- This topic has 22 replies, 12 voices, and was last updated 13 years ago by
.
- Posts
Never had much luck in this race down the years, stupidly backed MONTAFF last year despite him being one of the biggest donkeys in racing!
The draw is often a bone of contention in this race, however I’m a believer that a horse can win from anywhere if they have an astute jockey on board, so won’t be focussing on those drawn low.
Countrywide Flame is a deserved favourite after a great few years over jumps and has a win to his name over this very idiosyncratic course. Probably not the best handicapped back on the flat (8lb higher than his Cesarewitch second) but has guaranteed stamina. However the ground may be a bit too lively for him and at 4/1 I’d be willing to take him on.
The Irish have an awful record in the race so I wouldn’t be overly keen on O’Brien’s Justification, despite him being relatively unexposed, or Simenon, who has a lot of weight to carry round.
I’ts always a plus to have someone who knows what they’re doing around Chester and there’s arguably no one better than Franny Norton, and his mount Perennial is the one for me. Successful on his debut when beating eventual St Leger hero Encke, he’s had a few mediocre runs since but there was promise in his comeback run at Epsom and the return to a longer trip could bring some improvement, as his Queens Vase over 2 miles run came on unsuitable ground. At 12/1 he’ll be my outside bet.
Like the booking of William Buick for Buckland. Ran well in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot last time out. The Dr. Marwan Koukash owned Kiama Bay is another one that could go well at a big price.
I followed Kiama Bay over a cliff several times last year but had forgotten about him this time round. However Marwen Koukash will have winners a plenty at Chester I’d imagine. I love this meeting; would love to go one year.
Aidan’s had a lot of duff, expensive horses run in top handicaps, so one day he’s likely to mean business and pull it off. That colorspin line are late maturers, too.
That win of Perennial over Encke looks red hot form and I like its breeding, too. I also like the breeding of Suraj. I had a fancy for the top-weight, too, but hope the above three will be better handicapped.
I’ve had an EW bet on Tominator 10/1, looking at the last couple of winners from this race its horses retuning form hurdles. I think he will relish returning to the flat. he’s got course form and finished 3rd in the cesarewitch last year. TQ riding also he will do for me.
With Perennial scratched I’ll probably side with Countrywide Flame, who if handling the likely fast ground should be tough to beat.
Dunno about the Chester cup but Hollowina looks a decent price in the fillies race.
Should be plenty of attractive fillies on channel four this week
Lots of wags and wannabe wags – Chester is the pinnacle of pretentiousness! Great course though!
I quite like Lilo Lil in the opener, Griffiths has a few winners here with his small band of horses.
Very Good Day EW would be a strong selection if the yard were in better form and despite the Irish having a bad record I have chanced Olympian for the win
Theology for me
Rated 110 when beaten 8 lengths by Arctic Cosmos in the 2010 St Leger .. runs here off 93 with Hanagan riding for the first time since the Leger
Given very quiet reintroduction at Kempton and should appreciate the extra 2 furlongs
I agree BHL.
My four against the field are:
Theology 18/1 win
Buckland 14/1 each way
and the two obvious savers Countrywide Flame and Justification.Value Is EverythingCan’t see past
Countrywide Flame
Tominator
(each way)
Couple of others tomorrow at Chester:
Sleepy Joe 1.45
and
Hasheem 3.50
Flashy Chestnut by New Approach, Hanagan up.
4th to Mujazif only start, not given hard race
but running on well final furlong.Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Been raining here steadily this morning so could see an ease in the ground slightly, probably no worse than good though. Keep an eye on the going come 2pm, good ground would favour CF.
This has gone to a horse back from hurlding for the past 3 years and if the race were a hurdle race Countrywide Flame would be giving
Simenon nearly 2 stone (yet today recieves 15lb)
Thimaar c. 4 stone (again receives 15lb)
Il De Ray c. 3 stone (today receives 13lb)The list goes on.
I know this IS NOT a hurdle race but those are some weight turnarounds.
Course winner, well drawn and potentially still extremely well weighted.
IMO the only glimmer of hope to those backing against him is the fact that similar credentials applied prior to the Ces.
Anybody using his Aintree defeat as a reason for opposing him needs to remember that he was only 6L behind Oscar Whiskey and still managed to finish 2L in front of Grandouet.
How many others in todays race could manage that sort of form ?
4/1 is not a huge price but there’s not a chance in hell I’d be a layer.
Lee
countrywide flame brave as always, problem is he seems to be becoming one of those serial loser’s at the highest level in sport. always seems to find one or two too good. like the lee westwood of horse racing.
this "DR" marwan koukash or whatever he’s called looks as dodgy as they come. how long before he offers al zarooni a job
countrywide flame brave as always, problem is he seems to be becoming one of those serial loser’s at the highest level in sport. always seems to find one or two too good. like the lee westwood of horse racing.
this "DR" marwan koukash or whatever he’s called looks as dodgy as they come. how long before he offers al zarooni a job
Jesus Harold Christ, you need to engage brain before you type buddy!
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.