HDLG – I viewed it differently as early on in the race he didn’t seem to be travelling like he normal does and I think it was even mentioned in the commentary during the race.
That being said, I do agree that he was beaten by the better horse on the day but I just don’t think he was at his very best (which it would have required to win) but especially when you consider what he did at Punchestown next time out where he beat Monty’s Star much further and more easily than he did in the Gold Cup.
With regards to the ground, when heavy ground starts to dry out it does get very sticky/holding and thus takes more effort to gallop through – if it is going to be like that on the day then oddly they could probably do with a small amount of rain to make it easier to get through.
Fingers firmly crossed that the meeting survives.