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Nicky Henderson has not ruled out the possibility of his unbeaten superstar Constitution Hill switching to fences next season. The Michael... Read More
At least we know it'll be the Arkle or the Champion Chase next season or back to the Champion Hurdle. Clearly the Turners or BANC haven't even entered Hendos head.
At least we know it'll be the Arkle or the Champion Chase next season or back to the Champion Hurdle. Clearly the Turners or BANC haven't even entered Hendos head.
I took it that his statement (Arkle and QMCC not or) made a novice campaign nailed on if he went over fences next season. QMCC or Gold Cup for the following season.
I took it that his statement (Arkle and QMCC not or) made a novice campaign nailed on if he went over fences next season. QMCC or Gold Cup for the following season.
Was there any video clips of the discussion or just the sporting life transcript?
Hard to read it exactly without tone if you get me
Lot of water to go under the bridge between now and next March, while it's nice that Henderson is being open about his ideas for the horses path next season Buckley will have his own ideas,where he'll end up lies between the two exchanging thoughts & how CH fences prior to beginning his novice chase campaign.
I took it that his statement (Arkle and QMCC not or) made a novice campaign nailed on if he went over fences next season. QMCC or Gold Cup for the following season.
Possibly but I'd think they'd go CC next season if they felt he was good enough and that the opposition didn't look up to scratch and then GC as an 8yo if they felt he could stay. It's the prime age to do so. I'd still say Arkle was fav next year but we won't know for sure until after the Game Spirit in February.
Possibly but I'd think they'd go CC next season if they felt he was good enough and that the opposition didn't look up to scratch and then GC as an 8yo if they felt he could stay. It's the prime age to do so. I'd still say Arkle was fav next year but we won't know for sure until after the Game Spirit in February.
That was my initial thinking too but the other alternative is Arkle at the Festival followed by 2m 4f or 3m Chase at Aintree to see if he could stay the Gold Cup trip.
Is it too early to be backing every 200/1 shot for a place in the Arkle?
Id rather see him go for another CH than an Arkle tbh.
Ah stop. If he's as good as advertised and from what we've seen he could be competitive in a CH when he's 10 or 11 after a long chasing career.
Chasers make this game what it is, end of story. If that means baby steps to get through novice chasing then so be it.
The straight to open company doesn't bode well long term for horse's health and ability too. He's still a young horse when you consider the ages of some of the Supreme horses that ran this year.
Even at this early stage I'd be amazed if they went straight to the QMCC with him. Nicky is extremely cautious by nature so throwing him into open company when he doesn't have to would be more than a little uncharacteristic IMO. The 'risk' or 'leap' would be going chasing. They're not going to double down and go chasing and then go into the deepest water there is. Nicky loves an Arkle plan with his best novice so if they go chasing I think thats what they'll do and he'll make it known relatively early on in the season. He's already 7/4. I don't know whether to add 'ffs' or 'fair play', he's just that talented. Who has the bollocks to roll that one up then?
Ah stop. If he's as good as advertised and from what we've seen he could be competitive in a CH when he's 10 or 11 after a long chasing career.
Chasers make this game what it is, end of story. If that means baby steps to get through novice chasing then so be it.
The straight to open company doesn't bode well long term for horse's health and ability too. He's still a young horse when you consider the ages of some of the Supreme horses that ran this year.
I get all that, but realistically this route gives him 1 crack at a GC if that's the ultimate aim assuming he doesn't go straight there after next season, which would be an even bigger leap. If he's as good as advertised he can win a CC next season and it gives a real chance of doing something that may never be repeated. Every extra season is one more you're throwing the dice at staying fit in.
I'm not sure taking on 10yo Energumene or El Fabiolo would be any harder than taking on next years Arkle crop. It could be that one or both of those mentioned may not even make the Fez. There were calls for both Sprinter and Altior to go CC after their Open Company Game Spirit wins but they resisted. Maybe they will be tempted this time around. I think it'll go right to the wire.
Even at this early stage I'd be amazed if they went straight to the QMCC with him. Nicky is extremely cautious by nature so throwing him into open company when he doesn't have to would be more than a little uncharacteristic IMO. The 'risk' or 'leap' would be going chasing.
I'd echo this.
I'm convinced if the horse was owned by almost anyone else in the game he'd be lined up at getting as many CH wins as possible.
It goes against my position on him for this season but fair play if they do go over fences, which seems more and more likely.
I would say though that now is the time that they can be bullish. We know he will school over fences, so all options as of now are open.
When it's a little further down the line, when the decisions really have to be made, connections (and Nicky in particular understandably in fairness to him) may not be quite so open to all avenues.
But if he does go the seemingly likelier route of chasing. I see little chance of him running outside of the Arkle.
All along the talk from the owner has been about emulating Dawn Run, and winning a Gold Cup.
Not reaching and surpassing Night Nurse's record hurdles rating.
Not Champion Chases.
Make no mistake, no one would not want those things.
And if they could get the along the way, of course they would.
But if the Gold Cup is 'end goal' then a novice chasing campaign culminating with the Arkle as a 7 year old.
With a natural stepping stone up to 3 miles (Aintree > KG etc) from there onto the Gold Cup as an 8 year old.
Michael Buckley sells and persuades Nicky to go chasing...
That's the route Nicky then sells and persuades him for his best chance of achieving that plan.
A season easing him into chasing, within novice company.
And then tackling the Gold Cup at the absolute peak age for his best chance.
A win for all involved (if all goes to plan)
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