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PTIT ZIG is a vastly improved creature, massively. It’s a personal shame for me (in a sense) that he skipped the Paddy Power as off 159 he would’ve flicked mud at everyone else in the field. Saying that I ended up with the winner so job’s a good un.
This said though, his rating of 159 will climb. This Saturday he’ll give fans of the ‘Vulture’ (learn French) something to think about when he beats him giving him 5lbs.
Now, call me a ‘daddy-poster’ (leave it Gord, I’ve coined it!), but that’ll cause them fat cats in the offices to shorten him for the King George. 25/1? You’re having a giraffe
PTIT ZIG e/w, King George, 25/1 w/Hills
Nice looking race that on Saturday Boz, I’ll be betting Crickel Wood, and De Boitron…….if they go that is
and maybe Where’s Tiger to get added to the trifecta, but like all those Haydock races, the weather could put a fair dent in them 
GL
Wise old soul you Bob
Finish 2nd in a race, spend a year over fences then return to the scene of the crime 10lbs lower? Ah gwan
I bet De Boitron at 50’s in this race last year Boz, and also had Zafranagar at 16’s. Was very nice that they both placed for each way money, but that De Boitron bet was a hard one to take……..I also had the 2 of them in a reverse exacta, so I was less than amused. Hopefully revenge for him on Saturday.
I bet De Boitron at 50’s in this race last year Boz, and also had Zafranagar at 16’s. Was very nice that they both placed for each way money, but that De Boitron bet was a hard one to take……..I also had the 2 of them in a reverse exacta, so I was less than amused. Hopefully revenge for him on Saturday.
It’s on Bob, start counting the sheets
PTIT ZIG is a vastly improved creature, massively. It’s a personal shame for me (in a sense) that he skipped the Paddy Power as off 159 he would’ve flicked mud at everyone else in the field. Saying that I ended up with the winner so job’s a good un.
This said though, his rating of 159 will climb. This Saturday he’ll give fans of the ‘Vulture’ (learn French) something to think about when he beats him giving him 5lbs.
Now, call me a ‘daddy-poster’ (leave it Gord, I’ve coined it!), but that’ll cause them fat cats in the offices to shorten him for the King George. 25/1? You’re having a giraffe
PTIT ZIG e/w, King George, 25/1 w/Hills
My lad was the moral victor Saturday. 50% fit my arse, not fully wound up perhaps. The weights were ridiculously against Ptit Zig and, whatever blabber’s coming out of connections’ mouths he’ll be lining up Boxing Day.
One thing I WAS vindicated on is that Vautour can’t go right. If that was run round Cheltenham he would’ve been out of sight, such is his superiority over mine or anyone else’s.
The bare bones of it are that he’s not a King George horse and, to my eye, not a Gold Cup horse. Part of me hopes he runs on the Friday because I know that my opinion isn’t the be all and end all. I want to watch the highest quality blue riband event of my lifetime.
The other side of me thinks, this lad given his conditions, is a proper beast. Don’t ruin him in a race that won’t suit. He won’t win.
Onto my Zigger. There’s more chance of Christmas falling after the King George than him not lining up.
This is a frightening King George, from a punters point anyway. From a viewers perspective I can’t decide whether I’m looking forward to it more than the Mrs wrapped up in nowt else but tinsel or not
One thing’s for sure, Coneygree or not, this thing’s going to be run at a lick. The Vautours (right-handed or not), the Cue Cards and the Smad Places could slit each others’ throats up top. My boy Ptit Zig could pick up the pieces and creep a place. I’m still convinced he’ll run and I’m still convinced he’s a vastly underrated animal, although it’s a more familiar face from Ditcheat I’m now championing. SILVINIACO CONTI will see this race fall into his lap. It’ll be run to his dance and, given potential treacherous conditions, 12/1 looks early/late Christmas (what should I refer to it as?!). It’s right though, this WILL BE his Gold Cup!Float Like-A-Butterly, sting like a bee
There’s a fella in Ireland by the name of Willie
He rules over all across the Irish Sea
He’s got all the ammo
He makes most look silly
Including one friend of mine
Goes by the name of Christy…..Indeed come the 27th there’s a youngster in town
Yet nobody’s seen him
We barely utter the name
They all go on a whim
A future legend they say
A champion to be born
His name, it was MinOn Chesterfieldavenue yet a soldier was born
The legend would be tackled
The soldier sent to war
Now us we go fighting
We want soldiers on side
We want legends as well
But this soldier will fly…..
Tomorrow finally gives us a chance to see Nicky Henderson’s next Champion Chaser show just how good he really is. What, Simonsig? Go whistle, he’s turning grey that thing
Time on the sidelines may have cost him his chance at the big time, but it’s another who’s chasing career has hardly been the most fluid transition that now has the opportunity to show how good he can be…..I remember the day well. ‘Twas Tuesday March 11th 2014. Me and a certain David Cormack were stood in a rather excitable Cheltenham parade ring waiting for our first glimpse of this beast called Vautour. The ‘vulture’ wasn’t the one who caught my eye however. Step forward ‘Sprinter Sacre mark two’. This fella had certainly been eating his Weetabix and wouldn’t have looked out of place on the Russian Olympic Team
“If he likes it round here he looks a proper Arkle horse this one” I uttered to Corm, who was far too fascinated by the arse on Valseur Lido to be paying attention.The Arkle was never meant to be, though Seven Barrows may as well have been headed by Steve McClaren last year for the form they were in. My boy ‘Josses‘ didn’t seem to know how to jump a fence, though the murmurings this time around seem much more positive. To start him here, in this stiffest of jumping tests in the season’s top 2 mile chase away from the Festival says a lot to me. You’ve got to put at least a small question mark by the Champion Chase top two for failing to show here so I’m pitching in and hoping my lad can go some way to upsetting the apple cart tomorrow and for the season on.
Josses Hill Queen Mother Champion Chase, £15e/w@33/1 with Betway
Had a bit of a rotter over the weekend with two of my boys falling. Cash is probably done (most likely always was!) on Josses. Shame because he was popping away like I’d never seen him over the first couple, improvement looked on! The fella’s a lummox though, Bambi on ice, accident waiting to happen. Lucky he escaped unscathed.
Tune in same time tomorrow eve, I smell a daddy-post on the way…..
Min flicking his way round Punchestown was a sight, a proper sight. He resembled the vulture on debut at Navan going the other way to me. Was a carbon copy the way he travelled, flew over his hurdles, just the aura and radiance he exubed was something. Ye he probably beat nowt, but the hairs stood up on the back of me neck. Absolute beast
I’m on fairly large for me at better prices than are there now (albeit I was a latecomer to the Min party) and I topped up earlier at 6s. He looks a special talent and, for me, it’ll take something VERY special to beat him.Anyways, I remember the mention of a DADDY-POST around this time yesterday. I’ve seen one I like, I like a lot. The time rates, the form checks out, the entries stand place. He gave me an instinct when I watched him, a gut feeling. The trainer seems keen as well, and it’s about time, he’s due…..
I hopped on at 33s for the Neptune, went large. He’s the real deal. If you haven’t worked it out yet head to Navan on Sunday. A big impression will be made and ripples will be sent through the markets
Oh, and just for the record, I think Olofi could be an absolute sinch tomorrow. I’ve taken the 14s and fully expect him to oblige
Oh, and just for the record, I think Olofi could be an absolute sinch tomorrow. I’ve taken the 14s and fully expect him to oblige
Ran exactly how I thought he’d go for 80%-90% of the race. Was all set to roar him up the hill before he started going backwards. Very unlike him. Has he lost the heart to eat up the hill?
Right, well. We’ve nearly got to Crimbo and pretty much so far so good on the ante-post trail. Admittedly there’s been a couple of bumps along the way; Josses Hill the old lump is certainly not a Champion Chaser, shouldn’t even be a chaser for that matter. My quick love affair with Chesterfieldavenue has since been broken off and remembered as a naughty fling. It was a lot to expect anyone to get thrown in that deep on Sunday on only his second run ever. What he lacked for in experience he probably lacked for in a bit of class also, although with maturity my mate’s day will come, maybe not at that level but he’ll be a decent player.
Those two aside my book is looking tasty. I’m hoping tomorrow I can prove the ‘Kingpin’ of Barbury Castle wrong and that my lad is indeed a 2 miler. It’s all heating up kids…..
Boxing Day has always been a day of great sport, great British sport. It bares its’ mantle as the day immediately following Christmas proudly. Full fixture lists up and down the country bring excitement to otherwise doughy-eyed worshippers. Bookmakers have barely told the punchline of their Christmas dinner cracker gags before accumulators are thrust in their face demandingly. It certainly is a day of sport that is awaited annually and seldom bettered. Although never itself a shrinking violet however, it this year steps out of the yuletide shadows and becomes the cornerstone of this festive period. In our sport of horse racing there’s a bit of a battle taking place this December 26th. The league of staying chasers has never been considered greater. At ten past three this Saturday afternoon football can take a back seat. This year racing reigns, this year Kempton is King.
Now we all know that the King George taking place on Boxing Day is not a new thing. We’re all aware that a high level of quality being on display is to be expected from one of the highlights of the British horse racing calendar. What we’ve been treated to this time around however, really is the stuff racing dreams are made of. We are only Arkle, Desert Orchid and Kauto Star away from having to actually pinch ourselves.
The legendary line up is headed by Irish raider Don Cossack. The Irish angle gives this years renewal a particularly fascinating edge and the top rated chaser in training certainly ticks all the right boxes. The race should be run to suit, with a hell for leather pace seemingly assured. It’s likely he could just be dropped in off the pace by young Bryan Cooper, bob along and let his stamina do the the talking.
In rivals Vautour and Cue Card, two likely to be at the head of affairs, he faces a pair with question marks over getting the trip. The pace factor is yet another hugely interesting issue in this. It’s not inconceivable that the aforementioned two, along with dual winner Silviniaco Conti and wild card Smad Place could all be after a share of it. The reigning champ, with stamina assured, may well let others get on with it and sit handy under Noel Fehily. One thing’s for sure, jumping will need to be at a premium.
One time favourite Vautour has seen his position at the head of the market slip since a relatively workmanlike defeat of Ptit Zig at Ascot. A repeat performance would make him impossible to fancy, although it had been quoted that he was only at 50% that day. The biggest concern for backers was his tendancy to jump left that day. Mesmerising at his very best maybe, but all of his very best have indeed been going left-handed. Mullins and co. seem unconcerned, I’m not sure others will share that confidence. The stamina question is less of a concern to me, as I’m sure he’ll be happy over 3 miles on decent enough ground. Losing ground by jumping left in a race that could be seen as the ultimate test of jumping though, is quite the turn off.
The resurrection of Cue Card has been one of the stories of the season thus far. I’m surprised epiglottis surgery isn’t top of everyones’ Christmas list. Colin Tizzard’s much loved 9 year old, along with both Smad Place and Al Ferof in this race alone have all reaped the benefits. Each have recorded 100% records since going under the knife. Someone’s 0 has got go…..
To some the question still looms over whether Cue Card truly sees out 3 miles. The way he stopped on the spot back in this in 2013 didn’t have the look of a non-stayer to me, more of a horse with a problem. Now these issues have been addressed I can’t foresee a problem, having already won over 3 miles plus twice this season. Hopefully his jumping can hold up. A win for him would most certainly bring the house down.
If Smad Place were to make all to win this (as he did so impressively in the Hennessy) you can almost hear the analysts cry ‘Shades of Desert Orchid!’ already. It’s a tough burden to have to bear, although judging by his Newbury performance, not one that’s beyond him. His bold front running display was majestic. It sent shivers down the spine and did bare an unfortunately uncanny resemblance to Dessie. There could well be improvement to come, although there’d need to be. Beating Theatre Guide and First Lieutenant does not a King George win. He is the wild card though, the joker in the pack. He could yet become the ace.
Silviniaco Conti returns to his old hunting ground rather bemused. He’s won the last two of these and seems to be the forgotten horse. The new kids on the block are here. The new generation has hit. Before Tom Segal got a hold of him he seemed the best bet here. He sat merrily at 12/1 and looked an absolute each-way bet to nothing. At 8/1 there remains value. With rain reportedly on the way that could soon disappear. If it gets tough out there and this turns in to a real ‘jump and grind’ we could well see just why he’s won two of these. I’m not having the argument that he’s a spent force. With Cheltenham not in his calendar this is his Gold Cup.
Of the rest of the field you could argue that Valseur Lido looks a big price at 25/1. Personally I’d say he’s a big price because he’s in hot company. Good horse but this is beyond him. Al Ferof has finished third in both of the last two runnings of this. Normally you’d give him a squeak following a good showing in the Peterborough, but once again this looks a better race than the previous two years. Third again would be a phenomenal achievement, albeit an unlikely one.
An incredibly difficult conundrum to solve then. The sheer spectacle will be enough for most, although those looking to get involved have a lot to take on board. The going for one could prove all important. Don Cossack seems to go on pretty much anything, although better going will suit Cue Card and Vautour, while the softer the better for Smad Place and Silviniaco Conti. The pace angle also cannot be discounted. Jumping at what is sure to be a breakneck gallop will be all important, so a sound jumper will be needed.
I can’t have Vautour on the basis that he could lose ground leaping to his left. If it’s been ironed out then I could end up with egg up on my face, but weighing everything up in a race this tight it’s enough to count him out. Silviniaco Conti looks a great price as an each-way prospect but for the win he looks potentially held on his best form. Improvement at this stage of his career is unlikely. Don Cossack appears the unknown quantity. I’m sceptical that he could have beaten tired rivals in the Punchestown Gold Cup following Cheltenham’s gruelling blue riband. The field he put to the sword in the Mildmay had the look of an exposed bunch also. He could be anything but looks too short for me and is worth taking on.
Cue Card is a rejuvenated figure and it could be that he could take this at the fourth time of asking, but a tentative vote goes to SMAD PLACE. Alan King’s eleventh hour decision to run him could be significant. The form of his Hennessy win may not amount to much, but the manner in which he won it couldn’t have been more dominant. It’ll be difficult to stamp that kind of authority on this field, although a similar performance would take any horse out of their comfort zone. He’d come forward for that run from his first outing this season and it may be that we’re just scraping the surface of the new Smad Place. The Hennessy and King George double is a rare occurence, not completed since Burrough Hill Lad some 31 years ago. History could be made this Saturday.
King George selection
Smad Place 9/1
More money for Yanworth for the Neptune today. With 2 months to go until that week you’d have to say that money talks. Right now though I’m still confident he’ll show he’s a Supreme horse when finding the Neptune trip (albeit on the more sapping new course) less to his taste on Fez trials day. He’s the only one who’ll get near Min!
and maybe Where’s Tiger to get added to the trifecta, but like all those Haydock races, the weather could put a fair dent in them 
One thing’s for sure, Coneygree or not, this thing’s going to be run at a lick. The Vautours (right-handed or not), the Cue Cards and the Smad Places could slit each others’ throats up top. My boy Ptit Zig could pick up the pieces and creep a place. I’m still convinced he’ll run and I’m still convinced he’s a vastly underrated animal, although it’s a more familiar face from Ditcheat I’m now championing. SILVINIACO CONTI will see this race fall into his lap. It’ll be run to his dance and, given potential treacherous conditions, 12/1 looks early/late Christmas (what should I refer to it as?!). It’s right though, this WILL BE his Gold Cup!
Time on the sidelines may have cost him his chance at the big time, but it’s another who’s chasing career has hardly been the most fluid transition that now has the opportunity to show how good he can be…..
I’m on fairly large for me at better prices than are there now (albeit I was a latecomer to the Min party) and I topped up earlier at 6s. He looks a special talent and, for me, it’ll take something VERY special to beat him.- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.