2022 Championship Division

[Lobos]

Yep, 2 preps will probably be the magic number for many of next March's Cheltenham Championship race winners.

[Lobos]

Envoi Allen is on course to resume his career when the upcoming National Hunt season hits top gear following successful surgery on a chipped joint.
Unbeaten in his first 11 races and twice a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding fell at this year’s Festival in March and headed afterwards to Punchestown.

However, the former Gordon Elliott inmate, who is now with Henry de Bromhead, was struggling early and eventually pulled up – with a subsequent scan giving him a valid excuse.

“Everything has been going well since surgery and he’s enjoying his recuperation,” said owner Cheveley Park’s managing director Chris Richardson.

“He’s fresh and well, as far as we know, and we’re looking forward to Henry building him up for another exciting campaign.

“We don’t really know when he might be starting off as unfortunately I haven’t been able to get over there for a while, but I am hoping to get there soon which I’m looking forward to.

“Richard Thompson is very involved and really enjoyed that part of the business with his father and he will be instrumental in taking it forward.”

[archie]

“We don’t really know when he might be starting off as unfortunately I haven’t been able to get over there for a while

I read that this morning and thought the line above was really strange.

[Lobos]

I read that this morning and thought the line above was really strange.

Yeah, as if there's been no contact whatsoever.

[Spectre]

I've been having a good look at the Stayers Hurdle over the last couple of days, and it's looking a pretty ordinary renewal. No superstar and relatively wide-open. Perhaps even ripe for a shock.

Looking at the top of the market we have:

Thyme Hill - Missed the Festival last year, and on his seasons form his level of ability was similar to Paisley Park. A contender yes. But a worth general 5/1 antepost favourite? Certainly not.

Klassical Dream - A headcase. Has had one race in two years. Could go chasing, Could go over any trip. 4/1 on offer with some bookies is hilarious.

Galopin Des Champs - Surely goes chasing.

Flooring Porter - Doubts about his ability to repeat if he's not allowed to dominate from the front. Fair enough each way price.

The Rest - Failed previously, or not good enough.

The Alternatives - Abacadabras could come here, as could Mrs Milner, and they're both backable each way with cashout.

Left Field - I think Sharjah is perfect for the race. Yes he's a solid each way or place bet for the Champion Hurdle, but he's never going to win it unless three or four horses get injured or fall. Every time he's run in the Champion Hurdle he's been staying on strongly. The problem is he's not able to lay up and tends to get slightly outpaced when they go for home early. I suspect as an 8 year old rising 9 by the Festival, the Stayers Hurdle could be absolutely perfect for him, and potentially gives him the chance to get his head in front. Willie and Rich probably haven't even thought about the idea, but I suspect if they did they'd see the sense in it. Solwhit did exactly the same thing. He spent his entire career chasing the arse of the best Champion Hurdle contenders of the time, and did exactly the switch I'm suggesting at the same age. When he did he did it at the first time of asking at his first try over 3 miles. He was a middle distance mile and a halfer on the flat, and most middle distance ex flat horses want a good trip by this stage in their careers. He's not without place, but his racing style suggests he would have no problem with stepping right up. He switches off nicely, and most Stayers Hurdles are run perfectly for his way of racing.

I'd be interested in any additional thoughts anyone has, and if anyone feels the urge to request a price with a non-365 bookmaker who may be generous with a price, and then asks 365 to follow suit I'd really appreciate it.

[BigChaang]

Hes such a big horse I can see him having a light campaign

The early season battles seemed to take their toll at Cheltenham and Punchestown

He didn't travel and jump with his normal enthusiasm

I am willing to forgive him ( Monkfish ) at Punchestown , A race too many ??., Giving away weight ??.
I am expecting nothing less than an Allaho style improvement from Monkfish , should he line up in the Gold Cup..

[Ice]

I've been having a good look at the Stayers Hurdle over the last couple of days, and it's looking a pretty ordinary renewal. No superstar and relatively wide-open. Perhaps even ripe for a shock.

Looking at the top of the market we have:

Thyme Hill - Missed the Festival last year, and on his seasons form his level of ability was similar to Paisley Park. A contender yes. But a worth general 5/1 antepost favourite? Certainly not.

Klassical Dream - A headcase. Has had one race in two years. Could go chasing, Could go over any trip. 4/1 on offer with some bookies is hilarious.

Galopin Des Champs - Surely goes chasing.

Flooring Porter - Doubts about his ability to repeat if he's not allowed to dominate from the front. Fair enough each way price.

The Rest - Failed previously, or not good enough.

The Alternatives - Abacadabras could come here, as could Mrs Milner, and they're both backable each way with cashout.

Left Field - I think Sharjah is perfect for the race. Yes he's a solid each way or place bet for the Champion Hurdle, but he's never going to win it unless three or four horses get injured or fall. Every time he's run in the Champion Hurdle he's been staying on strongly. The problem is he's not able to lay up and tends to get slightly outpaced when they go for home early. I suspect as an 8 year old rising 9 by the Festival, the Stayers Hurdle could be absolutely perfect for him, and potentially gives him the chance to get his head in front. Willie and Rich probably haven't even thought about the idea, but I suspect if they did they'd see the sense in it. Solwhit did exactly the same thing. He spent his entire career chasing the arse of the best Champion Hurdle contenders of the time, and did exactly the switch I'm suggesting at the same age. When he did he did it at the first time of asking at his first try over 3 miles. He was a middle distance mile and a halfer on the flat, and most middle distance ex flat horses want a good trip by this stage in their careers. He's not without place, but his racing style suggests he would have no problem with stepping right up. He switches off nicely, and most Stayers Hurdles are run perfectly for his way of racing.

I'd be interested in any additional thoughts anyone has, and if anyone feels the urge to request a price with a non-365 bookmaker who may be generous with a price, and then asks 365 to follow suit I'd really appreciate it.

I agree with most of this and think flooring porter is a decent price at 12/1 but i see him as a horse who'll either win or be out the back somewhere sulking if he can't dominate ! If the Klassical dream who won at Punchestown turns up he would be tough to beat but as you say 4/1 is short for a headcase !

[FinalFurlong91]

I've been having a good look at the Stayers Hurdle over the last couple of days, and it's looking a pretty ordinary renewal. No superstar and relatively wide-open. Perhaps even ripe for a shock.

Looking at the top of the market we have:

Thyme Hill - Missed the Festival last year, and on his seasons form his level of ability was similar to Paisley Park. A contender yes. But a worth general 5/1 antepost favourite? Certainly not.

Klassical Dream - A headcase. Has had one race in two years. Could go chasing, Could go over any trip. 4/1 on offer with some bookies is hilarious.

Galopin Des Champs - Surely goes chasing.

Flooring Porter - Doubts about his ability to repeat if he's not allowed to dominate from the front. Fair enough each way price.

The Rest - Failed previously, or not good enough.

The Alternatives - Abacadabras could come here, as could Mrs Milner, and they're both backable each way with cashout.

Left Field - I think Sharjah is perfect for the race. Yes he's a solid each way or place bet for the Champion Hurdle, but he's never going to win it unless three or four horses get injured or fall. Every time he's run in the Champion Hurdle he's been staying on strongly. The problem is he's not able to lay up and tends to get slightly outpaced when they go for home early. I suspect as an 8 year old rising 9 by the Festival, the Stayers Hurdle could be absolutely perfect for him, and potentially gives him the chance to get his head in front. Willie and Rich probably haven't even thought about the idea, but I suspect if they did they'd see the sense in it. Solwhit did exactly the same thing. He spent his entire career chasing the arse of the best Champion Hurdle contenders of the time, and did exactly the switch I'm suggesting at the same age. When he did he did it at the first time of asking at his first try over 3 miles. He was a middle distance mile and a halfer on the flat, and most middle distance ex flat horses want a good trip by this stage in their careers. He's not without place, but his racing style suggests he would have no problem with stepping right up. He switches off nicely, and most Stayers Hurdles are run perfectly for his way of racing.

I'd be interested in any additional thoughts anyone has, and if anyone feels the urge to request a price with a non-365 bookmaker who may be generous with a price, and then asks 365 to follow suit I'd really appreciate it.

Thats not how iv ever viewed sharjah myself

Iv always seen him as a fast horse who is held up and ridden for a turn of foot

One who needs quick ground to get the most out of his burst of pace

[Spectre]

Thats not how iv ever viewed sharjah myself

Iv always seen him as a fast horse who is held up and ridden for a turn of foot

One who needs quick ground to get the most out of his burst of pace

That's how I've always viewed him too FF, but I've been watching his most recent races back, and I think he looks more like he's staying on now than showing speed.

If you get time at some point take a look and tell me what you think now. Sometimes we interpret things differently, and I'd be interested specifically in your view of his last three races.

[charlie]

I've been having a good look at the Stayers Hurdle over the last couple of days, and it's looking a pretty ordinary renewal. No superstar and relatively wide-open. Perhaps even ripe for a shock.

Looking at the top of the market we have:

Thyme Hill - Missed the Festival last year, and on his seasons form his level of ability was similar to Paisley Park. A contender yes. But a worth general 5/1 antepost favourite? Certainly not.

Klassical Dream - A headcase. Has had one race in two years. Could go chasing, Could go over any trip. 4/1 on offer with some bookies is hilarious.

Galopin Des Champs - Surely goes chasing.

Flooring Porter - Doubts about his ability to repeat if he's not allowed to dominate from the front. Fair enough each way price.

The Rest - Failed previously, or not good enough.

The Alternatives - Abacadabras could come here, as could Mrs Milner, and they're both backable each way with cashout.

Left Field - I think Sharjah is perfect for the race. Yes he's a solid each way or place bet for the Champion Hurdle, but he's never going to win it unless three or four horses get injured or fall. Every time he's run in the Champion Hurdle he's been staying on strongly. The problem is he's not able to lay up and tends to get slightly outpaced when they go for home early. I suspect as an 8 year old rising 9 by the Festival, the Stayers Hurdle could be absolutely perfect for him, and potentially gives him the chance to get his head in front. Willie and Rich probably haven't even thought about the idea, but I suspect if they did they'd see the sense in it. Solwhit did exactly the same thing. He spent his entire career chasing the arse of the best Champion Hurdle contenders of the time, and did exactly the switch I'm suggesting at the same age. When he did he did it at the first time of asking at his first try over 3 miles. He was a middle distance mile and a halfer on the flat, and most middle distance ex flat horses want a good trip by this stage in their careers. He's not without place, but his racing style suggests he would have no problem with stepping right up. He switches off nicely, and most Stayers Hurdles are run perfectly for his way of racing.

I'd be interested in any additional thoughts anyone has, and if anyone feels the urge to request a price with a non-365 bookmaker who may be generous with a price, and then asks 365 to follow suit I'd really appreciate it.

I like where you are going with this, excellent write up.

Sharjah isn't winning a champion hurdle is he, and I think you're bang on the money (although I do think WPM would have definitely thought of it).

It's actually quite an obvious now you've made the case - a horse that races out the back at a championship 2m pace thats slightly outpaced at key points in the race, then delivered late and strongly, should almost certainly benefit from a more sedate stayers pace, if he can settle and pounce, which he enjoys doing.

[Bollinger]

I've been having a good look at the Stayers Hurdle over the last couple of days, and it's looking a pretty ordinary renewal. No superstar and relatively wide-open. Perhaps even ripe for a shock.

Looking at the top of the market we have:

Thyme Hill - Missed the Festival last year, and on his seasons form his level of ability was similar to Paisley Park. A contender yes. But a worth general 5/1 antepost favourite? Certainly not.

Klassical Dream - A headcase. Has had one race in two years. Could go chasing, Could go over any trip. 4/1 on offer with some bookies is hilarious.

Galopin Des Champs - Surely goes chasing.

Flooring Porter - Doubts about his ability to repeat if he's not allowed to dominate from the front. Fair enough each way price.

The Rest - Failed previously, or not good enough.

The Alternatives - Abacadabras could come here, as could Mrs Milner, and they're both backable each way with cashout.

Left Field - I think Sharjah is perfect for the race. Yes he's a solid each way or place bet for the Champion Hurdle, but he's never going to win it unless three or four horses get injured or fall. Every time he's run in the Champion Hurdle he's been staying on strongly. The problem is he's not able to lay up and tends to get slightly outpaced when they go for home early. I suspect as an 8 year old rising 9 by the Festival, the Stayers Hurdle could be absolutely perfect for him, and potentially gives him the chance to get his head in front. Willie and Rich probably haven't even thought about the idea, but I suspect if they did they'd see the sense in it. Solwhit did exactly the same thing. He spent his entire career chasing the arse of the best Champion Hurdle contenders of the time, and did exactly the switch I'm suggesting at the same age. When he did he did it at the first time of asking at his first try over 3 miles. He was a middle distance mile and a halfer on the flat, and most middle distance ex flat horses want a good trip by this stage in their careers. He's not without place, but his racing style suggests he would have no problem with stepping right up. He switches off nicely, and most Stayers Hurdles are run perfectly for his way of racing.

I'd be interested in any additional thoughts anyone has, and if anyone feels the urge to request a price with a non-365 bookmaker who may be generous with a price, and then asks 365 to follow suit I'd really appreciate it.

Excellent thoughts here, but i would suggest (having personally looked it up, but the thought that I can’t think of one in the last decade is key here??) ) that hardly any horses that have placed in two successive Champion Hurdles, let alone finished 2nd in both…) have gone on to contest a Stayers hurdle the year after?? I couldn’t think of any horse of the last 20 years that has been ‘re routed’ this way?

[Black Dog]

More than 20 years ago,but Nomadic Way won the stayers in the early nineties after finishing 2nd to Kribensis and Morley Street in consecutive Champion Hurdles. The Stayers was run on the old course back then

[charlie]

Excellent thoughts here, but i would suggest (having personally looked it up, but the thought that I can’t think of one in the last decade is key here??) ) that hardly any horses that have placed in two successive Champion Hurdles, let alone finished 2nd in both…) have gone on to contest a Stayers hurdle the year after?? I couldn’t think of any horse of the last 20 years that has been ‘re routed’ this way?

Trying to find another horse in the last 20 years who has been to the Champion Hurdle twice and placed twice, then gone on to win the stayers, seems an oddly exact stat to use in the con column for Sharjah. I'd argue it's actually a pointless stat to think about because the Champion and Stayers hurdle's have long produced winners of one that couldn't win the other, and you don't need to look back 20 years. Nichols Canyon placed in the Champion Hurdle then went on to win the stayers. Annie Power did the opposite, placing in the stayers then winning the Champion. Solwhit couldn't cut it in the champion hurdle, but found his comfort zone in the stayers. Unorthodox, perhaps, perhaps not, Tried and tested, yes, with the right horse.

[Quevega]

Trying to find another horse in the last 20 years who has been to the Champion Hurdle twice and placed twice, then gone on to win the stayers, seems an oddly exact stat to use in the con column for Sharjah. I'd argue it's actually a pointless stat to think about because the Champion and Stayers hurdle's have long produced winners of one that couldn't win the other, and you don't need to look back 20 years. Nichols Canyon placed in the Champion Hurdle then went on to win the stayers. Annie Power did the opposite, placing in the stayers then winning the Champion. Solwhit couldn't cut it in the champion hurdle, but found his comfort zone in the stayers. Unorthodox, perhaps, perhaps not, Tried and tested, yes, with the right horse.

It’s the class that would count in this discussion
And Sharjah is classier and saner than the others quoted.
exchange might offer fancy odds at some point as he’s still likely to start the season at 2 miles I reckon.
the stayers might be a late decision

[charlie]

It’s the class that would count in this discussion
And Sharjah is classier and saner than the others quoted.
exchange might offer fancy odds at some point as he’s still likely to start the season at 2 miles I reckon.
the stayers might be a late decision

Very true and agree re starting at 2m. Nichols Canyon didn't see a yard past 2m in the year he won the stayers - 3m looked really odd, but Willie was right. Willie did the same with Penhill in the Albert Barlett. 2m all season then up to 3 and win. He's a genius at it actually. Based on this, it might make a Sharjah stayers bet less necessary now. If he tails off a few grade 1's over 2m I reckon bookies might quote 66/1+, where now they might not.