Alright Phil, I'd have been there myself but for having a miserable card at Detoxeter to cover.
In terms of physique, that's just the way he is, raw-boned but still a bit light-framed underneath if you know what I mean. He's a rangy horse and I imagine he'd grow even more into himself over the summer. Either way, I don't think he was hard-trained for Saturday, and I would trust few people more than the excellent Nick Williams to prepare a horse for the big day.
As for the run itself, Murphy seemed intent on keeping to the absolute inside of the hurdles track in the straight, even running him onto the chase course, and I think it was that above anything else that made him look as if he was lugging more than he was. After the last he maintains a perfectly straight line. It was a slowly-run race not conducive to an impressive performance and, more than anything, the first 2 need to be looked upon in a positive light for pulling as far clear as they did. As you will have seen, Bensalem is a big, rangy horse himself, one who'll do very well over fences next year you'd have thought.
Karabak is the horse you're referring to and, yes he's very good, a bigger danger than either of the Irish horses we, for some reason, have rated above Diamond H at present. His win at Ascot caught the eye and was backed up by a good time, but he hasn't impressed as well as DH, and I struggle to imagine him as being a better horse, especially as it may well be the case that the less testing conditions that we're sure to see at the Festival will suit Diamond Harry all the better.
Whatever you do, I'd implore you not to lay the thing!!
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Originally Posted by NoChanceToDance
Well, hello there Harry (stranger).
I was at Cheltenham on Saturday and I have to say, I had heard plenty about Diamond Harry since I have been away and I was very disappointed if I'm honest. He looked like a horse that the RSPCA might want to look at in the paddock...... very, very light and looked as fit as greyhound. Nick Williams might have made a HUGE mistake in preparing him for this, I think he has plenty of work on his hands to keep him in top nick for the festival.
I'm also concerned at the way he lugged left and at one point he looked like he might run out.
He only just got the better on Bensalem, and by all accounts and word of mouth at the track and at the sales last night, Alan King was delighted because he has something beginning with K that makes that Bensalem look like a moderate handicapper. I've not looked for this horse yet, but supposedly very, very good.
I hate to say it, but I will be laying Diamond Harry at a short price at the festival.
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