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2026 Champion Hurdle

Kauto’s star said:
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 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️
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Bass would kill him on current form riding him into a hurdle like that haha
 
Ellisgittings said:
Bass would kill him on current form riding him into a hurdle like that haha
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Possibly, just need something different if they are going to stick with it. Such a shame. Not sure who the current version of Ruby Walsh is, that would be my suggestion, if not doing down the aggressive route.
 
Was the first thing I thought when he fell again. Nicos brain must be as shot as the horses every time he sits on him now so, if he is to jump another hurdle this season, then he should do the honourable thing and just step aside and give someone else a go. I'm sure it would be a huge relief to him to. Be easier for all if it happened that way instead of him having to be told to get off him. The horse deserves more.
 
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Kauto’s star said:
Possibly, just need something different if they are going to stick with it. Such a shame. Not sure who the current version of Ruby Walsh is, that would be my suggestion, if not doing down the aggressive route.
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Cobden
 
I can see the negative/neutral/positive ride argument and may well be worth investigating further. However, I'd be inclined to go back to first principles and try some free schooling like, say, Yorton Stud do with their 2yos. If he gets a rhythm then they could try a work rider giving him a neutral ride and see if he maintains the rhythm.

I know that Nicky said that his clean bill of health included his vision but CH just seems to be guessing at hurdles these days and, while they can check for eye defects and disease, I doubt that there's an equine equivalent to the letter chart and it may be that he has a problem focusing or with depth of vision.

Finally, the foam hurdle excuse is baloney. If you hit any hurdle halfway up when you're past the apex of a jump you're coming down whether it be foam, birch or brush.
 
I would love to see the Aquine vision chart, can you see picture of the stand CH, yep, can you see Nico, yep, can you see the hurdle, what’s a hurdle?
 
archie said:
Finally, the foam hurdle excuse is baloney. If you hit any hurdle halfway up when you're past the apex of a jump you're coming down whether it be foam, birch or brush.
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He's not even hitting them halfway up, he's taking off so far he's literally landing on top of them and he's done it so many times now it's a habit...
 
….re Wm Munny;

But with “question marks” over so many at the head of the betting for the Champion Hurdle, Connell decided to have a go at it, although a minor setback prevented him from taking on Lossiemouth – who is now Cheltenham favourite – in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.

“There were question marks over a number of the participants at the beginning of the season and that is probably why we went down this route,” said Connell. “We just thought there might be an opening in the division and a few had questions to answer.

“As it has turned out State Man has gone down with a leg, Constitution Hill has his issues and then you had the novices stepping up from last year and I found it hard to see the disparity between The New Lion narrowly beating The Yellow Clay in the Turners and our form in the Supreme.

“The first three at Newcastle were all rated in the 150s and finished close together, while I’d have thought The New Lion might have been further clear when he came down. Would he have won? I don’t know, but I don’t think his rating would have increased.

“Where does that leave us? The standard bearer at the moment is Lossiemouth and her best form is over two and a half, but she has run well over two miles and is entitled to be favourite. There’s now chat of Sir Gino being rerouted.

“It is wide open, we can say that, and our guy is like all the novices, he has to make the step up. It was unfortunate we had to miss the Morgiana with a minor thing, but he’s on track for Leopardstown (December Hurdle).”

He added: “Given we missed a run he might need this at Christmas, but then we’ve the Dublin Racing Festival and Cheltenham.

“I’m happy with the decision we made to stay hurdling and his form is in the book, he’s a speed horse.”
 
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That says to me, if he get's beaten at Christmas...... go in again
 
Yosser said:
That says to me, if he get's beaten at Christmas...... go in again
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Thought the same. He certainly improved for his first couple of runs last year before peaking at the festival.

And Marine National likewise last season.

A respectable enough defeat and a drift in price and I'll be looking to get involved at Christmas.
 
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FinalFurlong91 said:
You asked who the current version is and its cobden style wise

Just a shame he doesnt get the horses ruby used to at pauls
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To be fair, that’s a massive point. He probably out performs based on his rides. He was sensational the other day on non Nicholls horses. I do love him though, just not up to my man ruby just yet
 
QUESTION.
Where is everyone to with Lossiemouth? Have you cashed at a loss for the Mares Hurdle,and rebacked for the CH or are you still sat on your bet?
 
somer1 said:
QUESTION.
Where is everyone to with Lossiemouth? Have you cashed at a loss for the Mares Hurdle,and rebacked for the CH or are you still sat on your bet?
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I am the other side of the fence. Backed for CH months back but still not convinced she runs just yet. Any excuse and she’s back to the mares I reckon. Too short to do anything with now IMO. You still say on mares ticket?
 
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