2025 Champion Hurdle

[DenmanSacre]

Completely agree. I was slightly disappointed with the performance in all honestly. I feel people are getting carried away by it. She's beat KOK 2 lengths and DLL who hit every single hurdle. Hardly champion hurdle form.

I wouldn't be disappointed by the performance today, just not Champion Hurdle class. She's beat KOK 4 lengths and in a grade 1 she'd have a 13 pound swing around with him. He's rated 144 in Ireland and hard to say if he's ran to his best but I'd say it's 150+ for the performance if basing it on all finishers. Lossiemouth's best RPR is 156 so not far off a rating to win a Mares Hurdle and improvement to come from going up in trip, softer ground, better hurdling etc.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Depends how rate DDL I guess ….maybe a tad higher, but need to run best part of a stone better for a CH

They could go Mares this season ‘& then CH if continued to
improve…..but like many I think more a 2.5m horse

Yep, she’s a stayer in the making imo
Gradual progression to 3m imo

[Exar Essay]

Depends how rate DDL I guess ….maybe a tad higher, but need to run best part of a stone better for a CH

They could go Mares this season ‘& then CH if continued to
improve…..but like many I think more a 2.5m horse

I think Daddy Long Legs is a flat track bully. Runs below form when it's up him. I'd suggest KOK has run to form more or less. So 150 would be about right for BDA in my opinion. Great start for a Mares Hurdle campaign.

[darlojim]

I wouldn't be disappointed by the performance today, just not Champion Hurdle class. She's beat KOK 4 lengths and in a grade 1 she'd have a 13 pound swing around with him. He's rated 144 in Ireland and hard to say if he's ran to his best but I'd say it's 150+ for the performance if basing it on all finishers. Lossiemouth's best RPR is 156 so not far off a rating to win a Mares Hurdle and improvement to come from going up in trip, softer ground, better hurdling etc.

Had only been able to watch 1 race today the 2m6 so was expecting to see a poor performance when watching Brighterdaysahead back. I think DenmanSacre has summed it perfectly in my eyes, she snatched at a couple of hurdles but I'd forgive her that all day, the ground would have been quick enough for her and trip likewise. IIRC she didn't actually jump well last season when debuting at Down Royal, it could just be that the track isn't necessarily suited to her or that she takes a run or 2 to warm up, but we have to remember she has been schooling over fences so plenty can jump hurdles awkwardly after doing so, she was wicked impressive jumping at Aintree end of last season.

It'a safe to say she won't be going to what could be one of the stronger champion hurdles this season with how it currently looks, and I'd say Mares Hdle is long odds on to be the target, but everything was against her today

against race fit rival
shorter than optimum distance
ground quick enough

solid 8/10 for me

Loved how she powered away again in the last 150yds also, that was v impressive to my eye

[Lobos]

Was surprised when she was declared for the race today as it looked an inadequate trip over ground too quick against two sharp horses. However, now that they have mentioned the champion Hurdle I can understand why they went for it. She did it well with plenty against her. Giggingstown haven't had many chances to throw one at the 2m crown over the years so they may just try with her as she's a very good Mare. Good luck to them as they've piled loads of money into NH racing. Gordon would love a chance in the race too. The CH could turn out to be some race.

[Lobos]

As per Saxons Irish Race Stats, interesting that Gordon has used the race that BDA won for majority of his decent Champion Hurdle horses albeit when the race was previously a G2. Perhaps the CH is the plan.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Must admit I did not think BDA would ever be mentioned on this thread.
The Stayers Hurdle thread I could understand though.
She’s not quick enough jumping imo and imo would lose lengths jumping against the likes of CHill.

[Lobos]

Me too Carnage but you couldn't blame them for having a go should she look like developing into a challenger as the season progresses. Maybe they'll also keep her away from everyone else if that's at all possible and send her to the CH unbeaten. It could turn into a season like last year where the CH cut up and they sent Irish Point there to finish a very good 2nd.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Me too Carnage but you couldn't blame them for having a go should she look like developing into a challenger as the season progresses. Maybe they'll also keep her away from everyone else if that's at all possible and send her to the CH unbeaten. It could turn into a season like last year where the CH cut up and they sent Irish Point there to finish a very good 2nd.

Fair points Lobos, and the trainer does seem keen on this route.
Ive just had it in mind shes a stayer, and won’t be quick enough for 2m at this level. And yesterday did not change that.
At some point if this is the plan, she will have to take on a horse that’s at least half decent at 2m I would think, guess that’s when we find out for sure.

[Lobos]

Fair points Lobos, and the trainer does seem keen on this route.
Ive just had it in mind shes a stayer, and won’t be quick enough for 2m at this level. And yesterday did not change that.
At some point if this is the plan, she will have to take on a horse that’s at least half decent at 2m I would think, guess that’s when we find out for sure.

Yes she does stay very well but it was interesting listening to Willie talking about Lossiemouth and the fact she has plenty of stamina. He said you need a horse that stays 2 1/2m in order to win a Champion Hurdle as the race is run at such pace and that horses that are out and out two milers just don't see it out. It's a very good point indeed and BDA is very much in the mould of Lossiemouth.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Yes she does stay very well but it was interesting listening to Willie talking about Lossiemouth and the fact she has plenty of stamina. He said you need a horse that stays 2 1/2m in order to win a Champion Hurdle as the race is run at such pace and that horses that are out and out two milers just don't see it out. It's a very good point indeed and BDA is very much in the mould of Lossiemouth.

Yeah, absolutely they need to stay well to win a CH.
I reckon if they had a race over 2 and a half it would be a lot closer than a race over 2m.
Lossie look’s quicker to me and is ahead of BDA, but the further they go I think BDA would be more competitive.

[Lobos]

Unibet price up Morgianna...

State Man 1/2
Lossiemouth 2/1
Ballyburn 5/1
Brighterdaysahead 7/1
Mystical Power 12/1

[darlojim]

State Man be 2/7 by the time the race comes

[Lobos]

State Man be 2/7 by the time the race comes

But will you be brave enough to take the 1/2??

[darlojim]

But will you be brave enough to take the 1/2??

Not my style