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Whilst Don Poli is one angle on this race, Valseur Lido is another – and I was very impressed with that run.
As I wrote on the WPM/Giggi thread, last year was disappointing in comparison with his novice season, even though it would all have looked rather different if Ruby hadn’t have fallen off him in the Irish Gold Cup and Vautour hadn’t turned up in the Ryanair… Today’s performance though looked to me to be different gravy. The horse travelled fantastically, didn’t make the semblance of a mistake and cruised away from SC in a hack canter. In short, he looked a proper 3-mile chaser. HdB’s comments suggest the same, and the look on Ruby’s face as he pulled him up spelled ‘the one that got away’ (or substitute … !). An interesting ‘sighter’ ride, as well as a useful spare financially? Not sure that I buy that SC blew up – PN is on record that he had him in much earlier than last year, that he’s had a trouble free run with him, unlike last year, and that the racecourse gallop at Chepstow had him spot on for today. Plus his string have been running out of their skins. Rather, I think VL is finally showing what a class act he is. What with him and Identity Thief, HdB has a couple to ‘go to war’ with for Giggi – and a big consolation for what went on over the summer.
As for DP – my goodness, Barry was hard at work on him from early on. The horse is clearly lazy (very!) but I’m not sure he’s any lazier or worse than he was last year. For me he is what he looks: a staying handicap chaser who just hasn’t got the toe to keep pace with the better 3-milers.
Whilst Don Poli is one angle on this race, Valseur Lido is another – and I was very impressed with that run.
As I wrote on the WPM/Giggi thread, last year was disappointing in comparison with his novice season, even though it would all have looked rather different if Ruby hadn’t have fallen off him in the Irish Gold Cup and Vautour hadn’t turned up in the Ryanair… Today’s performance though looked to me to be different gravy. The horse travelled fantastically, didn’t make the semblance of a mistake and cruised away from SC in a hack canter. In short, he looked a proper 3-mile chaser. HdB’s comments suggest the same, and the look on Ruby’s face as he pulled him up spelled ‘the one that got away’ (or substitute … !). An interesting ‘sighter’ ride, as well as a useful spare financially? Not sure that I buy that SC blew up – PN is on record that he had him in much earlier than last year, that he’s had a trouble free run with him, unlike last year, and that the racecourse gallop at Chepstow had him spot on for today. Plus his string have been running out of their skins. Rather, I think VL is finally showing what a class act he is. What with him and Identity Thief, HdB has a couple to ‘go to war’ with for Giggi – and a big consolation for what went on over the summer.
As for DP – my goodness, Barry was hard at work on him from early on. The horse is clearly lazy (very!) but I’m not sure he’s any lazier or worse than he was last year. For me he is what he looks: a staying handicap chaser who just hasn’t got the toe to keep pace with the better 3-milers.
Good analysis except I’d disagree with don poli being slow, he won the Martin pipe and didn’t look slow in the RSA either. Just not fit IMO
He’s a strong stayer but is very slow/lazy
I’ve seen faster growing bacteria in a house of one of those people on Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners than what Don Poli is.Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
Perhaps I’ve been watching Thistlecrack and Douvan too much,
in comparison Don Poli is snail likeGaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
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