Cheltenham Festival 2021 - Horses Targets/Trainer Quotes

[Lobos]

I'm as confident as I can be that Honey will go Mares Chase with the reasons kev gave plus i see her future over fences and in particular the GC in 2022 to emulate Dawn Run. 10/1 Mares Chase just has to be taken in my view. If they did turn round and say she was sticking to hurdles then I don't think she'd be smaller than 3/1 in the Mares ( with potentially Benie turning up again) or the Churdle (wouldn't back her in that). So you could back her at the point of them choosing either of those routes and still get around 3/1 or bigger. As for any other chase........same scenario but personally I don't see her taking on the boys next March.

[archie]

If she goes over fences, she'll likely run in novice chases against geldings. If she turns out to be very good I think they'll go for the Marsh or the RSA for 2 reasons:
1 It's a big ask to win an open championship race as a novice.
2 As per PTKO running in the CC rather than the Mares Chase, for a mare the G1 black type is more valuable than G2.

Obviously, I think it's close to insane to be backing her while she's still out at grass so I wouldn't be having a bet at all but that's the way that I'd be looking at it if I were considering the options.

[Lobos]

If she goes over fences, she'll likely run in novice chases against geldings. If she turns out to be very good I think they'll go for the Marsh or the RSA for 2 reasons:
1 It's a big ask to win an open championship race as a novice.
2 As per PTKO running in the CC rather than the Mares Chase, for a mare the G1 black type is more valuable than G2.

Obviously, I think it's close to insane to be backing her while she's still out at grass so I wouldn't be having a bet at all but that's the way that I'd be looking at it if I were considering the options.

So you think she'll run against Envoi and co as opposed to an easier looking Mares Chase ?

[archie]

So you think she'll run against Envoi and co as opposed to an easier looking Mares Chase ?

Why wouldn't she if she wins the Gold Cup in 2022?

[Kautostar]

Her owner seems obsessed with winning mares races, hence the reason why they didn’t attempt to win the champion hurdle last season

[Lobos]

Why wouldn't she if she wins the Gold Cup in 2022?

Just think it would be the more gentle step. The same reasons people think Envoi will go Marsh I suppose as opposed to a more brutal RSA. No point taking on Envoi now, just gently, gently and then take him on in 2022.

[archie]

The Mares Hurdle is a G1 so worth the same in black type as the Champion. They'd also be fairly sure that she's better over 2m4f than 2m.

[Lobos]

The Mares Hurdle is a G1 so worth the same in black type as the Champion. They'd also be fairly sure that she's better over 2m4f than 2m.

Mares Chase is over 2 1/2 miles


Soz, you were replying to Kautostar. Lol ,!

[archie]

Mares Chase is over 2 1/2 miles


Soz, you were replying to Kautostar. Lol ,!

Yes. Sorry, sometimes I forget the reply function.

The point though, is that this far out there are many ways to read the runes.

[Spectre]

I think it’s just as likely that Benie des Dieux runs in the Mares Chase. She’s not a novice and has proven form over fences. I also suspect Willie will fancy winning the inaugural running with her.

I’d fancy her to reverse the form with Honeysuckle too if they both go there.

[Lobos]

I think it’s just as likely that Benie des Dieux runs in the Mares Chase. She’s not a novice and has proven form over fences. I also suspect Willie will fancy winning the inaugural running with her.

I’d fancy her to reverse the form with Honeysuckle too if they both go there.

Don't start me off! Ha, ha !

[Hardy Eustace]

I think it’s just as likely that Benie des Dieux runs in the Mares Chase. She’s not a novice and has proven form over fences. I also suspect Willie will fancy winning the inaugural running with her.

I’d fancy her to reverse the form with Honeysuckle too if they both go there.

I rewatched the mares hurdle last week. So much has been made on race tactics. For me, the best horse won. I just think at Cheltenham over 2 and a half miles, honeysuckle is a better mare.

[Lobos]

I rewatched the mares hurdle last week. So much has been made on race tactics. For me, the best horse won. I just think at Cheltenham over 2 and a half miles, honeysuckle is a better mare.

Wow. Finally I found someone who agrees with me !

[Spectre]

I agree. Honeysuckle was a good winner and its hard to say what could have/would have happened. Both are outstanding mares and if they both turn up in the mares hurdle again I’d back Honeysuckle to repeat. I’m confident Benie would reverse over fences when Honeysuckle is a novice chaser though. And as I said, I think Willie will want to win the inaugural running, and Benie is easily his best chance of doing so.

[Lobos]

I agree. Honeysuckle was a good winner and its hard to say what could have/would have happened. Both are outstanding mares and if they both turn up in the mares hurdle again I’d back Honeysuckle to repeat. I’m confident Benie would reverse over fences when Honeysuckle is a novice chaser though. And as I said, I think Willie will want to win the inaugural running, and Benie is easily his best chance of doing so.

Honey does have a point to point win to her name. In fact, she has an identical record to Envoi. Both unbeaten. 9 wins from 9. 1 point win each, 4 wins each in 18/19 season and 4 wins each last season. Spooky. Benie however does not have an unblemished record with 8 defeats from 19 runs on flat/jumps. Benies best performances have all been away from Cheltenham.