- This topic has 96 replies, 29 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 1 month ago by
.
- Posts
“He has never run over three, but he has won over two-five now, and I’ve got no reason to see why he won’t stay. Ascot is a stiff track”
– Paul Nicholls talking about Politologue last yearOK that decision was possibly more owner-led than Cyrname this year, as John Hales seemed desperate for a gold cup horse, but the gist was the same.
Lots of “Kauto did it” chat last year and this…but Kauto had already hacked up in his first Betfair when he ran in his first King George, and he was a galactico. Is Cyrname a galactico? Maybe, maybe not. He’ll have to be, to make all and win this. If he was a 3 mile horse why didn’t he go nice and fresh and right handed to steal the Punchestown Gold Cup from Kemboy and ABP at the end of last year? He had nothing much to lose if he didn’t stay as he could have been nursed home and then sent on his summer holiday; and he had €177k, another grade 1 and a sighter for the KG trip to gain if he did stay.I like Lostintranslation- he reminds me a bit of Thistlecrack the year he won it (well his Carlisle run did – he jumped a bit more economically in the Betfair which is just as well). Got him for the triple crown- like Thistlecrack, not sure he will stay up the Cheltenham hill but if he wins the KG it gives me the fun of the bet till March.
Might have a pound on CDO as he’s my TTF horse and primed for this as his #1 season target. Other than that, will probably just watch. I don’t think Cyrname will stay but he should be a grand spectacle in full flight with LiT pinging around in behind him, CDO hopefully nicely placed to take up the challenge, Thistlecrack enjoying his old stamping ground and you never know, maybe something else running the never-to-be-repeated race of its life to add to the fun.
My Vinndication EW went splat so I haven’t actually got anything on this race alone but I am really looking forward to it. Any bets on the number of times it will be described as “a Christmas cracker” in the buildup?
Will have to wait to see starting line-up, but not sure of the strength in depth. I’ll be on Cyrname, his two wins at Ascot last year were breathtaking. I don’t think he jumped with the same zest last time, yet was still able to beat Altior decisively. It is a shame that the Ericsonn (or whatever it’s called now) at Leopardstown takes away for the KG field.
OK well I couldn’t resist having another big idiot’s price on another likely non runner (and even if he goes, possible non finisher) and it’s Voix du Reve.
The case for, with rose tinted glasses and squinch your eyes a bit:
He has won a grade 1. A poor grade 1, but still.
Mullins has talked about stepping him up in trip and has 2-2.5milers a- go go. He seemed to finish off the John Durkan OK even though he probably needed the run and the ground was softer than ideal.
Ruby must think he has something about him despite his sketchy jumping. He rode him in the JLT even though he did not ride the safer-jumping DDG in the Arkle, on the grounds of not risking getting broken off a novice chaser. Even though the horse nearly dumped him at the first and managed it at the 3rd last, he said he thought he might have come second (horse wasn’t much better than midfield at the time so he must have thought he had a double handful left)…and he is not given to imagining geese to be swans. He got on him again at Fairyhouse, the day before he was due to ride the favourite in his last ever Irish National, when he could have ridden the safer Real Steel.
Thanks to the G1 win VdR is probably rated a bit too high for handicaps, especially as he isn’t huge.
The belief that Real Steel is better right handed is well documented but I think that applies to this horse too. His 3 chase wins have been right handed and on occasion he adjusts slightly right.
He seems to prefer decent ground which- if it stops raining by Christmas Day- he has a better chance of getting at Kempton than anywhere else.
He has been pulled out of the Savills entries – connections have Bellshill for that.The case against (well he is 100-1 for a few reasons):
He has been pulled out of the Savills Chase…perhaps it is because it comes too quick after the John Durkan, or because they think he’s not up to an open G1 3 miler at this stage.
He was a bit keen at the start of the John Durkan again- though first time out of course.
Willie doesn’t send many or any to the King George most years.
Oh and the little matter of needing to learn to jump in a matter of a few weeks. He made a few good leaps when he stood back and had a cut at them, and the last 4 were OK, but the rest was still somewhat scrappy and he tends to get into the bottom of them and hits more than he should when he does so, failing to land well out the far side gaining ground like a proper big chaser flying them would do.
Are connections going to throw a scrappy jumper in at the deep end with the whole world watching, given last year’s unfortunate events?
He’s 100-1; if he was going here you might expect 40s or 50s at this stage.So my bet might only last till tomorrow morning! But in any case I will keep a close eye on him this season, especially on spring ground when we get there.
Voix du Reve 100-1 ew
Grass, very interested in him for The Thyestes, but if he did come here, I would join you for sure.
Cert
Not to run, I meant <cough>VTC, looking at profiles of previous Closutton Thyestes horses you may well be right. He’s already a few lb higher than the likes of Invitation Only and On His Own were when they ran in it, and likely soft or worse that they usually get is a potential concern, but I will back him if and probably when he goes there. A little spin behind Al Boum Photo round Tramore as warmup?
Also won’t be forgetting that the 5yo Enjeu d’Arthel had an entry in the King George….Grand Steep next season? I hoked out some videos of his chases…he is a nice sort.
Nice to see Bristol de Mai still in the hunt, hope he gives a good account of himself and gets luck in running.
I thought Real Steel + VDR were average joes last year. Alright they were in G1s and that, but wasn’t sure how they’d go in open company. Looks like i was wrong, they both look like they could make up into very smart horses. Both their runs in the Durkan were very positive for the future. Given the army Mullins has in 2m + 2m4 g1s, it’ll be interesting to watch these two from now on!
Twitter: Jackh1092
Hindsight is 20/20 so make the most of it!Yes interesting that they both had an entry here. Real Steel for the Irish Grand National?
It’s a pity there aren’t more Irish horses in the King George most years. I suppose nobody wants to wake up on Christmas morning in the back of a lorry or a Holiday Inn and only get a wave from some distant ground staff on an otherwise-deserted course by way of Christmas cheer.
If she makes it to post I’m hoping for a big run from La Bague Au Roi.
Disappointing field for the prize money and stature of the race.Unfortunately not going to post.
Lostintranslation for me.
It is a small field, but they are high class operators and you can’t blame connections of others looking elsewhere for easier chances at prize money. A horse could run out of their skin and come 4th in this or could pick a win in a grade 2/3 and make much more.
She is going to Doncaster sunday.
Footpad and Thistlecrack to give the principles a run for their money.Footpad for me too. The fact that Mullins is taking the trouble to send him over, means that I’m happy to risk him.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.