The horse racing week ahead
After the feast that was the Dublin Racing Festival at the weekend it’s back to the bread and water rations, well not quiet but with all due respect to Fontwell and Carlisle on Monday it is a definite step down in class. It's not exactly set the pulse racing stuff for a few days this week truth be told. I might have one for Wednesday on the All-Weather, remember to check back, and we do of course have the Dubai World Cup on Friday, but even that card isn't the most spectacular of the meeting. The action warms up a little for the weekend when we do have three Grade Two's, and we may get to see Jonbon and Love Envoi have their Cheltenham Festival preps.
The big talking point of the weekend seems to be Honeysuckle. I am on record as saying she is far from the greatest Champion Hurdler we have ever seen and similar to a couple of well known pundits feel she has simply been taking advantage of a division that hasn't been that good the last couple of years. Take off the 7lb mares allowance she gets and she doesn't even win half the races she has in my opinion! She wouldn't have got near Istabraq or Hurricane Fly and State Man put her firmly in her place on Sunday - and I don't give State Man much chance against Constitution Hill! It was fun whilst it lasted, and was good for horse racing PR with Rachael Blackmore in the saddle, but the two-mile hurdle division looks a stronger one again now, don't forget Vauban may have more to offer yet, and she just can't live with the new boys on the block, it is as simple as that.
The big talking point of the weekend seems to be Honeysuckle. I am on record as saying she is far from the greatest Champion Hurdler we have ever seen and similar to a couple of well known pundits feel she has simply been taking advantage of a division that hasn't been that good the last couple of years. Take off the 7lb mares allowance she gets and she doesn't even win half the races she has in my opinion! She wouldn't have got near Istabraq or Hurricane Fly and State Man put her firmly in her place on Sunday - and I don't give State Man much chance against Constitution Hill! It was fun whilst it lasted, and was good for horse racing PR with Rachael Blackmore in the saddle, but the two-mile hurdle division looks a stronger one again now, don't forget Vauban may have more to offer yet, and she just can't live with the new boys on the block, it is as simple as that.