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I’m surprised to see no thread for this race already.
I’m really looking forward to seeing Sizing Europe run at two miles again after his race at down royal. He ran a good race there but the distance took it out of him and he was “treading water” by the time quito de la roque went past him.
Kauto Stone and Wishful Thinking are both interesting now dropped down to two miles and both have a good chance especially now that Finnians Rainbow has been scratched.
Another good race to look forward to on a Saturday!
What are your thoughts?
Agree it will be interesting to see Sizing Europe at two miles, however, I’d also be interested in seeing Gauvain if he takes up his place. He’d likely need some rain to show his best but he was a very impressive winner at the Open meeting and is a nice price.
Shame about a Finian’s Rainbow dropping out, but still a good race should the main race principals hold their ground.
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As the ratings suggest, Sizing Europe is head and shoulders above this lot, ran a blinder on his latest outing and, unless the floods hit Sandown, should win this convincingly.
I’m not entirely sure we will see the best out of sizing this weekend on a speed track like sandown. Finians looked a danger but at the prices I think Gauvain looks worth a chance. His recent return to 2 miles was encouraging despite only beating a sulky woolcombe folly, and I don’t think his efforts over 20f last year were at his best trip.
Tatanianos last two efforts at sandown were a flop and I’m not convinced by the horses class at this level. Imsingingtheblues has a lot to find at this level but provided the ground stays good can run well.I don’t want to quote Sizing Europe entirely as a spring horse as his record in the past has been grand. However, over the last few seasons, this has tended to be the case. He hasn’t seemed to be fully prepped until the big un comes round in March – course, ground or trip not seeming to matter. He did however impress me at Down Royal, in a good field, over further than I prefer him to go, on ground that a pig would be cautious to roll in. How will the ground be on Saturday? If anyone knows please inform.
There are definitely question marks against all the remaining entrants – is Wishfull Thinking quick enough to win this class of race over 2 miles? Will Tataniano perform if the ground comes up soft? Kauto Stone is an unlikely runner, but if he were to show, would 2 miles be his ideal trip?
I think who wins much depends on the ground, more so than any race I can remember for some time. Sizing Europe at his best is definitely a class apart from these at this trip and if this was at Cheltenham on good ground in March I think it would be laughable that we’d even be debating this. However it’s not, which raises an issue. On good ground on Saturday, I could easily see this being a 2 way duel between our Champion Chaser and Tataniano, who in his own right is a classy performer, given the fact he gets good ground.
Wishfull Thinking just isn’t for me in this one. If anything I think a raise in trip would be more his cup of tea.
Soft ground on Saturday would bring Gauvain right into the equation. He beat a good field including both Tataniano and Forpadydeplasterer in the sludge at Cheltenham last year, and though he hasn’t done a lot since, could well be in the mix if he gets the right ground. We know Sizing Europe prefers quicker going but he certainly can act on soft.
Ground dependant outcome for me –
Good ground – Sizing Europe or Tataniano
Soft ground – Sizing Europe, Gauvain(e/w) sorry for the essay!!!
There’s been a bit of rain in the South-East lately…I’ll be at Sandown, so I think I could end up getting nice and Stoned.
Twitter=@PGHenn
So don't run, just like the others always do
Paul Nichols has won 7 out of the last 6 running’s of this with Kauto Star Master Minded and Twist Magic taking 2 a piece.
A hard act to follow for Tataniano especially up against the current 2 mile Champion Chaser Sizing Europe.
While Sizing Europe clearly doesn’t stay extreme distances the more of a stamina test at 2 miles the better his chances.
With Wishful Thinking dropping back in trip he looks certain to force a strong pace so Sizing Europe looks sure to have the race run to suit.
Looks like the end of the Paul Nichol’s domination to me.
I fancy Wishfull Thinking but he is a bit skinny at 7/2 and have just backed him at 20s for QM which I think is better value.
I’ve always liked Sizing Europe but connections have started messing about with his trip, something I don’t like to see with quality horses.
His effort last time over 3m absolutely bottomed him if looks are anything to go by and I wouldn’t consider betting him for anything till he shows he’s over that.
Arguably too, he’s a pure Cheltenham Festival horse at 2 miles. The course, the ground, usually decent (bar his Greatwood win though that was non Festival), the race pace, everything suits him perfectly. He’s 3 from 4 at the track which could well have been 4 from 4 had he not gone wrong in his CH (I needn’t tell you I’d a few 33s vouchers then!)
Sandown is all about stiff fences and a climb to the line! Personally i think Sizing will love both. It does him good to attempt 3 miles, builds his stamina for the finishes over 2m IMO.
No doubt they will have a good go one day at a top 3m race but all the time his winning at Cheltenham why change
The 14s for Tingle/QMCC double was too good to turn down
Sandown is all about stiff fences and a climb to the line! Personally i think Sizing will love both. It does him good to attempt 3 miles, builds his stamina for the finishes over 2m IMO.
No doubt they will have a good go one day at a top 3m race but all the time his winning at Cheltenham why change
This little double is abit of me – where have you found that if you dont mind me asking?
Will be laying my everything’s on Sizing Europe Saturday. Yet to win a chase away from Cheltenham on good ground, and clearly a Cheltenham specialist. Tataniano and Wishful Thinking will spank him. Place Lay FTW!
2 from 8 since the Arkle (and one of those was down to Rubi Light falling), ran over 3 miles LTO on heavy ground, up against a very unexposed runner in Kauto Stone. He’s my main bet for the Cheltenham Festival in the Queen Mother at 5/1, all over him like you wouldn’t believe, but I think he’s doubtful he’ll be winning on Saturday. Have taken some of the 14s about Saturday & the Queen Mum, but I’m very doubtful about Sizing Europe winning on Saturday.
Although actually having looked harder, only 4 of those 8 runs have come over 2 miles; 1 of them in a non-novice Grade 1 after winning the Arkle, 1 of them after having had nearly 3 months off and the other 2 were 1st and 2nd in the English & Irish Champion Chases. So perhaps not too bad.
Zarkava, Sizing Europe was beaten by Quito De La Roque last time out, not Kauto Stone.
JJM, I wouldn’t say Sizing Europe is a Cheltenham specialist, his run at Punchestown earlier in the year behind Big Zeb was exceptional. I would think that it’s more a case of de Bromhead having Cheltenham as the number one aim rather than the horse being a Cheltenham specialist.
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