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As if you couldn’t already tell, I’m really excited about this horse, and have had my biggest bet for a long time.
Here’s my blog post from yesterday:
Many Clouds first came to my attention when he won the Hennessy. I had missed his seasonal debut at Carlisle, but reviewing it, I was struck with the precision of his jumping, echoed today in his BetBright Chase win.
What impressed me in the Hennessy was his will to win, despite being very tired. He did not jump so well at Newbury as he’d done at Carlisle and perhaps they went a bit quick for him early.
Today I was hugely impressed with everything about him. He jumped beautifully, ears pricked some way from take-off and jumping with precision and efficiency. I prefer horses who jump like that. Sprinter Sacre and a few others can take the breath away at times, but you’re safer with horses who measure every fence confidently and spend little time in the air.
His ears never stopped flicking, showing he was always listening to his fine jockey Leighton Aspell. Between fences he just relaxed and his raking stride did the work naturally, saving much energy. Come battle time, he stretched his neck and they were never going to pass him, and I thought he won with quite a bit in hand.
His trainer Oliver Sherwood does not want fast ground for him in the Gold Cup, but perhaps too much has been made of his disappointing run at Aintree in April. That very tight track would not suit him at all, with the long stride he has. His galloping action does not suggest that he needs deep ground, and they won’t allow it to be faster than genuine good ground at worst in March.
He has everything going for him: jumps soundly, stays, battles, is now close to top class and still improving. His attitude and jumping ability are precious assets. I thought it remarkable how well balanced he was after each jump. For such a big horse, he’s entitled to look awkward at times, but far from it. He took the downhill fence with elan and composure.
I haven’t been so confident I’ve just seen a Gold Cup winner since I watched Denman win his RSA. Many Clouds reminds me of Denman, not least in the way he just lowers his head at the business end and rams his way past the post.
10/1 non runner no bet is available with Paddy Power, and I strongly advise you to take it.
Good luck
Steeplechasing, I am very jealous of that 33-1. I am not sure why I didn’t do the same, before the race i mopped up plenty of 16-1 for the GC.
I usually nip on a few of these doubles but slipped my mind this year. Annoyingly was convinced 4-1 was far to big yesterday yet didn’t bet. Had a mare.
Conti is too short for me.It makes the GC a race to go at. A few weeks ago it was even better, the field was largely 16-1 bar from Conti and R2R.
Go on the clouds.
Ironically. I’d have got much better value with a single bet at 4s then sticking it all on at 10s.
I think you’re 33-1 is a victim of the bookies not cutting as much as expected with a win. I think that 10-1 will be eradicated in no time. The big issue is good ground but that is taken with the price.
I think the key for me is just at the last 100 yards, it looked like he was potentially tiring or the other two were getting closer then he actually starts going away a little again right at the death, this for me suggests he would be able to out stay these two and potentially could have won further.
Many Clouds fits the bill for second season chaser GC winner, I hope he wins for Hennings too. Trabolgan always looked the part too.
Huge fan of Many Clouds as well. Horse owes me nothing, backed him in all 3 wins this year but it wasn’t until yesterday that I really believed he was a potential Gold Cup Winner. I think I was a bit put off after the Hennessy with the trainer saying something along the lines of "I don’t care what he does the rest of the season". I was really impressed by his performance and looks to be improving. Got 12/1 immediately after the race with Paddy. 2nd season chaser, Hennessy Winner, now won at the track, jumps well, stays well, what’s not to love?
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Still think Boston Bob has a better chance than most predict, he’ll be primed for this race and will stay all week let alone all day.
Still think Boston Bob has a better chance than most predict, he’ll be primed for this race and will stay all week let alone all day.
Are you sure about that?
I’d rank him as a doubtful stayer over 3m 2f.
His best over fences and hurdles has been over c2m 4f. He had the speed to win the Melling which not many gold cup winners could repeat.Still think Boston Bob has a better chance than most predict, he’ll be primed for this race and will stay all week let alone all day.
Are you sure about that?
I’d rank him as a doubtful stayer over 3m 2f.
His best over fences and hurdles has been over c2m 4f. He had the speed to win the Melling which not many gold cup winners could repeat.Tend to agree with Shack.
Boston Bob is a horse who I have followed closely since his novice hurdling days, and I’m still not sure I have him figured out.
He gives the impression of being a boat who stays relentlessly but he has a lot more speed than he is given credit for. He’s inclined to sulk in his races if things aren’t going his way and the key to him seems to be getting into a decent rhythm and letting him do his own thing. He warms to the task as the race goes on and it was more than just staying power that he showed in winning two Grade 1’s at the back end of last season.
He is one of the more interesting outsiders for the Gold Cup but I think I’d follow the same path as last season (Ryanair, Melling, Punchestown) if it was up to me. On a side note I’ve taken 4/1 about about him winning the Hennessy on Sunday, where he should get decent ground, and the opposition do not look particularly special.
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So I think we can come to the conclusion that none of us really know what Boston Bob is about, what his potential is, where he’ll be aimed or what trip he wants.
Mullins messed this horse about from day 1 by putting Townend on him. The poor horse deserves better. At least he has finally come to his senses.
I think the horse stays the Gold Cup trip if he’s dropped out and given a late surge.
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Townends nowhere near good enough to be riding in Group races, over hurdles he’s not the worst to be fair, but I avoid him at all costs over fences.
He won on the fly because the horse was good enough to carry him over the line and this year the Fly has no chance so Townend riding him is meaningless.
This seems like a matter we’ll never agree on!
Right stop distracting me I’m going to be late now
Townends nowhere near good enough to be riding in Group races, over hurdles he’s not the worst to be fair, but I avoid him at all costs over fences.
He won on the fly because the horse was good enough to carry him over the line and this year the Fly has no chance so Townend riding him is meaningless.
This seems like a matter we’ll never agree on!
Right stop distracting me I’m going to be late now
And I believe Townend rides The Fly at home and has done a brilliant job with him. I recall there was a bit of debate that it was very harsh on him that Ruby walked back into the plate on 2011 Champion hurdle after Townend’s great run on him.
No jock is perfect and occasionally I have though on some novice chasers he’s had a moment or two of uncertainty, but i’d certainly rather have him onside than against me.
PS BHison, there are no "Group" races over jumps
7/2 Best price Boston for the Hennessy with Sports book, remainder generally around 5/2 mark.
I’ve just partaken. My comments still apply about the trip for him, but 3miles round Leopardstown In a soft grade 1 is definitely not 3 1/4 miles around Chelters at full tilt against genuine grade-oners !
7/2 Best price Boston for the Hennessy with Sports book, remainder generally around 5/2 mark.
I’ve just partaken. My comments still apply about the trip for him, but 3miles round Leopardstown In a soft grade 1 is definitely not 3 1/4 miles around Chelters at full tilt against genuine grade-oners !
I think the ground is key to him, and it’s currently Yielding, soft in places. We look set for a dry week over here and Leopardstown drains very well so I’m hopeful those soft places will have dried up
I’ve always felt Paul Townend to be a very capable jockey, in fact I quite like him. I’ve slagged of a few of Ruby Walsh’s rides in the past but I don’t think he’s a bad jockey.
As much as I respect Many Clouds (especially after backing him to win the Hennessy) and would love to see Sherwood and Aspell team up to win a Gold Cup, I just don’t see him winning this year. He strikes me as a bit of a grinder and you need to be able to quicken well to win a Gold Cup these days (Synchronised and Lord Windemere came from afar). I would say that he’s bang on for a first 4 finish if not for his seemingly bad performance in last year’s RSA (he looked in trouble before coming down) and at Aintree behind Holywell. I think everything’s gone right for him in his races so far this year and I can’t see value in his current price. In fact I half-think that The Giant Bolster is likely to finish in front of Many Clouds come the day. For Many Clouds to win this I think he’ll have to be ridden the same way Denman was when he won, and Many Clouds doesn’t look like a Denman yet. I hope I’m wrong.
I see this being the year finally for Silviniaco Conti with Lord Windemere being the big danger, just because he comes alive at Cheltenham in March no matter what his form is throughout the season beforehand.
As much as I respect Many Clouds (especially after backing him to win the Hennessy) and would love to see Sherwood and Aspell team up to win a Gold Cup, I just don’t see him winning this year. He strikes me as a bit of a grinder and you need to be able to quicken well to win a Gold Cup these days
That is the same feeling I have with Many Clouds, I could be wrong, but he initially struck me as a horse who could win a Grand National one day.
The problem I see for Many Clouds is that, if it comes up softer and makes it more of a grind, it will also suit Silviniaco Conti, whose Gold Cup run last year and poor effort in the Charlie Hall both came when the ground was faster. Silvi looked much more at home forcing the pace on a yielding surface the last twice and given those conditions he’ll be hard to beat, even if he has fallen and disappointed in the race the past two years.
I’d rather leave it and try Many Clouds at lower odds nearer the time, than go in now and see it come up quickish on the day. He’s an exciting prospect but I just have a nagging feeling he’ll find one or two with more toe.
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
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