1. Historical Context and Evolution of Racing Analytics

The author’s passion for horseracing stemmed from childhood exposure and a love for sports, particularly athletics.

Racing analytics have evolved significantly, enabling meaningful comparisons between horses of different eras.

Denman, a standout from 2007 and 2009, serves as a benchmark for modern performances like Kandoo Kid’s recent Coral Gold Cup victory.



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2. Comparison of Denman and Kandoo Kid

Denman (2009):

Won off a mark of 174 with a performance rating around 180, carrying 11-12.

Sectionals showed a strong mid-race acceleration and sustained finish.


Kandoo Kid (2024):

Won off a mark of 145, achieving a rating of about 150.

Despite a competitive field, the performance didn’t match Denman’s dominance.


Denman’s superior pace and sustained speed suggest he could have beaten Kandoo Kid by 30–35 lengths under similar conditions.



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3. Coral Gold Cup Insights

The race revealed subtle pacing strategies:

Both Denman and Kandoo Kid performed similarly to key pars early but diverged in the final stages.

Kandoo Kid, while steady mid-race, was outpaced late compared to Denman.

Sectionals highlighted the late speed of runners like Victtorino and Senior Chief, who outperformed Kandoo Kid in the final furlong.




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4. Advancements in Jumping Metrics

Modern tools now measure jump fluency:

Kandoo Kid was the third-most efficient jumper in the Coral Gold Cup field, losing only 7.3% speed on average.




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5. BetMGM Fighting Fifth Hurdle: Sir Gino’s Performance

Sir Gino’s victory compared favorably with Constitution Hill’s 2022 win:

Similar pacing early, but Constitution Hill was marginally faster late.

Sir Gino’s time was among the fastest recorded at Newcastle, benefiting from quick ground conditions.




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6. Lossiemouth’s Stellar Hattons Grace Hurdle Win

Lossiemouth showcased extraordinary speed, finishing the last 2 furlongs in 25.91 seconds.

She edges out Sir Gino on ratings due to a sex allowance, positioning her as a leading contender in her division.



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7. Other Notable Performances

Fairyhouse’s First Day:

Anzadam impressed in a shorter trip with remarkable late speed, emerging as a potential Champion Hurdle contender.

Impaire Et Passe delivered a strong finish in a beginner’s chase, boosting his novice chase division credentials.


Fairyhouse’s Second Day:

Tounsivator shone in the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, with Naturally Nimble and Willy de Houelle performing well in other contests.

The Drinmore Novice Chase, won by Croke Park, was a messy race but elevated by late splits.




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8. Updated Sectional Ratings

The author provides revised ratings across jumps divisions, highlighting standouts like:

Lossiemouth, Sir Gino, and Tounsivator among others.

British-trained




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Conclusion

The article uses advanced sectional analysis to provide deeper insights into race performances, emphasizing the significance of pacing, finishing speed, and jump efficiency. While modern racing offers impressive talents like Lossiemouth and Sir Gino, the legacy of horses like Denman remains unparalleled.

You can read his full article here> https://www.attheraces.com/blogs/sectional-spotlight/03-december-2024/sectional-spotlight