Champion Chase 2018

[Scooby91]

I'd fancy Min for this if Altior turns up with no prep. Min front running attacking his fences like he does will put pressure on Altiors over Exuberant jumping and i think he will be in trouble a long way out.

I'd fancy min but I'd also fancy altior that little bit more. Stating the obvious with the betting now. But those 2 always been my 2 for the race. And if I'm going to get involved on altior at all it would have to be a risky bet like that. Or nrnb/ on the day at atleast 2/1 which is unlikely

[Kevloaf]

Altior hasn't been a backable price since he won the Arkle... but he wins if there for me.

[billymag]

I think altior is a better price at 6/4 than min at 3/1 now although I wouldn't back it at this stage. I would be suprised if the can't get a prep into him but they're just saying worst case scenario to cover themselves.
Very happy with 12s ew on min with more than enough on.
but I wouldn't be playing now. Politologue also very short now. But I suppose they have to take the ew bets into consideration. And he'd be bigger win only.

The only value i could see would be great field ew at 20s but hes currently out and that price looks far too big to be true with the guys in the know.

Min my only play in the race so far

Just clarify I was referring to the fact that Altior is a terrible price because of his preparation and likelihood of him even running in the race. If Altior had a good prep im not suggesting that I would bet this way, I have said all along that id make Altior 13/8 to even run and stand by it.

[Johar]

I'm by no means anywhere near an expert in wind-ops, but does anyone think it's a bit weird how Coneygree has had a wind-op and is targeted to return in January, while Altior also had a wind-op but may not even have a prep run?

I appreciate Altior may have had a more 'severe' one, but anyone else think it may be slightly more than a regular operation?

[billymag]

FWIW yes, there were mixed messages at the time and I couldnt think of backing him for this until he is declared for something.

[Scooby91]

I'm by no means anywhere near an expert in wind-ops, but does anyone think it's a bit weird how Coneygree has had a wind-op and is targeted to return in January, while Altior also had a wind-op but may not even have a prep run?

I appreciate Altior may have had a more 'severe' one, but anyone else think it may be slightly more than a regular operation?

There's a big difference which will be the problem in the future on race cards saying just W O for wind op. And not specifying the type.

Coneygree with that time span would have just had his pallet cauterised which is very common and a minor procedure in comparison to a full surgical procedure like altior as his larynx was not opening as it should,

Horses are graded from 1 to 5 on their wind. Grades 1 and 2 are deemed normal, with 3 and above abnormal. Here is a brief description of the various operations undertaken:

Hobday – Normally horses with Grade 3. A surgical opening is made into the larynx under the throat to remove both ventricles as well as the left vocal cord. As such, it reduces the level of obstruction in the horses airways.

Tie-back – Horses with Grades 4 or 5 undertake this. The left side of the larynx is stitched to hold it open. However, they may not stay intact and many horses cough frequently during feeding after this operation. It has a lower success rate than a hobday.

Soft Palate Displacement – A horse’s soft palate can loosen and flip up, blocking his airways. Here, hot iron is used to stiffen/cauterise the palate to prevent this happening. Or, a tie-forward operation can be done, where the larynx is “tied forward” lowering the level of palate available to obstruct his airways.

[Istabraq]

Good info that Scooby, thanks

[Scooby91]

I’m really looking forward to seeing how*Min*performs in the Grade One Paddy’s Rewards Club Chase at Leopardstown on December 27. He’s in great form and, though this will be his toughest test to date, he’s a horse we have great faith in. I’m not saying he would have beaten Altior in last season’s Arkle, but he was the one absentee that annoyed me the most from last season's Festival as I really wanted to have a crack at him. Hopefully he can show everyone his very best at Leopardstown. He’d be my bet of the festive season from our horses.

[Kevloaf]

Best bet? He's 1/3 Joe ... maybe Mr Chambers gets lumpy

[Scooby91]

Best bet? He's 1/3 Joe ... maybe Mr Chambers gets lumpy

I was thinking that, surely could have gave a little more

[Kevloaf]

I was thinking that, surely could have gave a little more

He's always been very sweet on Min hasn't he. Min is my biggest winner for the race but I'll re-arrange that when NRNB appears ...

Or I'll 'spend' the Min 'place' money on Altior to win

[Kevloaf]

Don't think Min should keep the race today, and absolutely nothing will sway me from thinking Altior is a superior horse. Not good enough

[Garrison Savannah]

How good is Simply Ned?

Ordinary World was a long way back in third.

[KingSprinterSacre]

Very disappointed with that. That's not 70% of Min. I fear we could see an injury unveiled over the next few days and we lose another star for the festival.

[Kevloaf]

How good is Simply Ned?

Ordinary World was a long way back in third.

Simply Ned is a solid high 150s horse (been 157 in the Spring).... Ordinary World high 140s

Min was rated 160 going in to today.... surely you can argue he's run pretty much to form, certainly close enough to it....