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Originally posted by Scooby91
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Then next season chasing
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Yep that's what I thought, so if he looks capable and the race looks winnable, I think the stayers is a possibility this season (although unlikely). If they go for the challow next time then I'd imagine they'll stay novice class, but if they go for a big handicap, something like the Lanzarote (and he wins that off a mark in the high 140's) then you never know.
Then next season chasing -
Champ was an impressive four-and-a-half-length winner of the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle, completing a double for Nicky Henderson, who had struck earlier with Santini.
The well-backed 9-2 joint-favourite Champ powered through the two-and-a-half-mile contest and pulled himself to the front in the straight under Aidan Coleman for owner JP McManus.
Still a novice after two victories in May, the imposing six-year-old had plenty in hand from runner-up Le Musee and fellow joint favourite Speedo Boy.
Henderson said: “He was travelling very well, and a little bit of a gap appeared – a horse in front of him made a mistake and he landed in front.
“Aidan said there was nothing he could do about it, and that was not the plan at all.
“The beauty of him is that he is still a novice. That’s his handicap hurdle won, I’d say.
“He’s a beautifully-bred horse and has got all the right attributes. He got landed with this name and is starting to look like living up to it.
“Two and a half his his trip and we’ll look towards the Challow, we might as well come back for it.”Comment
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Good spot.Originally posted by mossy View Post
"It’s quite a while since I’ve had an early dabble in the Cheltenham Festival ante-post markets, that sphere fraught with risks nowadays, but I was so impressed by CHAMP’s performance at Newbury on Saturday that I’m willing to have a little interest on him for the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle in March, even allowing for the difficulty in nominating Cheltenham targets at any stage of the season, let alone this early.
Making his seasonal debut off a mark of 139 in a really competitive class 2 handicap hurdle, he was keen in the early stages and eventually pulled his way to the front before halfway.
He continued to take a strong hold in the lead and it would have been no surprise had he dropped away tamely entering the straight, but he eased two or three lengths clear after the third last.
He was closed down by a couple of his rivals two out, but picked up again really well when asked for his effort and went right away from his rivals after the last.
His reported next target is the Challow Hurdle over 2m5f, and although there are several other possibilities for him if he makes it to Cheltenham, all his hurdles races have come at around 2m4f or 2m5f, and his natural exuberance probably means the Ballymore would seem a more natural target than the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
Having won readily by four and a half lengths with the field well strung out behind him, I’d expect him to be raised to a mark in the high 140s next week, possibly even pushing 150. The average official rating of the Ballymore winner going into the race over the last ten years was 150, and 154.6 after the race, so he looks to be already well into the territory of being a strong contender for the race, and he was clearly value for much more than the bare margin yesterday given how much energy he expended during the early part of the race.
Obviously I’d temper enthusiasm with the risks involved as already mentioned, but I thought Champ might attract single-figure quotes for the Ballymore given where he’s going to be in handicapping terms once reassessed, so I’m prepared to take the risk at this stage, but for those wanting to mitigate the risk, it’s worth noting that he’s also 12-1 with Ladbrokes and 10-1 with William Hill to win any race at the Cheltenham festival."
Hugh's Best Bets (scale 1-5 points):
BALLYMORE NOVICES' HURDLE, CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 2019
1pt win CHAMP (16-1 Ladbrokes, 14-1 general (20-1 Unibet))
Best price is 12/1 now.... wasn't really on my radar for the race beforehand but I'm not going to argue with Hugh
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Brewin’upastorm has skipped another entry tomorrow at Musselburgh but has now been entered in the Grade 2 at Sandown on Friday. That’s not the normal starting point for a novice but hopefully it’s a reflection of his ability.Comment
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Yes My Way is entered too which makes it a hot race to make his debut.Originally posted by Scooby91 View PostComment
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Hmmm not sure what to make about that run from COF but travelled and jumped well, was just outpaced..... any danger he’s more an AB horse than Ballymore?Comment
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As much danger as there was before.... the Ballymore angle is fuelled by Samcro last season, we've not seen enough on the track to know yet?Originally posted by The Don View Post
I am not writing him off based on today ... apart from in the Supreme (which is obvious!)Comment
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More of a martin pipe horse in all honesty.Originally posted by The Don View Posthttps://scooby91horseracingtips.com/
Use code "FJ" in your sign up name for bonus content!Comment
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If you had to pick a shortlist of just 3 runners, from horses that HAVE HAD A RUN... what would they be?
Thomas Darby - On my shortlist for the Supreme as well, form franked, trainer is going places and I think the step up would suit!
Commander of Fleet - Isn't a 2 miler... his bumper form still means he's of interest and was travelling strongly today, a notable drift in the market means it may not have been his day?
Champ - Not one I've backed, but Hugh Taylor has and he's better than me
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I'd swap CoF for Eldorado Allen as his form is stacking up really well, and they have all been winning over further than 2. I'd prefer they went Supreme and have backed him but think he could be pretty good given the manner of his win and would like to back him for this also.Originally posted by Kevloaf View PostIf you had to pick a shortlist of just 3 runners, from horses that HAVE HAD A RUN... what would they be?
Thomas Darby - On my shortlist for the Supreme as well, form franked, trainer is going places and I think the step up would suit!
Commander of Fleet - Isn't a 2 miler... his bumper form still means he's of interest and was travelling strongly today, a notable drift in the market means it may not have been his day?
Champ - Not one I've backed, but Hugh Taylor has and he's better than me
He's not in the market with B365, is it possible for someone to add him please ???Comment
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