Hunt Ball rolls into town

[scanman]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

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.

[scanman]

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

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by scanman

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.

Originally Posted by scanman

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!

[scanman]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

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.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by scanman

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?

[scanman]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

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.

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by scanman

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.

[my miss storm cat]

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."