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i hope your right with your thoughts re grands crus above as one bookmaker has layed me a £10 ew double to win the King george 8/1 and to win the Gold Cup at 20/1. I was surprised that they did accepted the bet as a straight double, in fact it remains to be seen whether they will in fact pay out on it as it would to me at least appear to be a related bet, but fingers crossed.
i hope your right with your thoughts re grands crus above as one bookmaker has layed me a £10 ew double to win the King george 8/1 and to win the Gold Cup at 20/1. I was surprised that they did accepted the bet as a straight double, in fact it remains to be seen whether they will in fact pay out on it as it would to me at least appear to be a related bet, but fingers crossed.
Billymag, It will most probably be split into 2 x £5e/w bets if/when it comes time to pay.
Don’t entirely agree, SDC could not have been more impressive. The problem is lack of comaparable form between last year’s novices and their seniors. They could yet turn out to be as poor as the previous year’s bunch.
Why has everyone buried Grands Crus? Scanning through the posts no one seems to take him seriously not even the bookies at 20/1 I say thank you. He was vying for second favourite at the gold cup last year as a novice now one bad run and he is out the window. He I quite certain he did not run his race in the RSA last year he never travelled like he used to and you could tell a way out he was not going to win which to me make it obvious he did not turn up on the day which is excusable for any horse once a while. I think couple of races into the season and that 20/1 will be long gone. I`m not saying he is a shoe in for the gold cup but I with a good chance if he turns up on the day. And not handling Cheltenham, well I still think he is the only horse to give big bucks a run for his money even though that was over hurdles, he did get a nose in front at the run in but of course big bucks is another form of beast!
He certainly didn’t run to form in the RSA, and all the faff beforehand with the weather, resulting in him not getting a prep run, would have been a major problem with regards to getting him properly race-ready.
I’d agree that I wouldn’t go so far as to say I fancied him for the Gold Cup, but it is too soon to dismiss the horse completely.
My early money would be on First Lieutenant. He wouldn’t settle under Davy Russell for a long time in last seasons’ RSA, and looked like he’d given up his chance before eventually not finishing that far behind fellow Cheltenham specialist Bobs Worth. Assuming he gets decent ground at the festival he could have every chance this time around. Mouse does love a good Gold Cup horse after all
I won’t personally be backing him for a while, as I’d imagine that a wet winter over in Ireland could take its’ toll on his performances at the back end of the year, causing a nice drift in price
My only concern with him would be Gigginstown’s embarrassment of riches in the race and whether this will be his eventual target.
You can tell that last year’s top novices are considerably better than the previous year’s so I’d have no issue with backing them to take on seasoned three mile chasers. Long Run needs every inch of Cheltenham’s Gold Cup trip anyway so anything with speed and stamina should put the likes of him to the sword. You have to wonder what form he’ll come back to this year though, he’s still young and could’ve had an off year.
Sir Des Champs was extremely impressive at Cheltenham, you don’t see many on the bridle jumping the last. Champion Court is a very solid yardstick over 2m5f (he doesn’t get three miles strongly) and we’ve no reason to doubt SDC will stay, but the price is definitely on the short side.
I, like others, was against Grand Crus in the RSA last year but his current price for the GC is slightly tempting as I’ve learnt not to dismiss a novice with apparent stamina issues. He’ll get stronger and improve, and regardless, if he goes for the Gold Cup and has put up a bold showing at Kempton (which seems almost certain given his high cruising speed), he’s not going to be 20/1 come the evening of December 26.
I have actually had an interest on Flemenstar in the race at 12/1. He’s a likable, classy horse who’s jumping has been absolutely flawless. He is being aimed at the race and hopefully he’ll have the stamina required.
If Flemenstar wins can you imagine what’s going to happen to Peter Casey on Gold Cup night
RIVERSIDE THEATRE. Improves nicely from year to year. Like the way he won the Ryanair last year, and similar improvement this year should see him in the shake up. Dont think this will be a classic year for staying chasers, might be wrong but we’ve clearly been spoilt in recent years with the likes of Kauto and Denman and Long Run run may well have peaked already. That is if RS goes this route, any ideas?
Do you think Riverside Theatre will stay the trip Andrew? Must admit, I’d have serious doubts at this stage.
I do have reservations about Riverside Theatre staying the trip, but only on the basis he’s never tried it. Okay he ran in the King George last year but he got outpaced in that about 5 out before staying on at the business end. He was being pushed along from quite a way out in the the Ryanair and needed every single yard of that trip to get his nose infront. I think going that half a stride slower might help his cause. Also he improves steadily from year to year so why not this year?
Would be backing Medermit for the Gold Cup but until his problems are sorted out, probably not worth it.
On the whole, I think the form of the Ryanair last year will turn out to be the best pointer to this years Gold cup, was the most competitve race in terms of ability imo.
Taking 65’s about Riverside Theatre on betfair isnt that much of a gamble to my mind ’cause he’ll more than likely line up in the King George and run well enough for his price to contract considerably (fingers crossed).Why has everyone buried Grands Crus? Scanning through the posts no one seems to take him seriously not even the bookies at 20/1 I say thank you. He was vying for second favourite at the gold cup last year as a novice now one bad run and he is out the window. He I quite certain he did not run his race in the RSA last year he never travelled like he used to and you could tell a way out he was not going to win which to me make it obvious he did not turn up on the day which is excusable for any horse once a while. I think couple of races into the season and that 20/1 will be long gone. I`m not saying he is a shoe in for the gold cup but I with a good chance if he turns up on the day. And not handling Cheltenham, well I still think he is the only horse to give big bucks a run for his money even though that was over hurdles, he did get a nose in front at the run in but of course big bucks is another form of beast!
This may sound strange, but think Grands Crus has too much natural speed for a Gold Cup. Can see him going King George, then maybe Ascot Chase en route to Ryanair? Depends how well he completes the Paddy Power.
Impressive by S. Conti yesterday, couldn’t have asked for any more. Maybe what he beat wasn’t very good, and maybe it means that last years staying novices are of a good standard.
I think sir des champs is too lazy to win the gold cup I ll await the run of flemenstar as I think he is the better of the Irish challengers also give a squeak of a chance to al ferof depending on how he’s done over summer remember the supreme novice when he came through cue card, sprinter sacre and, spirit son after be 15 lengths down and hard at work for over a 1/2 mile out, shows he loves the hill and over 3 1/4 miles you have to get up that hill. Massive price at 50/1. Hope he gets his chance after a difficult season last year.
Very nice performance from Hidden Cyclone there, giving Call The Police a sound beating with plenty in hand. The further he goes the better he looks.
Bobs Worth remains my first choice but The Giant Bolster ran a very fine race today and 25s for the GC is superb value imo. It’s his favourite track and he is obviously still improving and should come on quite a bit for today.
5/1 Silv Conti is ridiculous for what might well turn out to be a flat track horse
I’d make Al Ferof my favourite at the moment, but it’s shaping up the best and most competitive GC for years; S Conti, Sir Des Champs, Flemenstar, Last Instalment, Bobsworth, First lieutenant, Hidden Cyclone a live outsider.
Silviniaco Conti ran a storming race over hurdles behind Menorah and Cue Card at Cheltenham. If he can perform on the undulations at two mile speed, I don’t think he will have any trouble adapting at three. I agree that he is too short at this point, though. Al Ferof (despite his chancy jumping), Sir Des Champs, Bobs Worth, Long Run, Flemenstar, First Lieutenant and a few others all have live chances.
I’m with you about The Giant Bolster too, Steeplechasing. He ran his best races last year when allowed to dictate the pace and front-run. That also helped him to jump better. Today, he was held-up, pulled hard and jumped rather scrappy. He will definitely improve considerably.
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