- This topic has 210 replies, 40 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 10 months ago by
.
- Posts
They always used to say the same for 12 year olds in the Grand National – I do think as the race became faster and easier and less skilful, the older horses have found it more difficult in the National.
Its not just the number of races – horses can count their birthdays – they know when their teeth are getting a bit long.Blackmore was showing off there.
Should have took a peak over her shoulder and eased A Plus Tard down
The horse will need to save every bit of energy now as he’ll be runner up to Galopin Des Champs next year
Charles Darwin to conquer the World
Starting a post with “Can people stop backing….”, means what follows is criticism Mike; it is not “friendly advice”.
Value Is EverythingCalled it totally wrong , didn’t think APT was a strong enough stayer and while the slow pace helped non stayers don’t win any GC regardless of the pace , Power prob kicked on early but it didn’t change the result , Galvin just isnt good enough unless the ground got to bad that it was an absolute slog , Skelton’s horse is maybe the horse out with the winner to follow towards next year’s race , only his 2nd run at a proper staying distance , he made an absolute Horlicks of the last yet stuck on for 3rd , I know everyone is going mad on GDC but Monkfish has still to come back to
You might be right Nathan but I think showing off are probably the wrong words. It was 14 lengths she said in the interview. I think the trouble is if you look around possibly the horse feels the movement and might think she’s easing up. I think she was making sure she kept the momentum and she was emotionally charged as well. Her words ” I couldn’t believe it ”
Verdict…Give the lady the benefit of the day ( or doubt ). I think if you had been on you might have chosen slightly different words ! ( However you are a good judge generally )
Fully backed on Galvin for the National. Had him for the GN last year and will go for him again next year. Stays all day and is a solid, if not spectacular, jumper.
BlueSky @pghenn.bsky.social
So don't run, just like the others always do
Surely he’s too highly rated for a national now?
Bound to bump into something with more in hand
Watched the race again, and think we are underestimating A Plus Tard. That was the biggest winning distance since Alverton in 1979, and Arkle in 1966. He accelerated away from a field that included two previous Gold Cup winners and a King George winner. His previous form included beating Chacun Pour Soi over 2 miles in a Grade 1. Speed, stamina, consistency, and he is still only an eight year old.
He is only 8 but ran over fences at 4 and started racing at 3 in France so hes not unexposed in the sense most 2nd seasons or novices at 8 will be. The longevity of these who start early in France is unlikely to be the same as other routes.
In terms of the form. I’m on the fence myself. Minella Indo back at Cheltenham probably returned to form…. on yhe other hand hes not looked the same horse this year and I thought he folded rather tamely once headed for such a strong stayer. Not sold on Protektorat as a top class stayer yet. Proof will be in the pudding as they say.
“The longevity of these who start early in France is unlikely to be the same as other routes.”
Didn’t Gavin Lynch disprove this with his big stats calculator? He’s also not an “extreme” horse in size or jumping style and that should stand to him.I think yesterday’s performance would have been enough to be right in the mix for most of the last 10 years’ worth of gold cups (except Native River/ Might Bite smash up- don’t think he would have coped with the pace and ground).
Visually it looked a devastating performance from A Plus Tard. However, I’m inclined to think it was a bit of a messy race as nothing really got into it bar the winner. Turning for home i thought Minella Indo was back to his brilliant best but he folded tamely up the hill which leads me to think he was not quite at 100%. I don’t think Power went too early on him but the winner picked up very well and was an emphatic winner.
Minella Indo noticeably pricked his ears when clear just before two out TYT; idling quite badly. Three lengths advantage lost in a matter of strides. Bringing him right back to the pack before picking up again briefly, only to slow up once more when left an isolated second. That said, in the final strides looked tired. Possibly a little below last year but still his best run of the season. Not that he’d have beaten the winner even at his best.
Value Is EverythingIf that had been Harry Skelton instead of Robbie Power on Minlella Indo he would have been absolutely slaughtered from all angles.
BUY THE SUN
I reckon so, TTC. Not a fan of Power. A bang average rider who got lucky to get on a few good horses for a season or two.
Not suggesting he could have won yesterday but not convinced it was a great ride either.
Tatling / CAS I raised the power ride yesterday , don’t think it made a diff to the result but def went to early , I get the feeling Indo is now going to be a bit like Native River after his GC , still capable of top class form but not the horse he was
Agree he committed too soon HDLG but as you say, second place was the best he was ever going to do.
I backed Minella Indo at 10/1 after Kempton, so at least I got an each way return. However, I foolishly forgot that Rachel would be on APT and Elliott would claim Kennedy. I may not have backed the horse if I knew Power was going to be on his back.
I was just a bit worried at how quickly the horse emptied. From travelling strongly he barely crawled up the hill. I would have real doubts about him now. As you say, he looks like a horse which has had one too many hard races and I would not blame him if he has had enough.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.