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I was looking forward to Neptunes 3rd successive Guinness Gold cup
at Punchestowns, that was his for the taking! Interesting to read connections felt he ran below par in the Gold Cup, understandable now!
If the ground had been genuinely soft at Cheltenham i wonder if the result
would have been any different, perhaps Kauto would have held on by a much narrower margin with Neptunes right upsides Exotic! Maybe even only 2l separating the 1st 4 home, We will never know!Beckie hasn’t been around since Monday I guess she willl be very upset to say the least.
J Hales reckons it could have happened in the Gold Cup which I find hard to agree with or believe. Either that or possibly someone simply wasn’t doing their job.
When a horse injures a tendon he may not be lame the next day if it is minor but there would definitely be some slight swelling and perhaps a bit of heat. Having ridden out thousands of times, checking theire legs for any signs of heat or swelling and cleaning their shoes out, is the final thing you do before leading them out of their boxes.
I wonder if he has done any sort of light work since Cheltenham? He was supposed to go to Ireland. If it was a slight tear any use and it would tear like paper and flare up, which may well have been the case.
While I have seen a few injured tendons I’m no expert so perhaps someone could correct me if I am wrong.
Damn shame as he is a lovely horse. While having to take 12 months off is bad enogh it’s the fact that even after healing the tendon is never quite the same strength wise. No doubt PN is well aware of the risks and when he comes back he’ll keep him to running only when the ground is soft. Hope he comes back soon with all guns blazing as there is a sad lack of good chasers like him at the moment.
I’m confused – in what way was Denmans Gold Cup won under "freak" conditions? The ground was officially Good / Soft, and the race was ran at a good Grade 1 pace.
Just sat down to re watch the Channel 4 coverage of Gold Cup day; and it hasn’t recorded….am about to cry.
Just sat down to re watch the Channel 4 coverage of Gold Cup day; and it hasn’t recorded….am about to cry.
Moehat, i have it recorded, so if you need a copy then let me know.
This year’s fantastic race just shows how Kauto Star was under the weather last year. The way he demolished Neptune Collonges and Exotic Dancer – consistent performers imo -provided that. Clearly big Denman was not at his peak after just one race in 12 months which means we still don’t know which is the best horse. Kauto Star has been on the go a long time and may have declined by next year’s race and so we may never know who on their day was the best. I reckon Kauto’s record of big-race wins will be superior to his stablemate when we look back in future years. We should rejoice in having them both in the same era with one Gold Cup apiece. It’s a reminder of the Coe/Ovett years.
This is last year’s Gold Cup thread:-
Gerald
Fri Dec 12, 2008 10:16 amPostby Gerald on Fri Dec 12, 2008 10:16 am
I find it hard to believe that KS didn’t have a hard race in the KG, when the horses behind him did. It reminds me of the comment that Desmond Lynam made once that top class athletes hurt as much as the rest of us, they just go faster while they’re doing it.
I’d also like to see Denman take on Monet’s Garden and Racing Demon et al over 2 and a half miles, and see how much puff he had left afterwards, and how much spirit.
Going back further to the old Old Guard, I’m always surprised in the Arkle debate about people mentioning in an aside that Mill House was their favourite horse. Was it an Ireland versus Britain thing?Enough of that.
Time for the New Guard.
I’ve come to the conclusion that the Gold Cup will be fought out by Barbers Shop and Imperial Commander. They only have to make the improvement that other horses have made in the past.
They are both at home at Cheltenham.
Barbers Shop will benefit from the distance.
Imperial Commander has got hammered each of the three occasions he attenpted 3+miles when younger, but that was when he was younger.If it comes up mud, Joe Lively will win. I know he’s being aimed at the GN, but he might as well use the Gold Cup as his prep race as any other.
Sic Transit Gloria Mundi
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Fist of Fury 2k8
Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:11 pmPostby Fist of Fury 2k8 on Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:11 pm
This is a joke isn’t it
You not only have one horse who is going to improve past Denman Kauto Star Neptune Collonges and Exotic Dancer you a have 2.Never so much in my life have I wanted something. I want to become a bookmaker with punters like you around it must be the easiest job in the world
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Gerald
Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:18 pmPostby Gerald on Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:18 pm
I’m taking Denman’s win in the Gold Cup to be closer to a 180 than 185.
A horse might only have to do a 177 or 176 to win this season.
Barbers Shop and Imperial Commander only have to improve by 1lb per week. That is feasible.
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Gerald
Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:59 pmPostby Gerald on Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:59 pm
Surely a second season chaser traditionally has some sort of say in the finish – I’m just trying to figure out which one(s).
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Well done Paddy and Nigel for getting him right for today!
Loved – the TT Henry style celebration!!! – Huushhhhhed a few today!
Here’s to the weekend – Many thanks!
It’s good news that Kauto is o.k…well done Denman – but you need a ‘Commander’ in these situations!
well done imperial – told everyone he should have run last year
kauto always was a dodgy jumper – dont get upset about it just deal with it – its a horse race and horses make mistakes
we have got ourselves a proper gold cup champ – finally the end of that laughing stock media circus about this horse being the greatest ever ever
kauto has done well considering winning the gold cup once is most then 99 % horses manage (maybe the alterations have made it easier).Lets take nothing away from Imperial Commander – i have always been very sweet on him – and today im made up for him
Denman won fair and square in 2008, those that question this should book their padded cell now.
Zip
Just sat down to re watch the Channel 4 coverage of Gold Cup day; and it hasn’t recorded….am about to cry.
I hear your pain…if you want me to send you my recording after I’ve watched it message me.
Zip
Well done Paddy and Nigel for getting him right for today!
Loved – the TT Henry style celebration!!! – Huushhhhhed a few today!
Here’s to the weekend – Many thanks!
It’s good news that Kauto is o.k…well done Denman – but you need a ‘Commander’ in these situations!
Kauto would have beaten him but for the initial mistake.
IC wont win another Gold cup…in fact Kauto has more chance than him of doing so.
all imo of course.
well done imperial – told everyone he should have run last year
kauto always was a dodgy jumper – dont get upset about it just deal with it – its a horse race and horses make mistakes
we have got ourselves a proper gold cup champ – finally the end of that laughing stock media circus about this horse being the greatest ever ever
kauto has done well considering winning the gold cup once is most then 99 % horses manage (maybe the alterations have made it easier).Lets take nothing away from Imperial Commander – i have always been very sweet on him – and today im made up for him
Proper gold cup champ?
He was that far back in the King george they had a search party out looking for him.Also a half cooked Kauto beat him at haydock.
Hes a good cheltenham specialist but imo Kautos early error cost him that race.
But as Ruby said…sh.it happens.
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NTD has done reaaly well with both Khyber King and Imperial Commander. He deserves all the praise he gets for a job well done.
I think it’s great for NH racing that Kauto Star has a new rival to contend with as Denman really isn’t a threat anymore.
Actually we’ve been robbed in a sense. Kauto Star has now thrown away 2 Gold Cups with some awful jumping.
Looking back at his first defeat I think Denman is a very lucky horse to have won a Gold Cup as he really is very one paced when that tank empties. Many would argue but I reckon, especially after he won his second Hennessy the big horse is as good as ever. This year like in 2008 he had them all at it again he just had more to contend with this time round.
He’s still a smashing horse though but his Gold Cup days are surely over.
Should he go for the National they haven’t invented a handicap that will stop him winning. He is in may ways similar to Crisp and I doubt if there’s another Red Rum lurking in the shadows.
As far as Imperial Commander and Kauto Star are concerned I reckon PN will be chomping at the bit for revenge and you’ll find Kauto Sar will strip fitter than he ever has for his first run of the season if a clash with Imperial Commander at Haydock looks on the cards.
When you look back at this season race 3 out Imperial Commander was going much the better and started to pull clear but then he blundered badly 2 out or he would most likely have won by 2 or 3 lengths.
The fact Kauto was said to be neeeding the race is all well and fine but Imperial Commander is a younger horse and should be even better next year and as I don’t see Nigel TD shirking the issue I can see a very early clash taking place in the Betfair again.
It will be a race to savour if it takes place and I’m pretty sure Ruby and PN will be out to prove once and for all that Kauto Star is still in a class of his own.
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