2025 Stayers Hurdle

[Lobos]

are there any precedents for handicappers just ignoring poor runs because they've had their pants pulled down enough times?? he's 160 so you'd think would need to be dropped 10+ lbs for handicaps to be a better option than grade 1/2 races? i find it hard to see that happening

Sire Du Berlais won the Pertemps off 152 so not that much to drop really? He's a big price for Stayers though so no harm having a punt.

[Saxon Warrior]

Langer Dan is a 9yo in a few weeks, and has not ran over 3M yet.

That first run over the trip at Wetherby should reveal more to us, particularly if the ground is Soft and the opposition is decent.

[ComplyOrDie]

If Langer Dan dropped 5 or 6lbs in the build up to festival I could still see him competitive enough in a Coral Cup again, even if he wasn't able to win it.

It's his trip and he won with plenty in hand in March.

[Atlantic Viking]

If Langer Dan dropped 5 or 6lbs in the build up to festival I could still see him competitive enough in a Coral Cup again, even if he wasn't able to win it.

It's his trip and he won with plenty in hand in March.

Probably one for the stupid questions thread, but what rules do the handicappers have to work under? By that I mean, if the horse has 2 or 3 runs well out the back do they have no choice but to drop it a few lbs or can they stick to their guns and essentially say that, despite the trainers best efforts at trying to keep a straight face each March, enough's enough?!

[Lobos]

Probably one for the stupid questions thread, but what rules do the handicappers have to work under? By that I mean, if the horse has 2 or 3 runs well out the back do they have no choice but to drop it a few lbs or can they stick to their guns and essentially say that, despite the trainers best efforts at trying to keep a straight face each March, enough's enough?!

They'd have to either drop it in weight or keep it the same and fine/suspend if they felt the horse wasn't 'trying'. The second bit is very hard to prove especially in jump racing.

[ComplyOrDie]

Probably one for the stupid questions thread, but what rules do the handicappers have to work under? By that I mean, if the horse has 2 or 3 runs well out the back do they have no choice but to drop it a few lbs or can they stick to their guns and essentially say that, despite the trainers best efforts at trying to keep a straight face each March, enough's enough?!

Not entirely sure, but I suspect it's at the discretion of the handicapper.

That said,as Lobos has said, if after 3 or 4 runs the handicapper still hasn't dropped a horse for significant defeats they surely must look in to aspects of it being a non-trier.

[Frankely My Dear]

If Langer Dan can't last the Stayers trip what other options does he have other than go Coral again? He'd be shite odds and carry a heavy weight but I can't see another Cheltenham race he could go for

[Lobos]

West Yorkshire Hurdle @ Weatherby first up for Langer Dan.

“If he ends up running in a Coral Cup again it will be off top weight, but you would have serious concerns about that as he is not the biggest.
"Unless the first three runs are absolutely diabolical we want to have a go at the Stayers’ Hurdle. He is now rated 160 and there is nothing to suggest he won’t continue running well as he showed improved form at the back end of the year at Aintree and Sandown."

Already planning a handicap drop

[Lobos]

Run on Mystical Power for Stayers gaining momentum. Into 22/1 from 33's with PP/Betfair. Others following suit. 365 still dangling 33's.

[TigerRolllllll]

If I was JP, I’d be v tempted to go this route

By staying hurdling, he give the option to still go CH if MP improves and he’d also have a cracking chance here if he stays

Arkle his other option looks tough & he already has a couple of potential ones (ITP & JDR)

33s with cashout too seems worth having speculatively at least…,,were they to go this route he is surely much shorter

[TigerRolllllll]

This will prob be laughed at, but Henry did mention might try 3m again

Bob Olinger is 50s …..were anything to happen to Teahupoo, then this race is suddenly wide open

I’ve done tho more with heart admittedly

[TigerRolllllll]

My last outsiders shout …,and this is very left field is Lossiemouth

Just got drone 80s on exchange & 55s still there if anyone wants

Obviously it’s not the target, but things happen over a season & Willie doesn’t have a good one here yet. He could use JDG for Mares

Its prob a bet more for those with books who want cover as were she suddenly to appear here, she’d be very very short

Just to show that these are sometimes worth it, I did a similar bet on GW Arkle last year …..with Willie I think it pays to think off scenarios sometimes & cover a few odd ones in case with his most talented horses…,,the ones that could win wherever they turn up

[Lobos]

This will prob be laughed at, but Henry did mention might try 3m again

Bob Olinger is 50s …..were anything to happen to Teahupoo, then this race is suddenly wide open

I’ve done tho more with heart admittedly

BO is a very good horse but no way would he stay 3m at Cheltenham. Unfortunately he's one of those who's optimum trip is around 2 1/2m. Plenty of opportunities for him outside of the Fez though.

[Big Bucks]

This will prob be laughed at, but Henry did mention might try 3m again

Bob Olinger is 50s …..were anything to happen to Teahupoo, then this race is suddenly wide open

I’ve done tho more with heart admittedly

Yeah think a few of us went heart over head and the 50s looked value in our head! The old cliche value loser haha but still letting it roll!

[TigerRolllllll]

Yeah think a few of us went heart over head and the 50s looked value in our head! The old cliche value loser haha but still letting it roll!

It’s a bit heart over head

That said …,plenty 2.5 milers have won ….and he will be another year older so might stay…,,lot could depend on conditions & how race run

But if does start, he won’t be 50s or close ….and I tend to look at it more thru that light