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“Looked like a Ryanair horse” Henderson just said, but “let’s wait and see what Nico says” – maybe still a chance he’ll be supplemented for the Champion Chase.
Gold Cup would be madness this season they’ve only just got the horse back. Take the penalty kick that is this division imo. Clearly stays and its a poor division full of G2 horses. Fakir’s done at the highest level he looked off his feet today. For me that casts a major doubt over the other Irish runners at the trip.
I posted this on the Ascot Chase thread:
Great to see a top horse back and I think there is just as good a chance of him running in the Gold Cup now as The Ryanair, which leaves the bookies going NRNB as open as a shooting gallery for decent combinations. Bet365 went 14s for the Gold Cup after the race, but that has gone to 10s, which I think is still decent value. Combine that with three or four who will shorten drastically if Shishkin misses the Ryanair and you have the best chance of the year at getting massive value.
Gold Cup for Shishkin?
Another 5 furlongs at a totally different course.
Cant see it myself.Deserves to be Ryanair fav after that performance today. Looked very good for the first time in a year. Didn’t have a hard race today either which is important.
I can definitely see him in next year’s Gold Cup but no chance it happens this year.
At 9 they should go for the gold cup
If he lines up here he’s one of the bankers of the week now that he’s proven he’s back to himself
“At 9 they should go for the gold cup”
The horse has only just come back from a number of health issues. Gold Cup 3 miles 2 and a half from a Tingle Creek 2 miles in the same season is a step too far imo. I don’t recall that happening in the modern era with a high profile horse that’s been sound let alone trying it with this one. Some of the media say its stoopid not going to the Gold Cup. I say it’s stoopid if they do. Keeping him healthy and going 2 and a half in this next month now we seen he gets it is the next logical step.
“Gold Cup 3 miles 2 and a half from a Tingle Creek 2 miles in the same season is a step too far imo. I don’t recall that happening in the modern era.”
Kauto Star did it.
I can see the logic of going for the Gold Cup. Is he likely to win it next year as a 10 year old? And given his profile, who knows if he will be sound in 12 months time?
But I agree it is difficult to see Henderson taking the gamble, especially when the Ryanair looks such an easy target.
Mike – A Plus Tard started the ‘21 season in a two mile chase and finished runner up to Minella Indo and then we all saw what he did last season.
Sizing John after being campaigned nearly exclusively at two miles for the best part of three seasons started his first gold cup winning season at two and a half miles then had just one more run at 3 miles before Cheltenham.
I see a lot of similarities with those two gold cup winners and Shishkin.
Unless it’s very testing ground I think it would be criminal not to give it a go. Be right up there with the disappointment of not seeing Vautour take his chance in a gold cup. That horse taught us one thing…as did my favourite gold cup winner Coneygree…live in the current and don’t look too far ahead as you never know what’s around the corner. No point saying we’ll go Ryanair this year and gold cup next as next is never guaranteed. If he’s fit and well and comes out of the race well and comes on for it like both trainer and jockey were adamant he would then go for gold!
There’s one form horse to beat in Galopin Des Champs and a combination of horses with massive question marks and handicappers. I personally think he’s better than Galopin Des Champs in what they’ve both achieved…could be some match up!
Err Bravemansgame has some decent form this season …
Pick 3 on Saturday champion 2025/2026
In the 1970s, in my teens when I first got into racing, the perceived wisdom was that stamina, not speed, won Cheltenham Gold Cups.
The Dikler couldn’t get anywhere near Pendil in a 3m Chase on a Park course – different story over the extended 3m2f round undulating, stiff, Cheltenham.
In the 80s onwards, Burrough Hill Lad and Master Oats won Welsh Nationals first – The Thinker won a Midlands one.
But while I’d disagree about Vautour – who IMO couldn’t even last home round Kempton Park’s flat 3m – Zamorston has a point IMO.
A combination of global warming and better drainage means the race often isn’t as attritional as it was.
Best Mate was quite speedy – placed in a Supreme? – really.
And there have been others since.
Plus absolutely yes – you never know what’s round the corner.
Shishkin’a gone wrong before and he could go wrong again.
I wouldn’t take a short price about him for any race tbh because of that.
He’d obviously have the better chance in the Ryanair on paper, but he might be the better-value bet in the Blue Riband.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Fair enough guys with the Kauto Star example, and A Plus Tard in respect of starting the season at 2m. What i will add about them is that at the time they were a) sound horses and b) had tested themselves over 3 miles in their prep run.
I know he’s 10 years old next year and probably won’t win the Gold Cup but i think its important that the horse’s wellbeing is taken into account too. The Gold Cup race might be too much for him at the minute with the risk of going wrong again in a much stiffer test of stamina and resilience.
Henderson will do the right thing as he knows the horse better than us.
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