2017 Stayers Hurdle

[Yeehaa]

Is it fair to assume that VVM will go for this? (Given AP and Faugheen are fit enough for CH and Mares...)

Faugheen is as short as 7/2 with Bet365, but 12/1 with PP and
Nichols Canyon is as short as 5/1, but also 12/1 with PP

(Whilst VVM can get found at 8/1, but 5/1 with PP)

Here or the Mares IMO. Looking at the way Quevega was campaigned I favour the Mares.

[taylorch1990]

For me it makes the most sense vvm is the only one with a win over 3 miles I think. And surely if either ap or faugheen aren't 100% they don't want to be trying a trip there not guaranteed to stay.

[Zoowraa]

I appreciate Harry has looked very good this season and done nothing wrong at all. However, I just can't see it winning this race. I just don't think it has the class to win this, I get the argument that it's the obvious target so can see why it's favourite taking all the possibilities of others into account. Regardless of what happens with Annie, Faugheen, VvM I still think Harry gets turned over in this race, even if none of the Mullins three turn up.

[gjt7756]

I wouldn't have said cole harden had the class to win the world hurdle but he did, still not a fan of the horse....

[Kevloaf]

I appreciate Harry has looked very good this season and done nothing wrong at all. However, I just can't see it winning this race. I just don't think it has the class to win this, I get the argument that it's the obvious target so can see why it's favourite taking all the possibilities of others into account. Regardless of what happens with Annie, Faugheen, VvM I still think Harry gets turned over in this race, even if none of the Mullins three turn up.

By who though?
UNWIMH has beaten all the challengers in front of him so far, and without one of those Ricci 3, if you did fancy one to beat him, now would be the time to place the bet?

[gjt7756]

Nicholls canyon at 12's could be big, my horse for this race at the start of the season was shaneshill but I think personally they have campaigned that horse terribly this season, was running an okay race the last time till he fell at the last, but he wasn't winning anything, placed at best if he stood up

[Kevloaf]

If you like Nichols Canyon and Shaneshill you MUST back Rawnaq at 33/1

[Leman14]

If you like Nichols Canyon and Shaneshill you MUST back Rawnaq at 33/1

Enough already...

[Zoowraa]

By who though?
UNWIMH has beaten all the challengers in front of him so far, and without one of those Ricci 3, if you did fancy one to beat him, now would be the time to place the bet?

Finding who is the hard part lol! I like Nicholls Canyon and hope they go down that route. I think Ballyoptic has had quite a hard season and I wonder if it has recovered from that crashing fall at Wetherby. I think it's closer to Harry on ability than the form book shows. Jezki is a bit of a dark one if he turns up here.
I think there is a load of options to take Harry on with, they may not all turn up, but I get the feeling it may only need one of them to turn up. I think Harry is certain to run a cracking race and be thereabouts, i feel it will find at least one too good for him though.

[mayo]

JESSICA HARRINGTON has revealed that her 2013 Champion Hurdle winner Jezki will make his eagerly anticipated comeback at Navan on Saturday, January 21 as part of his preparation for the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Owned by JP McManus, Jezki has not graced a racecourse since inflicting defeat upon Hurricane Fly in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival in 2015.

The nine-year-old had been intended to return a spell on the sidelines with tendon trouble in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown last month, but Harrington was forced to bypass that engagement after her stable star suffered a minor setback.

Harrington said: "It was disappointing that he had to miss Christmas with a niggly problem, but he did a piece of work last week and we are very happy with him now.

"He's going to have his first start back in a winners' of one race at Navan on Saturday week. The conditions of the race allow him to run and we are looking forward to getting him back."

Despite the open look to the Champion Hurdle at present, Harrington is not tempted to try to regain the two-mile hurdling crown come March, and is intent on running her eight-time Grade 1 winner in the Stayers' Hurdle.

She said: "After Navan, he will probably run at Gowran Park in the Red Mills Hurdle on Saturday, February 18. All going well, he will then be aimed at the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham."

[Kevloaf]

Got to be the right decision with Jezki... 2013 was a long long time ago. Interesting to see how MTOY and Jezki do in their respective races, after battling out that finish 4 years ago

[Liammet]

Have to say I can't have any national hunt horse coming back off a tendon injury ( Jezki )
History shows they are never the same again

[mayo]

Have to say I can't have any national hunt horse coming back off a tendon injury ( Jezki )
History shows they are never the same again

Have any of note come back to previous levels Liam.

[Liammet]

None that I can think of off the top of my head
A few experts on here might be able to inform us
Don Cossack and Coneygree latest examples on ones that could not

[Kevloaf]

Moved this myself from the ante-post bit...

Now that PP are NRNB, regarding VVM:

I guess the angle for me with VVM would be back her now and lay her on the day, if she did turn up... because the Mullins, Walsh factor wouldn't let her go off 5/1 (each way price) ... and there isn't a chance she would be second string in this race, when she has options like Ryanair to go for.... whichever race she rides in, Ruby will be on board.... so, back now at 5/1 and lay on the day at say, 5/2??? Not the way I play usually but certainly a consideration. Might move this bit to the Stayers Hurdle thread....

Am I way off the mark?