2024 Champion Hurdle (Previously Constitution Hill thread)

[darlojim]

I suspect your gut will be right this time. I think Michael Buckley has a sense of adventure which will overrule Henderson’s natural cautious approach, assuming he can actually jump a fence. By ‘he’ I mean Constitution Hill not Henderson nor Buckley. I doubt very much if they can.

Very much doubt it at this stage if Hendo has come out and said publicly he's edging towards Champ hdle.

Buckley will be happy to go with what the boss says.

[Cheltenham Novice Chase]

Very much doubt it at this stage if Hendo has come out and said publicly he's edging towards Champ hdle.

Buckley will be happy to go with what the boss says.

What makes up think trainer trumps owner?

I guess the reason I ask is, I doubt very much Henderson would give an exclusive scoop to a random person. I suspect it was a throw away comment.

[darlojim]

What makes up think trainer trumps owner?

I guess the reason I ask is, I doubt very much Henderson would give an exclusive scoop to a random person. I suspect it was a throw away comment.

It would be a very bold (and probably unwise) statement for Buckley to go against what Nicky Henderson has advised.

I can't imagine many owners in the NH racing world have power on decisions over trainers - especially trainers of Hendo's level.

[Cheltenham Novice Chase]

It would be a very bold (and probably unwise) statement for Buckley to go against what Nicky Henderson has advised.

I can't imagine many owners in the NH racing world have power on decisions over trainers - especially trainers of Hendo's level.

Yes, but has he really advised that or was it a throw away comment to batt away the question? I suspect the latter.

[darlojim]

Yes, but has he really advised that or was it a throw away comment to batt away the question? I suspect the latter.

Potentially, but if Buckley was just to sit back and let the trainer decide his campaign, there's no doubt in my mind the decision would even be thought about twice.

Hendo has already said Champ Hdles are super important to him, and I agree with FM, he will be LONG LONG odds on to stay hurdling as of now.

Be interesting to see if PP would price it up again.

[Lobos]

Still all guess work guys. We won't know a thing until September when he pings all of his schooling fences and leaves everyone gasping!

[Cheltenham Novice Chase]

Potentially, but if Buckley was just to sit back and let the trainer decide his campaign, there's no doubt in my mind the decision would even be thought about twice.

Hendo has already said Champ Hdles are super important to him, and I agree with FM, he will be LONG LONG odds on to stay hurdling as of now.

Be interesting to see if PP would price it up again.

I thought the last real quote we had was along the lines of “we’ll do some schooling over fences with him and the make a decision”. Why bother schooling him over fences if it’s already been decided he’ll stay over hurdles?

[Lobos]

I thought the last real quote we had was along the lines of “we’ll do some schooling over fences with him and the make a decision”. Why bother schooling him over fences if it’s already been decided he’ll stay over hurdles?

Absolutely. If he looks a natural then everything opens up to the horse. Henderson has previously said that he'll have no trouble going out to 3 miles as well so he has options galore. I fully believe both owner and trainer would love him to go over fences but, if he doesn't school well then he can just win the next couple of Champion Hurdles instead. Win/Win situation.

[Kautostar]

Bit of a move for marine nationale in the Arkle today, anybody tipped him up?

[Stormez]

Bit of a move for marine nationale in the Arkle today, anybody tipped him up?

Bumble is filling his boots

[Lobos]

Now that CH looks to be staying over hurdles, it will likely push MN over fences. A nice related double at 13.5/1.

Has anything been said then re CH staying over hurdles FM ?

[Lobos]

Think this is very latest statement (May 25th)....


"We will school him over fences," the Lambourn trainer said. "It was always the plan and we will, but people must appreciate we can't do that for a few months now. We might get some rain in September and then go and jump five fences and see what he tells us, but there's no point switching him to fences unless we think he can stay, and I do mean three miles.
"That was the thing, about matching Dawn Run. Some horses can go from two miles to three miles and I've no doubt he could because his racing brain is so good. It is possible, but I'm making no promises and Nico, Michael and I haven't discussed it.

"I remember when we sent Altior and Buveur D'Air over fences and soon realised it wasn't very clever as Altior was brilliant and a fantastic chaser, but Buveur's technique was more of a hurdler and he went on to win two Champion Hurdles. We got that decision right and it made sense to split them up. Jonbon has gone through his novice chase stage, so there's an opportunity for a top-class novice chaser at Seven Barrows if we want one, but have I got another Champion Hurdle horse? Possibly not."

[Leman14]

Yes, but has he really advised that or was it a throw away comment to batt away the question? I suspect the latter.

Agreed,
It is much easier (and less newsworthy) to give a stock - "he's likely to stay over hurdles" answer.

I won't imagine that I decision will be made until he is back from his summer break and is schooled

[Lobos]

Agreed,
It is much easier (and less newsworthy) to give a stock - "he's likely to stay over hurdles" answer.

I won't imagine that I decision will be made until he is back from his summer break and is schooled

But he's not said 'hes likely to stay over hurdles' has he ?

Think the owner is very much wanting him to emulate Dawn Run so if he schools well then it'll be all systems go for Chasing. I'd imagine Nicky will be more than happy to try and win a GC with him as that would really crown a glittering training career. At his age he's very unlikely to have another that could do the double so he'll not be bothered one bit not having a Champion Hurdle horse next year. You never know, JP might just buy him one !

[The Fellow]

Bit of a move for marine nationale in the Arkle today, anybody tipped him up?

i mailed Barry to see if they were schooling and general well being , i got a reply which as usual was short and to the point

Hi John,

All is good with both horses, both enjoying their holidays at our place.

Looking forward to next season

Regards

Barry

so it seems they are still on their hols and both doing well , it would suggest they are still trotting about a field not doing anything which might move MN's price, will just be guessers reading the Mail or a tipster somewhere as suggested ,