I watched it live. Once again, he was well beaten. Tried to get close a few fences from home, but just doesn't have the pace. Worse yet, he was beaten 6 lengths to a horse that is rated 142 which validates what I've said months ago, in that, he's a horse that should be rated around 135-138. As long as he stays in the UK, I don't believe he'll win another race.

I can only draw the conclusion that the owners are content with collecting the scraps that fall from the table. True, the check will continue to pay his way, but I always thought the idea was to "win" races, not just fill a spot.

They still have to be significantly in the red with him and are making no efforts to get him back in the winner's circle. Perhaps the people involved with Atlantic Equine have deep pockets and don't really care.

At 9, he still has a possible future over timber here.

BTW, Tidal Bay was retired today. Good for him. The handicapper had him at an unrealistic mark, and at 13, it was unlikely he'd ever win again. Hope he enjoys his days in the field.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Here's hoping that, after he has a break, the owners will make some good decisions concerning his future.

Yes, I was happy to read about Tidal Bay's retirement as well. He sure earned it. :)

Was wondering if you had thoughts on Long Run who, for some reason, I thought was much older than 9...

Has he had enough or is he just tired? I know they're already talking about next season with him...

NICE to see Thousand Stars win his race!

Poor old Long Run, he's in a tough spot. He a shadow of what he used to be. I watched the replay of the Grand Steeplechase de Paris, he jumped okay, but doesn't have the pace of horses at that level and is no longer a top class steeplechaser.

Additionally, his handicap mark is too high and it will take losing forever to get it down to a winnable mark to win the big handicaps like the Grand National. If they can find little races like the Kelso win, fine. But I think this is another example of the owner's ego is too big and is writing checks his horse can cash. Sunday's race is another example of that. He had no chance and I can't believe he was 4/1.

It's my understanding that the Waley-Cohen's are financially well off, so they could probably give a care about the financial rewards. But if their intention is to "win races", then they have to lower the bar a bit. The owner has come over for the MD Hunt Cup and his son has ridden in it twice in the last couple of years. Maybe they should give him a chance here. I don't think that he would be competitive at the graded stakes level over National Fences, but maybe. Though, at 9 yrs. old, he would be another excellent candidate to go over Timber.

BTW, I visited the Kentucky Horse Park yesterday and took in the High Hope Steeplechase races. Fantastic racecourse for steeplechasing. Sight lines are a bit dodgy, but still recommend it if you ever have the opportunity.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer.

Fascinating stuff! I appreciate your time. :)

Well I have not heard a thing about Hunt Ball but it was nice to see that Balthazar King won today. :)

I just checked Atlantic Equine's website, nothing new concerning Hunt Ball.

Balthazar King was fantastic today. Just watched the race. Hobbs/Johnson combination over cross-country courses is fantastic. Still would like to see him line up at Pardubice. Here a link to today's race https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3ziMmPnFeI .

Here's another Hobbs/Johnson success. This time it was the Glenfarclas Cross County during the Open Meeting in November 2010 and the horse was Lacdouldal. I can be seen with at the 6:36 mark standing in one of the observation stands. Enjoy, http://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/video...97748/12154494 .

To preface this, I watched both which is a kinda strange complement - I NEVER watch these things until I know what happened and how many fallers there were. I just cannot stomach it easily BUT do watch and enjoy following the occasional horse like Hunt Ball so there... I put my trust in you. :) (I figured you wouldn't post replays if they were too, well... if there were graphic and horrid injuries).

Okay with that out of the way... Thank you for the replay from today... what a brave horse he is. I had only seen the very end so appreciate it. He really is amazing.

(Was happy to hear that both Duke Of Lucca and Tom O'Brien are okay.)

Regarding Lacdoudal (and yes, I did see you standing on one of those observation posts :p )... that was nuts! Four and a half years without a win and then that? That was astonishing... so impressive, as was Garde Champetre (sp)!

Thanks for posting both! Sizing Australia was the only horse I had heard of in the one from 2010, I'm ashamed to say.

Glad you enjoyed the races. I appreciate the compliment and trust. Additionally, I will be careful not to post races with a lot of fallers in them. I do appreciate/admire your interest in the jumping game. Hopefully, some day you will be able to go to a few meets.

I LOVE cross country steeplechasing and the horses that compete in them. That is why I hold Balthazar King is such high regard. I enjoy flat racing, but the equine athletes that run and jump are so much more exciting to watch. I could only dream of owning a horse like Balthazar.

I had a press credential for the 2010 Cheltenham Open meet and had the opportunity to walk and photograph the cross country course prior to racing. Additionally, I had the great pleasure to meet and be accompanied by Mr. Richard Linley (jockey of Gaye Brief fame and now UK course inspector). It was awesome watching the race from the stand and enjoying Richard's expert insight.

When handicapping the cross country race, I always give Philip Hobbs' horses a second look and did have a nice bet on Lacdouldal, despite his long absence from the winner enclosure. Mr. Hobbs is the a true professional and I think a bit underrated. On the same trip, I was walking/photographing Taunton racecourse and I met up with him walking the other direction. He had a stick with him, checking the state of the ground. Just another detail that most trainers would take for granted. He was kind and greeted me, but I did not want to disrupt his walk and engage him in a chat.

The things I miss about living in the UK/Europe.

Loved reading your post... just amazing stuff.

I will continue to look forward to your book which, I hope, is going well. :)

(A week late, but...):

Hunt Ball set to run in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham

http://www1.skysports.com/news/465/9...-at-cheltenham

http://www.racingpost.com/horses2/ca...5#raceTabs=lc_

Thanks for the update. I will be looking forward to the entries at the beginning of next week.

Of course, mostly looking forward to Balthazar King running in the cross country on (I think) Friday.

Any thoughts on whether or not this would be a good spot for him?

http://www.racingpost.com/horses2/ca...2#raceTabs=lc_

That was a really nice win. No surprise there.

Who holds the win record at Cheltenham anyway?

Nice to see Leg Iron, who was pulled up, in entries (although he didn't actually run. At least I'm assuming it means he's alright!).

... and then, of course, there's this:

http://www.derbytrail.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55752

Just amazing!

Sure, he's a maiden over hurdles, so why not. However, there are certainly easier novice hurdles written, so I fear the owners are over-reaching, again. Always would like to know if this is an owner entry or a trainer entry. Henderson has another sharp novice entered so it's anybody's guess as to how he will go. Currently, the ground is forecast as Soft, so that's another factor that doesn't work in his favor. If he doesn't run well, he will be on his way to establishing a "hurdles" handicap mark (I think he will get one after 3 runs), which one would think be significantly lower than his steeplechasing mark.

Balthazar King has been a money spinner for me. I love watching him run. He gave all of his followers a few anxious moments, but in the end, got the job done. I will miss him not running, as he will be put away until the Grand National, but after running a fantastic 2nd in last year's race who could blame the connections. More than anything, I'm sure that's the race they'll want to win.

Hurricane Fly and Jezki, looks like they going to be trading punches this season. Both great horses, so it should be fun to watch.

Thanks for your thoughts, Scanman. As always, it's appreciated.

Another possibility for HB...

http://www.racingpost.com/horses2/ca...4#raceTabs=lc_

Well gee... doesn't seem like it was his finest moment or anything BUT happy he was 3rd.

Did you happen to see the race?

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/r...ize-bonus-race

Yes, I saw the race. He tried, but that particular novice hurdle was outside his scope. He's a useful horse, but the ownership keeps entering him in races he can't win.

Maybe once they get his hurdles handicap rating and it's low enough, they will be able to win a little handicap hurdle with him. Shame really, the owner's missed a great opportunity here in the US by going long, over timber fences, and usually getting fast ground; all which would have played to his strengths.

I'll be curious to see where he's shows up for his next start.

Me too but the difference is I look at something like this and have NO clue if it's a good move for him or greed-inspired or what.

http://www.racingpost.com/horses2/ca...6#raceTabs=lc_

I would, of course, love to see him win something, some day.

I wish they would just find an easy race for him to win, maybe get his confidence back.

Though, Saturday's race is not that race. No world beaters in this one, but some decent up-and-comers; and then there is Kruzhlinin, who beat him in last year's National by over 100 lengths and he's 2lbs better in the weights. It is over the National course, which he has completed, but if Kruzhlinin is ready or if any of the other newbies handle the National fences, he finish "up the track" again.

Thanks for notifying me of his entries.

Well I didn't see it but am hoping he was the finest 5th place finisher of the weekend. :D

As always (and hopefully not in an annoying way) would appreciate any thoughts.

Someday he'll win one!

http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/r...ational-course