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2026 Champion Hurdle

What is this talk of Kawaboomga being a Champion Hurdle horse? Yes he beat William Munny on hurdles debut but we don't know how fit Munny was on the day and knowing how much his horses peak when it matters then beating him in a maiden is good but a long way off. If we was to see Kawaboomga this year and they do want to keep to hurdles I would of thought they would take the careful route, maybe start in Limestone Lad and target some of the weaker grade 2/3s in Ireland. He shouldn't be going anywhere near Cheltenham this season.
 
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Runragged said:
What is this talk of Kawaboomga being a Champion Hurdle horse? Yes he beat William Munny on hurdles debut but we don't know how fit Munny was on the day and knowing how much his horses peak when it matters then beating him in a maiden is good but a long way off. If we was to see Kawaboomga this year and they do want to keep to hurdles I would of thought they would take the careful route, maybe start in Limestone Lad and target some of the weaker grade 2/3s in Ireland. He shouldn't be going anywhere near Cheltenham this season.
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They were both running for the second time in that maiden, so both would have been fit enough and wanting to tick that box, the distance to the third gives a clue as to how fit they both were, and gives the form a solid edge.
Obviously he was beaten on his debut by the eventual supreme novice when handled very gently.

I also know that the yard fancied him strongly for Cheltenham before injury curtailed his season.

I'd agree that we might not see him at Cheltenham this year and it'll depend on what Willie has available and also JP.
But mostly on him being fit and ready in time to get at least one run before the festival.

He is arguably the second best novice hurdler over 2 miles from last season on form.
And a lot less exposed, especially given how JP's horses are looked after in maidens.
 
Quevega said:
He is arguably the second best novice hurdler over 2 miles from last season on form.
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That is a very literal reading of the form though, not accounting for any amount of improvement that William Munny may of found at Cheltenham from that maiden run nor how forward Kawaboomga was in his development as a 2nd season novice.
 
Runragged said:
That is a very literal reading of the form though, not accounting for any amount of improvement that William Munny may of found at Cheltenham from that maiden run nor how forward Kawaboomga was in his development as a 2nd season novice.
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That is a very literal reading of the form
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I'm proud to be literate. :ROFLMAO:
I usually find that when reading it helps me a lot.

I understand your point, but we'd be guessing on all of those other factors wouldn't we ?

That's pretty much what punters do, as we have to fill in the gaps and make judgements on things that are not known. Then factor that in against the price on offer and how strongly we feel about the form on paper and other factors we don't know for a fact.

But the form is definitely the most factual/known element in the public domain, especially in this case, because there is nothing immediately obvious to suggest it's suspect. IMO

The fact he has experience as a hurdler in France actually helps the case for him going champion hurdle this season if things fall into place.

Lets not forget that Mullins has mentioned him going chasing anyway when he returns, so any bet on him for the champion has to factor in all the obvious doubts. Which is why I've only backed on betfair at triple figures.
 
Would the County Hurdle route not be more likely, As a non-novice, he has already had the required three runs has he not? Is it only novices which must run five times to qualify.
 
Quevega said:
I'm proud to be literate. :ROFLMAO:
I usually find that when reading it helps me a lot.

I understand your point, but we'd be guessing on all of those other factors wouldn't we ?

That's pretty much what punters do, as we have to fill in the gaps and make judgements on things that are not known. Then factor that in against the price on offer and how strongly we feel about the form on paper and other factors we don't know for a fact.

But the form is definitely the most factual/known element in the public domain, especially in this case, because there is nothing immediately obvious to suggest it's suspect. IMO

The fact he has experience as a hurdler in France actually helps the case for him going champion hurdle this season if things fall into place.

Lets not forget that Mullins has mentioned him going chasing anyway when he returns, so any bet on him for the champion has to factor in all the obvious doubts. Which is why I've only backed on betfair at triple figures.
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Being realistic, a handicap bid may be the case. Already has three runs, could have an undercooked 4th in the New Year. Need one more to qualify. Not so clued up on Irish handicaps but Betfair Hurdle may be an option in the UK. Based off his RPR and what William Munny was rated going into Cheltenham (147 after a 147 RPR on 3rd start in listed company) then can't see him being much higher than low 140s.
 
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Cheltenham Novice Chase said:
Would the County Hurdle route not be more likely, As a non-novice, he has already had the required three runs has he not? Is it only novices which must run five times to qualify.
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Don't start that discussion again. :LOL:
Think he's had enough runs to go for a handicap anyway, don't think all of his french runs are listed on the UK sites. (edit, i think he's only had the three, was thinking of another horse)
So on your main point, I think you need 5 runs full stop. Which is why Joyeuse couldn't run in a handicap last year and went for the mares hurdle instead.
The problem would also be his mark IMO, he's going to get a similar rating to William Munny who is approx mid 150's I reckon
 
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media.britishhorseracing.com

end of season ratings.
I think he'd be lucky to be lower than 155 myself.
Mainly because the handicapper will probably take the form of his 2 maidens literally literally. :ROFLMAO:
You never know though.🤷‍♂️
 
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Hendo will be at Newbury NOT Newcastle on Saturday.

Nico beaming after final CH workout.
 
opatcho said:
Imagine Buckley would be at Newcastle, and Henderson would be there for support

Strange … but he does get emotional (which is good to see), too much to handle nowadays
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Yeah, he really struggles to watch him these days. Even more so I expect after what happened last season. Don't blame him really. Don't reckon he'll watch the race at all from Newbury.
 
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Sam Thomas is biding his time with Celtic Dino after his game effort in chasing home Wodhooh in the Ascot Hurdle.

Gordon Elliott’s mare has now won eight of her nine starts over hurdles, with her only defeat coming to Lossiemouth in the Aintree Hurdle in April, and finished two and a half lengths clear at the weekend, on what was Celtic Dino’s first try beyond two miles.

Thomas elected against confirming the six-year-old for Saturday’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle and will now see how that race plays out before mapping out plans, but sees Celtic Dino’s long-term future in the chasing sphere.


Thomas told Sky Sports Racing: “We had a gameplan and Dylan (Johnston) gave him an amazing ride. They came over to try to get the stand side rail and she’s (Wodhooh) an incredible mare, what can you say. She’s eight from nine starts and she probably had a bit more in the tank, but it’s a lovely position to be in with these youngsters that we have.

“They’re progressing every season and it’ll be interesting to see now in the Fighting Fifth as to where we go with him, but he’s going to be close to racing 150 after this performance. He’s just a lovely, lovely horse. Whatever he does over hurdles now will be bonus because he’ll be a lovely two-mile chaser.

“He’s pretty ground dependent. He gets stuck in the mud a little bit really. He’s such a beautiful mover, he covers the ground well. That for us is a big key point. So we’ll just try to avoid that really and that will dictate where we go next.

“The Liverpool Hurdle towards the end of the season maybe is an option. Unfortunately we’re between a bit of a rock and a hard place. He’s a good horse, but is he good enough to go and win Grade Ones? I’m not sure and it’ll be hard to lump top-weight around in these big handicaps.

“He’s had a good start to the season and we’re not going to over-race him. We’ll try to pick our battles wisely and look after him.”
 
opatcho said:
Imagine Buckley would be at Newcastle, and Henderson would be there for support

Strange … but he does get emotional (which is good to see), too much to handle nowadays
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Maybe a bit strange, but he does have a fair few entries at Newbury.
Anyway, as long as CH is there I’m not that bothered .
 
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