Binocular and Punchestown

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Gonetofrance

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Nicky Henderson's sitting pretty, what incredible performances these two put up today......
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That's the Champion and World Hurdles sewn up, I think!
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Very damn good day at the office!! Got to be one of his best in a while.

Though I think New Mead might have been nearer the front if he'd picked his legs up in time, and not given everyone a heartattack- though not to take anything away from Sentry Duty.
 
He had a great day today that is for sure and he has been having a purple patch of late. But Cheltenham is a long way away lol.
I was impressed by Binocular though as AP hardly asked him for anything. But what does worry me slightly is though is the ease of his success in a way because from memory a lot of horses I have seen win impressively on the bridle in trial races have found virtually nothing when the pressure is really on in the real deal.
Don't get me wrong he is a great horse in the making and the race in which he finished second last season at Cheltenham is a superb race for the future, perhaps the best long term guide for hurdlers and chasers in my opinion. I mean even Best Mate came from that race some years back.
I still have faith in Katchit though and don't believe he ran his race today. Even King didn't seem full of enthusiasm before the race and maybe just maybe he had a better chance of winning last Sat when it was called off as the horse is tons better at Chelt. But even so I thought Katchit looked cooked today and a little under done. He was like that a lot last season though and disappointed in the trials before winning the big race so I still have faith he will bounce back in March.
I also think the Irish raider Sizing Europe could have a big say in the race too as he was wrong last season according to connections and it has now been sorted. We will know more about him after the Ire champion hurdle I reckon.
As for the stayers well what can you say about Punchestowns, impressive or what. He certainly has a future. Whether this season's world hurdle will be a year too soon though I'm not sure and only time will tell. Blazing Bailey was not on a going day today that was for sure as Choc gave him a slap down the neck even before they lined up. Perhaps he has his own way of doing things and maybe a change of gear may bring about some improvement like sheepskin pieces instead of blinkers or even leaving them off and then re-applying.
I still have an open mind about the world and champion hurdle though at this stage.
Take nothing away from Henderson today though as it was a very good training performance today to do what he has done.
Caz
 
It may be a point for Katchit- thouch I actually like the horse, just seemed like he didn't want to today. Perhaps, although his bloods are currently clear, he does have a virus or something, or maybe as trainer said, just a bit bored.
 
It was some race watching them all play cat and mouse round Ascot! Katchit is at his best at Cheltenham, and always runs better later in the season, but I think Binocular is the next Istabraq. He's stonger this year, and his jumping is fast and neat.
I backed Captain Cee Bee when he beat Binocular at Chentenham, and it's a crying shame he's out for the season. They'd planned a novice chase campaign for him, I think solely due to JP having two top horses in the same divisions. And CCB looked the more likely chaser, IMO. Imagine if he can come back and transfer that speed to fences.........
Sizing Europe cost me last year, and he was en route to winning the CH when he went wrong. I don't think he's back to what he was yet, if he ever comes back.
 
That yard is FLYING this season - im looking forward to NCs debut in the Welsh National at Chepstow too he (belongs to a friend of mine)
 
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