Harchibald

[NoChanceToDance]

Originally Posted by brockguy

Im down in Tipp at the weekend so I might get to see this guy return. He is probably my favourite NH horse (the jumps version of Discreet Cat as well id say!) and I had my biggest bet of my life on this guy when he won the Bula hurdle. things havent really gone right since his injury, but Id love him to get back to his brilliant best.


from the racingpost.

Possible return for Harchibald in Grade 2 at Tipperary


byBrian Fleming
.
HARCHIBALD, off the track since running fifth in the ACC Bank Champion Hurdle at Punchestown in April, could return to action at Tipperary on Sunday.

The enigmatic eight-year-old, runner-up in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2005, is oneof 11 entries for the Grade 2 Killerk Construction Tipperary Hurdle.

Harchibald won this race two years ago when it was sponsored by JP McManus but in three other attempts in the last four years has been out of luck.

His participation on Sunday isnot certain according to champion jumps trainer Noel Meade, who also has recent Cork winner Definate Spectacle in the race.

He said on Tuesday: "Harchibald is on track again but I'm not sure whether he's ready enough to win on Sunday but he is ready to return. We brought him to Roscommon for a piece of work after racing on Monday and it went pretty well.

"We'll decide later in the week but he wouldn't run on very quick or if it was a bog neither would run. Definate Spectacle will definitely run if the ground is good or better."

Accordion Etoile who had just one run last season over fences since winning the Grade 1 Swordlestown Cup at Punchestown in 2006 is also among the entries. His last outing over hurdles came in the 2005 Galway Hurdle when eighth behind More Rainbows, the same year he finished fourth to Hardy Eustace in the Champion Hurdle.
Trainer Paul Nolan will not decide until the eight-year-old, who has encountered leg trouble in the past, works on Wednesday morning.

He said: "He'll do some work on Thursday and we'll make a decision but he's probably still a bit rusty. If I'm not happy with him he won't run. He wasn't himself at Fairyhouse and he's had an operation since but he seems to be doing okay."

Michael Halford will "most likely" run Tipperary All Star in the race and also intends running Athasi Stakes winner Eastern Appeal in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes.

Jim Bolger confirmed last year's winner Moderooch will be joined by Anna's Rock in the Concorde, while Eddie Lynam intends running Park Stakes runner-up Duff.

How dare you compare him to that overrated junk..... Discreet who?

[brockguy]

dont be dissing a horse that beat Invasor (one of only 3 to do so and beat him by much further than the other 2!) and as a 3yo gave weight and a beating to older horses..

[NoChanceToDance]

Originally Posted by brockguy

dont be dissing a horse that beat Invasor (one of only 3 to do so and beat him by much further than the other 2!) and as a 3yo gave weight and a beating to older horses..

Didn't quite a few beat Invasor (when he was only 50% fit) in the UAE Derby??

I'm sorry, but he is overrated. He is a good horse, but not an exceptional one. Godolphin said he was fit and ready for his run the other day and were convinced he had the speed for six. Everyone on the track said he looked plenty fit enough, and these days it is much easier to get horses race fit after an absence. He was hust no where near good enough, and now they are being forced to run him in an ungraded mile race next time.

[brockguy]

3 did, but the kitty cat beat him 7L..
and i suppose he is similar to harchi is that he causes so much debate. Remember after the champ hurlde 05? just so much talk..i think hes great though..

[NoChanceToDance]

Originally Posted by brockguy

3 did, but the kitty cat beat him 7L..
and i suppose he is similar to harchi is that he causes so much debate. Remember after the champ hurlde 05? just so much talk..i think hes great though..

But as i say, Invasor was only about 50% for the run in the UAE Derby, and apart from him...... that race sucked.... and i mean sucked. Correct me if i'm wrong, but Testimony had only one a minor race before then and got stuffed in an average race after then.

The third horse didn't un since, all the horses that have run from that UAE Derby (apart from Invasor, who improved no end) have either not run or done no good.

As i said, he is a good horse, but not an exceptional one. He has many limitations in my opinion.

Harchibald is a character. There is no doubt he has a HUGE amount of ability, but he is a very difficult ride. Whether he does too much one the bridle and has nothing left at the end, or whether he just doesn't want to know...... there is no straight answer. What i do know, is that if they did find the key to him. He'd win next years champion hurdle standing on his head and giving the other a mile head start.

[my miss storm cat]

Love Harch.

Okay, resume your conversation.

[brockguy]

i think that he doesnt give as much as he should and while him and Carberry look so good together, it mightnt be a good thing..