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I did fancy TG before the St James and you would of had to be an idiot not to have. But like I said he isn’t a good horse and still should of won that race, if he quickened when asked he would of won but it took him to long to pick up. GG is improving while the TG isn’t in my opinion. Also Frankie is guaranteed to get first run again so when he takes his 2/3 lengths Ryan won’t catch him.
That wasn’t your view before the St James Palace Stakes though Goreisking. You were all over The Gurkha that day. Galileo Gold had the run of the race that day but even with the trouble The Gurkha found in running he was closing all the way to the line. Connections have stuck to a mile with Galileo Gold but I’m not sure they view him as an out and out miler and had he lost we possibly could have seen him entered up in the Eclispe, lets not forget they were keen enough to view him as a Derby horse if not for the DNA test.
I see the Gurkha going off favourite here, keeping close tabs on GG and winning. I’m happy with 4/1.I’d be keen on the Gurkha here too Nathan. 4-1 looks an excellent price.
Should finally get his ground. Actually the race last time with the godolphin horse I thought he took some stick for, because he was bet before the race as if defeat was out of the question.
But what it looked like to me was a ding-dong battle between two high class colts, a bit like Stenson and Mickelson going head to head and the others left in the dust
Back to a mile shouldn’t be a problem. I actually like backing horses over a shorter trip that have proven they can get further. You don’t have to worry about them curling up in the final furlong.
Of course Galileo Gold is respected but he hardly strikes me as an unbeatable superstar. I think you could wait until the day to back the Gurkha as well, as they are hardly likely to hammer him again in the betting having been burnt twice. Although you never know.
I’m a little bit concerned that O’Brien hasn’t put in a pacemaker here. The Gurkha has to an extent proven he gets further with running in the Eclipse and a test of stamina I’m sure would have been more to his strengths than not.
The Gurkha will have to be right up the rear of Galileo Gold or at the very worse not far behind as if the fractions are slow and he gives too much rope it could be hard(er) to reel him in.Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
I believe Awtaad can be a better horse on good ground and at 7/1 is decent value for this. He beat GG on ground that was yielding in the Irish 2000 and then I think was outstayed on soft ground at Ascot. He is speedy enough so if he can get going early on then who knows.
For all the well deserved hype that these three are getting its strange how they have only won when going off at a working mans price. GG 14’s in the Guineas, Awtaad 9/2 Irish, The Gurkha 4/1 French and GG again in the St. James at 6/1.
Its a trend that is there to be broken but I’ll follow it for a small punt on Awtaad at 7/1. I wont be going balls out on it though as I honestly have no idea who has the best chance out of those three.
I believe Awtaad can be a better horse on good ground and at 7/1 is decent value for this. He beat GG on ground that was yielding in the Irish 2000 and then I think was outstayed on soft ground at Ascot. He is speedy enough so if he can get going early on then who knows.
For all the well deserved hype that these three are getting its strange how they have only won when going off at a working mans price. GG 14’s in the Guineas, Awtaad 9/2 Irish, The Gurkha 4/1 French and GG again in the St. James at 6/1.
Its a trend that is there to be broken but I’ll follow it for a small punt on Awtaad at 7/1. I wont be going balls out on it though as I honestly have no idea who has the best chance out of those three.
Awtaad ruled out instantly from draw
The last furlong is a steep uphill finish, tougher even than the final furlong at ascot.
I think if he’s ridden handily The Gurhka will find it much easier reeling in Galileo Gold this time, and I’m very confident he’ll win.
I hope so Judge, think a pacemaker would have been a benefit mind you.
Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026
I hope so Judge, think a pacemaker would have been a benefit mind you.
Whenever O’Brien just runs one you can be sure they will go very close indeed
The Gurkha and Galileo Gold have the best form and of the two I prefer the former. Run of the race suited the latter at Ascot. However, am not so sure they should be so far in front of some of the others, even though they come from the two in form trainers of O’Brien and Palmer. Awtaad beat an admitedly slightly below par Galileo Gold in the Irish 2000. Wasn’t that far behind the betting principles in the St James’s Palace. Not quite of the tactical disadvantage of The Gurkha, but has only 1/2 a length and 1 1/4 to make up. Needs to overcome a poor draw but does Awtaad have just one third the chance of his old rivals – as the market suggests?
I don’t fancy Ribchester, Fahy isn’t in great form and hasn’t done that well at Goodwood over the years. Obviously gets a mile from his Guineas third, but personally got doubts about whether Ribchester is as effective at a mile and the ground might be too firm too.
Toormore ran poorly in the Summer Mile last time, is inconsistent and had plenty of chances. 4th in the Queen Anne goes some way to prove he’s not up to winning this unless getting an easy lead (seems unlikely).
Kodi Bear seems to have gone backwards since last year. Always had his quirks (remember the swerving?) and – after seeing him in the paddock at Newbury – temperament may be catching up with him. First time cheek pieces now tried.
Could see So Beloved running well – as he did to “win” the Betfred Mile as well as the Supreme here. Couldn’t paddle through the mud last time out. Possible for a place, but can’t see him making the required improvement to win.
Gabrial is usually the one to sit out the back, let the rest try to win and then come through beaten horses to pick up third spot. This looks a more competitive race.
One who could surprise is Richard Pankhurst. On the face of it the worst horse in the field. But also perhaps the least exposed. Well bred, very lightly raced and has done well considering a stop – start career. Only beaten around 3 1/2 lengths 5th (around 1 1/2 by the 2nd Dutch Connection) in Summer Mile. With that his first run for 8 months, could show big step forward in form here. That’s not to say he’s got a big chance. Punters don’t back a 50/1 shot because they believe it has a good chance of winning, they back it because they believe it has a better than 2% chance.
Another who looks over-priced is Lightning Spear. Having his first run for 8 months/for David Simcock since leaving Olly Stevens, career best when finishing just 1 3/4 lengths behind Tepin in Queen Anne, making up a deal of ground in the final furlong. Could easily improve again. Probably needs luck in running, but double figure prices look too generous to ignore.
My 100% book:
32% 85/40 The Gurkha, 25% 3/1 Galileo Gold, 14% 6/1 Awtaad, 11% 8/1 Lightning Spear, 5.75% 16/1 Ribchester, 3.25% 25/1 Toormore, 3.25% 28/1 Richard Pankhurst, 2.25% 40/1 Kodi Bear, 2% 50/1 So Beloved, 1% 100/1 Gabrial.Value Is EverythingAs long as the ghurka doesn’t miss the break I can only see him winning. Hopefully Ryan will be a couple of lengths off Galileo gold till the 2 furlong pole then gradually reel him in and win.
“When shall we three meet again?
In thunder, lightning or in rain?”Well hopefully in nice warm sunshine actually. It is great that these three meet again and lets hope we are just talking about a worthy winner and not any hard luck stories. For me it is all about The Gurkha. I think we will see the real deal tomorrow and he will show himself to be comfortably the best out of these three. His best performance was on a quicker surface in France where his turn of foot was there for all to see. I am confident you will see it tomorrow.
I obviously love Galileo Gold and I think he would have won at Ascot regardless of the interference suffered by TG but it would certainly have been closer and I think he will be less suited by the ground than TG. Saying that his superb trainer just goes from strength to strength and he believes 100% in this horse and thinks he will take the world of beating – should be interesting. I normally need good reason to think that a horse who deservedly beat another horse should not do so again but I think we are seeing now that early season form on soft ground is not necessarily standing up on these quicker surfaces. Highland Reel was the perfect example on Saturday and I think it is unlikely that different conditions won’t bring about different results.
There is a school of thought that Awtad might actually be better on a sounder surface but his action doesn’t scream quick ground to me. We’ll see.
All in all it should be a great race and I am sure we will see a spectacular winner….unless Burnham Wood do come to Dunsinane.
"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
Another who looks over-priced is Lightning Spear. Having his first run for 8 months/for David Simcock since leaving Olly Stevens, career best when finishing just 1 3/4 lengths behind Tepin in Queen Anne, making up a deal of ground in the final furlong. Could easily improve again. Probably needs luck in running, but double figure prices look too generous to ignore.
He is one I am very interested in. He was progressive under Olly Stevens but I don’t know what to make of him as a trainer and David Simcock could really kick on with this horse. Seasonal debut just over a length behind in a group 1 is solid.
I haven’t placed anything yet but Lightning Spear and Awtaad are nice prices. I’m looking into the stars a bit for the Awtaad option but its only a speculative bet and I’m happy to burn a little bit if today goes well enough.
Exact same story as last time, Frankie in best position on the horse who has the best turn of foot and is the best miler out of these. He will kick and take 2, not to be caught!
What happened to GG in the Irishh 2000? I was away that weekend and never got round to watching it. I have read the race description and I didn’t realise Awtaad was actually held up in about 5th before going on 2 furlongs out.
What happened to GG in the Irishh 2000? I was away that weekend and never got round to watching it. I have read the race description and I didn’t realise Awtaad was actually held up in about 5th before going on 2 furlongs out.
The race can be viewed here Chivers:-
This race is a classic example of some people being totally unable to read a race. Much bollocks was talked immediately after the race by the TV commentator and plenty cobblers was recycled afterwards.
Yes, Galileo Gold gained revenge at Royal Ascot but on the day in the Irish Guineas the better horse won.
The key to this race is to watch the way Galileo Gold travels and compare it to how Awtaad travels. The winner simply cruises along. The jockey is motionless on Awtaad, while Frankie starts to niggle slightly on Galileo Gold, then Frankie is pushing Galileo Gold along, while the jockey on Awtaad is still motionless, then Frankie pulls the whip on Galileo Gold but if you look at Awtaad at that moment, the jockey’s hands are still firmly on the back of his neck.
When Awtaad is asked, he quickly establishes an advantage. In the end he doesn’t win by as far as first seemed possible. I believe this was because he was probably emptying and Galileo Gold kept on well in second.
At the start of the season someone asked me if I felt Awtaad was a Derby horse, because he held an entry for the race. I replied that I didn’t think he had a cat in hell’s chance of staying a mile and a half.
Whichever way you want to slice it up, Awtaad simply travelled better than Galileo Gold in the Irish 2000 Guineas and anyone suggesting Galileo Gold was unlucky either can’t read a race or doesn’t want to face facts.
In the St James Palace, I felt Awtaad tired late on and I feel he is worth a shot on his first try at proper fast ground. 10/1 was a big price in my eyes I don’t see why Galileo Gold should have been a 5th of the odds.
Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.
Awtaad was definitely the best horse that day, that being said GG never got a fair crack and a horse can’t win if it’s not in a nice relaxed rhythm. That being said Awtaad is a donkey that likes these shitty tracks like curragh and leopardstown etc. Awtaad would beat GG again fair and square at curragh just because he likes that track. Any form at curragh is ruled out…jet setting beat minding
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