Champion Hurdle 2021

[Cheltenham Novice Chase]

Hills went 20s after the race for Abacadabras which is far too big ive gone in again on him. Today clearly was no reflection on his ability, also reported to have scoped badly, I haven't given up on him yet. My biggest winner on the race would be saldier, I just don't know what to make of it. The jockey bookings puzzle me, why wasn't townend on Saint roi? Its as if they had a plan, but I have no idea what that plan was, or if it worked

Confirmed
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Abacadabras (FR) trained by Gordon Elliott was found to have mucus in his trachea post race.

[callhimgamblor]

Abracadabras didn't go so well up the hill after the race was gifted to him by Goshen falling IIRC. Goshen at 20/1 (bet365) is ridiculous.....

[Kevloaf]

Abracadabras didn't go so well up the hill after the race was gifted to him by Goshen falling IIRC. Goshen at 20/1 (bet365) is ridiculous.....

I don't think you do remember correctly, as they weren't in the same race.

[archie]

Confirmed
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Abacadabras (FR) trained by Gordon Elliott was found to have mucus in his trachea post race.

You'll find mucus in the trachea for most horses post race. It means nothing until they get them back to the stable and go through a more rigorous routine.

[jono]

Could be quite a bit of pressure on Aiden Coleman on Epatante in this race? Given she was turned over at 1/5F last time out and she goes straight to the festival.
I'm sure ideally he'd of liked another sit on her.

With no designated UK jockey for JP, a bad season, could limit future opportunities for his high profile stars, with Aiden having somewhat of a trial on Epatante.
We know from Paisley Park that he is self critical, and it would be more than understandable for him to feel a bit of pressure going into the race. It could well be his first ride of the festival too.

She's a pretty straightforward ride luckily so hopefully not an issue. But if he met some trouble in running, it could be a factor.

[Quevega]

Confirmed
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Abacadabras (FR) trained by Gordon Elliott was found to have mucus in his trachea post race.

It'll be Sharjah's mucus, after he spat him out.

The problem for Abacadabra's fans is that Aspire Tower looks a better horse than him, and it would also have been better for his formline, had Saint Roi got closer too.
The form (or lack of it) of the early season efforts tell you that he's very much up against it.

The Cheltenham course and strong pace theory is all you can hinge on now.

[archie]

They should try him on Iams rather than Winalot.

[Faugheen_Machine]

The Cheltenham course and strong pace theory is all you can hinge on now.

I'm hanging a lot on that theory and kicking myself for not taking the 20/1 when it was available yesterday.

Hardy Eustace struggled in his first season in open company and then sprung a surprise at Cheltenham in the Champion. Aba isn't going to get optimal conditions until March, just need GE to get him there in tip top condition.

He wouldn't be a bad dog to own Archie

[Quevega]

I'm hanging a lot on that theory and kicking myself for not taking the 20/1 when it was available yesterday.

Hardy Eustace struggled in his first season in open company and then sprung a surprise at Cheltenham in the Champion. Aba isn't going to get optimal conditions until March, just need GE to get him there in tip top condition.

He wouldn't be a bad dog to own Archie

Not happy with the Hardy Eustace comparison.
He would have ran till his heart burst.

I wouldn't kick yourself too much, assuming Gordon turns him out at Dublin, he'll get walloped again.
25-1 may be available.
Even I'd back the old dog at that price.

[TigerRolllllll]

Could be quite a bit of pressure on Aiden Coleman on Epatante in this race? Given she was turned over at 1/5F last time out and she goes straight to the festival.
I'm sure ideally he'd of liked another sit on her.

With no designated UK jockey for JP, a bad season, could limit future opportunities for his high profile stars, with Aiden having somewhat of a trial on Epatante.
We know from Paisley Park that he is self critical, and it would be more than understandable for him to feel a bit of pressure going into the race. It could well be his first ride of the festival too.

She's a pretty straightforward ride luckily so hopefully not an issue. But if he met some trouble in running, it could be a factor.

Interesting who would we choose to ride?.....think I would prefer Nico, not least all big race experience

[Kevloaf]

Interesting who would we choose to ride?.....think I would prefer Nico, not least all big race experience

I wonder if they'd make sure he had a ride in the Supreme on an also-ran just so it isn't his first ride?

I don't think it'd put me off her if it was his first ride of the week to be honest but it's an interesting angle.

[Middle_Of_March]

The issue I have with Goshen (still) is we're having to still go back to March to warrant his chances. It's festival form so has to be marked up but he's had 3 runs where he has shown nothing of note. As much as you can dismiss the flat runs he still showed no glimpse of promise there for me. He looks a completely different horse. And we have this with Juveniles the subsequent year where the level of progression varies so often. It's the reason i'm not drawing too many lines between Goshen and what Aspire Tower has been doing. The rate of progression / regression for the 4 year olds can be wild with a summer gone and halfway through the following season. I've also seen mentions of Allmankind boosting the form though i'd be more inclined to use his seasonal debut defeat at Cheltenham and being beaten by Botox Has by 7L as more of a significant sign of the form, not what has happened with a switch to fences.

But at 25's and how the market has been going...nothing would surprise me..
And this sums the race up perfectly so



Add in 2 high class mares who could line up in the Irish champion hurdle just to muddy the waters and potentially make the race even more complex.

I think this is spot on. I said the same thing after his second run on the flat that he just seems to be a completely different horse. Whether the Moore’s have managed to mess him up abit, or he’s carrying an injury not yet known, or that he bottomed himself out up the hill in the Triumph, I’m really not sure.

But there is definitely something up with Goshen. The Goshen of the triumph hurdle is history. The Goshen we have to judge him by right now is the one we’ve seen 3 times in as many months that has been poor in all of those appearances.

[FinalFurlong91]

Could be quite a bit of pressure on Aiden Coleman on Epatante in this race? Given she was turned over at 1/5F last time out and she goes straight to the festival.
I'm sure ideally he'd of liked another sit on her.

With no designated UK jockey for JP, a bad season, could limit future opportunities for his high profile stars, with Aiden having somewhat of a trial on Epatante.
We know from Paisley Park that he is self critical, and it would be more than understandable for him to feel a bit of pressure going into the race. It could well be his first ride of the festival too.

She's a pretty straightforward ride luckily so hopefully not an issue. But if he met some trouble in running, it could be a factor.

Shed didnt get beat because of jockey error so cant see why he'd lose the ride

[jono]

Interesting who would we choose to ride?.....think I would prefer Nico, not least all big race experience

No issue with Coleman. He did have to wait a long time for a festival win but now has a couple with Paisley Park and Put the Kettle On.
He's more than capable as he's proved on those horses and Epatante herself.

Nico would have made sense as well, obviously. I wonder if he is being lined up for the Buveur D'Air ride if he gets back?

In almost all cases I wouldn't let a jockey booking put me off a horse and stop me backing.
They will all have their good and bad moments. Take her jockey last season, Geraghty - widely slated for many a ride for a few years and funnily enough saw similar defeats with Buveur D'Air, both in style (Newcastle) and Kempton. Yet pulled it out the bag last season and went out back at the very top.

Shed didnt get beat because of jockey error so cant see why he'd lose the ride

Certainly don't think he loses the ride for this years CH. It's a given.
And he's been riding for JP for years, so whatever happens I don't think the relationship would stop full stop. JP doesn't come across that way?
As a jockey you want to be going into the festival with a ride on the best horses, so i'm sure he'll relish it. Just not ideal coming off the back of a 1/5Fav defeat on one of these horses, when your opportunities are arguably limited imo.

[Rhinestone_Cowboy]

I'm hanging a lot on that theory and kicking myself for not taking the 20/1 when it was available yesterday.

Hardy Eustace struggled in his first season in open company and then sprung a surprise at Cheltenham in the Champion. Aba isn't going to get optimal conditions until March, just need GE to get him there in tip top condition.

He wouldn't be a bad dog to own Archie

I still think Aba could be a big player in this. I’ve cashed but am open to going back in again if the right noises are coming out. Will be interesting to see what happens with his price in the lead up to the CH, as he was properly smashed up for the Supreme in the lead up. I wouldn’t be surprised if he head’s straight there now. I’ve always thought with his running style he would be a much better each way play than a win proposition but the price dictated otherwise until now. Like you though I would really want 20/1 which isn’t available again yet but will be keeping an eye on.