Champion Hurdle 2011

[Posts: 2658Joined: 08 Apr 2009, 03:03]

Here's a post that might shock a few.

After 159 days Hurricane Fly took a step into the unknown to defeat a field of seasoned hurdlers in the Rabobank Champion Hurdle.

It would be very easy to pick up the form book and say Binocular beat Solwhit by 18 lengths at Cheltenham whereas Hurricane Fly beat him by only a neck in Ireland so the former is bound to come out on top.

The thing is no two races are ever the same. If you want to get beaten in a hurdle race the best way to do it is take on Solwhit and allow him to hit the front about 2 out and go 2 lengths clear. 9 times out of 10 you simply aren't going to catch him.

Solwhit is without doubt one of the toughest horses in training when a race is run to suit. The fact he could never get on terms at Cheltenham came as no real surprise as sheer speed was the name of the game that day. So comparing the form on paper rather than the horses true ability could be a big mistake.

What I liked about Hurricane Fly that day was the way he moved into contention once Paul Townsend gave him the nod. He absolutely cruised up to get into a challenging position and when asked to go and take Solwhit the head went down like a real machine. While PT had given Solwhit more chance than he perhaps should have Hurricane Fly still came up with the goods and in some style despite the lengthy lay off.

For obvious reasons I am huge Binocular fan and his win gave me immense pleasure but the big question is can he repeat that win in 2011.

I was always fairly confident Binocular could win the Champion Hurdle once they knew from the previous year that the hill was absolutely no threat to the horse. It was just a case of AP using his speed at the right time kicking on early and Binocular surely wouldn't be caught.

Great great day but repeating that win won't be easy, in fact it may well not be possible with Hurricane Fly around.

It was easy for Binocular to slip the field....look what's chased him home....Khyber King? Zaynar? pretty moderate pair by Champion Hurdle standards.

This time round, talking it both Binocular and Hurricane Fly arrive there 100%, there is no way on this planet will Binocular get away with the same move with Hurricane Fly in the field.

I see one difference between the two horses..Both travel really well and without a lot of effort increase the tempo at a crucial time.

Binocular doesn't do it instantly it's more of a gradual quickening that is just too much for the opposition.

My fear for him is that tempo won't be enough to shake of Hurricane Fly who also has a very high cruising speed.

After a lot of thought IMO....If these 2 do meet on the day I would have to switch to the Hurricane Fly camp.

I would expect him to produce just that little bit extra toe in the dying stages and expose the slight weakness I detect in Binoculars make up

Hurricane Fly for me.

[Posts: 4851Joined: 05 Dec 2008, 01:34Location: Ashford]

Someone requested that Casual Conquest be added to the Champion Hurdle market a couple of weeks ago. Looked him up, and he's been gelded . . .

[Posts: 1793Joined: 07 Jan 2010, 15:53]

If Binocular beats Hurricane Fly in a Champion Hurdle I'll give up backing horses

[Posts: 338Joined: 18 Jul 2007, 22:49Location: Preston, Lancs.]

Want a bet on it? I'll give you 6/4.

[Posts: 1383Joined: 08 Jul 2009, 22:10Location: Wexford]

Binocular and Hurricane Fly are without doubt the two outstanding candidates for this race. They've got it all, "from their heads to their hoofs", as Usher might say.

High cruising speed, ability to quicken off a slow gallop, stamina... two model racehorses.

Personally, I still can't get over how easily the Fly would have won the Supreme two years ago Binocular will be one tough nut to crack, but if any horse can do it it's this fella.

Of last year's novices, I wouldn't completely write Dunguib off, he's only had one bad run in his life. Pedlar's Cross would be of huge interest if he goes this route. I know some on here see him as an RSA horse, but the way he travelled in a good Ballymore suggests the 2 mile route is at least worth a look.

If he find's himself running up Binny's backside they could just target him at Aintree, then go chasing next year.

[Posts: 3690Joined: 21 Oct 2008, 00:37]

If Binocular beats Hurricane Fly in a Champion Hurdle I'll give up backing horses

If Hurricane fly beats "The" Binocular that won last seasons Champion hurdle i"ll give up backing horses!

[Posts: 81Joined: 04 May 2009, 22:33]

If Binocular beats Hurricane Fly in a Champion Hurdle I'll give up backing horses

If Hurricane fly beats "The" Binocular that won last seasons Champion hurdle i"ll give up backing horses!

Better start packing.

[Posts: 3690Joined: 21 Oct 2008, 00:37]

Here's a post that might shock a few. :

Coming from you Fist,No! You are obviously struggling with the knock on your head you sustained when you jumped off Canford cliffs back in May and in your confused state you have got your horses mixed up! You are the No 1 fan of Binocular,you never waivered from being loyal all year even when connections were having a field day playing games with him,thankfully TAPK could see through this guise and kept everyone informed that the real Binocular would turn up in the Champion hurdle,the rest as they say is history! (With Celestial Halo failing to make the grade as a serious Champion hurdle contender and now being aimed at the Arkle,i cant wait to see this fellow jump a fence as i certainly dont see him being a natural!!) I cant oppose Binocular!

[Posts: 3690Joined: 21 Oct 2008, 00:37]

I can hear a Grasshopper stirring from its Cabbage patch!

[Posts: 230Joined: 16 Apr 2010, 23:44]

Does the proximity of Thousand Stars not leave the Rabobank form open to a fair amount of interpretation?

Hurricane Fly travelled exceptionally well at Punchestown and looked likely to breeze past the runner-up approaching the last, but whilst he demonstrated an admirable attitude in knuckling down to win the race he wasn't as impressive as he might have been.

At this point in time I'm happy to stick with my 33/1 about Peddlers Cross. His Cheltenham and Aintree victories have worked out brilliantly, he jumps, he travels, has bags of speed and is with a trainer who excels at bringing horses along gradually (as the likes of Overturn, Twentynineblack, Inventor and Identity Parade have shown).

I don't think we've seen the best of Peddlers Cross by a long, long way and both he and Finian's Rainbow will be a joy to watch next season.

[Posts: 3690Joined: 21 Oct 2008, 00:37]

I don't think we've seen the best of Peddlers Cross by a long, long way and both he and Finian's Rainbow will be a joy to watch next season.

The only question mark hanging over Finians Rainbow is Arkle or RSA,personally i hope he goes for the former as Tell Massini is next years RSA winner and my 66/1 bet is burning my pocket!

[Posts: 230Joined: 16 Apr 2010, 23:44]

Finian's Rainbow certainly isn't short of pace - something I believe Henderson has said himself - so the Arkle would appear to be the most likely target.

[Posts: 104Joined: 13 Feb 2010, 20:31]

If Hurricane Fly runs, Hurricane Fly wins, as I believe someone's signature says.

However, a horse I reckon could run a big, big race on the opening day of next year's festival is Get Me Out Of Here. Not saying he'll win the Champion Hurdle, but he could be an each-way bet.

Unless, of course, his connections put him in the Arkle...now that would be interesting.

[Posts: 289Joined: 04 Mar 2010, 10:15Location: Huddersfield]

Binocular and Hurricane Fly are without doubt the two outstanding candidates for this race. They've got it all, "from their heads to their hoofs", as Usher might say.

High cruising speed, ability to quicken off a slow gallop, stamina... two model racehorses.

Personally, I still can't get over how easily the Fly would have won the Supreme two years ago Binocular will be one tough nut to crack, but if any horse can do it it's this fella.

Of last year's novices, I wouldn't completely write Dunguib off, he's only had one bad run in his life. Pedlar's Cross would be of huge interest if he goes this route. I know some on here see him as an RSA horse, but the way he travelled in a good Ballymore suggests the 2 mile route is at least worth a look.

If he find's himself running up Binny's backside they could just target him at Aintree, then go chasing next year.

Have to completely agree with this. The two are just different class to everything else. Just ooze class.

[Posts: 1807Joined: 09 Oct 2002, 16:18]

At this point in time I'm happy to stick with my 33/1 about Peddlers Cross. His Cheltenham and Aintree victories have worked out brilliantly, he jumps, he travels, has bags of speed and is with a trainer who excels at bringing horses along gradually (as the likes of Overturn, Twentynineblack, Inventor and Identity Parade have shown).

I don't think we've seen the best of Peddlers Cross by a long, long way and both he and Finian's Rainbow will be a joy to watch next season.

AJ,

IMO he was the most impressive winner at Cheltenham, and as you say he jumps, he travels and has bags of speed. I have backed him as big prices also.

JohnJ