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You are of course spot on, I allow myself to live the dream for these few months but I always make sure I accept deep down that i'll be lucky to get plenty of my bets to March, never mind have winners from them.
That said, is there not some potential that we are infact on the cusp of some special stuff? This time last year there were some very good horses, but i'm sure many a NH racing fan were bemoaning a lack of superstars, the supposed slow strangling of the code via flat handicap prize money among other things, Tiger Roll aside and with Altior not getting any younger (and also for some strange reason never truly getting the credit he deserves in some quarters). I was well on board with Envoi last season, but never got caught up with BDD, CS or PP. I loved Tiger like everyone else for the story, but then in March I backed Easysland.
Now we're sat here with Envoi Allen who almost certainly is a superstar, Shishkin who very well could be, Epatante who is clearly right up there and not to blame for any lack of top class opposition. There's all sorts to get excited about elsewhere. I'm not going to sit here at the end of November and say we have a golden generation, but it's the first time i've felt like we might since Kauto, Denman et al.
Putting aside my overly romantic waffling's, this seasons bankers do genuinely feel more bankable than usual, for whatever that's worth... Time will tell and this post will no doubt come back to haunt me, but still!
Haha, you've probably summed it up well, but that line that we may be on the cusp of something special does resonate....
If we can get through Christmas it'll be a miracle though, that's usually pretty tough!
I went for Epatante, but was considering putting up Sir Gerhard in the bumper, because as at this stage nothing else for the race has come out and impressed me anywhere near that level.
I actually disagree with you on that, Monkfish's debut was incredible, as good a chase debut as I've seen.
Monkfish (A better horse) is sticking to Novice Company
Thyme Hill moves into open company (albeit he's proven he's up to it)
....but I think Monkfish deserves to be in the list.
He's also shorter in the markets.....
So screw you for knocking the poll
Hahaha - I love a good poll!
I've just watched the race back and bloody hell it was a superb chase debut, very impressive and did nothing wrong, but I still think you are going OTT calling it incredible, and in including him here .
We can agree to disagree on this one Kev, but you wont change my mind that he doesn't belong in this poll!!
I realise people might counter with 'why, because he beat nothing, Shishkin beat nothing'
It's a fair point, but the RSA is shaping up to be incredibly exciting novice division whereas the Arkle, at the moment, is not (yet).
I just wonder why you think it is such a strong division.
At the start of the season I thought it looked between Monkfish and Latest Exhibition, with Monkfish the more thorough stayer of the two. Latest Exhibition's challenge already appears to have been derailed, or at least severely dented, so I wondering who, all being well, you think are going to trouble Monkfish. Realistically, I can't think of anything.
I actually think Shishkin is too short myself. I still think 2 1/2m will be his optimum trip rather than 2m, and the likes of Unexcepted, Elixir Dainay, Felix Desjy etc could be real speedball 2 milers who could get him out of his comfort zone. Obviously they could set it up for a stayer up the hill and give him the perfect scenario, but I dont think he's in the EA superstar camp just yet.
As CoD said, it looks like only the fences or injury could beat EA right now.
I just wonder why you think it is such a strong division.
At the start of the season I thought it looked between Monkfish and Latest Exhibition, with Monkfish the more thorough stayer of the two. Latest Exhibition's challenge already appears to have been derailed, or at least severely dented, so I wondering who, all being well, you think are going to trouble Monkfish. Realistically, I can't think of anything.
I just wonder why you think it is such a strong division.
At the start of the season I thought it looked between Monkfish and Latest Exhibition, with Monkfish the more thorough stayer of the two. Latest Exhibition's challenge already appears to have been derailed, or at least severely dented, so I wondering who, all being well, you think are going to trouble Monkfish. Realistically, I can't think of anything.
I wonder why you've decided its Monkfish's race to lose? Is that what happens now - chasers impress on debut and win at 1/3 vs 130's horses over 2m5f in a race tantamount to a schooling session, and we call that the RSA winner 3 months out with nothing in the market that can trouble him. Really?
I don't think Latest Exhibition's challenge has been derailed by any stretch - there's every chance he just didn't like the heavy ground and we'll see how he fairs next time out. The Big Breakaway was impressive when winning at Cheltenham over 3m and is now on a tried a tested Grade 1 path with the Kauto Star as his target, after Exeter on Friday. Former RSA fav Next Destination has to enter the frame having won a Grade 2 on chase debut over the weekend. Loads of people on here like Easywork and I can understand why - I think his future will lie over further and he was good on debut. The Big Getaway could easily emerge as a contender here. You then have horses like Chantry House who could enter the RSA frame if avoiding Envoi Allen - I'm sure he wont be the only one. You then have horses we haven't seen yet - for example, Topofthegame won the RSA in 2019 and didn't feature till December 7th.
I'm not unnecessarily knocking Monkfish - my view having watched the race back a few times, is if you don't enjoy watching a horse do that then then game is not for you BUT, for me to accept him as a 3/1 RSA fav he has to prove himself in decent company over 3m in a proper race, and that's for favouritism, let alone being talked about like its already his to lose.
I wonder why you've decided its Monkfish's race to lose? Is that what happens now - chasers impress on debut and win at 1/3 vs 130's horses over 2m5f in a race tantamount to a schooling session, and we call that the RSA winner 3 months out with nothing in the market that can trouble him. Really?
I don't think Latest Exhibition's challenge has been derailed by any stretch - there's every chance he just didn't like the heavy ground and we'll see how he fairs next time out. The Big Breakaway was impressive when winning at Cheltenham over 3m and is now on a tried a tested Grade 1 path with the Kauto Star as his target, after Exeter on Friday. Former RSA fav Next Destination has to enter the frame having won a Grade 2 on chase debut over the weekend. Loads of people on here like Easywork and I can understand why - I think his future will lie over further and he was good on debut. The Big Getaway could easily emerge as a contender here. You then have horses like Chantry House who could enter the RSA frame if avoiding Envoi Allen - I'm sure he wont be the only one. You then have horses we haven't seen yet - for example, Topofthegame won the RSA in 2019 and didn't feature till December 7th.
I'm not unnecessarily knocking Monkfish - my view having watched the race back a few times, is if you don't enjoy watching a horse do that then then game is not for you BUT, for me to accept him as a 3/1 RSA fav he has to prove himself in decent company over 3m in a proper race, and that's for favouritism, let alone being talked about like its already his to lose.
Just in terms of consistency have you called out everyone in respect of Shishkin and Envoi Allen? If not, why not, because they haven't done anything more than Monkfish over fences, perhaps even less. Apologies if I have missed your similarly scathing comments.
Latest Exhibition was beaten fair and square by Monkfish in the Albert Bartlett. He had the run of the race and still couldn't win. Monkfish is the stronger stayer of the two and has made the better transition to fences. I don't think The Big Breakaway was impressive at Cheltenham. At one stage he looked like he was going to down tools and carried his head to one side before consenting to pull clear of a field consisting of second raters and horses who clearly wouldn't have liked the soft surface. He looks no more than an awkward plodder. Easywork was barely a Grade 2 horse over hurdles so he needs to improve at least a Grade and also prove he can stay another half mile. I very much doubt he can. The Big Getaway looks like he should make a chaser, but looks are not everything, and similarly to Easywork he was no better than Grade 2 hurdler. He has plenty to prove. Chantry House was disappointing on chasing debut. For most of the race he travelled like the worst horse in the race and I think some people got over excited by his jumps at the last two fences. The Newbury race that Next Destination won probably didn't take a lot of winning. Kalooki was all over the place and the second looks a handicap project to me. Age is very definitely not on his side.
I think all the horses you have mentioned could easily go elsewhere, or at least have options that would suit them better than an RSA.
Just in terms of consistency have you called out everyone in respect of Shishkin and Envoi Allen? If not, why not, because they haven't done anything more than Monkfish over fences, perhaps even less. Apologies if I have missed your similarly scathing comments.
Latest Exhibition was beaten fair and square by Monkfish in the Albert Bartlett. He had the run of the race and still couldn't win. Monkfish is the stronger stayer of the two and has made the better transition to fences. I don't think The Big Breakaway was impressive at Cheltenham. At one stage he looked like he was going to down tools and carried his head to one side before consenting to pull clear of a field consisting of second raters and horses who clearly wouldn't have liked the soft surface. He looks no more than an awkward plodder. Easywork was barely a Grade 2 horse over hurdles so he needs to improve at least a Grade and also prove he can stay another half mile. I very much doubt he can. The Big Getaway looks like he should make a chaser, but looks are not everything, and similarly to Easywork he was no better than Grade 2 hurdler. He has plenty to prove. Chantry House was disappointing on chasing debut. For most of the race he travelled like the worst horse in the race and I think some people got over excited by his jumps at the last two fences. The Newbury race that Next Destination won probably didn't take a lot of winning. Kalooki was all over the place and the second looks a handicap project to me. Age is very definitely not on his side.
I think all the horses you have mentioned could easily go elsewhere, or at least have options that would suit them better than an RSA.
Thats your response to my post? You've got an unfortunate tone sometimes KB - I'm only referring to the first bit (your opinions on form and horses seem fair enough to me):
1. Yes, I have said multiple times that I wouldn't back Shishkin or Envoi Allen at current prices because they are too short for me = consistent.
2. I haven't 'called anyone out' re those two because I haven't seen anyone declare them the winner with no opposition like you just did Monkfish.
3. Weak or not, Envoi Allen is now a Grade 1 winner over fences so to say he hasn't done more over fences than Monkfish doesn't make any sense to me
4. Scathing comments? Nonsense
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I went for Sir Gerhard. Looks another potential star for CPS and has no obstacles to face
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