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Spent the summer playing Marine Nationale and Il etat temps e.w when I’ve had a nice winner , the other horse I’ve tickled at much bigger if Il est francais , rewatching the Ryanair he just didn’t get up the hill , would connections do a one man and bring him back to 2 miles ? , if they did and Sir Gino returns in one piece this could be the best race seen at the festival in years
There are doubts about 3 of the top 4 in the betting. Il Etait Temps may not show his best form at Cheltenham, Sir Gino may run in Champion Hurdle, Majborough has jumping problems. I am not convinced that Marine Nationale can show his best form in a true run race if the ground is soft or heavy. So this raises some questions for me. At this stage it looks like Nicky Henderson does not have a definite runner. He is the winning most trainer of this race in recent years and if Sir Gino runs in the Champion Hurdle then I could see him run Jango Baie. Since his breathing operation Jango Baie seems to have more speed and if he fails to win the King George I could see him being entered for the Champion Chase where he is currently available at 50/1, worth a small speculative wager. The second most winning trainer in recent years is Henry De Bromhead with 3 winners in the past 10 years, non of which were particularly well fancied in the betting. I have just watched a rerun of last years race and aside from the last fence fall Quilixios jumped superbly and he wasn’t stopping and may well have run Marine Nationale close if he had not fallen. Currently available at 33/1. The most impressive 2 mile perfomance this season for me was Leau De Sud in the Schloer Chase. His last run came too soon and his trainer is not running him again until Cheltenham and the current price of 16/1 will look an each way steal on the day. The other horse currently available at big prices that I think could run well is Only By Night with best price at 33/1. In receipt of the mares allowance I could see her run into a place or even win it. Nothing surprises me in racing these days and if Lulamba runs in and wins the Game Spirit Chase he may get entered for this race (as did Master Minded)
I suppose Marine Nationale is the most likely winner and we may have to put up with Connell gloating. However, I don’t believe he is bomb proof and this race has thrown up more than its share of drama in recent years.
At the current prices, I would chance L’Eau Du Sud. He was a bit disappointing in last year’s Arkle but perhaps that run wasn’t so bad after all. It was also after he had run the month before at Warwick, whereas this season he will go there as a fresh horse (which should suit him).
He won well at Cheltenham as a novice and, as Sea Pigeon says above, he was impressive in the Shloer even if Jonbon was a bit underwhelming.
At the prices, I would rather be on him than take a short price about the favourite.
CAS which favs are more bombproof , Sir Gino hasn’t beaten anything yet , Teaphuoo has been beaten at Cheltenham , Fact to File is going to the festival out of form and the GC is wide open , I don’t give a toss about the trainer , Marine is one of the most talented horses out there and is the most likely Champion winner
I agree he is the most likely winner. I said so myself. But I don’t believe he deserves to be as short a price as he is now.
Teahupoo got a poor ride from a crocked Kennedy last year. He has admitted it himself.
Connell should have gone for the Clarence house.. seeing how rubbish the horses were that were in that, silly boy
Charles Darwin to conquer the World
Majborough was undeniably impressive today. He looked like the winner from flag fall.
But can he do it again? Will his jumping be put under more pressure on a very different track?
No doubt he is a short priced favourite now but I can see bookmakers wanting to get him on the day.
…… No need for me to look for my Festival lay In Nap , Lay and each way , he’s the lay of lays
A much sharper track (the Champion Chase is run on the new course) and, probably, good-ish ground will present a very different test. Majborough was undeniably impressive today but the race completely fell apart and Cheltenham will be a very different test.
Here was me hoping for a right price on Marine however common sense is prevailing ..
“he’s the lay of lays”.
I am inclined to agree. 6/4 is an over reaction to one admittedly very good performance but on deep ground on a galloping track.
I am not convinced the undulating track at Cheltenham suits him. He was a very short price in last year’s Arkle and didn’t win.
Any bookmaker worth his salt will lay him for his maximum, with plenty of capable horses running for him.
In all honesty, despite O’Connell being disrespectful to Jonbon, I would sooner have 7/2 for Marine Nationale rather than 6/4 for Majborough.
7/2 , that’s more delicious than Margot Robbie covered in chocolate Easter eggs , anyone taking 6/4 needs to a sort with themselves
Marine will also be opposable if the ground is on the testing side come March and that is a big unknown. Couldnt be touching either of them at this stage
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