HDLG – At the time he was staying loyal to GDC who he had won two Gold Cups on.
Truth is that there is no current evidence at this stage to support the fact that The Jukebox Man or Jango Baie will get up the hill either – The Jukebox Man was outstayed by Stellar Story in the Albert Bartlett over 3m on heavy when looking sure to win (was that a lack of stamina????). Most of his form is on flat tracks like Kempton, Haydock, Newbury and Aintree with two of his defeats coming on undulating courses at Cheltenham and Chepstow (early in his career).
Jango Baie’s overall form isn’t outstanding and most of his relations operate around 2½m, yes he stayed on well to win the Arkle but we know that race fell apart and Kempton didn’t scream to me that he was crying out for another 2F.
GW has always got up the hill in his previous three visits to Cheltenham (never out of the first two) with comments stating “kept on well”, “kept on final 110yds” and “went clear run-in” and he won over almost 3m at Sandown when he powered up the hill there.
I do think the loss of momentum with Townend juggling with his whip on the run-in at Kempton arguably could have cost him the race when you realise he was beaten only a short head in 3rd and considering how hard he pulled early on in the Irish Gold Cup, he had every right to fall into a heap at the business end of the race and whilst no match for the winner, he stayed on stoutly to pull 8L clear of GDC on the run in.
The biggest worry for me with GW is whether Townend can get him settled early on, that will be critical to his chances because if he pulled like he did at Leopardstown it will compromise his chances that much more up that hill.
I think he is probably the most naturally talented horse in the race but an easy ride he ain’t – I feel the race could be run at a right good gallop and it just may well pay to sit off the early pace and try and sneak into the race late on…….tactics that worked well for GW at Aintree and Sandown last season.