2024 Champion Bumper (A FLAT RACE)

[Quevega]

To survive, like most sports, the fans will want to see the best vs the best, as often as possible.
Outside of handicaps we rarely see big clashes during the normal season and now we also regularly get denied these at the festival.

The Mares programme has done its job and we now have more mares in training than previously.
The races and prizes would still be there to go for, and would add to the season overall. They'll not stop training mares if these races were no longer part of the festival.

But without doubt the festival would benefit from less dilution and seeing more of the best vs the best. They could even offer bonuses for the Mares who go on to the festival.

It's what racing is all about.
If we can't get this to happen at the Festival more often then the sport is shooting itself in the foot.

The season itself is already in decline, you only have to see the attendance for Newbury's "Super" Saturday - and that was actually a decent card by recent standards.

[nortonscoin200]

Deleted post I'm taking tripe again.

[Quevega]

Champion Bumper's starting to look easy to solve - Willie's just got the 11 left in now.

Entries are in a couple of weeks norton's.

[nortonscoin200]

Entries are in a couple of weeks norton's.

Apologies - deleted original post, talking rubbish as usual.

[robith]

Nina Carberry on the PP podcast making an interesting point that Cantico avoiding Dublin and Patrick picking Redemption Day shows that maybe Cantico is the best of those going, but overall they don't think highly of their crop

[Run4Home]

Nina Carberry on the PP podcast making an interesting point that Cantico avoiding Dublin and Patrick picking Redemption Day shows that maybe Cantico is the best of those going, but overall they don't think highly of their crop

Nina likely forgot Cantico hadn't won his debut bumper which is why he didn't go.

[darlojim]

Nina likely forgot Cantico hadn't won his debut bumper which is why he didn't go.

Heard much on Port Joulain Run4Home ?

Getting a little bit of attention due to his entry in that punchestown bumper previously won by Ballyburn and James' gate. I'd be interested to know who you think is Willies best bumper horse this season (bar Maughreen the machine)

[Birds Nest]

To survive, like most sports, the fans will want to see the best vs the best, as often as possible.
Outside of handicaps we rarely see big clashes during the normal season and now we also regularly get denied these at the festival.

The Mares programme has done its job and we now have more mares in training than previously.
The races and prizes would still be there to go for, and would add to the season overall. They'll not stop training mares if these races were no longer part of the festival.

But without doubt the festival would benefit from less dilution and seeing more of the best vs the best. They could even offer bonuses for the Mares who go on to the festival.

It's what racing is all about.
If we can't get this to happen at the Festival more often then the sport is shooting itself in the foot.

The season itself is already in decline, you only have to see the attendance for Newbury's "Super" Saturday - and that was actually a decent card by recent standards.

All your points are valid but maybe just for the short/mid -term but imo i think mares only at the festival are crucial to what can be achieved in 4/5/6 generation terms, brighterdays might well be competative in the supreme and yes lossie could well get placed in the champion but we should be aiming for something similar to what they have on the flat, theres no clamour to scrap the 1000 guineas or oaks , the plethora of fantastic fillies on the flat surely comes from decades of having these separate championship races and direct comparably blood lines, im no expert and this is only my opinion tho and i thoroughly respect yours and others too.

[Quevega]

All your points are valid but maybe just for the short/mid -term but imo i think mares only at the festival are crucial to what can be achieved in 4/5/6 generation terms, brighterdays might well be competative in the supreme and yes lossie could well get placed in the champion but we should be aiming for something similar to what they have on the flat, theres no clamour to scrap the 1000 guineas or oaks , the plethora of fantastic fillies on the flat surely comes from decades of having these separate championship races and direct comparably blood lines, im no expert and this is only my opinion tho and i thoroughly respect yours and others too.

Yeah, I'm not sure you've read other comments, but I would certainly not remove the mares races and program from the calendar, they are excellent races in their own right, I'm also not certain there's a clamour for novice mares competing against the boys either, but without doubt (IMO) having the mares hurdle and chase 6 weeks before the festival would be to the benefit of the sport.

As regards the flat, they tend to run against each other (at least the very best) towards the end of the flat season anyway, so the program is not as flawed.

[NeptuneByANose]

Not sure if it has been posted yet, but it looks like Cantico got a 127 RPR for his win the other day.

[That Horse]

Anyway, Miniskirts are back in fashion so I hope the suns out for the festival

You'll look lovely

[Quevega]

You'll look lovely

Yes I would, as long as I'm not having a bout of the piles.

[Run4Home]

Heard much on Port Joulain Run4Home ?

Getting a little bit of attention due to his entry in that punchestown bumper previously won by Ballyburn and James' gate. I'd be interested to know who you think is Willies best bumper horse this season (bar Maughreen the machine)

No heard nothing on that mate.

What they thought was the best and working the best pre debut has just turned out to still be a bit raw and immature so may be a next year horse now but def. to keep onside, easy to work out who.

Only personally speaking the DRF form is the best on show for me and off a lay off (and the best trial), Jasmin could be very nice but has beaten a load of rubbish and you want them tested pre Chelt (similar to its for me last season was the hype horse after one run)

There'll be a few sessions which will sort out the order soon & who goes but they have a fair idea who the ride would be right now but maybe one twist to come....

[Exar Essay]

No heard nothing on that mate.

What they thought was the best and working the best pre debut has just turned out to still be a bit raw and immature so may be a next year horse now but def. to keep onside, easy to work out who.

Only personally speaking the DRF form is the best on show for me and off a lay off (and the best trial), Jasmin could be very nice but has beaten a load of rubbish and you want them tested pre Chelt (similar to its for me last season was the hype horse after one run)

There'll be a few sessions which will sort out the order soon & who goes but they have a fair idea who the ride would be right now but maybe one twist to come....

Invaluable stuff as ever mate. Thank you. Do you know if we’ll see Quantum Boy this year at all?

[HoldenTheReins]

No heard nothing on that mate.

What they thought was the best and working the best pre debut has just turned out to still be a bit raw and immature so may be a next year horse now but def. to keep onside, easy to work out who.

Only personally speaking the DRF form is the best on show for me and off a lay off (and the best trial), Jasmin could be very nice but has beaten a load of rubbish and you want them tested pre Chelt (similar to its for me last season was the hype horse after one run)

There'll be a few sessions which will sort out the order soon & who goes but they have a fair idea who the ride would be right now but maybe one twist to come....

Anyone else sitting here and thinking it's not obvious?

I recall Dineen saying he heard their best bumper is by Diamond Boy. So Cantico maybe?