• HELP US - Become a Patron - Fat Jockey is a horse racing community focused on all the big races in the UK and Ireland. We don't charge users but if you have found the site useful then any support towards the running costs is appreciated ... a small donation each month would be a huge contribution. Become a Patron!

2026 Champion Hurdle

opatcho said:
this is where betting is nowadays

too many podcast, social media, FOMO… just means the bookies just shorten anything that’s trending
Click to expand...
100%
Not sure where the attention seekers fit in that group either but they won't help, as you say just too many opinions being shared for clicks and likes and hammering the market.
Is that clown still around who carries his selfie stick everywhere he goes, I'm sure there's someone out there that enjoys watching him eat his 30 quid full English gutbuster...
 
  • Like
Reactions: opatcho
I have been saying for years our Yankees should be members only. 1 to get the lurkers to join and 2 to slow down the price cuts. After my Yankee yesterday i see Majborough was cut a point into 4/1 by 365. So how many people placed that Yankee?
 
  • Like
Reactions: opatcho
Istabraq said:
100%
Not sure where the attention seekers fit in that group either but they won't help, as you say just too many opinions being shared for clicks and likes and hammering the market.
Is that clown still around who carries his selfie stick everywhere he goes, I'm sure there's someone out there that enjoys watching him eat his 30 quid full English gutbuster...
Click to expand...
Australians have fallen for him.
So that's 3 things we can thank them for. Olivia Newton John & Kylie the first 2.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Joleg
somer1 said:
I have been saying for years our Yankees should be members only. 1 to get the lurkers to join and 2 to slow down the price cuts. After my Yankee yesterday i see Majborough was cut a point into 4/1 by 365. So how many people placed that Yankee?
Click to expand...
Majborough maybe cut because of the Sir Gino to CH rumour?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lobos
Quevega said:
Australians have fallen for him.
So that's 3 things we can thank them for. Olivia Newton John & Kylie the first 2.
Click to expand...
The clown with the stick ?
Perfect, 12,000 miles away works....
 

Paddy Flood with a pretty decent explanation of how jockeys ride a hurdler and how Nico has changed how he rides Con Hill.
I've posted it cos I agree with him :LOL:

Really good explanation of Positive, Neutral and negative riding techniques.
I'm of the view that when Con Hill was at his best then he (the horse) is in control and the jockey in neutral.

But because of the lack of competition in some races like the international where Nico has tried to control him and conserve, it has led to a breakdown in trust and hesitancy between the two. And since he fell the negativity has spiralled.

It's really unfortunate for all concerned and someone needs to be brave because he is a horse of a lifetime and his supreme win and first champion hurdle are the 2 best hurdling performances I've ever seen.
But right now they all look like twats.
 
  • Like
Reactions: opatcho
somer1 said:
If Con Hill was yours @Quevega what would be your plan?
Click to expand...
New Jockey, Christmas hurdle.
He don't need no time off he only went a furlong and did a roly poly.

Once again, I don't blame Nico, it's just the sensible option to try a new pilot.
If he falls again then go racing on the flat.

Any other horse at any other yard and they would try a different jockey I reckon, without missing a beat. Well, most would.

Unfortunately owner, trainer and jockey are all of similar ilk. So they'll dither over it.

But I think that they may come to the same conclusion as me. Fingers crossed anyway.
 
  • Like
Reactions: somer1 and opatcho
I’d stick Codben or Jack Kennedy on it, give another jockey a go with a view of retaining the ride

The lads on that podcast are right, Nico last 3 rides on the horse have resulted him being on the deck. I’m sure nico’s confused, the horse is confused, the both of the are

I think changing jockeys would be a harder decision for Henderson (over retiring the horse).
 
James Bowen rode at Punchestown when he jumped like a tit didn't he?
 
  • Like
Reactions: opatcho
Benjy23 said:
Reckon that might be enough for them to think it's not the jockey...
Click to expand...

Do you think Nico thinks he's to blame in any way ?

I would if I'd fell off him 3 times running. You'd have to be a fool not to.
Mentally that is not ever going to be a positive and almost certainly is going to have negativity.

The horse the exact same. His uncertainty at Punchestown was after 2 heavy falls, understandably so.

They can;t change the horse or do much more with him.
So a new pilot is the only option IMO if they stay hurdling.
Doing the exact same again would be insanity.

The fear of killing him or the jockey the next time will be a factor for sure.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BigL
El Fabiola in the December Hurdle at Leopardstown. Maybe he's Willie's surprise horse for this...
 
Quevega said:
New Jockey, Christmas hurdle.
He don't need no time off he only went a furlong and did a roly poly.

Once again, I don't blame Nico, it's just the sensible option to try a new pilot.
If he falls again then go racing on the flat.

Any other horse at any other yard and they would try a different jockey I reckon, without missing a beat. Well, most would.

Unfortunately owner, trainer and jockey are all of similar ilk. So they'll dither over it.

But I think that they may come to the same conclusion as me. Fingers crossed anyway.
Click to expand...
100%
 
Quevega said:
Do you think Nico thinks he's to blame in any way ?

I would if I'd fell off him 3 times running. You'd have to be a fool not to.
Mentally that is not ever going to be a positive and almost certainly is going to have negativity.

The horse the exact same. His uncertainty at Punchestown was after 2 heavy falls, understandably so.

They can;t change the horse or do much more with him.
So a new pilot is the only option IMO if they stay hurdling.
Doing the exact same again would be insanity.

The fear of killing him or the jockey the next time will be a factor for sure.
Click to expand...
So true. My view is they need a strong jock to (try and) make up his mind a bit more. It’s weird saying that as whilst I’m not a big lover of Nico he used to boot Jonbon into everything, not so much anymore. Someone aggressive and fearless like David bass, maybe Sean Bowen. Don’t get me wrong could easily end up on the deck but maybe a Hail Mary could work 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️
 
Quevega said:
Do you think Nico thinks he's to blame in any way ?

I would if I'd fell off him 3 times running. You'd have to be a fool not to.
Mentally that is not ever going to be a positive and almost certainly is going to have negativity.

The horse the exact same. His uncertainty at Punchestown was after 2 heavy falls, understandably so.

They can;t change the horse or do much more with him.
So a new pilot is the only option IMO if they stay hurdling.
Doing the exact same again would be insanity.

The fear of killing him or the jockey the next time will be a factor for sure.
Click to expand...

Missed this making my inspired El Fabiola post..

Yea, he probably does. Not sure he'll come out and say it and volunteer to give up the ride mind.

If the horse lacked confidence last time they changed the jockey how would this be any different though?
 
Benjy23 said:
Missed this making my inspired El Fabiola post..

Yea, he probably does. Not sure he'll come out and say it and volunteer to give up the ride mind.

If the horse lacked confidence last time they changed the jockey how would this be any different though?
Click to expand...
I agree, It might not make a difference.
Just think it's their only option if they stay hurdling.

Con Hill reminds me a little of horses like Douvan and Un de Sceaux.
The jockey is almost a passenger and as soon as you start trying to dictate to them they aren't as good.

Problem with Con Hill is it seems you can kind of keep his speed in check as a jockey so can position him in a race, he's just not great at listening to the jockey when jumping and so it's probably best not to even try to help him over a hurdle and just hope he does it himself.
He definitely can;t count as when Nico does the old 1.2.3 with his hands he always goes on 2. 😊
I think he might have dyscalculia :ROFLMAO:
When he's been at his best I've always felt that Nico was just there for the ride.

It's almost certainly bollocks I'm talking cos I've only ever ridden a docile horse.

But I have heard pro jockeys talk about some horses needing to be left to their own devices most of the time.
Gaelic is another one maybe, now he doesn't hang as much.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom