Champion Hurdle 2021

[Quevega]

Nothing wrong with Coleman, although when you're on the best horse and know you have plenty left, you should really take it up before the last at Newcastle especially.
Unless you're on a quirky one, you should really always at the very least be jumping the last upsides.

But I cannot recall many bad rides from Aiden TBH, and yesterdays wasn't bad, just a small criticism.

[kinloch brae]

Would there be any chance that Nico Would get a ride on Epatante in the CH?

I know Coleman’s rode her twice but Nicky did say earlier in the week that Aiden would be riding Epatante in the fighting fifth because Nico had 4 rides here at Newbury.

Not much more than zero, JP likes Coleman. Read into that what you want.

I wrote elsewhere that I thought De Bonville was horrendous on Marie's Rock yesterday.

[kinloch brae]

How would you rate his ride on Epatante out of 10?

In terms of being cocky it was a clear 10. Nobody in the weighing room should have got it beat.

More worried with the interview when he said how much he enjoys riding like that. I get the impression that he is one of those jocks who enjoys pissing punters off.

He has had an awful season. Is it pure coincidence that Murphy has fallen over a cliff since Coleman took the job?

[Quevega]

Not much more than zero, JP likes Coleman. Read into that what you want.

I wrote elsewhere that I thought De Bonville was horrendous on Marie's Rock yesterday.

I'm less keen on the Posh lad, especially on hurdlers.
Tends to be more of a passenger (that's a gentle criticism only as he's more than capable)
I just don't see him as able to really get a horse by the neck and get it home first when it's not the best horse.

Shishkin supreme was a good ride though as he allowed the horse to get rolling again and timed his run after meeting trouble to perfection.
Although I think Shishkin may have outbattled a blouse that day. A nice chiffon, sequined blouse, but a blouse all the same.

[Middle_Of_March]

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

Technically that’s an opinion..not a fact

[Kautothegreat8]

Technically that’s an opinion..not a fact

So you think anything shes beat is top class ? Last years champion hurdle was a shocker and she beat Sceau Royal yesterday.

All of this chat is purely on visuals, which is fine but the competion shes encountered upto now has quite simply been poor.

She could be anything but again this is all on visual beatings to horses that aren't good enough to win a champion hurdle.

[Quevega]

So you think anything shes beat is top class ? Last years champion hurdle was a shocker and she beat Sceau Royal yesterday.

All of this chat is purely on visuals, which is fine but the competion shes encountered upto now has quite simply been poor.

She could be anything but again this is all on visual beatings to horses that aren't good enough to win a champion hurdle.

It's not a golden era for champion hurdlers for sure. I agree with you on that.

But she looks clear of them all.

What you keep suggesting though is that the new brigade are almost definitely going to present a stronger challenge to her.
This may prove correct, but aside from Goshen the others have had a chance this season and have not really improved a great deal in two attempts.

There is a decent chance that they don't prove good enough.

You seem convinced that they will.

The market/consensus is not convinced.

You're going to need to be a 170+ performer to get near her, and they haven't topped 160 yet. Just like the rest of the shit she beat last season.

[Kautothegreat8]

It's not a golden era for champion hurdlers for sure. I agree with you on that.

But she looks clear of them all.

What you keep suggesting though is that the new brigade are almost definitely going to present a stronger challenge to her.
This may prove correct, but aside from Goshen the others have had a chance this season and have not really improved a great deal in two attempts.

There is a decent chance that they don't prove good enough.

You seem convinced that they will.

The market/consensus is not convinced.

You're going to need to be a 170+ performer to get near her, and they haven't topped 160 yet. Just like the rest of the shit she beat last season.

It's true that last season's novices haven't covered themselves in glory so far. Goshen hasnt had his chance yet so we'll have to wait and see on that one. Abacadabras has strong form with the likes of Envoi Allen and shishkin last term. Both I would expect to beat Epetante in a champion hurdle so that's good enough for me to think itll be her toughest test to date in march.

[Istabraq]

aside from Goshen the others have had a chance this season and have not really improved a great deal in two attempts.
.

I know there’s long term health to prove but I still believe Saldier will enter the discussion...

[Spectre]

Yes, he's the wildcard Istabraq. I want to see him out soon though. That's two engagements he's now missed this season.

I couldn't agree more with Kev's position on the race though. Whilst I think Saint Roi and Abacadabras are the most likely serious opposition to Epatante on what we've seen so far, they haven't yet produced a performance within a stone of what'll be required. They can still improve, but they'll have to markedly.

Goshen has the most to prove of all though. He's been handled really badly if they think he's a serious Champion Hurdle contender. His flat runs showed no progression, and he also has missed engagements. He'll likely run in the Grade 2 at Cheltenham a week on Saturday, but he won't face anything of Champion Hurdle quality so he'll either need to produce a Triumph type performance or one where he hurdles slickly and smoothly accelerates at the business end like Epatante did at Newacstle.

At this stage Epatante is the clear favourite on merit, and it's pretty hard to take a firm position against her, other that to back each way for the places or if something unfortunate happens.

[charlie]

I know there's long term health to prove but I still believe Saldier will enter the discussion...

Here's hoping. I'd love some type of news or statement regarding his overall health/wellbeing, because I don't doubt his ability.

He's currently 14/1 for the Matheson Hurdle with Saint Roi at 7/4. If there was news he was fit and well I would be wading into that type of price about him all day long, but he's entered and pulled far too often for me to even consider it.

[Craigy14]

Here's hoping. I'd love some type of news or statement regarding his overall health/wellbeing, because I don't doubt his ability.

He's currently 14/1 for the Matheson Hurdle with Saint Roi at 7/4. If there was news he was fit and well I would be wading into that type of price about him all day long, but he's entered and pulled far too often for me to even consider it.

Just a thought but do you not think WPM may split Saint Roi and Saldiers runs?

Possibly one will run in the Matheson and the other the Irish Champion. 3 runs then the big one for Saint Roi seems fine. Also the idea I had of Saldier maybe just being given one run then the big one.

[Diamond Geezer]

Hold all Epatante bets in the CH

[charlie]

Someone somewhere must be off their tits to post that

[charlie]

Just a thought but do you not think WPM may split Saint Roi and Saldiers runs?

Possibly one will run in the Matheson and the other the Irish Champion. 3 runs then the big one for Saint Roi seems fine. Also the idea I had of Saldier maybe just being given one run then the big one.

If he had more time then perhaps but I think he'd be happy under current circumstances running them against one another as he has with plenty of his before.