Champion Hurdle 2012

[Posts: 482Joined: 13 Feb 2010, 20:31]

So, is there anyone who thinks there's a horse out there that'll be Hurricane Fly in this?

[Posts: 185Joined: 20 Mar 2011, 22:53]

There is a tiny part of me that thinks Binocular could yet win another.

Apart from that... no. Can't see any of the novices getting past him.

[Posts: 45Joined: 04 Aug 2010, 16:04]

On current form, Hurricane Fly is the big dog and cannot be beaten, he travels so well and his speed is scary.

I have not been impressed with the new breed of hurdlers coming through via the juveniles, only Zarkandar stands out, but i do not think he could beat Hurricane Fly.

From the open division, Spirit Son and Al Ferof look about the best, but i have a feeling Al Ferof will go chasing over 2m net season as Nicholls sees Zarkandar and Sam Winner as his next big hurdlers in the 2m division.

A lot can happen in a year, and only 1 of the field from the previous Champion Hurdle returned this year, in Khyber Kim, which shows we cannot second guess what will be back this next year? Maybe Binocular, who on his best day is the only known horse i believe is capable of matching Hurricane Fly.
If i was to do a forecast now, my top 2 would be Hurricane Fly and Spirit Son

[Posts: 11Joined: 19 Dec 2010, 12:24]

On current form, Hurricane Fly is the big dog and cannot be beaten, he travels so well and his speed is scary.

I have not been impressed with the new breed of hurdlers coming through via the juveniles, only Zarkandar stands out, but i do not think he could beat Hurricane Fly.

From the open division, Spirit Son and Al Ferof look about the best, but i have a feeling Al Ferof will go chasing over 2m net season as Nicholls sees Zarkandar and Sam Winner as his next big hurdlers in the 2m division.

A lot can happen in a year, and only 1 of the field from the previous Champion Hurdle returned this year, in Khyber Kim, which shows we cannot second guess what will be back this next year? Maybe Binocular, who on his best day is the only known horse i believe is capable of matching Hurricane Fly.
If i was to do a forecast now, my top 2 would be Hurricane Fly and Spirit Son

Nicholls said pre-Cheltenham that Sam Winner will be going chasing in the Autumn, but to be honest I would fancy his chances over 2 1/2 or 3 miles rather than 2, he seems like a stayer. He seems to hit flat spots in his races and then stays on at the finish, as he did in the Triumph.

In terms of the Champion Hurdle 2012, I can't look past Hurricane Fly to be honest, he is seriously special. Binocular, given previous form may have a chance with him, but it's whether the real Binocular turns up. He travels ominously well in his races and can find seemingly unlimited speed when asked.

From this years novice form, I feel Zarkander and Spirit Son would be the only 2m hurdlers from the 2010/11 novice division that will progress enough to be of Champion Hurdle standard.

[Posts: 1762Joined: 19 May 2011, 07:41Location: paris, france]

ZARKANDAR is the little brother of Zarkava, I think it is very good and he will get even better.

[Posts: 1664Joined: 16 Jun 2009, 00:36]

Can't see the fly getting beat.But will OSCARS WELL go for Champion hurdle he could get a place.

[Posts: 561Joined: 16 Feb 2007, 23:07Location: Liverpool]

If Hurricane Fly turns up I'd expect him to win but March is a long way away!

Out of the others at the moment i think Thousand Stars could be good value at 33s for a place.

[Posts: 47Joined: 06 Jan 2010, 19:32]

Hurricane Fly, Spirit Son, Zarkandar will be the 3 come March. I think Spirit Son could be the one to give H Fly the most to do & will be backing him soon. He will mop up the big 2 mile hurdle races over here. Hurricane Fly is something special though would like to somehow get both on side. Wishful thinking haha

[Posts: 65Joined: 03 Mar 2009, 19:57]

peddlers cross?

i was there on the tuesday and backed hurricane fly but peddlers scared the shite out me

if his chasing campaign doesn't start well he could revert to hurdling and on softer ground could get even closer

none of the others need bother turning up

[Posts: 781Joined: 22 Sep 2011, 23:12Location: North Wales]

It's got to be Hurricane Fly's again, sheer class! I can't see Binocular ever reaching the heights we've seen him hit again. All the best of the rest from last year all appear to be going novice chasing and the trendlines show that novices stepping up for the first time have a shocking record in the race. If he stays fit he wins

[Posts: 1861Joined: 25 Jul 2011, 05:04]

Dethroning a top notch Champion Hurdler is never easy.

Persian War held the title for 3 years. It took a combination of time and a the brilliant Bula to dethrone him. Plus his mad owner demanding he ran in everything going shortened his racing lifespan.

See You Then made the Champion Hurdle his own dodgy legs and all.

Istabraq was something else he was virtually unbeatable but again time took it's toll.

I wouldn't take anything away from Binocular he should have won 2 Champion Hurdles and he was probably up there with the greats but clearly something physical went very wrong with him.

Whether he could have handled Hurricane Fly or not is another matter.

Looking back at the build up to last year race we had more realistic contenders than I can remember in any previous year. At least 6 horses were fancied and even those who were in one camp must have thought once or twice about jumping ship and switching loyalties.

Unfortunately this year it has a look of a Hurricane Fly benefit about it.

Perhaps the Supreme came a week or 2 or even a race too to soon for the inexperience Spirit Son but I'd fancy the Champion Hurdle isn't his type of race. I get the impression he'll be better over a bit further and everything would happen half a length too quick for him at Cheltenham.

He's cracking horse but lacks that tiny bit of class that separates the men from the boys. Even with improvement I can see him reaching the heights Binocular did.

It doesn't leave much and as Hurricane Fly has only just arrived and it's unlikely anything can improve through the ranks to beat him.

He looks a banker to become the next duel winner of the race

[Posts: 311Joined: 20 Aug 2007, 00:58Location: Merseyside]

Got to be the Champion - unless, and it's a big if, Binocular comes back to form.

Is there an Alderbrook out there?? Something decent off the flat....??? I doubt it.....

[Posts: 1861Joined: 25 Jul 2011, 05:04]

There was mention of Casual Conquest was it? going hurdling but I have no idea what the latest on him is.