2017 Stayers Hurdle

[Kevloaf]

Maybe Cole Harden likes a bit of cut now that he is older. Last year he had a wind op before he ran in the world hurdle and he wasn't very good. Been chasing, (has he had another wind op?) and now looks back in the mix? I wouldn't be banking on better ground... the best form he has shown since his WH win was on Saturday?


UNWIMH is going to be most people's banker (at the prices) I think... similar price to Thistlecrack. Douvan is no price. Certainly won't be a banker in the CH no matter who gets there now... His price is only going to go one way too, maybe some "boosts" but 2/1 at absolute best from this point on?

[Johar]

Now Buveur D'Air runs in the Champion, anyone think there's a chance Yanworth could turn up here? (Where he rightly should run!)

Would make for an interesting race and a tough choice for Geraghty!

[ryanh97]

Can't imagine so Johar, they rerouted Yanworth to the Champion because of how good UNWIMH looked and he's only looked better in my view. JP has UNWIMH and Jezki for this so I imagine he'd stick with that

[Istabraq]

Yanworth wouldn't stay a yard beyond the second last in this, he's in the right race and will probably go off fav.
Little chance he runs here and no chance he wins it for me....

[Johar]

Interesting! I would argue his win in the Neptune trials last year on heavy ground shows he'd definitely be able to stay, as does his win at Ascot on his reappearance this season...

Don't think he's both quick enough or jumps slick enough for a Champion Hurdle and will need the perfect ride to be able to win, which he hasn't got either of the last two festivals

[Old Vic]

You would think Yanworth vs Brainpower at the weekend should give them a good line into Buveur D'air 's chance. I can only see Yanworth here if something happens UKWIMH.

[jono]

I actually started off the season thinking Yanworth could become a real player in this division. I'd side with Jahor in thinking that Neptune Trial suggested he could take well to 3 miles and I certainly thought he'd be better over the longer distance than 2 miles this season but I see 0% chance of him being re-routed. JP has quite a nice hand in both races now if they all get there this way.

B D'air does of course pretty much kill off the Jezki CH route now

[Kevloaf]

Shaneshill for a place and UNWIMH to win .... the forecast is easy as that.

That Shaneshill has some CRACKING form behind Rawnaq that shouldn't be under-estimated

[Old Vic]

I actually started off the season thinking Yanworth could become a real player in this division. I'd side with Jahor in thinking that Neptune Trial suggested he could take well to 3 miles and I certainly thought he'd be better over the longer distance than 2 miles this season but I see 0% chance of him being re-routed. JP has quite a nice hand in both races now if they all get there this way.

B D'air does of course pretty much kill off the Jezki CH route now

JP could have 4 in Champion Hurdle without Jezki ...Yanworth BD MTOY and Hargam

[loveracing]

Shaneshill for a place and UNWIMH to win .... the forecast is easy as that.

That Shaneshill has some CRACKING form behind Rawnaq that shouldn't be under-estimated

Love this bet and will defo have a go on the day. I also won't be able to resist my usual Festival Combination Tricasts.

Any suggestions for the third horse guys?

I will defo be including Clondaw Warrior and Snow Falcon making them massive prices if they run. Imagine that paying off.

[Kevloaf]

At 12/1 with WH - NRNB (No other race he would possibly go for) that is too big. Ruby will ride and he'll be 3rd fav... behind UNWIMH and Jezki. Half the odds I reckon... with his festival placed form, and now to me looking extremely likely Ruby will be on board (VVM mares, Nichols Canyon CH and been beaten by Shaneshill over this distance anyway) then I can see this going off at half the price.


LR If Cole Harden improved for the better ground like 2015 you'd see him in contention. There doesn't look like anything is left, from left field to me.... Snow Falcon and Clondaw Warriors prices are fair, but not standout as singles. Both shown good form but equally shown form not good enough.

[Mon Brav]

Maybe Cheltenham will work in his favour over 2 miles and I hope it does as I took 16-1 ages ago. But to me they've been forced down this route and Alan King is 'putting a brace face on it'. Personally I think he would be suited so much more to the Neptune because every run I see makes me think 'you need to go up in distance'!

I think what you say in your last paragraph is absolutely 'spot on'.

Response to Johar previous page.

[Zoowraa]

I have mentioned Harry don't convince me a number of times, despite it becoming hard too knock him. So I might be trying too hard to find one here, but is Footpad an overlooked option here?
Handicap Mark has been blown in last race so has to go down graded router heading to the festival at all. Not good enough for Champion unless on soft as held by number of horses over the trip. However, 2miles always looks to short for him, has won over 2m 3f on heavy ground in France . Its just one from leftfield that has caught my eye a little.

[ComplyOrDie]

One that has come for money today is Agrapart, who just got up over 2m 4f on soft to beat L'ami Serge in the Relkeel, with Cole Harden back in 3rd and Lil Rockerfeller in 4th, which suggests a step up in trip is ideal and should have no issues on the breeding side of things.

Since the turn of the century 6 winners (37.5%) aged 6 have won the race which is a positive for those who like stats/trends for races like these.

Now rated 155 you'd assume (although unsure as to what rating is needed) he is too high now to be competitive in the Coral Cup, whom he was in the betting for.

He is lightly raced, and has had just the 1 run at Cheltenham resulting in a win.

More Of That, winner of the race in 2014 also contested and won the Relkeel hurdle off a rating of 145, Agrapart was rated 149 when winning the same race.

Currently a 33/1 NRNB shot I feel we probably haven't seen the best of this horse yet and from the same trainer as Reve De Sivola (whom has contested this race 3 times already) I don't think any would begrudge them a big run from this animal of theirs.

[doctorwu]

Agrapart is entered up in the rendlesham hurdle on saturday.