Ascot Gold Cup 2009

Well we’ve been here before with a certain horse called Persian Punch. Was fine between 2m and 2m 2f but time after time went to the Gold Cup and didn’t stay.

I can think of another horse, Hindu Kush handles all ground and stays all day. After his brilliant staying performance in the St Leger I said to myself "Ascot Gold Cup horse".

There"s more chance of him running in the "Pitmans Derby" than the Gold Cup Bul, he would probably get top weight mind, but being trained by the
"Sprint King" it could be a pipe opener for the Ayr Gold Cup!

More words of wisdom from TAPK

Patkai got stuffed and Hindu Kush just put up a great staying performance to beat the odds on Alandi.

Nice one Bully 50/1 and his odds have halved with some bookies, must have decent chance of running in the Gold Cup now if they think he’ll get the trip.

I think he may have to be ridden differently at ascot, still at a loss to explain why he went so badly in the chester cup. Only thing I can think of is that he hit the front too soon with a big weight. He was definitely impressive yesterday and I think Alandi isnt a bad animal either. A very encouraging performance.

At the same time as I thought Patkai proved how overhyped he was last night. Whay he was ever 4-1 etc was always beyond me.

I listened intently to Sean Boyce’s interview with Aidan O’Bien today, and particularly on the subject of Yeats.

Although Aidan said that we should disregard Yeats’ previous run, I got the distinct impression that he thinks Yeats is not the horse he was, and he really did not sound all that confident about him winning another Ascot Gold Cup.

He seemed more hopeful than confident.

While bookmakers have overreacted to Patkai odds, people on here are overreacting and seemingly glad Patkai lost almost to the point of cartwheels.

Patkai is still a very young horse for this division and can only get better with age, in a NH Flat surely Patkai would have got more than the 2lbs he was given, given a fast ground he will surely improve at his favouritee racecourse. But only on fast surface he should be backed on the day and not an Ante-Post bet.

I think Patkai has a bright future and that being said he was misbehaving for me out there during the race and the winner hardly helped his cause although that isn’t an excuse as he was legit beaten.

Patkai reminds me of the Girl you see in the distance. She looks great until you get to know her and she turns out to be totally different to what you imagined.

Patkai is great to watch when he wins but got his bum well and truly felt by Georgdieland. He has a huge task to reverse fom with him and won’t if Geordieland stays. He looked like doing Yates last year and stopped but what we saw of him last time he looked keener to race than ever.

The bookies are puting too much emphasis on him not staying and we don’t even know if Patkai will. He did me a favout shoving Yeats out to 4/1. I said Patkai wasa crazy price then but now his price is just plain rediculous

Anyway I’ve never doubted Yeats would bounce back and I’ll be shocked if he can’t beat this lot and put himslef in the history books.

3:45 Gold Cup

Yeats is a terrific horse. Ran a long way below his best when the stable was in poor form; with horses needing their first run. Pushed along very early in a slowly run race. It was on soft going but Yeats has run well on the surface before. His record fresh was exceptional before then. Now eight years old, it would not be at all surprising if he is on the downgrade. That said, there are doubts about all the other horses and I still have him joint favourite.

Patkai looked the heir apparent on reappearance, though did not beat much. Has a good record here, won the Queen’s Vase last year. Seemed to be beaten fair and square at Sandown by Geordieland. However, probably went for home in earnest too soon there. The time a very good one. Stables horses have been running well without winning so far. Did not look entirely straightforward but few stayers do, Yeats an exception.

Geordieland before his win last time has looked a dog. Only winning if he can lead on the line. Second in two Gold Cups and did nothing wrong when beating Patkai, but was probably favoured by coming late off a strong pace. Possibly temperament (if not his form) is better fresh. May not be able to show that genuine nature again.

Veracity showed improved form in Dubai and unlike many stable runners, ran well enough over an inadequate trip (1m6f) first time back over here. Running on under minimal assistance in the Yorkshire Cup after getting outpaced. Gives the impression the further he goes the better he’ll be and could improve at this marathon distance. Frankie said at the start of Ascot this is his best chance of the week.

Eastern Anthem improved in to a top class horse in Dubai but could not muster any challenge back here in the Coronation Cup. Has never impressed as a stayer, unlikely to stay further than 1 ½ miles let alone 2 ½.

Sagara since last year’s race has not looked capable of the form he showed there. Though possibly needs a thorough test. More temperament question marks than Geordieland.

Washington Irving has not looked up to this even when with Aidan O’Brien, now with Howard Johnson. Needs to improve dramatically for the step up in trip.

Hindu Kush got a good ride from the front last time. Probably flattered and needs to improve on that. Well beaten in the Chester Cup but may not have been suited by the large field there.

Centennial ran well enough on reappearance when second in the John Porter at Newbury. Stable was in far better form than now. Disappointed in the Yorkshire Cup. Has pulled hard at shorter trips and unlikely to stay.

My 100% Book

Patkai 11/4

, Yeats 11/4, Geordieland 4/1,

Veracity 9/2

, Eastern Anthem 28/1, Sagara 50/1, Washington Irving 80/1, Hindu Kush 100/1, Centennial 100/1.

Am on Patkai ante-post but have also backed Veracity at 7/1 now.

Mark

Frankie seemed cheekily confident about Veracity’s chance on Tuesday, Carv, so I wouldn’t be too disheartened.

Geordieland looks the pick on recent form given Yeats’s appalling reappearance, but this is one race I can safely say I’ll be avoiding.

The first year I have deserted Yeats. I think he’s not the horse he was.

Therefore, It has to be Patkai for me.

Hopefully his liking for Ascot will help his cause.

you’d have to be a mad man to back against him. it’s a case of back him or watch imo. i’ve backed him, he doesn’t owe me nowt. it’s just a case of being part of racing history for me. in 20/30 years time being able to say i backed it, what price, how johnny gave him a brilliant ride etc etc.

I’ve often written on 606 and various other forums about Yeats’ brilliance, but I think for the moment I’ll let the horse’s achievements do the talking. But I will say one thing – for me, he will always be the most underrated horse in history.