Yes, Denman was very impressive in the Hennessy but ...
It is the type of comment, from Denman’s colourful part-owner, which simply endears him to punters.
Sitting on the fence is obviously alien to the man and there is little or no likelihood splinters will ever have to be removed from his sizeable posterior!
Findlay later proceeded to completely dismiss the notion of principal Irish challenger, Cooldine, being good enough and that didn’t half stir the pot.
He wears his heart on his sleeve and appears to know little or nothing about political correctness.
Findlay is not a person who says something with any sort of malice, he just spurts out exactly what he’s thinking at a particular time.
For those of us who despise the whole concept of political correctness, he is a joy to behold and makes for compulsive listening.
So is he right about Denman, following that horse’s performance when defying top weight in Saturday’s Hennessy at Newbury? Well, maybe!
No matter what way you look at the race, this had all the appearances of a staggering display. I cannot get my head around how Denman actually managed to pull it off.
I mean from a long way out, he seemed to be travelling at half-speed while those giving chase - getting lumps and lumps of weight - were gasping for breath in an attempt to keep tabs on him.
In the end he beat What A Friend and Irish Grand National winner, Niche Market, three and a half lengths and three and a quarter lengths.
What A Friend was getting 22lbs, while Niche Market was in receipt of a whopping 29lbs. In theory, I suppose, that says it all.
And yet, here’s one who has just little nagging doubts that the theory may not quite translate to reality.
To my eyes most of the opposition never seemed to go a yard and if you were to meet a rival who was travelling better than you heading to the last it would be the far from straightforward What A Friend every time.
More than likely, I am being overly cautious and unfairly churlish and Denman really is back better than ever.
Excuse me, however, if I wait just a while longer before joining the mildly hysterical masses.
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I WAS a trifle surprised Big Zeb was put in at such a short price earlier in the week for Saturday’s Tingle Creek at Sandown.
Mind you he soon began to drift a bit, although around 7-4 favourite still seems to overplay his prospects.
There’s no doubt this is a smart horse and most of the time he’s won, the finances have been in a better state.
You could argue, however, Big Zeb is more highly regarded in Britain than in his home country, based largely, you suspect, on the fright he gave Master Minded at the Punchestown Festival.
It’s hard to fathom, though, whether the real Master Minded turned up that day. I don’t know, I just thought a watching brief was best on Saturday, considering Big Zeb will be tackling the likes of Twist Magic, Well Chief and Forpadydeplaster.
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SOLWHIT may have only finished third in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle last Saturday, but it in no way diminished his Champion Hurdle prospects.
This was a total farce of a race, emphasised by the fact the finish was dominated by two horses, Go Native and Sublimity, who travel like a dream on the bridle.
Solwhit had no chance of delivering off a funereal pace and his prospects were gone before half way.
No, he needs to get down and dirty and will always be suited by a swinging gallop, with a combination of speed and stamina coming into play late on. As a Champion Hurdle trial, this was utterly useless and of no relevance.
