For those interested in the jumpers I've compiled a wee list of my top ten favourites since the birth of 606 (i.e. 2003) and have put it up here for anyone interested. Please feel free to comment upon my list as well as post your own. 1. HURRICANE FLY Famous might have been championed the 'Hurricane' since the horse was a foetus but I wasn't that long behind! I remember being fairly dumbstruck in the manner he took the Royal Bond as a novice and he has continually blossomed into the complete article. Silenced the critics with a striking performance in the Champion Hurdle then ended all doubts when annilihating the 2010 Champion at Punchestown. The gulf in class behind 'Hurricane' and his contemporaries to mind is vast. Always visually impressive, his jumping is rapier like, he is poised to challenge Istrabraq as the finest hurdler in history IMO. I have a cast iron belief that the 'Hurricane' can only rewrite the history books, each time he runs my belief gets stronger. My National Hunt horse of the 606 era. Peerless. 2. Kauto Star My favourite chaser around. No introduction needed for this one, where do you start? For starters he's won a couple of Gold Cups, a couple of Tingle Creeks and three Betfair Chasers. I haven't named the record breaking 4 King Georges in a row yet either. His finest moment was surely King George number 4 when he produced as fine a performance from a chaser as I have seen in my lifetime. 3. Big Bucks Something of an enigima in that he rarely 'routs' his rivals by a distance but wins with so much in hand it's a joy watching him run. Not to mention for the punters he is simply a cash machine! Worringly for his rivals he seems to still be improving, his Liverpool Hurdle stroll in April seemingly showing him to be a horse untouchable in this division. This fact always makes me yearn to see him chase again but probably a forlorn hope now. 4. Beef Or Salmon Held close to my heart this one! Invincible in his prime in Ireland he sent all comers packing round Leopardstown dealing with Gold Cup winners with ease such as Best Mate, War of Attrition and Kicking King. His moment of glory without question his tenth Grade One, his final win at the age of 11 when he collared the Listener from a seemingly hopeless position turning for home. He jumped the last fence 6 lengths down but just kept finding, the Leopardstown roar driving him home for a remarkable Grade One number ten! 5. Moscow Flyer No Master Minded for me I'm afraid folks, for me the 'Flyer' was the defining Champion Chaser of the era. Went on an incredible run of wins, with his only defeats coming when he fell or unseated. Raised the roof at Cheltenham regaining his Champion Chase at the age of 11, seeing off the high class Well Chief, half his age! 6. Hardy Eustace Dual Champion Hurdler, tough as teak and massively consistent in a prolonged career. Won me a small fortune at 33-1 in his first Champion, I could hardly leave him out of this! 7. Harchibald I was a massive fan of the big three Irish Hurdlers at that time but could only include two. Loved watching this old boy run and his successes at Newcastle and Kempton were very easy on the eye. Liked his awkward style of racing and I actually think he was giving his all on the bridle, you didn't need to flog him as he was trying all the time! Whilst this view not shared by punters I know a lot of racing people have said the same. A great horse to watch coming to the last cruising. 8. Denman Had to include this beast in any list! Luckily enough I had him well backed for his brutal Gold Cup success in 2008. Simon Holt's commentary still ringing in my ears, 'And Denman is DESTROYING them...' Great servant and his weight carrying performances impressed, particularly, the old school jumping fans. 9. Solerina Not as well known out of her native Ireland, small and genuine when conditions suited her she was a monster! Unbeatable around Fairyhouse over two and a half, the Hatton's Grace was HER race. 10. Well Chief Could have been one of the most deserving winners of a Champion Chase, unlucky to be around in Moscow Flyers time. A very popular and tough horse, plagued by injuries we'll never know what he could have done. Thanks for reading.
1. Big Bucks 2. Denman 3. Best Mate 4. Moscow Flyer 5. Master Minded 6. Kauto Star 7. Hardy Eustace 8. Hurricane Fly 9. Long Run 10. Inglis Drever
Hi King Good to see you, you've been less active on the old net than usual? Are you keeping your powder dry for some higher class racing?
Beef....No mate, just had a busy couple weeks, so I haven't had alot of time to post my selections! Will put some up soon once I have more time on my hands
1. Big Bucks 2. Kauto Star 3. Long Run 4. Binocular ( At his very best) 5. Master Minded 6. Denman 7. Black Jack Ketchum 8. Hurricane Fly 9. Best Mate 10. Punjabi
Hurricane Fly Big Bucks Kauto Star Denman Long Run Moscow Flyer Masterminded Inglis Drever Best Mate Harchibald
Istabraq Ron? Granted if he was around during the 606 era, he would most definately be near the top of everyones list
