2023 Champion Hurdle

[Craigy14]

Maybe he is seriously thinking of a tilt for the British Championship given his ammunition.

Capodanno Ladbrokes
Allaho King George
Vauban Aintree Hurdle

Just some of the snippets he’s mentioned and let’s not forget Energumene or even Gentleman De Mee coming over for the top 2m races.

Regarding the champion hurdle and Vauban, I’ve watched the triumph quite a few times and the more I watch I think he could be a tool. The way he travels into the race, albeit doesn’t jump the last very well, but soon as PT gives him a nudge he’s gone and it’s hand and heels while winning by a comfy distance. Pied Piper gave the form a nice boost as well last weekend. The jump into open company is always hard but when you think he’ll only be a year younger than Constitution Hill and has run twice as many races albeit 4 on the flat in France.

Add in Honeysuckle as well who’ll be no pushover, agree with WPM she is a cracking price in comparison to Constitution Hill but just too short for most of us at this time. It’s shaping up to be a cracker and just hope we get at least 3 of the top 4 in the market competing!

[Hurricane fly]

Pied Piper beat other 4 year olds so I'd be wary of considering it a boost with regards to open company chances

[Craigy14]

Pied Piper beat other 4 year olds so I'd be wary of considering it a boost with regards to open company chances

Aye agree with that, it’s a boost anyway. If PP was beat you can guarantee the form would be questioned.

[RoadToCheltenham]

Probably worth chucking this in here too given it's the big 2m race in Ireland next month.

11 early entries for the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown:

Jesse Evans
Pied Piper
Saint Roi
Saldier
Sharjah
Sir Gerhard
State Man
Teahupoo
Vauban
Zanahiyr
Echoes In Rain

[fatherjohn]

Probably worth chucking this in here too given it's the big 2m race in Ireland next month.

11 early entries for the Grade 1 Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown:

Jesse Evans
Pied Piper
Saint Roi
Saldier
Sharjah
Sir Gerhard
State Man
Teahupoo
Vauban
Zanahiyr
Echoes In Rain

you'd imagine most of then run as it will tell, in particular mullins, a fair bit about his pecking order and plan for season. its a fascinating race of contenders to the crown

[Benjy23]

I'd be amazed if more than half of those turned up.

[Quevega]

I’d guess at 5
3 willies.

[Lobos]

I’d guess at 5
3 willies.

Are we having a sweep stake ?

[Saxon Warrior]

I’d guess at 5
3 willies.

Pied Piper and 4 of Mullins

[Lobos]

Pied Piper and 4 of Mullins

Which 4 would you be thinking Sax?

[Hurricane fly]

you'd imagine most of then run as it will tell, in particular mullins, a fair bit about his pecking order and plan for season. its a fascinating race of contenders to the crown

Recent fields have been 4,5,5,3

Any E/W early prices before Decs could be fruitful

[Johnoman66]

Would be an end to Sir Gerhard chasing bets I presume if he's declared

[Saxon Warrior]

Which 4 would you be thinking Sax?

Talk of Vauban going there after the Fishery Lane.

One of State Man and Sir G - maybe both if they want to know whose the best hurdler and who could go Novice Chasing at Christmas

Willie said he'd probably start Sharjah back here, on the way to his bid to win the Matheson 4x in a row at Christmas.

Best to know in November if your new open hurdlers are going to be competitive in
in the Grade 1s.

Then there's Saldier and Echoes who have the right to run in the 2M Grade 1 too.

Willie does block book this race the Hattons Grace and the John Durkan.
He's not afraid to run everything that's ready to race, in a pre-Christmas Group 1.

I think a block booking on decs day for the Morgiana is more likely than sending one to the Fighting Fifth or the International Hurdle.

[Lobos]

Hope for everyone's sake, including the horse, that Sir Gerhard goes Chasing. I really don't see any sense in him playing for 3rd at best at his age. He deserves better. Think he'd go very close in whatever Novice chase he'd go for. Hopefully they'll school him and he's a natural. Vauban can win the Churdle in 2024 when Honey is retired and CH starts his Chasing career and Gold Cup quest. Stateman might be Willie's main Churdle hope this season imo. All up in the air though ATM.

[That Horse]

Hope for everyone's sake, including the horse, that Sir Gerhard goes Chasing. I really don't see any sense in him playing for 3rd at best at his age. He deserves better. Think he'd go very close in whatever Novice chase he'd go for. Hopefully they'll school him and he's a natural. Vauban can win the Churdle in 2024 when Honey is retired and CH starts his Chasing career and Gold Cup quest. Stateman might be Willie's main Churdle hope this season imo. All up in the air though ATM.

Maybe it's harsh of me to say Willie avoided Constitution Hill by sending Sir Gerhard to the Ballymore last Cheltenham but if he did, then it defies logic to put him in same race this year, unless he's shown he can't jump a fence in private.

I haven't got Sir Gerhard in anything yet, been trying to TWAR him in roll ups and have failed miserably so far.