2025 Champion Hurdle

[Inglis Drever]

Do you think the fact that Gigginstown have so few genuine chances of a winner at the festival, that this will dictate that Brighterdaysahead goes mares instead of champion? Elliott has a few good chances , but Gigginstown don't and they call the tune(Outside of BDA they don't have a horse in top 3 in the betting in any race). If Brighterdaysahead doesn't win I can't see them having another winner?
When the plans are drawn and they shuffle the pack and look at best chances for winners , I think they will come to the conclusion that they are more likely to have 0-1 winners , with the 1 winner being BDA. How many festivals have Gigginstown never had a winner at?

Brighterdaysahead
Croke Park
Bleu De Vassy
Jacob's Ladder
Ballybow
Touch Me Not
Stellar Story
Quai De Bourbon
Rainbow Trail
Kalypso'chance
Beacon Edge
Machismo
Harsh
Favori De Champdou
The Enabler

[Lobos]

Sweet cherry nipples

[Big Bucks]

Good man Gordy! No lapping in Cullentra!

[opatcho]

Wow wowwww weeeeee

[Carnage at Taunton]

Happy Monday!!!
Brilliant news that BDA comes here.
Turns up in the form of last time we could have a classic with her and CH.
CH may have to run to somewhere near his best, and possible we could see him properly tested and see a wonder performance.
Just hope he’s capable of doing that now.

[Istabraq]

Fair play to them, brave decision.
Fair play too the exchanges were rock solid last night for both races so this looks to be a rare occasion where decision made and announced before staff/connections take advantage of those not in the know.
I commend them on both grounds...

[Rooster Booster]

Fair play to them, brave decision.
Fair play too the exchanges were rock solid last night for both races so this looks to be a rare occasion where decision made and announced before staff/connections take advantage of those not in the know.
I commend them on both grounds...

Yep absolutely was thinking exactly the same thing.

[ComplyOrDie]

Really hoping Willie and Co. don't bottle it with Lossiemouth now.

Would love all three to turn up.

Appreciate what Rooster Booster is saying on the Mares Hurdle thread about having flexibility for a plan, but Willie has referenced this two year plan even after defeat and that fall at Leopardstown, which makes me believe they are still heading that way and the only reason they would defer from it now is through fear of Brighterdaysahead heading towards this race, and no other reason.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Really hoping Willie and Co. don't bottle it with Lossiemouth now.

Would love all three to turn up.

Appreciate what Rooster Booster is saying on the Mares Hurdle thread about having flexibility for a plan, but Willie has referenced this two year plan even after defeat and that fall at Leopardstown, which makes me believe they are still heading that way and the only reason they would defer from it now is through fear of Brighterdaysahead heading towards this race, and no other reason.

What, you the mean the pace of the race with BDA in it?
That would definitely concern me with Lossiemouth.
That’s been my thinking all along since what she did to State Man.

[Quevega]

Brilliant decision, very pleased for Gordon that they've let him have a shot at it.
It does mean I now have some bags of shit for sale though.

[ComplyOrDie]

What, you the mean the pace of the race with BDA in it?
That would definitely concern me with Lossiemouth.
That’s been my thinking all along since what she did to State Man.

Yeah, what BDA done to State Man will be in the back of their minds, even though State Man didn't run his race at all that day.

I do think Lossiemouth would have beat State Man a fair way at the DRF but for coming down. I don't think State Man has really been right all season.

[Can't Catch Me]

I personally think Lossie will go Mares now. RR has a distinctly average team for this years Festival and in his mind he would be giving up his best chance of a winner. Had the season gone to plan, I think they'd more tempted to roll the dice.

[Quevega]

If Lossie does run here and I expect her to do so.
Townend would be dumb to pick state man
IMO
A horse that’s been beaten 3 times by two opponents or one that’s a bit unknown.

[Carnage at Taunton]

Yeah, what BDA done to State Man will be in the back of their minds, even though State Man didn't run his race at all that day.

I do think Lossiemouth would have beat State Man a fair way at the DRF but for coming down. I don't think State Man has really been right all season.

It’s a real shame Lossie fell for sure.
We would know a lot more had she not!!
Not really got a strong opinion on what would have happened, but I do wonder if jockey has.

[Rooster Booster]

If Lossie does run here and I expect her to do so.
Townend would be dumb to pick state man
IMO
A horse that’s been beaten 3 times by two opponents or one that’s a bit unknown.

Well he isn’t dumb we kind of know that…he’s a smart and very grounded guy imo. It would take a very pro Lossiemouth mindset to conclude that him choosing State Man is all down to the jockeys dumbness and apply nothing negative whatsoever to Lossiemouth . Personally I think SM has very little chance of winning but I would not in all candour be able to give Lossiemouth a totally free pass if he chose him. I’m sure everybody will be gushing in support of Lossiemouth if he chose her. Sounds like a heads I win tails you lose situation