing with his loss in the sport but then to read absolute sh*te like this.

mdwexford

Motivator wrote: »

The time was incredible, quickest champion hurdle time by 5 seconds.

Not really though.

They've changed the way they time the races now which is nonsense.

RichieLawlor

Obviously The time of the race means nothing and can't be compared to previous champion hurdles

Gringo180

Gringo180 wrote: »

Cant believe people writing off Jezki's chances. Listen scratch that race yesterday it was a complete shambles, it was basically a 4f sprint race in which suited HF and OC much more (2 horses bred for the flat). A true run race which you always get in the Champion and you will see Jezki at his best.

Gringo180 wrote: »

No disrespect to HF but I just think this year will be one too much for him, he's 10 years old and father time waits for neither man nor beast. A true champion but I just feel his best days are behind him.

Gringo180 wrote: »

Jezki is going to surprise a lot on here, laughable that some think hes the pacemaker for MTOY :pac::pac::pac: Wont be out of the top 3 :cool:

Delighted I kept faith in Jezki, backed him the 2 times he was beaten by HF just knew it wasn't his true form.

bilbonetta

ste2010 wrote: »

Are you serious? Number one it's awful to even put it into that context given what happened today but to post nonsense like this about the most exciting 5year old in Ireland for decades.

It's hard enough dealing with his loss in the sport but then to read absolute sh*te like this.

It was a bit too early for him to be aimed so high and have such a busy career. He was a good horse no doubt. If I hurt your feelings then I apologize. But ask youself if you were connections whether you'd do that to a 5 year old horse you care about with your your life, for what, for fame?

jimjamcos

bilbonetta wrote: »

It was a bit too early for him to be aimed so high and have such a busy career. He was a good horse no doubt. If I hurt your feelings then I apologize. But ask youself if you were connections whether you'd do that to a 5 year old horse you care about with your your life, for what, for fame?

Cop on. The horse had been running in open company all season, had ran at the track before and ground wasn't an issue. He'd never even came close to making a jumping error in his previous starts either. To think they were chasing fame with him is beyond idiotic. He had earned the right to run regardless of age, God rest him.

jimjamcos

Only bit of racing I got to see today was from the last in CH. Seems TNO was unlucky but there'll be other days for him. He's a Cheltenham monster and will be winning at the festival in future, whether that's over hurdles of fences.

Devastating news about Our Conor, especially after Connell's kind gesture this season. Hope every horse he buys is a good one from here on in, he deserves some luck having lost Minsk too recently.

Fairplay to all on Jezki (should have heeded Geraghty's confidence about him at preview night, More of That should probably be backed now!) but like all things built up as a spectacle, it failed to live up to it sadly. I'd be confident that UDS and Annie Power will more than give him his fill of it in Ireland over next few years, if allowed.


On the Champ, he went out like I thought he would - giving his all like he always has. He was never a Cheltenham animal but unfortunately class alone wasn't enough to get him by on this occasion. Hopefully he rounds it up to 20 at Punchestown and goes out in the style of the great he is.

walrusgumble

Gringo180 wrote: »

Delighted I kept faith in Jezki, backed him the 2 times he was beaten by HF just knew it wasn't his true form.

I smiled when I heard McCoy was not ridding him. Nothing against McCoy but Geraghty is now 4 for 4. Bravo on the pick.

bilbonetta

jimjamcos wrote: »

Cop on. The horse had been running in open company all season, had ran at the track before and ground wasn't an issue.

I expressed an opinion. I guess I just want to blame someone for what happened as I am sick of accidents like that happening to poor animals. Point taken. However, I'd prefer if he was at home chewing on his afternoon tea and biscuits and watching this race on a plasma screen instead but no one can bring the time back.

tomaussie

I don't know what some of you guys were watching but there are no hard luck stories in the champion hurdle. The best horse on the day won. Simple. Determinedly held off MTOY and TNO was there if good enough. No excuses. Any other analysis is pocket talk.

Still devastated about our Conor. Couldn't see him get beat today but what happened was truly awful to watch. Will be a shame to never see that beautiful big white face again. I can imagine Dessie Hughes is in a fierce bad way.

jimjamcos

bilbonetta wrote: »

I expressed an opinion. I guess I just want to blame someone for what happened as I am sick of accidents like that happening to poor animals. Point taken. However, I'd prefer if he was at home chewing on his afternoon tea and biscuits and watching this race on a plasma screen instead but no one can bring the time back.

It's obviously sad to see happen but that's just the sport.. From the highs of his Triumph romp to the low of today, no owner or trainer could predict it. Just very, very unfortunate for connections and all race fans but nobody's fault.

walrusgumble

Soft Falling Rain wrote: »

It's a joke that AP has gotten the ride on him all season to underwhelming effect only for the man who was 4 for 4 on him to make it 5 for 5. It makes an absolute farce of this no.1 jockey getting the choice of the best rides ****.

Geraghty is some man alright. Granted OFaoileans Boy had lesser weight to hold in his last race, but, even though he didnt really have a past with him, he gave him a fine ride. I know he has a brief history with Guitar Pete, but he did the same with him in his last ride. He will give Ruby a run for the top jockey title.

Deep breathe, (waiting to get hammered) as for AP,it helps to go number 1 when you are willing to go anywhere , all year round, for a ride, ride almost 20 or 50 more races than other jockie in a year, focus on handicaps (of course he can win big ones too) As the ad says, he is willing to do whatever it takes to win...even neat murdering the horse lol

Hate saying it (look it's some feat when you have had injuries and falls as hard as AP and still come out on top when not riding for Henderson (as much) or Nicholls or Mullins)

He slightly remind me of Richard Hughes, someone who likes to stay at the back and pounce for a sprint. Obviously it works alot, but it seems it is his plan A,B,C. Then again, I worry when Ruby often goes hell for leather ,(imagine positive riding trying to make all) - on que people saying tha is nonsense, fair enough just an opinion.

Come the big days, I tend to avoid McCoy.saying that I hope he does the business on carlingford Lough lol (won't be his fault if it doesn't happen looks tough race)

Francie Barrett

mdwexford wrote: »

Not really though.

They've changed the way they time the races now which is nonsense.

Did not know that, could you explain?

RichieLawlor

Francie Barrett wrote: »

Did not know that, could you explain?

Clock used to start the second the tape went up, now it doesn't start till the first horse crosses the tape line

hucklebuck

AAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGHH, just had the Worlds worst nightmare, Jezki won the Champion Hurdle and we wont see the spectacular Our Conor again .

Wait, its worse, I was awake and saw it all unfold!!

nuckeythompson

Did they water the track in the end? And if not should they have considering our conor? Just a question Id like to put out there

Shanee.

DM taking on the pacemaker in CCB. Who knows what would have happened but trying to take on CCB was ridiculous as he was clearly there to set a blistering pace and unsettle.

Sammo13

Heart goes out to Our Conor and his connections, watched the race again and it looked like the down hill part of the track caught him out, same area of the course when beef or salmon fell in the GC..

As for the race, Jezki was a fine winner, stuck his head out and battled to the line, MTOY lost nothing in defeat. TNO was unlucky, probably would have won or at least been right there, but you race up the inside you have nowhere to go if someone falls.. He will get another day though.

The Fly was what I expected, decent ground, quick pace and also 10 yrs.. hopefully WM doesn't come out with some BS saying he wasn't 100%.. beaten fair and square.. still a mighty champ and will put them in their place in Punch.

Race just left me empty inside after looking forward to it for so long.

nuckeythompson

nuckeythompson wrote: »

Did they water the track in the end? And if not should they have considering our conor? Just a question Id like to put out there

Does anyone think the track should be watered as the pace has been blistering this year. I really thought after the first race it should have been watered????????????????

kiers47

nuckeythompson wrote: »

Does anyone think the track should be watered as the pace has been blistering this year. I really thought after the first race it should have been watered????????????????

They are watering tonight.

nuckeythompson

kiers47 wrote: »

They are watering tonight.

would anybody be of the opinion its too late? Ruby didnt help matters with his post race comments. although he has a point, sometimes he should shut it

DDC1990

nuckeythompson wrote: »

would anybody be of the opinion its too late? Ruby didnt help matters with his post race comments. although he has a point, sometimes he should shut it

In terms of the Ruby comments, read his book.

He mentions this "outside the door" term repeatedly. Its always been his mantra.

I think its been blown out of proportion by some in the press, but he clearly meant no disrespect to Our Conor or the connections.

jimjamcos

nuckeythompson wrote: »

would anybody be of the opinion its too late? Ruby didnt help matters with his post race comments. although he has a point, sometimes he should shut it

"What he say?