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I have been really taken with his performances thus far this year barring the Derby but that was a non race for him. As blatantly obvious as it is, he clearly will be brought along smoothly by Sir Michael with an eye on his 4yo campaign. Now we can never know how good next years 3yo’s will turn out to be or whether or not any of the leading ones will be even be targeted at the King George, but straight after the Gordon i said to myself i reckon Ulysses will win/run well in next years King George. I’ve been able to get a quote of 25/1 with Skybet for next years race and wanted to get some opinions regarding the horse befiore i dive in.
CheersIt isn’t a great time for 1m 4f horses, so you might be onto something if Ulysses is as good as you think he is.
Assuming Postponed and Harzand go to stud at the end of the season, you’ll have two of the big obstacles out of your way. Highland Reel might not be around either.
Unless the likes of US Army Ranger, Wings Of Desire or Idaho win the Arc, that little crew will probably stick around next year. They’re quite beatable so your only other worry would be next year’s 3yos. The King George is becoming an unfashionable target for Derby winners so you might even dodge the best of the next generation – perhaps the 2nd/3rd/4th will rock up.
I’m not totally sold on Ulysses myself but if you see something special in him then there is plenty of logic available to justify the bet.
I have been really taken with his performances thus far this year barring the Derby but that was a non race for him. As blatantly obvious as it is, he clearly will be brought along smoothly by Sir Michael with an eye on his 4yo campaign. Now we can never know how good next years 3yo’s will turn out to be or whether or not any of the leading ones will be even be targeted at the King George, but straight after the Gordon i said to myself i reckon Ulysses will win/run well in next years King George. I’ve been able to get a quote of 25/1 with Skybet for next years race and wanted to get some opinions regarding the horse befiore i dive in.
CheersUlysses probably needs to improve at least another 10 lbs to win an average King George, Ponisback, but he’s lightly raced, very well bred and from a trainer who is particularly good at improving 4 year olds and importantly targets the King George.
I saw Ulysses at Newbury, he’s not as big as some – but has one of the best, long, fluent actions you’ll see… Which imo may well be the reason for improved form last time out on a firm surface. Previously raced on softer. If we have normal Summer weather next year Ascot in July should suit. 33/1 for the Arc, not sure he’ll turn up there though (can be soft).
All in all think he’s a top class horse in the making, can see why you like him. How many bookmakers have given you a price? Not sure 25/1 is quite big enough for me at this time; I’d wait a bit and see if you can get a better price from other bookies between now and his next run. He’s in the Great Voltigeur at York on 17th August (or Irish Champion Stakes on 10th Sept). Might be worth you having a word with Jonibake in the Daily Lays And Plays section of this forum, know he likes Ulysses.
Value Is EverythingWell, I for one was very pleased with how this boy came out and got the job done at Sandown on Friday. Settled towards the rear off what looked a sedate early pace. I feel he did very well to win from the position from a race fit Deauville who had the run of the race too. Ulysses was given an easy ride too and won a shade cosier than the winning margin suggests.
In regards to my ante-post bet for the King George, it’s someething I’m very please with, now down to 8’s my 33s with William Hill is looking very tasty. Not sure I’d want him to head to Ireland for Tattersalls Gold Cup as normally the ground is the firm surface he clearly relishes, although that didn’t stop him on Friday.
All in all I’m a very happy boy, and am looking forward to seeing how he progresses throughout the season. One worry would be, is how strong the older horse middle distance division is looking this year. But, we shall see.
8/1 for the Prince of Wales as well now and that I presume is next port of call. My worry about a King George tilt is that connections from what I gather think he is better at 10 furlongs.
Minding returns tomorrow and given Deauville’s proximity on Friday I’d assume O’Brien will have some idea where he stands.
After the Brigadier Gerrard I as very happy with my voucher, however I’m beginning to think my boy won’t turn up in the KG like I desperately need. All of this talk of him not staying 1m2f, I’m not buying it. Admittedly Barney Roy was closing as the line approached yesterday but they were both going away or at the very least maintaining their distance back to the rest in the final furlong. I see the key being playing Ulysses as late as possible.
As much as I’d love for him to step up in trip (serious pocket talk) I wouldn’t be confident of beating Highland Reel over that ones preferred distance. The only way I could see Ulysses reversing the form is being played a ls late as humanly possible, much like Kalanisi was against the original iron horse, Giant’s Causeway!
Either way the 33/1 I got 11 months ago has given me great excitement throughout this year seeing Ulysses progress into the animal I always thought he’d be after the Gordon. One of my favourite things about this game is, being able to spot a good/’unseen’ one a way off and stuck with it. Normally you’re wrong, either in talent kevel or target. Much like I have been with Captain Forez sticking to novice hurdling next year rather than chasing which I hoped he would!
I’m a big fan Pontisback also, i must admit i clicked onto him after Sandown this year. After that run became very confident he would become a champion this year.
Very difficult to say which way he goes for your bet for the King George though. If you put a gun to my head i would think he would go to York, especially with Almanzor being ruled out of that race today.
I strongly believe 1 M 4F will bring out more improvement this year eg. Arc & Breeders Cup after all he is a Gallileo out of an Oaks winner. Really hope he stays in training next year i do.
I think Enable may go for the Arc and that’s where my money would go if the ground is right.
I have been really taken with his performances thus far this year barring the Derby but that was a non race for him. As blatantly obvious as it is, he clearly will be brought along smoothly by Sir Michael with an eye on his 4yo campaign. Now we can never know how good next years 3yo’s will turn out to be or whether or not any of the leading ones will be even be targeted at the King George, but straight after the Gordon i said to myself i reckon Ulysses will win/run well in next years King George. I’ve been able to get a quote of 25/1 with Skybet for next years race and wanted to get some opinions regarding the horse befiore i dive in.
CheersAll in all think he’s a top class horse in the making, can see why you like him. How many bookmakers have given you a price? Not sure 25/1 is quite big enough for me at this time; I’d wait a bit and see if you can get a better price from other bookies between now and his next run. He’s in the Great Voltigeur at York on 17th August (or Irish Champion Stakes on 10th Sept). Might be worth you having a word with Jonibake in the Daily Lays And Plays section of this forum, know he likes Ulysses.
Funny just reading this. Not sure when I gave up on the horse but I used to really like him (being son of the great Light Shift after all!!!) I think I had convinced myself that he was just short of top level and was exposed as a very decent but not brilliant 120 type horse. He smashed that figure on Saturday, proved me totally wrong and, once again, proved the genius of Sir Michael. After that disappointing Derby run he has brought him along slowly, running him in Group 3’s to build his confidence and then letting him loose at the top level when he has felt it right. I would hope to see him pick up a few more G1’s now.
Titus Oates makes a very good point on the Frankel thread about trainers rushing their young horses. SMS rarely does and so often plays the long game. That’s what makes him the legend he is."this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"
Nice early spot, Pontisback. Stout said on Saturday he thinks the horse will stay 12f. Good luck
I’m of the opinion he proves he stays already. Admittedly he wasn’t a strong stayer over 1m4f last year but he has clearly strengthened up/ improved loads from last year. If he turns up I’d be very excited indeed. Regardless it’s given me great satisfaction seeing him progress into the horse I always thought he could be!
but straight after the Gordon i said to myself i reckon Ulysses will win/run well in next years King George. I’ve been able to get a quote of 25/1 with Skybet for next years race
Well if its any consolation Pont I said exactly the same thing about Stoutes Harbinger 8 years ago.He too won the ‘Gordon’ stakes and I got 25/1 for the following years King george,his last 2 runs as a 3yo certainly made me think I’d lost my money mind but he certainly too was one who benefitted from Sir Michaels softly softly approach.It was a lucky year for me as I had backed Workforce for the Derby at 25/1 and 40/1 for the Arc but hadn’t taken a price for the King George about him…He lost at 8/11 in a course record time to Harbinger..I think your horse has improved again,he travelled incredibly well and that will help his chances of staying the trip,although I am on Idaho at 12/1 myself
..Good luck,I like your foresight.
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