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Last years BANC looked a crap race at the time
When bronn is jumping the last that close it had to be a poor race
Gerri was the best horse in it but didn’t seem to like the track
Iv had some year of bad luck with my antepost bets
Surely shiskin would’ve won without slipping
Your in the same queue as me , I really though I had the forecast , I don’t think he was stopping
On allaho he’s always miles better in the spring
His performances pre Feb are often workmanlike
He ran better today than he did in the savills before his first Ryanair win for instance
We really won’t know how much ability he retains until march
“Your in the same queue as me , I really though I had the forecast , I don’t think he was stopping”
I thought the race was over from a way out the way he was jumping
He’d have surely finished strong enough to win
Bravemansgame is a shell of the horse he was last year
That hill at Cheltenham has ruined him, he’s just doesn’t look the same horse.
Seems to me that Hewick is getting the Rodney Dangerfield (“No respect at all!”) treatment. I certainly didn’t expect him to win or win like he did but he’s a handy little horse and if Shishkin stayed up I dare say the finish would have been very close between the two. Unless a true powerhouse in the division pops up between now and then I can see Hewick winning the Gold Cup.
It might not have been the highest class King George ever, but it was a fantastic race to watch. Frodon jumping beautifully out front, some late drama with poor old Shishkin, and a highly unlikely last to first winner. I really enjoyed it.
Hewick’s career was remarkable long before today, and I agree with Miss Woodford that he isn’t getting enough credit and may well have won regardless of Shishkin’s stumble.
Not taking it away from Hewick , it was his day but I doubt he would have got first or second without the Shiskin incident , as for the GC if similar was to happen then a certain Lucinda Russell horse does that better than anybody up the Cheltenham hill
Hewick ran a fine race in the gold cup last season, he likely wud have stayed on again up the hill. Wudn’t have won but definitely wud have been top 4.
He’s and absolute star of the jumps scene both sides of the Irish sea, his CV is full of top races and the trainers attitude to give things a go is refreshing.
I hope he stays sound and keeps on adding to the roll.of honour
We’ve had bad King Georges recently to be fair Tornado Flyer and Frodon’s wins spring to mind. I think this will end up being similar form wise. Whacker only got beat 10L and he was never in the race.
I read the French horse is targeting french gold cup next year. Cheltenham possibly in 2025
Congratulations to all who backed Hewick.
I don’t think anyone is being disrespectful to Hewick, just taking an objective look at the form instead. At one point he was so far behind, Sheehan said he thought about pulling up. Would he have won a strong Grade 1 from that position?
I think Shishkin would have won had he stood up. With him gone, what did Hewick have to beat?
Allaho – looks a non stayer and probably not as good as he was.
Bravemansgame – disappointing this season and beginning to look like another horse afflicted by the curse of the Gold Cup.
The Real Whacker – never really going and probably not good enough at this level.
Frodon – finished as a top level performer.If either Fastorslow of Galopin Des Champs win well at Leopardstown, it will be a short priced favourite for Cheltenham.
Mike he had beaten a grade 1 winner , pissed up in a national , he’s a bit better than a hcapper
Well done to those that picked Hewick, a star of a horse.
Hope he goes to the GC and onto the national.
A mention must also go to Mr Sheehan, fantastic ride.It was always unlikely Allaho was going to make the running; with so many rivals also front runners that had fewer / no doubts about stamina. It wasn’t in Allaho’s interests to push them into going faster… And Frodon was going a fast pace anyway.
Fellow front runner, The Real Whacker’s connections probably made the decision they didn’t want to be upsides one of the best leapers in the country (Frodon) – potentially putting too much emphasis on TRW’s jumping. So understandable new tactics were employed, although in the end he probably didn’t enjoy it so much.
Frodon did what Frodon does, jumped brilliantly up front, just age catching up with him.
Bravemansgame usually races fairly prominently / tracks pace, but with so many wanting a closer posi’, predictably found himself further back than usual early.
Hewick can lead but gives the impression that’s been more to do with wanting to ensure a test of stamina. More stamina than the rest of this field.
I was a little concerned beforehand that – even if Shishkin started – there was a lot of pace in the race and has sometimes appeared to sulk if getting a restricted view. So although pushing the pace wasn’t ideal for stamina, did think it the right thing temperament-wise. More likely to put in a good run.
Shishkin has 2 mile speed, Allaho Ryanair speed and Bravemansgame asset at 3 miles plus has been his speed. When the three went for home before the home turn (increasing an already strong pace) they put in several furlongs breaking 14 seconds.13.92, 13.03, 13.87 Shishkin seemed to be going best when tripping up on the flat after two out, but I’d expect that of an ex 2 miler racing at 3 miles. If the pace found Bravemansgame and Allaho it may well have affected Shishkin too had he stood up. Those three 13 second sectionals followed by two horses hitting a brick wall 15.42 and the last furlong 16.05.
The “held up” (couldn’t go the pace) comparative stayer Hewick – who probably did more economic fractions – making up a lot of ground in the final couple of furlongs.
tbh I could say “taking nothing away from the winner”, but I wouldn’t mean it. Hewick was the best horse the way the race was ridden, but in reality was only the fourth best horse. Only winning because three others went for home too far out.
Great tipping VTC.
Value Is EverythingInteresting to watch the start of the Road To Cheltenham (4 January episode) where they started off with a comparison of the King George alongside the Kauto Star and the viewing made for a rather eye opening conclusion. Visually it showed that the King George field were faster over the first three fences (only Frodon was ahead of Il Est Francais at the third) but after that Il Est Francais was ahead as Bryony slowed the pace right down all the way to the home straight.
The sectionals show Il Est Francais was faster overall through the first 2m4f of the race (over 2 seconds faster) and then over the last 4F combined he finished even faster than Hewick did and was still well over 2 seconds faster than BMG and Allaho.
I was of the opinion that Allaho/BMG/Shishkin got racing too far out in the King George and paid for it late on which allowed Hewick to pick the first two up – and while the sectionals for the first 2m4f aren’t shown individually to prove or disprove that thought, I think this still shows what a remarkable performance it was from Il Est Francais.
Fascinating stuff. The fact he slammed a decent yardstick in hermes Allen shows he is a top horse but im always wary of time comparison.Auguste rodin couldn’t win the Irish champion or the breeders cup turf due to not being quick enough and he showed that to be utter mince. Still I’m with you in that he looks a star in the making. Let’s hope he goes on to great things.
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