2022 Champion Hurdle

[Dandrew99]

So where is Appreciate It likely to get a prep race now, assuming he does at all?

Struggling to think of a race for him. Irish Champion first up against Honeysuckle doesn't look ideal, only other race I can think at all of is the one that Goshen won last year? I'm sure I must be missing something obvious?

[Carnage at Taunton]

So where is Appreciate It likely to get a prep race now, assuming he does at all?

Struggling to think of a race for him. Irish Champion first up against Honeysuckle doesn't look ideal, only other race I can think at all of is the one that Goshen won last year? I'm sure I must be missing something obvious?

Yep, not going to be straightforward getting him to the CH in top form

[ToniC]

So where is Appreciate It likely to get a prep race now, assuming he does at all?

Struggling to think of a race for him. Irish Champion first up against Honeysuckle doesn't look ideal, only other race I can think at all of is the one that Goshen won last year? I'm sure I must be missing something obvious?

Theres the race Cilaos Emery ran in when he made the late switcheroo? Could go there but can’t remember timings of things so may come a bit soon?

regardless, wouldn’t be a fan I don’t think of a horse switching back and coming in off what’s going to be a less than ideal prep against one of the best champion hurdlers we’ve seen for a bit. Hopefully he does line up in the ICH, at least then might get a decent price about him to win on the day + champion hurdle

[Dandrew99]

Theres the race Cilaos Emery ran in when he made the late switcheroo? Could go there but can’t remember timings of things so may come a bit soon?

regardless, wouldn’t be a fan I don’t think of a horse switching back and coming in off what’s going to be a less than ideal prep against one of the best champion hurdlers we’ve seen for a bit. Hopefully he does line up in the ICH, at least then might get a decent price about him to win on the day + champion hurdle

Great shout, knew there would be something! Gotta be a strong chance that's the target then. Was 15th February when Cilaos Emery won it, 27th Feb last year when Jason The Militant won, but that was at Fairyhouse after being rescheduled.

Think I'd prefer him to stay away from the ICH personally...

[ToniC]

Think I'd prefer him to stay away from the ICH personally...

Sure everybody’s take on that question will depend on their having backed him yet or not

[Dandrew99]

Sure everybody’s take on that question will depend on their having backed him yet or not

Maybe... Personally I think it's just far too big an ask first time out against a race fit Honeysuckle.

He either goes ICH, probably gets spanked and then the Champion Hurdle is back to a 1 horse race, or he goes elsewhere, wins a nice easy prep and then we have an exciting second season novice in the Champion Hurdle. And then probably gets spanked by Honeysuckle

[Madmoose]

Unless he runs in the Red Mills at Gowran in Feb?

[Al Boum Photo]

There's also the Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas, a Grade 3 over 2 miles at the end of January. That's 3 different options, so it shouldn't be a problem if AI recovers and stays fit.

[Run4Home]

I think you need to be fairly cautious backing AI as he isn't in full work at the moment.

He is on the 'easy list for a few weeks' ; after this you likely would be talking 3/4 more weeks to build back up fitness. Without knowing the exact injury you could easily be talking up to two months there in a good scenario which bring you close to March.

Getting him ready for a CH could be difficult nevermind assuming he'll be out earlier.

[Atlantic Viking]

RacingTV segment with Willie Mullins running today, talks of Echoes In Rain. Says she needed a run and a faster pace in the Morgiana, tactics didn't suit. "She just pulled and pulled". Very keen, inexperienced. Expecting much better next time out.
Interviewer says she obviously needs to improve a good few lbs to be at the top level and asks if Willie thinks she can. Willie responds saying he thinks she has the speed to do it, just needs to learn to use her ability at the right time. Talks of her jumping her hurdles 100mph and it all being a bit messy.

Safe to say it sounds like they're still very much trying to get her to calm down a bit! Good to know they genuinely seem to think there's something there though.

[Stormez]

Her reappearance couldn’t have gone any worse, but I haven’t lost hope, though it has been slightly tempered. I agree she’ll be a different proposition in a strongly run race.

[Pendil]

RacingTV segment with Willie Mullins running today, talks of Echoes In Rain. Says she needed a run and a faster pace in the Morgiana, tactics didn't suit. "She just pulled and pulled". Very keen, inexperienced. Expecting much better next time out.
Interviewer says she obviously needs to improve a good few lbs to be at the top level and asks if Willie thinks she can. Willie responds saying he thinks she has the speed to do it, just needs to learn to use her ability at the right time. Talks of her jumping her hurdles 100mph and it all being a bit messy.

Safe to say it sounds like they're still very much trying to get her to calm down a bit! Good to know they genuinely seem to think there's something there though.

Hopefully with Paul Townend back on board, he can help to settle her much better than the last day

[ToniC]

For those prepared to give echoes a second chance, sky have her 66s to win the matheson + champion hurdle. I was never a big fan of hers, but looks like the intention is to persist down this route and I do think that’s a good price which I’ve taken a small bit of

[Lobos]

For those prepared to give echoes a second chance, sky have her 66s to win the matheson + champion hurdle. I was never a big fan of hers, but looks like the intention is to persist down this route and I do think that’s a good price which I’ve taken a small bit of

Think we'll see a completely different performance from her this time and she'll emerge as Honeysuckles main challenger. The 25/1 could look very good Ew value in a few days time. Mullins clearly rates her very highly.

[Quevega]

I think you need to be fairly cautious backing AI as he isn't in full work at the moment.

He is on the 'easy list for a few weeks' ; after this you likely would be talking 3/4 more weeks to build back up fitness. Without knowing the exact injury you could easily be talking up to two months there in a good scenario which bring you close to March.

Getting him ready for a CH could be difficult nevermind assuming he'll be out earlier.

When and who said this ?
about the easy list ?