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Thanks for posting that Ginge, you described it perfectly, fast, fluent and enthusiastic! That was a great watch. The horse motored down the back straight and never took his foot of the gas! I’d agree with you after watching, would be mad to try different tactics given the abilities of Jonbon and El Fabiolo, would be very hard to see Edwardstone catching them if a few lengths behind coming up the Cheltenham himm.
One other thing.
Don’t take any notice of the going description.
It was nowhere near “heavy”.
Times on the day (not only Edwardstone) would be impossible on heavy and strongly suggest it was no worse than proper good-soft.Value Is EverythingI was quite happy to go with an outsider here, just for interest really.
He’s no right being in here on recent form, but has placed in it before, so I’ll go with Funambule Sivola.
Funambule Sivola 150’s EW NRNB
Is Gentleman De Mee going to be less than a gentleman?
Are we going to have another Golden Freeze / Carvill’s Hill on our hands?
Will he try to take on / try to make Edwardstone go off too quick?Gentleman De Mee is a front runner / races prominently, from the same stable as El Fabiolo and in the same ownership as Jonbon.
Team tactics?
Surely not?
Value Is EverythingOne thing that’s been racking my brains about Edwardstone, after Jonbon beat him again at Sandown Alan King was adamant they didn’t want to face Jonbon again because they didn’t think they could beat him. Then they sent him up in trip not because he wanted it but because he couldn’t beat Jonbon never mind El Fabiolo. And then they change tactics and suddenly he’s a player again because they changed tactics? I don’t buy it myself, feels more likely nobody else ran their race at Newbury and King was right about the horse after Sandown.
“One thing that’s been racking my brains about Edwardstone, after Jonbon beat him again at Sandown Alan King was adamant they didn’t want to face Jonbon again because they didn’t think they could beat him. Then they sent him up in trip not because he wanted it but because he couldn’t beat Jonbon never mind El Fabiolo. And then they change tactics and suddenly he’s a player again because they changed tactics? I don’t buy it myself, feels more likely nobody else ran their race at Newbury and King was right about the horse after Sandown”.
————————TTM,
Jonbon jumped well at Sandown bar one noticeable error and although often makes a mistake has since jumped appallingly and got beat by a much more inferior rival… And we don’t know whether Jonbon has the Hendo virus.
Whereas Edwardstone took a keen hold held up in 3rd of four runners at Sandown, was reigned back early instead of making full use of some good jumps and then made a bad mistake at the first of the Railway fences (and as a result was a bit wrong at the next two). When upped in trip next time out he predictably pulled too hard and palpably did not stay 2m4f.
Then in the Game Spirit it was a totally different enthusiastic performance, jumping with spot on fluency, gaining ground at his fences. If you don’t believe the form of the Game Spirit then look at the clock compared to other times on the day. Yes, “They didn’t think they could beat him (Jonbon)” when Edwardstone was held up. Yes, if Jonbon jumps well and runs to his best he will probably beat Edwardstone again… But – running like he did at Newbury – Edwardstone now has a way of running that will put pressure on Jonbon’s – and for that matter El Fabiolo’s – jumping. If either of those two make one bad mistake then – because he gains ground at his fences with an attacking ride- Edwardstone may well be difficult to peg back.Value Is EverythingIf the Game Spirit Edwardstone turns up it is going to be a viewing spectacle and I agree he could be difficult to peg back. I used to back him blindly and maybe tempted again,
The more I know the less I understand.
Eight declared, including Gentleman De Mee and Elixir De Nutz, which means that Edwardstone won’t get things all his own way in front.
I’m sure Tom Cannon will be happy to sit second or third if one of the others goes off at a silly pace.
Gentleman will set it up perfectly for El Fabiolo , I’m hoping with some nice e.w bets that Boothill can run on and grab a place late on
Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026
Boothill 50-1 each way, to go with Captain Guiness 14-1, who is one of my biggest fancies this week. I think that he’ll spring a shock here
Would have fancied Edwardstone strongly had it been good-soft, but he’s never shown his best form in the mud.
Might join VTC in a few quid e/w on Funambule.
Can’t believe it’s me ducking out of the bet not the horse, but I took my money back for Gentleman de Mee. Ground not got any good in it and his jumping wasn’t great last time.
Are we surprised , you’ve got to doubt Shiskin running in the GC now
Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026
Prepare for a few more Henderson non runners.
I just hope Edwardstone can serve it up to El Fabiolo. Partly because I have backed him but mainly for the good of the race. Last year’s running was a non event. It will be a shame if that happens again.
Every year there’s a late withdrawal from this race rendering it a non-event. Three times in the last four, is it?
Oh well. Nicky can save Jonbon for his real target, the Celebration Chase at Sandown on the final day when he can beat Greanateen and Tommy’s Oscar in a three-horse race at 1/4.
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