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Originally posted by Lobos
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Entries mean near bugger all when it's Willie. He block enters almost everything. He keeps options open, but it doesn't suddenly mean they'll be going for that specific race. There was nothing telling about his Stayers entry at all, IMO. -
But none of that is as "telling" as Mullins saying he's likely to be his best arkle horse to the new race sponsors and columnist outlet.Originally posted by Lobos
It's just another example of Willie being quite flexible/open minded over the consideration of trips for his classier horses.Comment
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WPM block enters all his - stayers entry will have meant nothing.Originally posted by Lobos
What does opting to go down the Champion Hurdle route tell you about what they think of his speed? And, even after such a disastrous season last year ,they still appear to be keeping him over the minimum distance.
Your eye could well be right Lobos - for all I know he could want and thrive over further in time. Let's wait and seeComment
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Yeh the opting to go Champion route and then saying he could well be their Arkle horse are easily the two most important telling points when it comes to what they think about which trips will suit him best. That, and winning all those grade 1's over 2mOriginally posted by Quevega
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Time will tell. Was against him all last season in the Churdle. I couldn't have a penny on him myself. A little like Goshen and Aba. Just my gut feeling.Originally posted by charlie
Yeh the opting to go Champion route and then saying he could well be their Arkle horse are easily the two most important telling points when it comes to what they think about which trips will suit him best. That, and winning all those grade 1's over 2mComment
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Horses like this that split us is what it's all about and I love a good debate. I respect all views on KD - I just hope I'm right and you are wrong LobosOriginally posted by Lobos
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Don't you need a stayer to win the arkle...
Without getting into that debate (
), he is a C&D winner at the Festival (albeit over hurdles) and a good end to end gallop will suit (if he can jump 
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The main problem, is that you don't get an end-to-end gallop in many of the Irish races, so he may not be seen to best effect until the Spring festivals.Comment
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Latest Exhibition avoiding heavy ground going forward https://twitter.com/irishracing/stat...121762304?s=21Comment
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It would seem surprising if that was the only problem. Previous form and breeding would suggest it shouldn't have been such a big issue. The fact they ran him would confirm they didn't think it was a concern beforehand. I would have thought more likely a physical issue or perhaps they have tried to back up too quickly? Time will tell but he will have that much more to prove next time.Originally posted by MuswellComment
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He did say pre Cheltenham that were it bottomless he'd consider Ballymore, so the fact he's blaming the bottomless ground on Sunday despite having campaigned him on soft ground AOTS, kind of makes sense. I haven't back him but he's one I really hope does well for the NolansOriginally posted by Muswell
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It's one of them ones where they can blame the ground and nobody can really disprove it, so it's a convenient excuse if it happens to be BS.Originally posted by kinloch braeComment
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Yes, but he wasn't saying he couldn't handle the ground, just questioning his stamina. Sunday's race was short of three miles and he was beaten well before the finish.Originally posted by charlieComment
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He never really travelled though and they said they'll avoid heavy moving forward. Thats blaming ground no?Originally posted by kinloch braeComment
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My comment was in reference to your quote about last year.Originally posted by charlieComment
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It's not just about travelling in the ground, it's also jumping out of it. He ran okay at the weekend, but it was obvious he wasn't as comfortable as usual. He's a good traveller and and excellent jumper usually, and in the last mile I suspect anyone who backed him was concerned.
Who knows whether it was the ground or Nolan's form, but I suspect it's a race to write off. How many novices get to the Festival unbeaten? Not many. Very many champions are beaten at some point during the season.
I've said it before elsewhere, we can all be too quick to dismiss a horse based on one run. In this case we know he jumps well, and we know his novice hurdle form stands scrutiny, so there's every reason to give him another chance.Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more I sweat, the luckier I get.Comment
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