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2026 Champion Hurdle

Whether you trust the race IQ data etc or not, I found it interesting Lossiemouth was the best hurdler for IQ data last weekend. Only Fact to File bettered her (over fences with Gaelic back in third).
 
Speaking at Tramore on Tuesday, Patrick Mullins – assistant to his father – told Racing TV: “Anzadam did a lovely bit of work after racing in Punchestown on Sunday, Paul (Townend) was really happy with him.
 
Sure every bit of work is lovely,and every defeat the horse didn't show up today for whatever reason..
 
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Carnage at Taunton said:
Do people back horses on the strength of work reports? I hope not
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People would be better training themselves to not get too excited about what people with vested interests in promoting their yard tell the racing media on a daily basis.
 
EnvoiAlien said:
People would be better training themselves to not get too excited about what people with vested interests in promoting their yard tell the racing media on a daily basis.
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Yeah I tend to agree, I often think that in many ways it was better years back when there was little/no media, you back a horse ante post and he/she either turns up or doesn't without the endless commentary, you had to bet with what you saw on a racecourse because there was no other info/evidence to use....
 
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It was preferable, getting the odd bit of information or update on a horse you liked was a treat,now we're inundated with updates to the point of hearing the same piece of news in 4 or 5 different ways depending on who edited it.
 
EnvoiAlien said:
It was preferable, getting the odd bit of information or update on a horse you liked was a treat,now we're inundated with updates to the point of hearing the same piece of news in 4 or 5 different ways depending on who edited it.
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Be nice if microphones stopped getting stuffed in trainers faces so much.
As been said, look at form ,watch races see the odds, and have a bet, or not.
It’s what I try and do anyway.
 
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I know we are still 3 days away from race day but how do we see The New Lion performing here? Also, will he be tuned for the day?

Reason I ask is Jonny Dineen made a point about him possibly not being tuned up for the day and working back from the Champion Hurdle etc. This season so far though, in the vast majority of big race days, Dan Skleton has had his horses tuned to the max, resulting in him winning most of the big Saturday races thus far. Why would he change that for The New Lion? He will want to also win as many big pots as he can prior to springtime when WPM starts making his charge for the UK trainers championship. It’s 4/5 months from Cheltenham, he can have a hard enough race at the weekend, lay off him and bring him back for a prep prior to festival (international in Jan).
 
Craigy14 said:
I know we are still 3 days away from race day but how do we see The New Lion performing here? Also, will he be tuned for the day?

Reason I ask is Jonny Dineen made a point about him possibly not being tuned up for the day and working back from the Champion Hurdle etc. This season so far though, in the vast majority of big race days, Dan Skleton has had his horses tuned to the max, resulting in him winning most of the big Saturday races thus far. Why would he change that for The New Lion? He will want to also win as many big pots as he can prior to springtime when WPM starts making his charge for the UK trainers championship. It’s 4/5 months from Cheltenham, he can have a hard enough race at the weekend, lay off him and bring him back for a prep prior to festival (international in Jan).
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Personally think he will be fit alright
Just a case imo as to how good he is up against this sort of opposition
 
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Craigy14 said:
I know we are still 3 days away from race day but how do we see The New Lion performing here? Also, will he be tuned for the day?

Reason I ask is Jonny Dineen made a point about him possibly not being tuned up for the day and working back from the Champion Hurdle etc. This season so far though, in the vast majority of big race days, Dan Skleton has had his horses tuned to the max, resulting in him winning most of the big Saturday races thus far. Why would he change that for The New Lion? He will want to also win as many big pots as he can prior to springtime when WPM starts making his charge for the UK trainers championship. It’s 4/5 months from Cheltenham, he can have a hard enough race at the weekend, lay off him and bring him back for a prep prior to festival (international in Jan).
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I would agree with you .
Why wouldn't they want to be winning this
On route to the Champion Hurdle .
If T.N.L. is good enough , he'll take it in his stride ... I.m.o. 👍.
 
Skelton is obviously looking to mop up as many big pots as he can before the Mullins battalion land here but I think it’s a slightly different situation when you’re talking about potential champions.
The New Lion, I’m sure, will be trained to peak in March and April, that’s not to say he’ll be way below his best this week but I think they’ll leave a bit of improvement in him, and who knows, that may still be good enough….
 
Think he'll be fit enough it's just the question of whether the drop back in trip and course/ground will be to his liking. They'd be happier if it were at Cheltenham.
 
Lobos said:
Think he'll be fit enough it's just the question of whether the drop back in trip and course/ground will be to his liking. They'd be happier if it were at Cheltenham.
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if their intentions are champion hurdle then the drop back can’t be an inconvenience, it has to be a necessity….
 
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I can see no justification for why The New Lion should be any less well prepared than either Constitution Hill or Anzadam.

Dineen likes to make a splash and I tend to disregard most of his stuff for that very reason.
 
I imagine they'll all be as fit as possible without having ran, of the 3 trainers I'd have Mullins at being the best of them at getting them pin sharp for first time out, but on form the horse has plenty to find, also is coming back from an injury so I wouldn't be backing it myself.
A race to savour, just hope they all get round and we have an informative race going forward.
 
Dineen may have a point, but as above they'll all be as ready as possible for the FF, Mullins needs to know where his horse stands, Skelton won't want to come away wondering if going 2 miles was the right call, and Nicky will want to give Buckley something to smile about.
No one will be leaving their March race behind in November because they was too fit or had too much of a race.
 
archie said:
I can see no justification for why The New Lion should be any less well prepared than either Constitution Hill or Anzadam.

Dineen likes to make a splash and I tend to disregard most of his stuff for that very reason.
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Yeah i agree Archie. I disagree with most of what he says. He is a legend at completely writing a horse off after a defeat. He has been proved wrong multiple times on this. He is a millionaire who seems to lose a fortune on a weekly basis (according to him) but he is box office and a very likeable chap. He will definitely be missed from the game at the end of the season. He came in from nowhere, made a huge splash and brought a lot of comedy into the previews. Breath of fresh air.
 
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