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gonna be torn when this is on, as i’ll be appearing on bbc1 at the same time
Weakest Link?
Zip
100% it’s Hurricane Fly.
Got outpaced last year, needs further in top company.
Absolute false price and though the 5/4 has gone, you could still lay him at 7-4 if you have the funds and inclination.
Quickly, though, as he keeps drifting…
Zip
As you are probably aware, this 2 mile corker has the lustre of witnessing Zippy’s Chelters nap romp home.
ZARKANDER
Since the Fly was beaten fair and square in last year’s CH, he has thrashed Zaidpour, Captain Cee Bee, Unaccompanied and Thousand Stars.
That makes him the form horse to beat. I think not!
If I were holding a betting slip with the Fly’s name on it, I’d be
very
worried.
Last year he was beaten 5 and a half lengths. Now, the only attributable factor to his demise was that he was not 100% – as the trainer has stated since that day.
Well, let’s hope he’s right – otherwise there is no reason whatsoever to think he’ll turn form around with Rock on Ruby.
As many sapient racing scribes have uttered – why is Rock on Ruby over twice the price of the Fly? ROR has run well and will peak on the ground and track that he loves, and has every chance of retaining his status as the champ. The ill-fated Darlan would have beaten him at Donny, but may also have gone on to beat Zarkander in the biggie. Top form.
Now, it may seem a little bit hypocritical, but I do think Zarkander was not 100% at Chelters. However, even if he wasn’t, he still has better form this season than the Fly, and arguably the best form.
He will fight all the way to the line and is going to be too strong, trust me. Whether he canters or grinds to victory this horse has the attitude and ability to be the best of the bests. He is no longer a foot soldier, he is a gladiator primed to dominate his inferiors and infatuate his audience.
I make it Zarkander with ROR for a RFC and Grandouet for the tricast.
You have been warned.
Zip
I think a banker is all about the horse you fancy most to win. Price is irrelevant. We all have our own reasons. Some naps may appear braver than others, but it’s subjective. Some short-priced naps look stupid – like the drifting on Betfair Hurricane Fly.
Zip
It’s the moment you reprobates have been waiting for….Zippy’s Chelters nap!
Harsh but fair Zip
Lol
Crusmissile et al – Wasn’t the Fly outpaced last year? If not, Why was he beaten?
Elgransenor -OK, his defeat last year is a tiny concern at the back of my scanty cranium – but he wasn’t 100% – right?
Now, I’ll have no more half-decent arguments as to why my nap stinks, thank you! ….Geez, give a hottie a break, I haven’t even placed the bet yet!
Zip
It’s the moment you reprobates have been waiting for….Zippy’s Chelters nap!
There is a horse that will have his inaugural crown bestowed upon the opening day of the festival.
He is an equine gladiator that promised much last year but was not 100%. However, this year he has flourished…and his races have not been to suit. In fact, he has yet to meet his optimum conditions, as he’ll stay more than 2 miles and he’ll love the championship pace and that dreaded hill!
Who is he? C’mon, you all know, don’t ya?
Why, it’s
ZARKANDAR
, of course!!
I wasn’t a big fan of this horse, but I’m a convert for the purposes of punting the Champion Hurdle winner.
His wins at Wincanton have been far more impressive than may initially meet the eye. That track was never going to suit him as much as Prestbury Park. He won the Tote Gold Trophy when looking like he had no chance. When this horse is right, he searches out a way to win.
He’s been A1 this season and he’s ready to prove he’s the best two- miler around. I expect him to travel brilliantly in the race, but if there is a battle up the hill to be won, he won’t flinch and will invoke the courage and desire needed to vanquish his frothy-mouthed foe.
The other cracking aspect to this race is that Hurricane Fly IMHO is making the prices for all the other horses. HF was beaten fair and square last year and needs a longer trip. He will be outpaced again.
If you want to be on the Zarkandar bandwagon you better take the 5/1 with Ladcrooks as soon as they go non-runner no bet.
You have been warned.
Zippy
Apologies, I didn’t realise that Mujamead died as well on Monday.
Crazy day. Can only hope it is isn’t ever repeated.
Zip
Tis a a truly sad day for racing. Such a strange end – he just didn’t jump the last at all, and he was cruising – he really must have been some machine. Nothing to look at IMHO, but his engine would surely have taken him close to winning the Champion crown, I’d certainly have had him over Hurricane Fly.
To have Desert Vision be destroyed at Wolves on the same day is very morbid. An even odder fatality, that one. He was travelling well in front and then just broke a leg and it was horrible to watch him suffering.
No doubt this will be grist to the anti-racing mill.
Deaths don’t happen very often AFAIK, but two in a day of only two meetings.
Zip
Well, Cormack, I do like Matt Chapman. I can see why he is not everyone’s cup of tea and sometimes he’s OTT, but at least he has personality, a sense of fun and does know his stuff.
There just needs to be some contrast on C4, that’s what worked well before. Thommo is too panto, but Chapman might shake up the sombre hombres table on C4.
I enjoy the banter on Racing Post Greyhound TV and Channel 4 used to have that, esp on the morning line…now it’s the mourning line! (geddit?)
Zip
I watched the channel 4 team for the first time this year and it was fine, but nothing special.
It’s purely a personality thang, but I found the panel a bit dull. Mick Fitz has a bit more spark, but Nick Luck is constantly verging on the verbose and Graham Cunningham is a bit plain.
They know their stuff, which is great, but watching them all year round could become a bit insipid.
I understand John McCririck had to go, but there must be some characters with a bit more spark that they can wheel out?
These peeps are not going to entrance the new generation of viewer IMHO.
Zip
Okay, I was wrong with Hunt Ball. He jumped and travelled well, but the ground was too soft and I think 3m 2f up the hill will be too much.
He’ll have no probs with 3 miles on good ground, so maybe a King George will be his big target this year.
Credit to the winner and runner-up, but I’m not convinced either will be a Gold Cup winner this time around.
You really have to ask yourself how will Imperial Commander run 2nd time out – dreaded bounce or a further step forward?
I think Bob’s Worth and Sir Des Champs have far stronger credentials, as does Tidal Bay.
I still like Sir Des Champs, but his jumping is becoming risky.
Zip
That was pretty incredulous stuff. I wonder what the real reason was behind that ride…
Incidentally, I backed Faffa at Wolves…at the time I didn’t think "I was robbed"…but have I been?!
Zipp
I like
Hunt ball
, becoming a bit of a forgotten horse, but his last run was very promising and he’ll love the track and trip and the ground should be fine.
Think he’ll win at a nice price.
Zip
The only thing I’d add about Flemenstar staying at Chelters is that there were the same questions bandied around the legend that Is Kauto before he won his 1st Gold Cup.
However, Flemenstar is surely more One Man than Kauto….or is he??!
Zip
Another thriller!
There is no doubt Flemenstar travels like a class beast, he deffo has gears.
I don’t think 3 miles will be a problem, but 3m 2f around Prestbury Park is out of his reach. Not every stayer is a Gold Cup horse, as we all know to our cost!
Interestingly, he’s only 11/2 for the Champion Chase. Must be a bet to nothing E/W if he turns up?Tidal Bay showed such a pulsating desire to win that he must be there or thereabouts come the big day. The pace will be better and we know he handles the track. In the form of his life. Yep – be interesting to witness how Nicholls has revitalised him.
I was really sweet on Sir Des Champs…and I do think he is the one to take out of the race. I don’t why his jumping has suddenly become so unsure, he didn’t have any problems previously. Maybe the oppo are just going a shade quick for him. Still, it’s gonna be a ball-breaking pace at Chelters, innit ya get me bruv?
I reckon his jumping errors can be ironed out and he will relish the hill in the GC. I may back him now EW at 7/1 with Ladcrooks…I thought he may be a bit bigger on Betfair TBH.
Zip
I honestly thought captain Chris was going to win that after the last.
Credit to both horses for making such an exhilarating finish.
It really was a war of attrition, but I couldn’t have Long Run in the Gold Cup.
He and his jockey showed guts and I was glad his jockey took the race by the scruff of the neck after a circuit. You’ve gotta be positive with this horse. He still didn’t jump that well, and that has always got to be a consideration when backing him.
The ground made a massive difference there. Grand Crus also ran with credit and looks on the way back.
Can’t believe William Hills went 3/1 this morning – can’t have lasted for long (?). I checked the prices late last night and they were no better than 2/1, so they must have decided to take a big stance.
Fair point about the ear plugs by GT. When I watched it again it did look like he had something left in the tank but was getting lonely/bored – however you want to put it – he lost concentration.
Zip
Interestingly, he’s only 11/2 for the Champion Chase. Must be a bet to nothing E/W if he turns up?