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The best horse won without doubt, but I’m not sure that Petit Mouchoir and
Saint Calvados didn’t seal their fates early on. They went off like the proverbial
scalded cats in pretty testing conditions. I doubt it would have made any difference
to the winner, but I would have expected them to fill the 2nd and 3rd spots between them.What were Russell and Coleman thinking? Their races were over before they got to the top of the hill.
Had backed Petit Mouchoir 12-1 antepost. Decided not to back Footpad at the odds even though I thought he would win.
I’d like to think the two experienced jockeys were passengers and the horses were lit up, because that pace was suicidal.
Their tactics seemed madness; they were never likely to get home, especially on heavy ground…
Probably the best horse won, but you can’t say that for definite – when the other two with winning chances going in to it both ran far too fast for their own good.
Turned a vintage quality Arkle going in to the race in to a farce after a couple fences.
Value Is EverythingYeah i had to get out in running aswell ginge, silly rides from both.
Best horse won for me regardless
The criticism is a bit of a double edged sword. If either Petit Mouchoir or Saint Calvados were allowed to lead and set the fractions without bother it may have been to detriment of the one that decided not to make it.
Just my opinion.Brilliant performance from footpad. It was so obvious from early on that the pace of the front two was far too quick for heavy ground.
I think its pretty Safe to say that Footpads performance was at least a 170 performance beating 156 and 157 rated rivals by 14 lengths without being extended. In fact I’d nearly say 172. That puts it right up there as I’ve if the best novice performances of recent times.
Great stuff with Footpad. Not often I’ll call an Arkle winner in November at such odds and watch it go off a short priced fav.
I’ve no idea what Russell was doing on Petit Mouchoir. Why stalk Footpad at Leopardstown but then set such a ridiculous pace in the Arkle on deeper ground ?!
Well done Footpadders. Must have some engine the way he jumped the last two. Very unlike Russell to ride any race at Cheltenham that way, but St Calvados was always in danger of running himself out – his style means he’ll give himself a hard race every time. He did so at Warwick and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was still feeling the effects.
Petit Mouchouir must have a fine engine himself given how long he lasted off a suicidal ride.
It says a lot that Brain Power was second because I thought he had no chance today. He looked devoid of the necessary pace early in the race and with the two clowns battling it out at the front, Footpad has managed to get away with a howler and win a somewhat unsatisfactory affair.
There was talk of the Gold Cup for Footpad in time but that was a very disappointing Arkle in terms of numbers and the way the race panned out.
Saint Calvados was beaten disappointingly early on and maybe he isn’t as good as anticipated.
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
Brain power wasn’t too far off in de sceaux when he fell at ascot. I thought he was way over priced today, particularly in relation to St Calvados
Footpad was great, and not foot perfect all the way…the race ended up suiting him nicely. will be interesting to see what way they go with him next year!
Twitter: Jackh1092
Hindsight is 20/20 so make the most of it!Brain Power is not a horse I will back again but each to their own. For me, he lacks that will to win.
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
Got the Gold Cup comments afterward the race and Mullins said at the start of the year they were thinking he was going to start off over 2m4f but he was so good over 2m they then changed to think of him as an Arkle horse.
Ordinarily I would scoff at the Gold Cup thoughts but as a 4yr old he won at Auteuil in very soft ground over 2m3.5f and he was 3rd in last year’s Champion Stayers Hurdle over 3m at Punchestown as a 5yr old so given that he seems to settle well and is very economical with his jumping it is not as much of a stretch to think he could go the Kicking King route.
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