Petingo wrote:sammy wrote:Looks like Samcro could be sidelined until next season.
'Samcro has been described as a very doubtful runner at the Cheltenham Festival in March after a deep-seated lung infection was found to be the cause of his tame defeat in the Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas.'
https://www.racingpost.com/news/latest/ ... eat/360709
I wonder if Gigginstown will be tempted to re-route Apple’s Jade from the Mare’s Hurdle to the Champion now?
Hi, Pet.
Here's what we know.
She's entered for the Mares, Stayers & Champion Hurdle.
She's also entered for the Irish Champion Hurdle on Feb 2nd where assuming she remains fit & well will be a definite runner.
Asked about the possibility of running in the Champion Hurdle the trainer stated yesterday,
“She’ll have an entry, but I’d say it’ll be very doubtful.”
http://www.irishracing.com/news?headlin ... rid=197278
So, it would seem that connections are intimating that a discussion and decision about AJ's Cheltenham target is already done & dusted. It makes perfect sense as statistically the Mares would appear the logical choice. However (and no great insight here) I believe the Irish Champion Hurdle will be key. If she performs to a high enough standard there then surely connections must sit down again to reassess her target. No great insight again but the black eye Buveur D'Air received over the festive period from stablemate Verdana Blue would offer further encouragement for a Champion Hurdle bid.
If she does end up there, off the top of my head I think she currently has around 10lb to find with BDA on official ratings although she will receive the 7lbs mares allowance which in theory makes things a good deal closer.
Regardless of where she ends up, one thing I think is worth mentioning is the poor form she displayed at Cheltenham & Punchestown last year that according to connections was due to her coming in and out of season. Again I'd have to look it up but I did read somewhere recently that she would be undergoing '
a minor surgical procedure ' to delay her coming into season. Not sure if inserting a marble into her uterus to trick her into thinking she’s in foal could be described as such, but hey, they might be doing something else with her
Seriously though, given the effect that condition had on her performances last year and however they go about rectifying it, it has to be factored in to calculations.