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Seems like connections are intent on repeating last year’s error of running him in the Punchestown Gold Cup after a hard race in the Gold Cup.
This year’s Gold Cup was almost 20 sec slower than last years and he was on the front end right from the start of the race rather than out the back last year – prize money shouldn’t be any factor (let alone the main one) as the reason to run him.
Last year they clearly thought he was well enough in himself to run and we all know how that turned out, he had a much harder race this year and he has also had one more run than he did last year at this point – he has done enough for the season and now deserves a well earned rest until next season.
Interesting, because Paul Townend was interviewed on Racing TV over the weekend and clearly said that the horse felt flat at Punchestown last year- I believe his exact words were “a tired horse”.
Given that this year’s Gold Cup was run on heavier ground than last year’s, and the time was nearly twenty seconds slower, isn’t the horse going to be even more tired this year?
At least we see him again none of this wrapping them up.
The things I want most in life are the things that I can't win.
Punchestown is a big prize in it’s own right; trainers need to support these races, the world does not revolve around Cheltenham
What’s best for the horse comes before anything else – he was way below form in last year’s race and that was off a lighter campaign as well. He has run 18 times in 4 seasons (last 11 all at G1 level) and for me he has done more than enough for this season to earn a break. Pretty certain Willie has a number of other candidates that he can run in the race.
Lets see if Hendo can find his cojones and send any of CH, Sir Geno, Jonbon & Shishkin over to “support these races” especially considering they all missed Cheltenham and as a result should all be fresh and raring to go come Punchestown especially against horses coming from Cheltenham (and possible Aintree).
Hendo has said Aintree or Punchestown so you can guess which although Aintree isn’t really the best option for Constitution Hill.
The things I want most in life are the things that I can't win.
I don’t understand how running him at Punchestown last year was an error? He ran a perfectly respectable race to finish second. Sure he was beaten but so what? It was great to see himself and Bravemansgame turn up again after the Gold Cup.
Beef Or Salmon used to run 6-8 times a season in all the top races. Kauto Star 6 times a season. If Galopin Des Champs is fit and well I see absolutely no issue with running him. If he runs below his best that is not the end of the world, horses aren’t machines. The wrapping up of horses in cotton wool is one of the things turning people off the sport.
It would look odd, if Hendo would send his best ammunition to Punchestown and Willie wouldn’t run GDC.
He couldn’t do that to the racing community, I think.I’m seriously hoping for proper Spring Festival clashes with all the Cheltenham winners and absentees.
Agree with thehorsesmouth. Fastorslow may have just been better suited by the conditions than Galopin was at Punchestown. Or perhaps Galopin just had an off day. But I do not agree that running him was a mistake.
The horse has only run four times this season. I am wondering if the recent timid campaigning by some trainers has started to influence wider views as this seems far from excessive to me.
It will be his 5th and final race of the season
a big difference from Cheltenham this year and last year was his jumping. Last season probably took more out of him with his errors than this year as although it was run at a slower time on heavy going he seemed to be enjoying itBlackbeard to conquer the World
I think it is great. He is the super star of our sport and the Punchestown Gold Cup is a big win in itself (and almost 200k in price money).
The Punchestown Gold Cup will be run at 1 may. That is almost 7 weeks after the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Quite a difference with the Cheltenham – Aintree double.
Last year may have been disappointing, but a close defeat against Fastorslow isn’t the end of the world either. However, in 2022 he won the Gold Cup Novice Chase at Fairyhouse 4 weeks after Cheltenham in great style. And in 2021 he won the Punchestown 3m novice hurdle impressive 6 weeks after his Martin Pipe victory.
Winning the Savills Chase, Irish Gold Cup, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Punchestown Gold Cup. That is something to remember for a very long time.
He’s also a more mature, and presumably stronger horse this time around LD73. I guess we look at it a little differently.
He’s also a top quality equine athlete and as you say, with only 18 runs in 4 years under his belt. He runs in the G1 races, because he’s top class. It’s not as though he’s having to up his game to compete in them, that’s his natural level.
He’s been to Punchestown 3 times previously directly after Cheltenham and won 2 and was an under-par 2nd last year.
How tough the Gold Cup was for him I don’t know, but Mullins would and I doubt he’d be running unless he was showing all the right signs at home. A sub-standard run last year didn’t dent his following performances, did it?
If he’s fit, let him run. Many criticize Henderson because he wraps his horses in cotton wool and now Mullins is criticized because he doesn’t.
Horses are there to race and as long as their health and well-being is foremost, then run them in the appropriate races.
Totally agree Griff, it didn’t harm the horse when beaten last year and it won’t harm him this year either, whether he wins or not… And he probably won’t need to be at his best to win anyway. If Willie thinks he’s ok then run, am sure if he thinks the horse is not ok then he’ll be taken out.
If he lets the horse run and gets beat then so be it.If I was betting on the race then – as long as the market doesn’t allow too much for last year’s defeat – I’d be opposing him. Heavy ground often takes longer to recover from, especially a strongly run race on heavy. But who’s going to run that didn’t run in the Gold Cup? Conflated is best left-handed. Ummm…
Value Is EverythingJury remains out on Fastorslow’s breathing op’, Mike.
To fit one in between his good second to Galopin Des and Cheltenham – seems as though it was thought of as essential / a desperate move.
Value Is EverythingI agree it is good for racing that we will be seeing Galopin Des Champs at Punchestown. We cannot criticise Henderson for not racing his horses enough but then criticise Mullins for racing them too much. It will only be his fifth race of the season.
His connections know him better than we do. I am sure they would not run him if they had any concerns. His owner clearly adores him:
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