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No, I’m suggesting it is either Arkle or Champion Hurdle - definitely not Champion Chase. Still think Arkle is favourite despite Henderson comments today.
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Now that his season is over, does anyone else feel a bit underwhelmed?
I appreciate he’s cantered over everything in all his races, but for a horse who at the start of the season was being touted as potentially the greatest ever hurdler I think I was expecting more.
Has he progressed from last season? Am I right in thinking that according to Timeform his best performance is still his Supreme victory?
Or am I being harsh & it’s just because he’s not really been asked to extend & put up a massive number? So why not, if it’s within reach surely you’d want to set a new benchmark? But even if that’s the case, his ability to do that is still only theoretical.
Dunno, I probably am nit picking, but it’s just something that’s been nagging at me.Comment
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I think he's not underwhelmed as he's in no way showed any weakness or that he doesn't have that superstar quality. the issue has been nothing has come close to pushing him so we can see what he can do. if you are the owner trainer this year is just a stepping stone and hopefully his legacy is being able to do what we've never seen done before.Originally posted by Stormez View Post
I just hope we see some quality opposition next yearComment
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Nope, State Man was worthy opposition and CH made him look like nothing. Today was a bit underwhelming in isolation but it was a safety first sort of ride over a new trip.Originally posted by Stormez View PostComment
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I am no judge but Barry and Nico have both said enough to say they think he might be better over a fence. Mick Fitz more or less saiid they will give it a go today and revert ala Buveur Dair if it doesn’t work out, I’d have a bigger doubt about him staying gold cup in 2025 after today but everything else possibleComment
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He looks tailor made for a RyanairComment
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Have only just watched today's racing back and was slightly underwhelmed by Constitution Hill. He won the race very easy though and maybe it's just him meeting and beating the same opposition again and again that's turning me off ? Hopefully connections feel the same and next year go for a new challenge and go chasing. He certainly jumped a few like a chaser today and he's very, very clever at his obstacles which makes me think he'll have no problems at all over a fence. He certainly stayed the 2 1/2 miles comfortably especially leading all the way which has always been difficult around Aintree.Comment
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Yes, I agree.Originally posted by Stormez View Post
You hope that when superstars run in championship races, they will not just win but will put up stellar performances that we will be talking about for years to come. Underwhelmed is the right word for jogging round and doing just enough.
Hopefully novice chasing next season will reignite excitement in CH. Sorry Nicky but if this was to be his last race over hurdles, this wasn't the way many wanted him to bow out.
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Stormez
My take away from his season is that the rating given to him for the CH is an absolute shambles
Stateman absolutely ran up to his mark - in fact through Vauban he's given a career best - the distance and manner of victory was a 180+ performance imo and the handicappers have bottled it.
He has beaten the Irish Champion Hurdler (crowned after beating the Cheltenham Festival dual Champion Hurdler by 4+ lengths) by 9 lengths on the bridal, and they've decided that his supreme victory is better than that? Shambles in my opinion.
After that though, todays race is a formality and when ridden to just win it's frankly not exciting to watch imo. Everyone(TV) can hype it up, but beating Sharjah 4 lengths doesn't get the heart rate going.
Unless someone blows us away next year I don't see any of his races being exciting until (if) he goes into open company for chases. He is a generational horse but will be running in a transition period outside of 3m chasersComment
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Agree with You A.V . , No need to do anything stupid , just go and win the race .Originally posted by Atlantic Viking View Post
Only thing i would be concerned about , is he took off early at a few.
Obviously will be schooled for fences , but would be worried if he does that over fences .
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All this talk of being underwhelmed/disappointed with Constitution Hill this week, is it not because the horse is so exciting that you are anticipating a blow away display every time he runs ?
Frankel battled this his entire career, demolishes a Guinneas field then the expectation is to win every race 6 lengths.
Constitution Hill has just won his 6th G1 by a pretty much effortless 3 lengths, I don't blame Nico for not asking the horse for maximum effort, he's there to win races not to satisfy expectations of fans, wind down, enjoy a few weeks in the field then come back for whatever challenges next season brings.
I can't be disappointed in any way with his win on Thursday if I'm honest...
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Last horse I see booted into a long distance win when it wasn't required was A Plus Tard in last seasons Gold Cup,sometimes doing something to make spectators go wow can leave its mark the following season, I think Nico has done everything right on CH this season, won everything without putting a foot wrong and has left plenty in the tank for next season.Comment
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If connections confirmed today that the Champion Chase is his target next season would he go favourite over both Energumene and El Fabiolo??
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