Champion Hurdle 2021

[Quevega]

We here things from pundits all year long, year in year out. Instant reactions are a very dangerous things when it comes to having a bet.

In all honesty I dont listen to anything I hear and come to my own conclusions.

The fact is the best form of the race amounts to completely nothing and she's been clipped into 6/4 just on a visual beating to a horse that simply isn't upto champion hurdle class.

She won a shocking champion hurdle last year beating trees and beat nothing again today.

At the risk of being shot down ......... what has she ever actually beat ???????????????????????

Which ever way you look at it, if everything turns up on the day it's going to be the toughest test shes ever had by some way.

At 6/4 ..... I'll pass

That's a dangerous thing to do, even if it's just regarding racing. "I don't listen to anything I hear"

There's loads of price reductions that are unwarranted IMO, and this is one of them.

I don't think this years is going to be much better, as the Irish trials have been a bit like "treading water" and having to make excuses. Although it's early days and a decent animal could still emerge, and both Saint Roi & Abacadabra's will always have the Festival form to cling on to, on the day itself.

Not sure it will be her toughest test by some way myself, at least not on the basis of what we've seen so far.

They've all got it to do.

[Quevega]

I meant inexperienced as in its their first season in open company and both have only had two runs in open company, and in saint roi's case he is a year younger than epatante, so imo opinion it is waaayyy to early to be using a word like exposed about either of them.

And tbh I dont see how the race falling apart was more of a disadvantage to her than any of the others?
it meant she had to face two less rivals, and her main challenger had to make the running when he never usually does? As for the interference sceau royal suffered more from the loose horse didnt he? Of course I agree he didnt help either of them but I dont think he BADLY interfered with either of them.

And once again im not disputing that epatante is very good, but the general view before today was that while epatante was the right fave, she didnt set a standard that was unbeatable, and im not not sure why a four length beating of sceau royal(as visually impressive as it was) should change that.

I said a little exposed (or a bit), and that's definitely the case for Abacadabra's as we've seen his frailties and we know he needs things a certain way to be at his best (strong pace, well timed effort blah de fucking blah), and even then he's not certain to win.

And Saint Roi maybe has a more in his locker than what we've seen but I'd be of the opinion that Epatante is potentially (definitely) even better than what she's shown so far, and what she's achieved in the manner and variety of conditions is a long way from any other horse currently being touted for this race.

Don't get me wrong, there is a long way to go and these second season hurdlers have some sort of chance and could improve dramatically by Spring

[Istabraq]

Someone on the telly said it gave him shivers.
And another on the telly said she was bombproof.

I was fascinated by Ruby’s analysis of her Champion Hurdle run today, they showed how she didn’t hurdle well but made up the ground lost so quickly the untrained eye wouldn’t have noticed.
I was a serious ‘crabber’ of last seasons renewal but I’m happy admitting I was wrong about Epatante, she looks a serious mare and could easily be a very warm order come March...

[opatcho]

Where was this ^^^

[Kautothegreat8]

name the 2 mile hurdler you’d like to see run again Epatante

GB - there is nothing over here that will beat her

Ire - she’s already beat Sharjah. Last years novices have all to prove still. Saldier is a cripple, and there’s a chance we won’t see him

you make it sounds like she’s been dodging competition, where the fact is... there’s not much there that could compete with her without the mares allowance never mind with it

Are you saying the likes of Sharjah and Darver Star are as good as Saint Roi, Abacadabras, and Goshen ?

She hasnt been avoiding anything but I think your forgetting what a poor race last years Champion Hurdle was.

The fact is ..... up to now she has literally beat nothing but average.

Abacadabras only would be her toughest test without anything else. Hes give the likes of Envoi Allen and Shishkin a scare on a few occasions. That enough to show me itll be a proper race.

Would she beat Envoi or Shishkin ? I doubt it very much.

It comes across like I'm saying shes not a good horse. I'm not but what I am saying is that shes got alot to prove this season and she certainly isn't unbeatable.

[Lobos]

Where was this ^^^

On ITV racing. She didn't hurdle great early on in the Churdle but still didn't lose any ground. Her jumping today was glorious to watch.

[Lobos]

Won't be backing anything else in this now. Have singles on Epatante 9/2, Saint Roi 25's, Concertista 25's and Honeysuckle 16's. After today though, I don't see anything beating the reigning champion.

[Quevega]

Are you saying the likes of Sharjah and Darver Star are as good as Saint Roi, Abacadabras, and Goshen ?

She hasnt been avoiding anything but I think your forgetting what a poor race last years Champion Hurdle was.

The fact is ..... up to now she has literally beat nothing but average.

Abacadabras only would be her toughest test without anything else. Hes give the likes of Envoi Allen and Shishkin a scare on a few occasions. That enough to show me itll be a proper race.

Would she beat Envoi or Shishkin ? I doubt it very much.

It comes across like I'm saying shes not a good horse. I'm not but what I am saying is that shes got alot to prove this season and she certainly isn't unbeatable.

They (Sharjah & Darver Star) are currently better, rated higher and have achieved more than. Not just as good as.

Would she beat Envoi & Shishkin in a champion hurdle. I'd say yes.

She has far less to prove then the contenders to her throne.

This is always the case.

[opatcho]

Are you saying the likes of Sharjah and Darver Star are as good as Saint Roi, Abacadabras, and Goshen

If you want to play “who’s going to win the CH without the fav”, then let’s have a discussion

She hasnt been avoiding anything but I think your forgetting what a poor race last years Champion Hurdle was.

She’s beaten what she needs to beat WITH EASE

Would she beat Envoi or Shishkin ? I doubt it very much

She’d beat Envoi over 2 miles

She’d beat Shishkin over 2 miles

It comes across like I'm saying shes not a good horse. I'm not but what I am saying is that shes got alot to prove this season and she certainly isn't unbeatable

what are you saying?

Where are these horses that’s going to beat Epatante?

GB - seriously! She’s beaten them all. Sounds like you’re a Goshen fan. Happily take him on - terrible prep, doesn’t have the profile for me to win this

Irish - couldn’t win the supreme last year and all of their Ballymore hopefuls have gone chasing

Concertista is fast improving and Honeysuckle is a class mare, but I’d still have Epatante over these pair for the CH - instance decision

You can say the CH was weak last year, but just take a look at how easily she won it

[Kautothegreat8]

If you want to play “who’s going to win the CH without the fav”, then let’s have a discussion





She’s beaten what she needs to beat WITH EASE



She’d beat Envoi over 2 miles

She’d beat Shishkin over 2 miles




what are you saying?

Where are these horses that’s going to beat Epatante?

GB - seriously! She’s beaten them all. Sounds like you’re a Goshen fan. Happily take him on - terrible prep, doesn’t have the profile for me to win this

Irish - couldn’t win the supreme last year and all of their Ballymore hopefuls have gone chasing

Concertista is fast improving and Honeysuckle is a class mare, but I’d still have Epatante over these pair for the CH - instance decision

You can say the CH was weak last year, but just take a look at how easily she won it

Agree to disagree ...... I've seen these so called good things continually beat come the festival.

Clearly your very passionate about it but honestly ..... I can a pocket talking.

I backed her last year and today as literally she had trees to beat. I will repeat, she has beat nothing in her whole racing career. I've have money on her for march also but if you want me to list all the good things that has left people scratching they're head I can if you want.

To quote Ted Walsh ...... This is racing, not Disney Land

[Kautothegreat8]

As for Goshens poor prep ......... You know it's only November right ?

[Kevloaf]

I was fascinated by Ruby’s analysis of her Champion Hurdle run today, they showed how she didn’t hurdle well but made up the ground lost so quickly the untrained eye wouldn’t have noticed.
I was a serious ‘crabber’ of last seasons renewal but I’m happy admitting I was wrong about Epatante, she looks a serious mare and could easily be a very warm order come March...

That just highlights how untrained my eye is.

I picked up how slick she was over some of the hurdles. I actually thought that was a particular thing to note as a positive for her

[Kevloaf]

As for Goshens poor prep ......... You know it's only November right ?

Yeah, and his trainer decided his CH campaign would involve to runs on the flat over summer.


Brilliant - I can thing of zero horses that's worked for previously.




The problem you may have is that you've committed to Goshen at a worse price than he is currently?
You're now on the defensive, even though you like him and his price is getting 'better', you seem to be annoyed at that rather than glad and steaming in again?


Just back him, post up your diary and when you're right everyone will congratulate you.

[Craigy14]

That just highlights how untrained my eye is.

I picked up how slick she was over some of the hurdles. I actually thought that was a particular thing to note as a positive for her

I was the same Kev

To me if anything seeing it again, she stepped over a couple down the back when got close as opposed to jump, if that makes sense but as Ruby said she didn’t lose any momentum.

[Kautothegreat8]

Yeah, and his trainer decided his CH campaign would involve to runs on the flat over summer.


Brilliant - I can thing of zero horses that's worked for previously.




The problem you may have is that you've committed to Goshen at a worse price than he is currently?
You're now on the defensive, even though you like him and his price is getting 'better', you seem to be annoyed at that rather than glad and steaming in again?


Just back him, post up your diary and when you're right everyone will congratulate you.

Goshen went flat racing the early part of last season and was in the process of being the most impressive winner at the festival. Yet again selective memory.

As for me having a problem ..... dont really understand. My method has always been to bet in multiples and try and cover many angles doing so. It's a tried and proven method which I stick too for Cheltenham. So yes Goshens price has drifted but the other horses in these multiples have contracted so I'm still in a very good position.

I get the feeling the forum has an issue with not agreeing with the norm. I say what I see.... If that's not in line with the general consensus then I apologise for giving a different angle to the discussion.

All I'm saying in relation to the champion hurdle is....... It will be a much hotter contest this year and cutting Epetante to 6/4 for beating Sceau Royal is ludicrous. I mean, what was people expecting to happen yesterday ? Shes done what she was supposed to do.

Anyone thinking the competion in last years race was as good or better than the likes of Goshen, Abacadabras and Saint Roi are just deluded. These horses have untapped potential and any one of them could be special on the day. Could you have said that about any of the competion last year.

I've covered Goshen, Epetante and Abacadabras so I'm in a very strong position. I just dont understand the reaction to yesterday's race.