Champion Hurdle 2020

[Kevloaf]

It baffles me why people are so against Pentland Hills - hes surely a very promising 5 year old who has done very little wrong. Did really well as a 4 year old winning the triumph impressively and following it up in aintree. This season after joining the senior ranks, hes run 2 good races although running a little keenly. The first one at cheltenham he looked like the winner coming to the last but blew up. In the 2nd one he tanked along and only got caught at the line on softer ground than ideal.

If he's not good enough to win the 2020 champion hurdle so be it but surely a horse of real promise for future champion hurdles the way he travels and jumps.

I see people have already jumped on this, and I'll try and learn from yesterday as it's probably just the wording..... .....

It can't baffle you surely?



He got beaten by Ballyandy.

I am against any horse that finishes within 3L of Ballyandy to win a Grade 1. He's 9 and exposed and having him close to your arse isn't Champion Hurdle winning class, let alone him chinning you on the line.


I also disagree that he's done "very little wrong".... pulling too hard (which you've described as a little keenly) is quite a bit wrong? If it was only a little keen, and he couldn't get the job done, then you have to question his attitude?


It can't be baffling that people aren't keen on a horse with 0 wins this season being 8/1 for the Champion Hurdle?




I have been against PH all season, BUT that is only because he's never been the price I've wanted. If he was 25/1 now I'd probably chance him because I don't think anybody is arguing that he doesn't have potential... but 8/1, to be the 3rd horse since 1986 to be a 5yo winner of the race?

It's baffling that you find it baffling

[Saxon Warrior]

I see people have already jumped on this, and I'll try and learn from yesterday as it's probably just the wording..... .....

It can't baffle you surely?


He got beaten by Ballyandy.

I am against any horse that finishes within 3L of Ballyandy to win a Grade 1. He's 9 and exposed and having him close to your arse isn't Champion Hurdle winning class, let alone him chinning you on the line.


I also disagree that he's done "very little wrong".... pulling too hard (which you've described as a little keenly) is quite a bit wrong? If it was only a little keen, and he couldn't get the job done, then you have to question his attitude?


It can't be baffling that people aren't keen on a horse with 0 wins this season being 8/1 for the Champion Hurdle?




I have been against PH all season, BUT that is only because he's never been the price I've wanted. If he was 25/1 now I'd probably chance him because I don't think anybody is arguing that he doesn't have potential... but 8/1, to be the 3rd horse since 1986 to be a 5yo winner of the race?

It's baffling that you find it baffling

Spot on. These debates always come back to price.

He is close enough in both races to be considered to have a chance, but the current price is the problem. Must be they got more bets on him at bigger prices early on and are reluctant to push him out too far. That, and there not being much else being backed heavily with ragingly better form.

Love to see Honeysuckle win in a couple of weeks and how the market reacts to that. Pentland Hills may be a bit bigger then.

[harchibald]

Apologies for my misleading post. I wasn't suggesting Pentland is good value at current prices or that anyone should be rushing out to back him. I'm new to the forum and was just speaking from a NH fan perspective rather than a betting perspective. People don't appear to like the horse full stop.

I was just making the point that that he's still a young horse with massive potential and could be a real champion of the future. I accept the points about Ballyandy and that he'd need to be beating him easily. But the ground will be better in Cheltenham - was described as heavy in Haydock and on good to soft in Cheltenham, I'd be surprised if Ballyandy got close to him. All that said, I'm living in hope more than confidence for this years renewal.

One thing I was surprised to see when I did a bit of research just now was that the current favorite Epetante is rated just 137. Very surprised at that and I know she gets the 7 pound allowance.

[taylorch1990]

She isn't rated 137, the rating when looking horses form up is what they were rated going into the race. Others will know her new rating. However it does annoy me that when looking up a horse there current rating isn't easy to come by.

[Quevega]

She isn't rated 137, the rating when looking horses form up is what they were rated going into the race. Others will know her new rating. However it does annoy me that when looking up a horse there current rating isn't easy to come by.

Sh'es 159 now, add another 7 to that and it shows what some of the others have to find.

[harchibald]

She isn't rated 137, the rating when looking horses form up is what they were rated going into the race. Others will know her new rating. However it does annoy me that when looking up a horse there current rating isn't easy to come by.

Ok cheers Taylor

[harchibald]

Sh'es 159 now, add another 7 to that and it shows what some of the others have to find.

Has she gone up 22 pounds for 1 run Quevega?

[Quevega]

https://www.britishhorseracing.com/regulation/official-ratings/ratings-database/#!?q=epatante

use the handicapper site

[Quevega]

Has she gone up 22 pounds for 1 run Quevega?

137 to 150. on her handicap win
150- 159 for the xmas hurdle win

[harchibald]

137 to 150. on her handicap win
150- 159 for the xmas hurdle win

Thanks for that

[Kevloaf]

Apologies for my misleading post. I wasn't suggesting Pentland is good value at current prices or that anyone should be rushing out to back him. I'm new to the forum and was just speaking from a NH fan perspective rather than a betting perspective. People don't appear to like the horse full stop.

I was just making the point that that he's still a young horse with massive potential and could be a real champion of the future. I accept the points about Ballyandy and that he'd need to be beating him easily. But the ground will be better in Cheltenham - was described as heavy in Haydock and on good to soft in Cheltenham, I'd be surprised if Ballyandy got close to him. All that said, I'm living in hope more than confidence for this years renewal.

One thing I was surprised to see when I did a bit of research just now was that the current favorite Epetante is rated just 137. Very surprised at that and I know she gets the 7 pound allowance.

Fair enough... I follow.

[Arkle]

What’s the news on saldier will he be fit for Cheltenham?

[Kevloaf]

What’s the news on saldier will he be fit for Cheltenham?

Last update I saw was from Patrick Mullins, saying he was back doing work, doing well and possibly would go straight there.

Probably a week or so ago?

[lloydy]

I agree the price of Pentland Hills is too short and using form with Ballyandy as a guide I think Epatante’s price is awful as well.
I think if we had a decent ground festival there wouldn’t be much between PH and Epatante

[callhimgamblor]

Plot twist.... Klassical dream romps up in the Irish Champion Hurdle and we all kick ourselves for not grabbing the massive drift....