Hunt Ball rolls into town
 

Forget posting about his meteoric rise through the handicap ranks (from a class 5 chase at Folkestone to finishing the season 3rd in the class 1 Betfred Bowl Chase) or where he'll be pointed (New York Turf Writers Cup, the Lonesome Glory, the Grand National and possibly the Nakayama Grand Jump)...

THIS is the effect Hunt Ball has... :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xbI3xXsroE

Kinda sad that his (very colorful) owners are out of the game but apparently they got an offer they couldn't refuse and so he'll be on his way here on the 24th. Jonathan Sheppard will train him.

Have to include this cause it's so much fun... this is dairy farmer and amature jockey Anthony Knott getting his first win. It only took 28 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1EHL4OMlK4




http://www.racingpost.com/horses/hor...abs=horse_form

Double Yay! :)

I am so pumped this is a terriffic

Great thread. I'm a big fan of the Folkerstone.

I like stories like this one, horses like this who surpass all expectation...

Owners like this who are so completely exuberant and uncensored...

... hearing about horses who are bought and sent here, to this country, to race...

I'm sorry this seems to bother a couple of you so much. I can't quite figure out why it does but hey if it makes you feel better to make it like I'm some complete moron for posting this kind of thing? Go for it. Glad I could help.

Its a beautiful story..pass me a tissue tito

Could not ask for a better... well not ending but next chapter.

This is awesome news!!! :cool:

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...=last7DaysNews

For us who follow both codes here in the US, Hunt Ball’s dismal failure does not come as a surprise. Don’t know what Atlantic Equine paid for him, but if it was anything over $30K, he was greatly overpriced. His last UK win at Taunton was what amounted to a generous Class 3 event, whereby he didn’t really beat anything. Supposedly he got his ground here in the US, but not once did he pick up his feet. Thought maybe he didn’t like the inner turf courses, but not getting a result at a proper chasing course (Far Hills) tells me he is quite ordinary. A lateral move from Sheppard to Henderson won’t help. There was no issue with his jumping National Fences, he’s just not a very fast horse.

It would have been interesting to see at what level he would have been competitive here. Perhaps, he would have been better suited as a Timber horse. Moving back to the UK won’t change the fact that he is ordinary and I would not expect him to win a graded race there. I applaud Atlantic Equine for taking a shot at trying to bring a quality chaser/hurdler to the US. Unfortunately, Hunt Ball wasn’t that horse.

That was interesting and thanks for your take. Clearly you know what you're talking about.

Me? I just enjoy following him.

I think you're probably right in terms of being ordinary but sometimes there is beauty or greatness or whatever in the every day.

That he will go to Nicky Henderson who has trained some incredible horses is a cool next-part-of-the-journey.

I did start out thinking he had this potential to be something really special. He isn't, but I'm not disappointed.

I hope he wins again some day. :)

Scanman if you're around (... or Brock, or Cardus or anyone who understands this kind of thing)...

Could one of you guys please explain this... why he is even being considered here?

Very confused.

(Oh and for the record his last run was indeed in October at Fair Hill so it's not like he went home and showed them...).

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/horse-racing/26128471

Based on his form, an entry in the Grand National makes no sense and I would expect him to be withdrawn at some stage. His current handicap mark is 161, which is ridiculously high and is not commensurate with his ability. That explains why he was give so much weight.

Perhaps the British handicapper is playing it safe by assigning him such a high mark, but it is my opinion that he will be winless until his mark drops to around 140 and that won't happen.

Maybe the change of scenery will reinvigorate him. He's entered in a couple of top handicap chases at Ascot on Saturday, which I wouldn't think he'd have a prayer. However, he does have a entry in a novice hurdle at Market Rasen on Sunday. Since he doesn't have a hurdle's rating, he would run at level weights, and here, he may have a chance.

His Cheltenham festival entry is the Ryanair Chase at 2m 5f at level weights. There are some pretty good horses entered and if he were to run, I don't believe he would be competitive.

At his current mark, he's has no shot in any handicap, especially the Grand National.

THANK YOU for your time and insight and yes... here's hoping he's entered where he could actually be competitive.

I hope so too.

Even though he's unproven (winless) over 3 miles, I think they should have kept him in the US and given him a try over Timber fences. If his jumping is up to scratch, he would start at the bottom again; win a Maiden and if the quality is there, give him a shot at the MD Hunt Cup and VA Hunt Cup, both have a purse of $75K.

What a nice surprise...

3rd!

http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse...=last7DaysNews

Yeah, looks like they found a good spot for him to pick up a few quid. Sadly, he was beaten 31 lengths, so it's not as if they found a spot where he could win or even be competitive. Perhaps, he'll improve for the run and they will find a spot where he could be in the finish.

You can look at it that way or that he was 3rd. :p

I choose the latter.

* * *

Some good stuff on a lot of the super nice horses in the yard like Sprinter Sacre, Long Run, Bobs Worth, My Tent or Yours... and, of course...

He ran very well [at Ascot] and has come back to 155 from 161, which actually was his last winning weight. I think the ground will dictate. He's funny, shows you nothing at home, absolutely nothing. Apparently that's nothing new but he ran a very good race considering I can't believe he was anywhere near fit because if you do as little as him, you couldn't be fit. So I'm hoping we will be quite a lot straighter for this. 155 does give him an option. It means you've got to run in a handicap, so the option is going to be between the three-mile and the two and a half mile, the Byrne Plate and the Festival Handicap. Hadrians Approach will run in [the Festival Handicap], Hunt Ball possibly, Triolo D'Alene possibly, not Shakalaka. I think good ground will help him. If it was soft, two and a half, if it was good, maybe three and if it was halfway between the two, we'll go for what seems to be the best option. [Will he run in the Grand National?] We'll see what happens at Cheltenham.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/201...enham-festival

Well he certainly didn't disgrace himself today. I thought he did well... gave it everything he had.

Would love to hear your thoughts, scanman.

(I'm sure you saw it but for anyone who didn't and would like to...)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lunrm0TmqGc

Yeah, he ran a really game race. While he was never going to win it, they found a lucrative, level weights race for him to pick up some decent money for his connections. Certainly, Cheltenham and the other big/expansive UK racecourses favor his running style, and as such, can still be useful.

The Ryanair Chase was a good spot for him. The race shaped well, in that, it became a softer race because of the defection of Sprinter Sacre from the Champion Chase. Had SS ran in the Champion Chase many of the horses that ran there would have gone in the Ryanair instead, whereby I am certain HB would have been an also ran.

However, it would be foolish to bring him back to the US, as he has proven that US racecourses do not favor him. The only exceptions to that would be to run him at Butler, Glyndon, and/or Great Meadow over timber fences. Those layouts are huge (Butler has a 3/4 mile straight finish).

It will be interesting to see where they will point him. For now, his only entry is in the Grand National, which would be a waist of time as it is a handicap and he is rated way too high and he's a non-winner beyond 2 5/8 miles.

MSSC - Here's a little more insight as to the quality of the Ryanair Chase: http://www.sportinglife.com/racing/n...est-in-ryanair .

Thank you so much for that and for your take in the (other) above post.

I do know names like Sprinter Scare and Cue Card but am not so up to speed that I am able to keep track of who is pointed where or injured and so it begins to run together a bit, I'm embarrassed to say.

Interesting stuff and I appreciate... not only your insight but your patience.

As we get closer to the Grand National I hope you'll let me know who interests you and why.

Thank you again! :)

Some people wait all year for the Ky Derby or Breeders Cup, but it's the English Grand National for me. I love this race!!! Got to walk a bit of the front stretch when I attended in 1984. Will post back later as it gets closer, but for now Goulanes looked a very good winner of the Midlands National at Uttoxeter this past Saturday.

I'll look forward to it.

Assuming Dictina's Boy is retired now (no I didn't remember the name... only that there was once a thread for your horse :) ) do you have any others?

Yes, Dictina's Boy is retired, though he is being re-trained as future foxhunter or show horse.

I had another jumping prospect who won at 1 5/8m and was placed at 1 3/4m and 2 miles at Presque Isle Downs. His name is King Congo. You couldn't find a more genuine horse. We just couldn't keep him sound and as such has been retired. He is being re-trained as a show horse. His new owner absolutely loves him.

Currently, I'm taking a break from ownership, with the hope that I'll pick up a few somewhere down the road.

Well I hope that, when you do, you'll let me know so I can follow them. :)

Oh no!

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/201...-to-end-hoodoo

Nicky Henderson will run four in Grand National in a bid to end hoodoo

• Long Run's National odds cut after encouraging reports
• Champion trainer still hopes to catch Paul Nicholls

Meanwhile, Henderson conceded that Hunt Ball's stamina would be severely tested by the National's four and a half miles but expected that his owners would be keen to try their luck in the race. "He's run a great race [to be fourth at the Festival] and an extra half-mile's going to help him. This is an extra two miles."

You see, therein lies the problem. The owners are grievously mismanaging this horse. If he ends up running (and failure is a foregone conclusion), I hope it won't ruin what I believe to be a very useful horse in the right spot.

I agree and yes I hope you're right about him not being ruined cause, at this late date, he is definitely going. :wf

So who do you like?

In my heart of heart I hope either Long Run or Balthazar King wins. I am not familiar with too many in the race, to be honest, and will continue to look at the runners but would love to hear your opinion.

(... have to mention that I hope The Package doesn't fall again. He was my pick a few years ago. Not exactly a win machine but hope he does okay).

I know you really love this race and so hope you have a great time watching it and playing it. Stupidly (but honestly) it's the kind of race where I'd rather catch the replay after the fact. I have a hard time with the fallers so at least if I know what to expect... (I'm an idiot, I know).

As far as betting it I was totally going to sit it out but am having second thoughts. We shall see.

Best of luck to you, Scanman.

Thanks. Yes, the Grand National is my favorite race of the year (winning by a nose over the Cross-Country races at Cheltenham). Balthazar King is currently my favorite horse in training. He’s provided me with a couple of nice wins at Cheltenham, but I don’t see this as his race. While I hope he does well, I think sending him to a lucrative cross-country steeplechase in France would have been the move. But this is the Grand National and he’s in great form, so why not take a shot. Down the road, I’d like to see him line up in the Velka Pardubica at Pardubice in October.

My choice for the race is The Package. I really like the Pipe/Scudamore combination and it appears that he’s been laid out for the race. Lots of fantastic horses in the race, so he’ll need a bit of luck in running. He’s an easy bet for me, as he’ll be in the “Field” with Twinspires since their platform only provides 24 betting entities. So I will take the Field and get horses 24-40 (The Package is #33) and hope for the best. If he doesn’t come through, then maybe one of the other 15 will. If the odds are right, I may have a saver on Teaforthree and Prince De Beauchene.

Long Run could certainly be in the finish and his rider knows how to win on the National course taking the Fox Hunters’ Chase today on Warne for the same connections. I just don’t like the amount of weight he has to carry.

As for Hunt Ball, I just hope he comes out of the race okay.

Cannot wait to see who wins and how you did. :)

Had to post this (!).

103 year old who has bet this race for oh... the past 70 years (... without a winner).

http://www.independent.ie/world-news...-30151754.html

Congrats to the connections of Pineau De Re!

Scanman I was wondering your thoughts on the race which I obviously have not watched yet (although from what I hear everyone made it home just fine... is that right? Hope so). :)

Aintree

Crabbie's Grand National Chase (Grade 3 Handicap) 4m 3f 110y
(7yo+, 4m 3f 110y, Class 1, 40 runners)
Winner £561,300 2nd £211,100 3rd £105,500 4th £52,700 5th £26,500 6th £13,200 7th £6,800 8th £3,600 9th £2,000 10th £1,000
Going: Good (National Course: Good to Soft, Good in places)
Surface: Turf

1st 29 Pineau De Re (FR) Dr R D P Newland 11 10-6 L P Aspell 25/1
2nd 5 9 Balthazar King (IRE) P J Hobbs 10 10-13 R Johnson 14/1
SP 14/1 opened 16/1
3rd 1¼ 14 Double Seven (IRE) M Brassil 8 10-11 pt A P McCoy 10/1j
SP 10/1j £4900-£350 £4800-£400
4th 10 37 Alvarado (IRE) F M O'Brien 9 10-2 Paul Moloney 33/1
5th 2½ 5 Rocky Creek (IRE) P F Nicholls 8 11-5 N Fehily 16/1
6th s.h 26 Chance du Roy (FR) P J Hobbs 10 10-6 p T J O'Brien 33/1
7th 3 19 Monbeg Dude (IRE) M Scudamore 9 10-9 P Carberry 16/1
SP 16/1 opened 20/1
8th 16 34 Raz De Maree (FR) D T Hughes 9 10-3 v1 D J Condon 50/1
9th s.h 40 Swing Bill (FR) D Pipe 13 10-1 C O'Farrell 66/1
10th 4½ 28 Kruzhlinin (GER) D McCain Jnr 7 10-6 K Renwick 100/1
11th 2½ 16 Buckers Bridge (IRE) H De Bromhead 8 10-10 A E Lynch 66/1
12th 18 33 The Package D Pipe 11 10-4 pt T Scudamore 14/1
SP 14/1 opened 16/1
13th 6 32 Vesper Bell (IRE) W P Mullins 8 10-5 Ms K Walsh 40/1
SP 40/1 opened 50/1
14th 2 13 Across The Bay (IRE) D McCain Jnr 10 10-11 bt Henry Brooke 50/1
15th 7 11 Mr Moonshine (IRE) Mrs S J Smith 10 10-12 Ryan Mania 20/1
SP 20/1 opened 25/1
16th 37 18 Prince De Beauchene (FR) W P Mullins 11 10-10 P Townend 20/1
17th 33 3 Hunt Ball :) (IRE) N J Henderson 9 11-7 A Tinkler 50/1
18th 1 27 Hawkes Point P F Nicholls 9 10-6 Ryan Mahon 50/1

Also Ran

Tidal Bay (IRE), Long Run (FR), Triolo D'alene (FR), Quito De La Roque (FR), Colbert Station (IRE), Walkon (FR), Wayward Prince, Teaforthree (IRE), Battle Group, Lion Na Bearnai (IRE), Big Shu (IRE), Burton Port (IRE), Our Father (IRE), Mountainous (IRE), The Rainbow Hunter, Vintage Star (IRE), Golan Way, Twirling Magnet (IRE), Rose Of The Moon (IRE), Shakalakaboomboom (IRE), Last Time D'albain (FR), One In A Milan (IRE),

Fantastic race, as always. All made it back safe and sound from all reports.

The Package ran a game race, but flattened out. Betting-wise, it went well. The "Field's" odds were 3.30-1, so even though The Package didn't win Pineau De Re (#29) did save the day.

Balthazar King ran a fantastic race and I was thrilled to see him run 2nd. I hope they will find continued success with him throughout the year.

I was happy to see Hunt Ball complete the race, albeit 100+ lengths behind the winner. I hope he comes out of it okay and that they give him a try over the timber her in the US. He's earned a break and he could give the International Gold Cup and some other of the Fall timber races a try. Unfortunately, he's been hugely mismanaged thus far, so it's anyone guess where he will end up.

Another great National in the books. Never disappoints in the excitement category and has proven to be nicely profitable again.

I hope you enjoy the replay.

What a brave 2nd Balthazar King was and yes, just watched it and I am so happy that you did well and that Hunt Ball came home safe (that they all did). I hope his connections start doing right by him.

Thanks for your continued insight. I have much to learn and since it isn't terribly popular it keeps it interesting, fun and exciting when someone has the passion that you do and will share their thoughts!

Congrats on your very good day!

Replay for anyone interested...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfNpAewK4m4

Sounds like it could be the name of a book if his life story were ever written...

In a good way! :D

Thanks. Just one more jumps festival left (Punchestown, Ireland; 4/29-5/3) and the Scottish Grand National (Ayr) this Saturday.

However, the US jumps season has just completed the third week of the 2014 season. If you have the chance, you should try to attend one of the meets. I've been to all of the venues except High Hope (Lexington, KY) and My Lady Manor (Monkton, MD). All are great fun and I highly recommend them.

Thanks for the suggestions and yes maybe someday I will just do that!

In the meantime, it looks like they're not giving him a break (yet)...

http://www.herald.ie/sport/horse-rac...-30177594.html

Disappointing.

As Tidal Bay is the only horse I am familiar with (in the Scottish Grand National) I'm rooting for him (not a great reason but I'm being honest).

Let me know who you like - if you're around between now and then - and continued good luck!

Hope you had Al Co (wow 40/1)!

Wonder if the Herald misquoted Henderson. Hunt Ball is not listed among the declarations for said race: http://www.irishracing.com/cards/Pun...2014_5_30.html . I don't know how entries work over there. They still may be open, but as of now he's not entered. I also checked his profile on sportinglife.com and he currently is not entered in any race. Will wait and see.

Did not have the chance to watch the Scottish National live, and as such, did not have as much interested in it. I did watch the replay. Doubt if I could have come up with Al Co. He's a good ground horse and won a decent race at Chepstow last December (beat Alvarado, who was 4th in the Grand National). Of his mark, he had claims. Ayr may have be on the good side of good to soft, which would have aided him.

Hopefully, I'll have some time to watch the Punchestown festival.

I guess maybe this is the new plan...

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

I'd love to hear your thoughts. :)

It's a WFA, which will work in his favor. A couple of nice horses entered. Giving it a quick look, I would think that Spring Heeled will have a great chance.

He has a chance to get a check. It will be interesting to see if he takes to Sandown. He's never had a run there and it's pretty flat with a short finishing straight after the Pond Fence. He doesn't really have much of a turn of foot, usually just grinds it out.

Well good for him for getting check!

Once again would be happy to hear your thoughts.

http://www.racingpost.com/horses/res..._tabs=ANALYSIS