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I agree he needs it soft to win a gold cup otherwise you would think they’ll be 1 or 2 too pacey over the last 2.
He travelled and jumped very nicely and got the job done well.
Cloudy Dream looked like he was pulling his jockey’s arms out and didn’t jump well because had to be anchored. Also showed unwillingness to get his head down and work at the end which looked to me like temperament as much as tiredness. Think 2m4f, a brisk pace and maybe some headgear would suit better.
SDR didn’t do too badly despite finishing position- jumped OK and I think connections probably happy enough.
If Cloudy Dream was mine, he’d be going straight to Aintree for the Bowl. 3 miles on a flat track, good ground, should be right up his street. I would forgive his last two runs as the ground has been heavy both times.
I don’t think we’re living in an era of top class 3 milers at the moment so I can certainly see Native going closer in this year’s Gold Cup but he’ll need to get into more of a rhythm and for Johnson to go for it earlier this year.
I agree that connections should probably bypass Cheltenham and go to Aintree with Cloudy Dream but I’d rather see him in Melling. Not that I feel he’s necessarily much better over the trip but more that I feel they should try and be a lot more forward and those tactics should probably be first tried on a flat, good ground 2 1/2 miles.
Soft or heavy will give Native River his best chance of winning the Gold Cup, purely because the test of stamina very soft ground brings will in all probability be against the other two main market principles Might Bite and (to a degree) Sizing John. However, that’s not to say he himself will be any less effective on goodish ground. Last season’s Gold Cup third place being at least as good form as the Welsh National and/or Hennessey victories.
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